04-21-08

Finally woke up early (by our standards) at 830am. We spent an hour getting ready to make a 3hr hike to the reef trail, which is between coral bay (where were staying) and cruz bay (the main town).

I got side tracted and decided to engage in a 10am grilling session with the chicken kathleen had marinated. Not bad for a first try on the gas grill. It was great eating on the deck and enjoying the view from the hillside of the bay. There's always something that has drawn me to water, and that's why wherever I live I always need to see it - even if its just a fish tank. Water is always there, calm and never really changing and I always like to default in the most stressful of times that the water was there before, will be there after me and that the problems and focii of today are pale in comparison to water.

The hike involved a downhill descent of 500ft in altitude through well and not so well maintained trails. It wasn't quite as rocky as the Kalalau trail in kauai but nonetheless I was glad I wore my running shoes. Kathleen trailed in standard fashion in here 'heeled' walking shoes. The dense foliage kept us cool and about 2mi into the hike we saw one of the larger spiders we've seen (4 inches in radius). I'm glad the light had happen to permeate in a way which lit its web else I would have had a hitchiker with me!

2.6mi later we reached the old sugar plantation 'ruins'. I don't know why they call it ruins its just an abandoned sugar mill with some historic looking signs on it. Everyones a marketer, I suppose.



A few feet out of the brush we were greeted with an AMAZING beach with only one other couple. We layed out our packs and sheded our mosquito armor in true sun worshiper fashion. As evidenced below, Kathleen took this moment for a 100x photo opportunity. I went snorkelling. Not much to see - pretty much your run of the mill reef shelf fish among a shelf that has been pretty much destroyed (much of the calcium carbonite reef rocks were taken as building matls for the island). Its too bad- although I would have imagined a sign that said 'ruins' next to these rocks as well.

The view was amazing. Water was crystal clear and a short hop towards the sea from 10ft of smooth rocks was a clear and clean sandy beach bottom. The dip definately cooled us down and long beach bottom allowed kathleen to safely venture out (usually 100yds before you can't stand up).

The hike back was all uphill. We had to stop several times and was reminded many a times that I'm out of shape and getting old. Of course, I was wearing a 20lb pack and was feircely asking kathleen to 'drop weight' by drinking more water. The right ankle started hurting, which is odd considering the left ankle is what I twisted. Suffice to say, the trip went without incident and we got some great sleep that night.

Now crowned grill veteran, I made my second try. Call me KC master chief because I made some mean chicken and grilled corn. Coupled with some cold beers, a warm carribean breeze and 5pm dimished suns amidst a spectacular view - it was one of the most relaxing moments that Kathleen and I had shared in a long time. Whop would guess, Jon Lee the master bbq man. I suppose I embarked on this trip searching for greater answers. At the very least, I have learned to grill.

While were on the subject of eating, apparently the mosquitos of st john have yet to sample sweet and sour pork. The general tso (or rather Lee/Chung) is definately on the menu. Were riddled with wounds. I look like I have chicken pox and Kathleen looks like she has leprosy. The mosquitos have taken a particular liking to Kathleen despite futile attemps to smother ourselves in DEET.

Until tomorrow...