We spent the weekend on the water on St John and since Carol always wants trip reports...

First of all...September is a wonderful time to be in the Virgin Islands. The water is warm and inviting. You get pruny before you get cold snorkeling. On the other hand, the trade off is you don't know if a tropical wave will come through. We had two days of occasional clouds and one day of occasional sun! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

At Maho Bay, there were 3 other boats in the entire bay. Dinner at the Maho restaurant was fun. This time of year they have a limited menu- two huge chunks of pizza and salad bar for $16. Wine is reasonable or you can bring your own. No bar- must be the only place in the VI where you can't get a rum and coke! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> If you land your dinghy on the beach, it is a good walk up, and you'll need a flashlight coming back down. They are open for breakfast also. The store has good fill-in items- ice, some frozen and refrigerated foods, the odd canned soups, beans, salad dressings, etc. They also sell the Maho Bay recycled glass products.

If you are a friend of Maho and the National Park, read up here about the threat to this area. Also distressful was a note posted about 3 turtles that had been poached several weeks before- if you are in the Park, keep your eyes and ears open!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" />

Then spent two days at Leinster. Saw multiples of my favorite creatures- turtles, octopusses, rays, yellow head jawfish, predator fish and their prey (silversides), nursery school fish (teeny ones), ctenophora and cnidaria galore as well as the ubiquitous Leinster Bay Cushion Sea Stars! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Only one other boat in the anchorage overnight. Willie Nelson's "Stardust" under the stars... But some day boats unclear on the "No Boat" zone concept and one who thought the best time to leave the mooring was in the middle of a squall. Who needs entertainment when you have your fellow boaters??? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Ah, peace and quiet. I am refreshed and ready to face the real world. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />