Swimming in St. John

We have spent the past week working our way around St. John, stopping in most of the harbors, even though they are only about 4 miles apart. The beaches have been very good, the snorkeling average and the sailing quite nice. St. John is nearly all national park. The facilities include hiking trails, underwater snorkel trails, mooring balls and moorings for dinghies at the dive/snorkel sights.

We ran into a cruising couple who we had previously met in Long Island in the Bahamas, but had not seen since. We were preparing to go over to their boat for evening drinks and eats. We had all showered after a long day of beach and swimming. Our contribution to the food was prepared the dinghy loaded. The captain went to step down into the dinghy, wearing a backpack with all of our stuff, including dvd player for the kids entertainment, just as Isabelle moved and stepped in front of me in the dinghy. I began to lose balance tipping backwards in slow motion, quickly acknowledged the situation and mentally prepared for the scamper up the boarding ladder. Fortunately noting was damaged by the salt water bath, except of course my humor. The crew was concerned only about the dvd player.

I got even, taking the family on a 4.5 mile hike in the St. John mountains that they are still complaining about ... it was hot, steep and not very worthwhile.

We are now in St. Croix, which is a bit off the beaten tourist track so a little quieter, unfortunately with a bit of bumpy anchorage.

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