Monday started out cloudy with a little less wind but it picked up as the day went on. Off to Mullet Bay for a few hours. First row was not allowed today unless one was renting 2 chairs, just as well as the front row got washed multiple times with the waves and some in the front row moving back. 5 ships were in port so it was more crowded than my previous 2 visits, 3 rows of chairs packed together that again made beach entry difficult. Very steep entry again, pretty calm with the occasional big roller. I left around 2:15 and there had been only 2 catamaran tours come and go and were no disruption.

While on the beach I noticed a couple setting a little further back, they had been there on my 2 previous visits so I struck up a conversation. Turn out she is MamaB here on TTOL and is a 35 year visitor to the island. Like many couples, she is active on TTOL and her husband is not. She also knows the infamous "pat" from TTOL. We chatted several times, and shared some island experience from past years. It was a pleasure meeting Sue and Jeff.

Back to Atrium to deal with some issues at home, Greenhouse for HH and while there, met another couple with a 35+ year history of visiting. The had recognized me from being at Isola the previous evening. They are owners at Royal Islander and know some of the same people I know who are owners there. Having met two couples with 35+ years of visiting makes me feel like a rookie with a mere 31 years this year.

It was up to Simpson Bay Resort to meet Leagle49 here on TTOL. George and John are long time visitors and have been to several TTOL parties when we used to have them on the island. They were very gracious hosts and we enjoyed some conversation. Thank you for the invitation and your great trip reports.

It was them off to The Palms with Bill and Mort and to meet Junior Bruney for dinner. They were not real busy when we arrived for a 7:00 reservation but as the evening went on, they did fill up. Lasagna for 3 of us and garlic shrimp for Junior, some wine, dessert or after dinner drinks made for a nice evening. NO SC added to the bill.

It was then back to The Atrium as I had called Delta 2 times in an attempt to change my return by a day or two. I could not do it online, not sure why but it indicated I needed an agent to handle it. Wait times were 3-4 hours and no call back option was offered. They did offer a texting option, I tried that at 11:00 and kept getting passed off to another agent. About every 20 minutes I would get a text but not really any information. Finally, around 1:30am I got an agent who looked into it but the cost was more than I was willing to pay and I would have also lost my Comfort Plus seat upgrade with none available on Thursday and available on Friday at even more cost as they are not refundable. The texting was a very inefficient process.

This morning I called Delta, got through in a matter of minutes, only to be cut off so I called back. Got a live agent who looked into it but it was the same story as before, too much $$ and loss of seating upgrade. I needed to know for sure if a change was feasible so I would know what to do for testing. Going to test this morning (what a joke) and I should be heading back to Ohio on Wed.

I doubt I post anything tomorrow since it will be a packing, return rental car and sit at the airport for 3 hours day. If all goes well, I will back home around 12:30am. Not like those with multiple options of direct flights and airports.

Depending on changes to travel requirements, entry and testing requirements, this could be my last trip for some time.

Thanks for Bill and Mort for sharing your lodging with me, it worked out well and hopefully conditions will allow us to celebrate your 50th anniversary back here next year.



J.D.