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We just arrived home from 3 glorious weeks in the Caribbean. 2 weeks on STJ then 1 week on JVD
This was our fourth trip and they just keep getting better and better.
This year we decided we wanted to find some hiking trails that were not necessarily promoted with the help of ST. JOHN off the Beaten Track (if you don't have the new revised version it's a must get as it seems Gerald Singer used his old version plus the amazing map put out by the National Park and combinded the knowledge and maps of both to create an amazing guide).
We did the rock scramble from Leinster Bay to Brown Bay that was a bit tricky at times but well worth the hike. Another day we did the rock scramble from the old sea plane ramp over to Salomon Bay, this was by far the most difficult we've done on STJ. There are quite a bit of tricky spots that require the utmost attention to foot placement, but at the end it was worth every curse word I came up with. It's so amazing to see parts of the island that you can't get to with ease.
We logged all our hikes and figured out that over the course of 2 weeks we did over 30 miles of hiking (not including beach walks and such, actual hiking).
We were fortunate this year and were treated to some amazing high sea conditions. We've never had anthing but simple small rolling waves that crashed around your ankles while on STJ, this year there were waves at Trunk that had to have been about 6-8 feet high and if not careful could knock you down (we saw a few not so smart travelers trying to stand in the waves and several had the wind knocked out of them and had to have lifeguard assistance). Truly beautiful to see.
We stay out on Calabash Boom in Coral Bay and still love it very much. We ate out at Shipwreck Landing, Miss Lucy's, Island Blues and of course Skinny Legs and Donkey Diner. The new owners of Island Blues and Donkey are doing great and seemed to fit right in. We had the pleasure of catching up with old friends that we've met thru the years and were able to hear all the latest news of Coral Bay.
After two amazing weeks on STJ we moved over to JVD. Our third trip there and had yet another truly amazing vacation. I won't elaborate on the JVD trip as it's a BVI and this is a VI message board but if anyone wants info or has questions I'd be happy to respond.
Until next year.
Jill
Welcome back, glad you had a great time. How long did the rock scramble between Leinster and Brown Bay take you? Did you do the same to get back or did you take the trail?
--Islander
Hello Islander,
The rock scramble from Leinster to Brown took about an hour and a 1/2. After we had some breakfast at Brown Bay we headed up the Brown Bay trail and met up with Johnny Horn Trail. Earlier that week we hiked the Brown Bay Trail to Johnny Horn down to Leinster bay for lunch, then hiked back up Johnny Horn and down to the Church....that was quite the hike but nothing takes your breath away more than doing those rock scrambles.
We are going to take the "Hiker's Guide" map put out by the National Park and highlight all the trails we've done over the course of 4 years. We think perhaps we've almost hit all spots on the map but who knows. We need to leave something for our next trip.
Can't wait to get back.
Jill
Hi Jill,
Thanks for the information on the rock scramble, sounds neat. The Johnny Horn + Brown Bay trails together I've done - beautiful and definitely quite a hike.
--Islander
Islander, have you ever done the Caneel Hill/Margaret Hill starting down by Mongoose Junction? That's quite a hike w/ some pretty steep climbs but worth every breath when you get to the top of Caneel and you climb on the platform and get a 360 degree view.
It seems every year we go to STJ we find new trails and new adventures that we haven't ever done. Like I said in a previous post the book "ST. John off the Beaten Track" is like our bible while on island, it's so full of history and info that you can't help but bring it along your trek to identify plants or ruins.
It will be a year before we can get back but in the meantime I'll live vicariously thru VINOW and my memories and pictures from this trip.
Jill
Hello Jill,
Have always driven passed the trail head and said next time, while heading to trails further out from Cruz Bay. Sounds like it offers great views. It's on the to do list!
--Islander
