Just Liming......

Francis Bay, St John looking west at St Thomas

One day melts into another here on St. John, USVI.  Life is an easy blend of lobstering, beaching, hiking, lunches ashore, minor boat projects and socializing with other cruisers. As this is the dry season, everyday is nearly the same with bright blue skies and puffy white clouds; with the obligatory afternoon spritz. The climate here during the winter months is ideal....daytime highs in the low 80s and night time temps is the low 70s.  (In contrast, the temps at night in Grenada don't drop below the mid 80s !)  If it were any easier here, I would be comatose !!  As Paul Simon sings, "we get all the news we need from the weather report".   As winds and sea swells change, boats are moved from the west side of the island to the southern anchorages and then back again.  As St John is a territory of the US, the postal service and rates are the same as in the continental US; making ordering supplies simple and inexpensive.  This respite in US waters has afforded me the opportunity to restock Persephone's inventory of spare pieces and parts. In addition, ATT provides cell phone service at the same rates as the US; including free nights and weekends. Being back in civilization is terrific...at least in the short term ! 

Simply, it is seductive to be on an upscale island with all the amenities of the US. It is going to be VERY difficult to peel away from this "Velcro Island" and return to the southern Caribbean; perhaps not returning to the VIs for 2+ years.  'Persephone' plans on remaining in the USVIs for about a month before starting the 500 mile trek south for hurricane season.... But, before heading south, the bottom paint must be renewed....more on that in the next posting.

Yup, plenty of cold beer aboard, looks like its going to be another great day !