Birthday Surprise

The view from our accommodations.
Wednesday was wifeys birthday and it was one of those milestone dates that end in zero. The boys and I had planned and connived for almost a year to make this one, a birthday to remember. (and to build some equity for me).

All she knew was that we were going away for a week and to bring tropical clothes. Her guesses had quite a range. Portugal, St. John USVI, Cuba, Panama, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and on and on.


At the airport on Saturday the cat was let out of the bag as we boarded American Airlines direct flight to St. Thomas USVI. Shortly after landing we boarded the ferry to Cruz Bay in St. John. A short photo op filled taxi ride brought us to our accommodations at Maho Bay.

Maho Bay can best be described as summer camp for adults. The choice of accommodations is a tent, or a tree house. We chose the more ma and pa friendly, tree house. (they have hot water).




Lots of hiking, snorkeling and day trips filled the first part of the week.





The day before the "BIG" day. (the birthday), we decided to take a cruise over to the British Virgin Islands, and decided on Virgin Gorda. (the fat virgin), and a visit to "the Baths".

The Baths represent the stellar natural attraction of the British Virgin Islands, with exotic pools and grottos formed by giant boulders strewn across sand beaches. Explorers will revel in the hidden rooms with shafts of light, snorkelers in the coral ledges and caves, sunbathers/ swimmers in the white sand beaches adding to the sparkling clarity of the water

Also at the entrance to the Baths is the elegant but casual Top of the Baths restaurant, whose open air veranda has magnificent panoramic views. Relax with a painkiller or other frozen fruit drink in the fresh water pool designed right into the veranda. Favorites include lobster, conch and veggie burgers, lunch specials like grilled wahoo and baked chicken and such varied items as fillet mignon, pastas, char-broiled fresh fish such as mahi-mahi, jerk chicken, and broiled lobster.

Some of the "stellar Natural attractions"







Akeem our guide climbed up to get us coconuts. Only a couple had water but the ripe ones hit the spot for Sue.


Akeem harvesting coconuts.

opening the coconut.

Sue working a coconut.

working it

back on the boat, still working it.

Akeem did make on special presentation. Can't blame him, really.




It was time to leave Virgin Gorta for the Caves. A really neat snorkeling place with lots of fish and a really big barracuda named Barney.


The Caves

snorkeling the caves.

Barney the four foot barracuda.

Akeem feeding Barney.

On Sue's birthday, she and I went to lunch at Skinny Legs,, an eclectic place in Coral Bay. We were met there by Rick and Robin who run a private charter sail boat. Before we boarded however, the boys, Keith and Todd, hid below deck. Soon after we departed they came above deck to give Sue her final and best surprise. We shared a bottle of champagne and watched the sun set over Coral Bay.



Sue surprised by the boys.

The four of us.


Or neighbor the iguana.

Drunk Cove

Tapas at Miss Lucy's at Coral Bay.

Friendly goat at Miss Lucy's restaurant.

Our friend Martin from NJ via Switzerland.

Stephanie, Ginger, Pa and Ma.

Our new local friend Trevor

Homeward bound

Myles Standish State Forrest

We had intended to ride the Cape Cod Canal, but the wind, from the Nor'west, was really whipping. It would have been difficult to remain upright when the gusts exceeded 30 mph. Sue came up with the idea of riding in Myles Standish State Reserve. It's a place we both went camping as kids, and also took our young uns' way back when.

Ferring, Barretts 1, Charge, Curlew, are a few of the ponds that draw campers and day trippers in the summer.

Our first stop was Ferring Pond. We camped here a couple of times back in the 80's with the kids. It was a very popular day trip destination but has been closed to the public for years. (Because of cuts in the Forrest department staff). We met a couple who ride the Reservation two or three times a week.


After dipping my heals, capesue and capejohn set out for our adventure ride through the forrest. Most of the secondary roads were closed now that the season is over, and some have been closed and abandoned for years. The difference between the two is not that obvious, except for the weeds in the middle.




There are cabins on the reservation that are leased out. In some cases the outhouses are maintained better than the cabins.



I did come across a potential camping spot for an overnight ride. No need for a tent here. Just like Team Nothern Tier would do it.