Blue Water

 

 

If you leave the airport in US Virgin Island, look to your right and this beach will be right behind the thin line of trees and shrubs.  The beautiful water gets to you quick.   The water in the Virgin Islands is quite clear and plentiful.

 Linda and I recently spent a week on St Thomas and enjoyed the weather, people, beaches and food.  We 'won' a trip last year at a fundraiser for the Nashville Rep Theatre and this is the trip we collected.  It our first trip to the Islands and we enjoyed it and would go back if given a chance. 

 

The island we were on is really dependent on the tourist trade and the cruise ships are a large part of that equation.   Everybody that works on the island knew the ship schedules.   We went to a beach on the North side of the island and arrived before a boat docked on the South side of the island.  One hour after that boat docked, 1500 more people arrived at Magen's Beach.  The boats are a big deal to the local economy.    

The boats that arrive in St Thomas have two docks they use and on this day we had two boats docked and they both left around dust.  The boat in front left first and backed out and then proceeded on its way.  Quite a show.    Bow and stern thrusters really do the trick in terms of getting this ships out of tight spots.

 

On the days there was not boats in the docks, the town was basically empty.  It was very noticeable and really pointed out the influence of the cruisers.

Later in the week we took a ride to the British Virgin Islands and had lunch at the little restaurant shown here at some really high end resort.  Absolutely perfect weather and view!  We did some snorkeling and just hung out on Soggy Bottom beach.   It was shitty beer day for me, so I drank Schaffers and Old Milwaukee while in the BVI.  It was my first time on British soil, so I wanted to celebrate with some style!!  I was stunned I could get any really interesting shitty beer while in the USVI. 

Things are mature in the VI.  The structure in the middle of the picture is a fort built by the Dutch or Danes in 1619.   It is still standing and under repair currently, but it is good shape and has been kept up pretty well.  The location on the beach puts it directly in the way of hurricanes and it has held its own over the years.  It is basically stone and concrete-- as is every other building in town.    The USA bought the Virgin Islands in 1917 for $25,000,000 from the Danes.  During WW1, the Germans were close to over running the Danes and the US government did not want the Germans this close if they over ran the Danes.  So, they bought the Islands for cash.  Solved that mess real quick. Since the original European invasion in 1493,  this piece of real estate had been bought and sold many times.  The French, Dutch and Danes all tried to make a financial go of owning the islands with limited success. Making a living here with sugar, tobacco,  or mining would be absolute craziness.  We wanted to keep the bad guys out and our strategy has been effective thus far. 

Even though the islands are in the US, they drive on the left side!   I did rent a car and joined the fray.  I had two moments when I make mistakes and forgot and was in a vulnerable position, but I survived.  When I first picked up the car--a SUV--I was traveling with the curb to my left and it was just like a race track--NASCAR.  Turn left and you are good.  Turing right is a little tricky and you are a lot more exposed and need to know where you are headed.  All the vehicles are built for the US roads and you are basically in the ditch as the driver--there are some blind corners that are very interesting.  Plus the island is very hilly with narrow roads.  Pay attention-- when driving.

I did not do any training on the island, but I did a fair amount of walking up and down the hills at our hotel.  The beach was calling and we obeyed.   Coki Beach was our favorite.  A small beach with a large local presence and a great water hole that made some Painkillers that definitely lived up to their name.   Rum can solve a lot of pain issues.

This week, I am in Minneapolis--yep-- and the weather blows.  Overcast--tried to snow today-- and cold.  Move people, there are other places to live.   I could not make it here......     I did run today on the treadmill and worked at getting my speed up.  I will race  in 9 days in Nashville at a USATF regional event.  I am planning on doing the short races and will work very hard this  weekend on starts and high speed stuff and some hammie and glut work at the gym.  I want to get an official time in the 100 and 60 meters to see I measure to the rest of the crowd.

June Rosemary is doing great and we will visit on Mothers Day. That is going to be fun!!