OMG - It's almost Valentine's Day already!

Starting with today and working backwards - i am sitting at a fabulous beach bar in Cruz Bay St. John called High Tides using their very slow internet to try to update my blog.  Ray (St. Ray) is doing the laundry.  It is one week today that my brother Jim departed and we sat in this very bar waiting for his ferry to take him back to the frozen tundra that is the US this year.  Every day we meet visitors here to the islands who have so many tales to tell of the horrible winter back home and it is so surreal to them that they are here in a tropical paradise.  I have to say it  is a little fun to exchange pictures with friends and family - but I always say we are doing this for the adventure and challenge of the lifestyle, not just to escape weather.  Believe it or not, we miss cozy days by the fireplace watching the snow fall - winter was always a good time to catch up on everything like reading, housework, sleep - Ok, stop gagging !!

Jim's visit was a lot of fun.  the winds were very high the whole time, which led us to chill out for a few days at each stop instead of fighting winds and waves - it was great right where we were!  After a few days on St. John visiting the Quiet Mon Pub (Irish Pub in the Caribbean), snorkeling in Caneel Bay and Hawknest Bay, chilling in Maho Bay watching fish jump and turtles swim, we finally sailed on to the BVI (it only takes an hour) for 4 days on Jost van Dyke - our favorite.  We left Jost with plans to sail east and eventually make it to Anegada but squalls and high winds put us in Cane Garden Bay, where we took a cab up the steep winding hill ( I closed my eyes) to a place called the Bannakeet Cafe - an awesome view and our favorite local singer Reuben Chinnery (brother of Ivan) was singing and playing guitar.  We hope to return this year.  On to Norman Island, great snorkeling at the caves, wonderful calm anchorage at Benures's Bay (we needed the quiet), then Great Harbor on Peter island.  Jim was mega-snorkeler and took some underwater pics we hope to get soon.  We ended the visit with 2 nights at Nanny Cay Marina ( the best darn bathrooms/shower facilities in the Caribbean) & watched the Super Bowl at Captain Mulligan's and Peg Leg's.  Not much of a game but most of the islander's were more concerned with winning money on their bets.  The last Super Bowl the three of watched together was here when Pittsburgh beat Arizona (2009).  So, we watched Jim's DVD of that game on the boat while on Peter Island - so much fun to watch and Bruce Springsteen's halftime was the best.

Speaking of DVD's, we have watched the first four season's of Modern Family and love it. Presently are watching 2nd season of Homeland - so good but scary, so to go to sleep we put in Boston Legal - the writing on that show in amazing.

I have listed my favorite blogs on this site but have to mention Windtraveler.net.  I am hooked and have read it from the beginning - Brittany is an amazing writer and photographer and wise beyond her years.  I also love The Lettered Cottage - it is a decorating blog but have just fallen in love with this couple, who at the present time are trying to adopt a baby from Haiti - I send good vibes their way every day.

Congrats to granddaughter Alyza on getting into the sorority of her choice - DG at Miami of Ohio.
Congrats to Art & Judy on new granddaughter.

OK, fish tacos have arrived - to get notice of updates sign into my blog - just don't expect them frequently!  keep warm and remember the daffodils will be up soon!

Beautiful Nanny Cay marina

View from Beach Bar waiting for Jim's ferry (Blue boat in background) from St. Thomas.  We have our dinghy at the dock you see there which is how we get him and his LARGE suitcase to the boat.

Jim getting first rays of sun

He arrived with 5 lbs. of raw almonds, plus cough drops, lifesavers, dry milk,   and new snorkel mask/camera  We supplied the beer.

The famous Quiet Mon Pub in Cruz bay, St. John

We left this picture of Jim with Ivan 4 years ago at Ivan's Stressfree Bar on Jost van Dyke.   Some obviously frustrated fans of opposing teams have defaced it - probably the Browns fans!

Strange sighting - some ducks wandering into the ocean for a dip on Jost van Dyke.  they live in a little pond back of a bar.

On Megerin

Steeler hats, Jetty tee shirt, Quiet Mon beer cozy

Had a great time at Skinny Legs on Coral Bay with a great band performing

Jim found a Steeler sign at Coral Bay

Picture from the front page of our home town newspaper in Pittsburgh while we were here in the  balmy weather.  I do feel guilty !

On the beach at Nanny Cay

At Capt. Mulligan's watching the Super Bowl.  It is essentially an open structure in a field near nanny Cay where they put up big screens for TV.  the day before it was packed for a Rugby game between England and France.

Jim forgot his shoes this day.  At Skinny Legs he lost one, so threw the other one in the trash can.  When he went ashore the next morning to buy a pair of flip flops both of his shoes were sitting on the wood steps.  ???

clear water from Maho beach, St. John

We went provisioning yesterday on St. Thomas - 3 cases of beer, lots of paper products - hope there's room for me.