Nice thoughts! I think it's great that you have such wonderful memories from the years. I also agree that there are so very many positive things about STT. We only stay a week each year, but I have had only positive experiences with the local people I meet there.

Thank you Rusty for trying to explain how much you love STT. We all feel the same and will be back for our 4th trip this May (in 2 years). If we could, we would come more often and stay longer.

It's our perfect vacation place.

Rusty, if you could, could you tell us if you're going back to Rockworks? I was there, met sherri and Jeff and it truly is an amazing place...beautiful.

Any secrets to tell since you've been to STT so many times?

Connie
We have stayed at Rockworks at least twice even after we bought our time share. I believe it was the two years that we had two weeks. One week at Bluebeards and one week at Rockworks. We will certainly be back to stay at Rockworks. One of our goals to bring additional guests so we can rent Rockworks, the cabana and Stone Cottage.

Some of my secrets, they're probably not so secret... You should scuba dive at Coki beach, My daughter and I have gone twice and my wife is going this year. You do not have to be certified, it's called the introductory course, 15 minutes in the sand and 1/2 hour in the water with an instructor in front of you and another one behind you. On Sunday afternoons at Coki beach the music starts getting a little loud and the smoke starts getting a little thick so we chose to go to Saphire or one of the other resort beaches.

Iggies is becoming one of our standard dinner spots, one night during the week the have a carnival type atmosphere, you're on the water, the food is good and everyone gets into the limbo and dancing, they have a variety of entertainment, it's a fun evening.

We always spend a day a STJ, last year was the first time we went to Waterlemon sp?, I believe this was a recommendation of Jeff and Sherri's. It was our first encounter with multiple sea animals. We followed a big green sea turtle over to the small island where we found at least 100 or more star fish. I'm not kidding they were everywhere, some were being washed up onto the beach and my daughter would put them back into the water.

We always rent a car, I wouldn't consider going without one. In a typical parking lot they have concrete wheel stops so you know where to stop your car. Well on STT they sometimes use these concrete wheel stops to divide lanes of traffic. It's really bad to go over one of those with a Ford Taurus. Thankfully Sherri gave us a ride to get another rental car.

Try the food, go to new places. There are certainly parts of Minneapolis that I wouldn't go to in the middle of the night, I'm sure there are places like that on STT. The nice part of staying at Rockworks is Jeff always makes sure that there is a fresh take of propane for the grill and we grill chicken, burgers, steaks or ribs just about every evening. We have invited couples from Stone Cottage up to Rockworks for dinner. I think both times they were newlyweds. I think we even had Jeff and Sherri over for dinner. Seems weird, he built the house, we rented, then we invite him to dinner at his house, kind of funny.

Always plan at least one evening up at the top of the Tram, not sure of the name. We have seen some of the most incredible sunsets from up there.

If you are traveling with kids just remember sun screen, sun screen, sun screen. It is so sad to see a small child laying under a towel because of a really bad sunburn from the first two days on the island. Our daughter wears a sun suit from 11 - 2. She snorkels about 8 hours a day.

Try to see a new beach every day. Have fun.

Thanks for your insightful posts Rusty,

We also have a love of STT. After traveling throughout the caribbean for years we always gravitate back to STT. Last year we took the plunge and bought a condo. We are traveling back at the end of this month and will be staying for about 4 to 6 weeks while we renovate our unit. I also have a daughter born in 1998, she will be 10 next month. Our condo is walking distance to Coki Beach, let me know if you would be interested in setting up a play date for the girls while you are in town.

Thanks,

Molly

Molly,

Sounds like a great idea. Email me at [email protected] we can set something up. I'm jealous, you will be there first. Is your daughter home schooled?

Rusty

Rusty...scuba diving sounds great to me. I really wanted to do it in Grand Cayman, but husband chickened out. We were going to take our lessons up here in PA and then get certified down there.

Thanks for all your information. We'll be sure to go to Iggies at least once.

Paradise point is on my list for the sunset this May. I'm going even if I have to walk :o)

Hi Rusty! What a lovely thread you started! STT truly has a lot to offer and I know there are many out there that can see that as well!
We are SOOOO looking forward to seeing the 3 of you! Still have your beach toys and boogie board for Arelia, so you will have to come by and get them! Jeff didn't chop up the noodles to put in the Hull of his Sunfish he picked up at the Dumpster and fixed up himself, tho he wanted to! lol! Didn't know those floatation toys had multiple uses, did you? I managed to "save" them for you! (tu)
THE COUNT DOWN IS ON!

