Saturday, August 22

Lameshur, Yawzi, Europa!

I got up early. When there is hiking on the itinerary, I seem to bounce out of bed so much more easily. In this climate, hiking early in the day, finishing before 10am, is generally a good idea. I hope to finish by around noon, or 1pm.

I saw my first stoplight on St. John. Boy, times are a changin'. Fortunately, the lights are only temporary, due to a construction project for a roundabout in the middle of town. In the past 3 months, it is the first time I've been driving and encountered a traffic light. I had visions of the 12+ lights common in the intersections around northern Virginia. Based on square footage alone, the island will never be in danger of such massive intersections, thankfully.

Michael and I headed across the island and then down from Coral Bay to Lameshur. We parked in Lameshur. I took some time to walk around the ruins at Lameshur and conduct a full site assessment. I love the views from Lameshur. I'd have to admit, it's one of my favorite views on the island, second to Ram Head.

The day's hiking started with Lameshur Bay Trail. We followed the trail uphill and to the intersection with Reef Bay Trail and Reef Bay Great House. After Lameshur Bay Trail, we went on the Europa Bay trail, and then the Yawzi Point trail. Both Yawzi and Europa are very short. All trails led us to phenomenal spots.

Walking on coral pebble beaches is a wonderful and melodic experience. The coral crunches beneath your feet, almost like stirring a trashcan full of glass bottles. The chinks and tinks of coral pieces grinding together is truly a unique sound to the islands. Also of interest, there are some great spots for bouldering along Lameshur, Yawzi, and Europa, if you don't mind lugging the bouldering pad around on island trails. I would love to scale the rough rocks by Europa Bay, where a fall would land you in a small gut with water that's about 2 feet deep, littered with corals. Getting scratched up is guaranteed.

The first thing I love to do after a 3+ mile hike in the island heat usually involves beer and a burger. Today it was a soda and Gyro, at AquaBistro. Wow! If your'e on island, the gyro is a surefire way to have a tasty lunch. It's simple, but yummy.

After refueling, I went on back to Cruz Bay. I stopped at home long enough to grab my laptop and then headed to the Deli Grotto. A cool place with AC is not a bad idea on a day like today. Despite the cool breeze at AquaBistro earlier, I did get a pounding headache from the heavy air lurking on the horizon. I think we are fixing to have another significant dust event. I got a bottle of Blackbeard Ale at the Deli. My first of this particular Ale. It's quite tasty. A little bit chocolatey, somewhat sweet, and still an Ale. It is a little bit different from other brews I've tasted, and despite it's being from the Virgin Islands Brewing Co, it's made in Cold Spring, MN. Of course!

At the Deli Grotto, I caught up with some writing for the blog and also delved in to the novel again. I like the new idea I've developed, but I know it will take a lot of time, energy, and soul. There will likely be much sweat and blood infused into the story. I hope I can recharge my batteries long enough to spill out wondrous pages and satisfying fiction.

What's in the news? It's Kim's Birthday today! Happy Birthday to Kim!