The "Infamous" Johnson's Reef, St. John

Johnson’s Reef is a marked reef located off St. John’s north shore near Trunk Bay.  It is within the V.I. National Park boundaries.  We have seen people surfing on the waves that kick up when there is a northern ground swell, which are even larger if the swell has any west in it.  We also know of people snorkeling the reef but it is not worth the effort to get out to it for snorkeling.  I wasn’t able to get any history on the reef, but I did see an article from 2002 describing a Native Son ferry boat running aground on Johnson’s reef and another one in 2013 about a 43-foot power boat running 400 feet across the reef, damaging the elk horn coral colonies which are listed as threatened on the endangered species list.  Hmmm, wonder how that happened with the very clearly marked boundaries of the reef?

Bob & Beth’s BVI Vacation, March 2020

We were so excited to have Bob & Beth visit in the BVI!  Other than the few days in Antigua, they had never been to the Caribbean.  We picked up a mooring in Trellis Bay on Friday, 3/6/20 to await their arrival at Terrance B. Lettsome International (Beef Island) Airport the following evening. After a short walk from the airport to Trellis Bay, we stopped for rum and a bite to eat before dinghying out to the boat.  

The first stop was The Baths and it did not disappoint.  We had a wonderful day hiking around the rocks, swimming in Devil’s Bay and enjoying the spectacular view with a cocktail (lime daiquiris for all) at the Top of the Baths.  We had reserved a BoatyBall at Manchioneel Bay, Cooper Island for the evening.  Next stop was Norman Island.  We hiked up the hill behind the Pirate’s Bight and to the northeast point for great views of Peter Island and beyond.  The next day was bright and sunny so we had some great snorkeling at the caves and the Indians.  

We then headed for Jost Van Dyke.  We had a great beach day at White Bay and hiked to the Bubbly Pool on the second day.  Unfortunately, the six days had gone by way too fast and it was time to head back to Trellis Bay.  We took the dinghy to Scrub Island for one last dinner out before hitting the sack with our alarm clocks set for a very early morning to get Bob & Beth back to the airport.  We were sad to see them go, especially since we had learned that our daughter, son-in-law, son and his girlfriend were not going to be able to visit us because of concerns over the Corona Virus.

Foxy's and Jost Van Dyke (February 2020)

Bryan treated me to a lobster dinner at Foxy's for my birthday.  It was quite delicious!!  Of course, we also enjoyed some rum.  😉 We hiked up the hill in Great Harbor and spent a day at the beach in White Bay while we were at Jost Van Dyke. They are pretty well recovered from Hurricane Irma.  We were not able to hike all the way up to the communications tower, as the road was completely washed out after we got about half way up.  Before leaving to head for the USVIs, we got groceries at Rudy's.  If I recall correctly, Rudy's used to be a restaurant, without the grocery store.  It is now a small outside bar with the grocery store.  I remember having a great Easter Sunday dinner at Rudy's when we were visiting my parents living on their boat in the Caribbean.