So Sad to Leave the USVI, May 2021

I have a very different feeling when considering our departure from the Virgin Islands this year as compared to last year. Last year, things were so uncertain with the Covid-19 pandemic and this year, we were hoping to go south to Grenada or Trinidad for hurricane season. Last year, we hadn't seen our kids in a year since their trip to visit us in the Caribbean was cancelled when Covid-19 hit. Last year, we were very anxious to get Joli back to the east coast. We were excited for the passage west which should be mostly downwind and reaching. This year, in spite of most islands still being closed to foreign boats, we really settled in to the cruising life style and had great times with great friends. Since we were mostly limited to cruising in the US Virgin Islands, we became very familiar with the area and enjoyed showing our visitors the USVI. Finally, we had a very rough, windy passage from the east coast to St. Thomas last November and it took us several months to repair all the leaks that developed and other damage that occurred during the rough passage. It would be so nice to just keep Joli in the Caribbean for few years rather than continue to sail back and forth. We are sad to leave but looking forward to getting to the states to visit family and friends and we WILL be back!

What We've Been Up to the Past Month and a Half (St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas)

 

Cooling our feet in Magens Bay after our hike with Nancy & Mike (Lost Loon)

Magens Bay Trail Nature Preserve

We walked up on the road to Northside Grind at Flamboyan Resort for breakfast (very tasty -  I highly recommend) and then hiked back down to the beach on the Magens Bay Trail.

Sandy Point Nature Preserve, St. Croix

The final scene in The Shawshank Redemption was filmed at Sandy Point Beach, St. Croix, the largest beach in the Virgin Islands.

We enjoyed great SCUBA diving and snorkeling in the clear waters off Fredericksted.

Turks Head cactus and crystal clear water at Yawzi Point, Lameshur Bay

Sunday morning Yawzi Point hike with Nancy & Mike, Joli in the background (behind the cactus). Check out Bryan's Blue Footed Booby crocs that he got in St. Maarten! 😄

Little Lameshur Bay view from Yawzi Point

What great fun we had with Wholi!

Wholi's birthday brownie at Yacht Haven Grande

Wholi cooked delicious shrimp marinara for us.

Sporty jib-only sail upwind from Christmas Cove to Great Lameshur

Sailing upwind through the cut north of St. John

Waterlemon Bay, St. John

Our friend Alessandro on his Spirit 47, Luna

Fort Christian in Charlotte Amalie

Bob enjoying the beautiful view of St. John from Lovango Cay

Sunset in Charlotte Amalie

On a mooring at Caneel Bay with Bob & Beth

Lovango Cay - the wind blown look! It was very windy the whole time Bob & Beth were visiting.

One of the many beautiful alleyways in Charlotte Amalie.  Sadly, most of the stores and restaurants are closed because of no cruise ships.

Improvements to the waterfront along Veterans Drive in Charlotte Amalie