I did not spend to much time in f'sted, but had lunch at the Island Turtle. The view was great. Deli sandwiches were yummy. About 8.00-12.00 a person for lunch. I found that there were a lot of closed down stores and such, I assume it is the cruise industry not berthing there that has drove business away. Linda or Dominic can give a lot more insight to safety and such but During the day I felt completely comfortable wherever I was.

I don't know about shops, but the Blue Moon and Le St. Tropez are EXCELLENT restaurants. Don't forget to check those out. Sunset Jazz is good too

We just returned last night we love eating at pier 69 in frederiksted
The place is in a courtyard and it has live music on the weekends great burgers and nachos and the owner is a fantastic woman and hostess

Allen,

Are you going to write a trip report on your STX trip?
I bet all would like to read.

YL

I second the request - Allen how was your trip to St. Croix, what did you enjoy doing, highlights?

--Islander

Let me third that trip report request, Allen. If you can remember, please indicate if the places you visited (especially restaurants) are step-free/wheelchair accessible.

(Hmm, maybe my other on-island profession should be writing a St. Croix visitor's guide for people with disabilities...)

The HipCrip

Hip Crip,
My mother had been in a wheelchair. I tend to notice things such as accessibility. I know the restaurant I mentioned was accessible. All one floor. There were a few more along the west and north shore such as Off the Wall that have gorgeous views. I think the worst problems to be had are the bathrooms at these places though. I know Off the Wall had a port o pot. (Actually if you don't mind a sense of humor about this though my husband works as a fabrication specialist in the AF. The pilots have what Mark calls piddle packs for when they're flying. He could probably rig something up for you to better enjoy the Views and Drinks without worries. I have frequently requested him to do this for me and he thinks I'm joking) Rumrunners and Stixx were accessible but R.runners bathroom is small, somebody would hold the door though and the stall won't fit a wheelchair. I actually remember that cause I ran into a lady there. Really nice islander too. She was in a wheelchair. I believe she mentioned that there was an organization she was involved in that is trying to make a difference in island accessibility. Good group for you I believe to get involved in to make differences. She says not much gets done though (forlorenly). Now the Stixx and Tivolis on the other hand had facilities upstairs. I remember making a comment to someone I met there that I was surprised at how inaccessible things are. When your used to Stateside living, even with all the faults, you stop looking. This is probably what it was like getting around in the 20's or something.
I made a comment to Mark, whose father was also disabled for a period of time, that a person without any disbilities could easily get one because of the condition of the "sidewalks". I was busy looking up and out and everywhere but my feet and almost broke my legs falling. I don't know how many galleries I ran face first into either.
Regardless of all this input from me (and I hope I haven't offended anyone), You sound to have a great attitude, your looking forward to the change, you know the friendliness of the local people. I SAY GO FOR IT ANYWAYS. You might as well be disabled in paradise, or poor, or alone, or anything...if you know what I mean.
Heck, when Mark and I get there I'll be happy to help you out in any ways possible. Like shopping trips, doctors appt's and other things. Do you have a vehicle that you drive? If not, your chair will fit in our vehicle and it'll be girls' day out!

Eve , you rock!

Thanks for the restaurant tips. I survived a trip to London, where there are no bathrooms at all on the first floor of restaurants (they're all in the bsaement due to the high cost of rent -- owners need to get as many paying customers on the first florr as possible) -- we got really good at either timing our visits to places or running like hell to the one accessible public restroom we knew of in Picadilly Circus!

Thanks for offer of getting around. I actually drive a Saturn SC1 3 door with hand controls. I get in the driver's seat and my chair rides in the back seat, on which we've placed a piece of plywood sp I can "srive" my chair right in on its front wheels. We owmn two of these right now, but are gettingrid of one when we move to St. Croix because (as I memntioned in my email), I'm bringing my DC job with me and will be working from home. Since I won't have to commute to work every day and could use paratransit for scheduled trips, we figured we'd save the added car and insurance costs bt reducing our fleet down to one.

The hand controls are why we are forced to ship our car down there instead of buying one after we arrive. There are no rental agencies anywhere in the USVI that offer hand controls (a requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act)-- we figured if the rental agencies can't get them, there's probably not anyone who could install them on a new or used island car we bought down there. Besides, unless we could get another Saturn 3 door, I would proably have to get a van that I could convert to drive up into -- and that's $25K-$40k I'd rather put into my new house.

Even if I don't need to go anywhere, we should plan girls day out anyway!

Did you find my email reply yet?

The HipCrip

I can't access my email for sbcglobal.net until later this evening when I get home.

HC: You might want to call DMV and talk to them about your car- I am sure that the person in Inspection Lane is going to be very puzzled when they see your hand controls. And you are correct, I haven't heard of anyone who can convert a car/van.

Actually EE
That is an excellent idea for HC to call ahead... Remember according to Ric they didn't even know what a Triumph was!!

East Ender,

That's probably a very good idea. The hand controls are very simple -- it's just two rods that are atached to the regular accelerator and brake. Whe I push forward on the handle that is mounted to the left of my sterring wheel, the gas pedal gets pushed, and whe I push down the brake isactivated. I have a spinner knob (it's more of a forked handle) on the steering wheel so I can make 180 degree turns safely with m y right hand while my left hand operates the foot pedals. With that spinner knob removed, you can easily drive the car normally, which is what my husband does. I'm hopingthjat factor will halp mitigate any hesitation they have when inxpecting it.

The other potential hurdle is going to be finding a doctor to fill out my driver's license form who won't think it insane that this gimp wants to drive. Am hoping that and hte hand controls won't be an issue, but there isn't a DMV process anywhere that can't be messed up by the smallest thing!

HC

Your enthusiasm is cantagious. Some of us have a hard time getting around Cstad with two feet on the ground. Eve has given you some good advice. St Croix is a wonderful place, if it is right for you. Actually you will only know that after you have spend some time here. It sounds as though you are use to "inconvenience " so maybe it will be easier than for others who expect everything to always go their way.

I hope we all hear from you about your move and adjustment to the islands.

go gettum....