St. John

AhHA - this is why you do it. Rae Ann spontaneously says "this is better than the Bahamas...". The 350+ miles of beating into trade winds, seas and the equatorial current are now forgotten (not really but I get it now). I was very skeptical for a while there, even from the Spanish Virgins to the USVI was a miserable beat, in calm conditions no less.

We left St Thomas in the morning for a trip to the north side of St. John, 15 miles in all. The seas were flattened by the surrounding islands. The BVI's, Jost Van Dyke is close enough to touch, the islands are absolutely gorgeous - stunning mountains and beaches. The wind was 10-25 knots, sometimes a cay got in the way so we had to tack around it.. what pure enjoyment. We now have about 6 weeks give or take in this playground, and that is what it is a playground for boaters.

St. John is 70% national park and beautifully maintained. No one is allowed to anchor any longer, but there are plenty of park provided moorings, costing $15/night, which I am happy to contribute as it seems that it goes only back into the park. We will spend the next week or so circumnavigating the island to check out the beaches, hiking and snorkeling from as many anchorages as possible.

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