Connie,
Rusty was hoping to stay at Rockworks this trip as well, but all didn't pan out! The good thing is, we will still get to spend some time with them!
🙂

Sherri
Aurelia will be happy that you saved the toys from Jeff's tool box. But you have to admit, Jeff is the master of making things work in ways you wouldn't have thought possible. How's the solar panel jacuzzi working?

This year we are staying Sunday to Sunday March 9 - March 16. We'll swing by on Sunday evening or Monday which ever works out best for you and Jeff. By the way Kim has fallen in love with Mohitos.

Rusty

Rusty,

I sent you an email. Looking forward to meeting you and your family in STT. I'll bring the rum and mint leaves, Mojito's at Coki Beach on a lazy afternoon is just what i need to think of right now. We had 12 inches of snow dumped on us last night and it still hasn't stopped!

Molly

Molly,
WE love Coki Beach the best and are interested in buying a condo as well. Where did you buy? I'm trying to think of any condo complexes near there, but all I keep remembering is that awful road getting down to Coki....huge pot holes! Thanks. Janet

Rusty,
Thanks for the positive notes on STT. I have been going for four years now and feel very safe there. Like with most things, you get out of it what you put in. Do you have a website for Rockworks or contact info? Thanks. Janet

Has anyone ever stayed in the campsites on St. Thomas or St. John? I just want to sit in the sun all day and play in the ocean. Touring the islands is an added bonus that I may spontaneously participate in. I'm looking to save a little money by staying at a campsite instead of a resort. (I never use the amenities at resorts so it's a waste). Does anyone have any suggestions?

Janet,

Our condo is in Pineapple Village. It is part of a condo association, but it feels more like a home than a condo. It is all main level living without anyone above or below us. They are 3 bedroom 4 bath units. They are next to the now closed Grand Palace Beach Resort. Wyndham purchased the hotel last year and is planning on $40 million in renovations. A few of the condo owners rent their units out. You can check out one of them at www.absoluteparadisevillas.com. There are only 40 units in our association, nice and small the way we like it.

The entrance is a little bit down from the Toad and Tart (opposite side of the road), the marquee sign says closed. You can also get there from Fungi's. Just take the little path to the beach. Another way to check the location is to go to Google Earth and find Coki Beach, we are a little east of there, and you will see 10 large white roofs. I hope this helps.

Molly

Janet,
Go to: www.mclaughlinanderson.com to ck out Rockworks! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Rusty,
You are right, Jeff will certainly find a way to make things work! 🙂
Am putting you in my calender! I see I started something with the Mojito's!!! LOL! They sure are yummy!
Give me a call!

Rusty,

Reading your thoughts on STT warms our heart and really gets us excited for our trip to the island in May. We are renting Stone Cottage (which is perfect for the two of us) from Jeff and Sherri, and they are really great hosts. McLaughlin/Anderson is a really great rental agent to deal with as well. As we sit here in Michigan snowed in with 14 inches of snow blocking the driveway, we cannot wait to get back to STT. 🙂

Jim & Mary

A friend of mine rented camp sites on St Johns. A bunch of young couples were attending a wedding on St Johns. It was a really inexpensive way for a lot of people to attend the wedding. There are several locations, I believe on the north side of the island. I don't know of any camp sites on St Thomas.
Rusty

hi Maho bay is one and concordia is the other camping area on St John. You also could look at a small Cottage try Vibro .com for listings from owners

Sherri
"give me a call" was that a test?* -) I called your cell but a guy answered. He didn't say I had the wrong number, so I asked "Is this Sherri's phone?' . He said "sure is, she just doesn't have it right now". For some odd reason I just found it funny that someone else answered your phone and says "yup it's her phone but I have it". I can't say I have ever given my phone to someone else.

Tell Jeff the building inspector is arriving on March 9. I don't want to hear any more excuses about some big blue boulder being in the way.

I'll try calling you later, maybe that guy will have given you your phone back.

Rusty

Where are you in Mi. ??