It was almost time to leave for warmer climes but before we could leave, I had to host one more faculty lunch for
Bridget Alsdorf (Art and Archaeology), Jonathan Gold (Religion), Jeroen Tromp (Geosciences and Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics), Sam Schulhofer-Wohl (Economics and Woodrow Wilson School), Wendy Belcher (Comparative Literature), Abigail Doyle (Chemistry) and Margot Canaday (History)
The next day we were ready to begin our journey and so Suzanne and Ben posed
and then the car arrived
and Suzanne
and I got in
and rode to the Kramers where the suitcases were out
Peter emerged with coffee
and Seva showed her watch, a crucial element of a trip to the Caribbean for her.
Next stop was on Riverside Drive where the suitcases were ready
and the Justs emerged
to join us in the limo
with the reflecting starry ceiling
before we arrived at the airport
and Seva emerged to fix the coffee stain on my sweater
before Suzanne, Seva, Sara and Steven (our 4 S's) waited for Peter and I to emerge from security because of the glacial salt we were carrying.
A search for lunch led us to Au Bon Pain where the calorie counts were unrealistic
and then down the corridor
to the Brooklyn Deli where this was the selection
and this was our food.
There was still time before our flight, so some were attracted by this sign (the small print was quite small),
I was blessed with this lucky cup
and others waited to finally board
so that Suzanne
and I
could settle into our seats with our (slightly leaky) sea salt
as we had our drinks
and the food we had brought along
and the iPod made Suzanne's trip go fast
so that we were soon being welcomed to Saint Thomas
and to the baggage claim area
where Sara, Seva and Suzanne
and Steven and Peter gathered
before we shopped and boarded the ferry to be met by Mary Coe on the Water Island side.
Mary took us on the grand tour of the house starting with living room
kitchen
and dining areas
before we admired the views
from the game and exercise room
and the sink in the guest bathroom
before heading back past living room
and kitchen
and checking out the refrigerator
and the ever important feng shui water fountain
as we made our way outside
to see the pool
and hot tub
and then back to explore the accommodations
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Next we admired the landscaping
and the non-operating fountain which would offer further feng shui to the house.
As the sun was getting ready to set
we recorded Alex Randall's sign for Rte. 95
located the moon in the sky
and headed down to Honeymoon Beach
where we checked out Heidi's menu
and went to the beach bar
to admire lights like those in the limo (and to be on the ship that came in that day)
and choose from the menu
as I had my first pina colada of the trip
and we found a place to sit
where Suzanne and Sara
Sara and Steven
and Peter, me and Seva could enjoy our drinks while providing dinner for the local insect population.
Next we went to the Pirate Deli where we grabbed the last table
admired still more strings of light some of which seemed prepared to catch fire
and had pizza (pizza and more pizza)
as Peter and Suzanne
Steven and Sara
Seva
and I ended our first day on Water Island.
The next morning, I left this open
and took in some salt water
but the outside view
drew me away from the art in the house
and Suzanne and I headed to the dock for the obligatory phone booth picture
and a visit to the local newspaper
before starting our walk past the neighbor's dog
and up the hill
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as we turned and walked past the barrel cactus
to Pam's driveway (with for sale sign)
and saw her house from below
as we continued our walk towards Flamingo Bay
past the local recycling station
until we got to the beach at Flamingo
and Suzanne continued her quest for sea glass
as the water came in.
Walking further we came upon a rooster in the distance (not clear why the picture looks like the rooster was under water)
and made our way past Mermaid Manor
with beautiful flowers
before catching views of Pam's house on our way back
and continued our walk
as Suzanne made her way
until we were back at the house
watching the boats come in.
This was our first real day on the beach and we discovered the dock where Peter remained either before or after the lady from Oklahoma
as Suzanne and Seva explored the waters
before Seva saw Peter off for snorkeling
as Suzanne read
and Peter and Seva returned
as Peter
Steven
and Sara
watched as Heidi served
Suzanne and Seva prepared for sea glass exploration
and I read my book
as Peter did the snorkel thing
passing the dock on his way.
Seva and Suzanne wandered in search of sea glass
as the nuts appeared
and the girls in front of us took some photos
and the dock stood
as the obstruction moved
so that I could see the incoming dinghy
as Sara
and Steven
returned with this sandwich for me among other things
and I admired the sky
as Peter returned stopping for a chat
before making his way to our table
and eventually getting a drink
before good friend Stuart from the bushy eye brows club appeared to (I suppose) brighten our day.
As Suzanne and Seva continued the sea glass exploration
and Sara read her book,
we realized it was time to go home so that Suzanne
and I could wash our feet
and I could take this self portrait knowing that I would need the cure
and Suzanne and Seva made their way into the hot tub
as Peter tried to understand the controls (a feat we never fully achieved).
The boat with 50 couples prepared for evening
as I ventured to get a photo of the moon rising
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as we noted our pineapple rum (a life changing substance)
and Seva made her fashion statement by dressing in the most modern of fashion (later confirmed with Jane).
Thus we were all ready for dinner at Heidi's where this picture represents the effects of the rum we had had during pre-gaming
and the wine
didn't show until the lights were on
but Steven
Sara
Seva
Suzanne
Peter
and I
enjoyed our meals of fish
meat
and pasta
until the moon was fully risen
and the snorkelers of the next day finished their trial run.
Sunday morning the rains came to the pool
as Peter and Steven departed our driveway
and rainbows appeared
so that Suzanne and I could pose for numerous rainbow photos
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and the incoming ferry
that was going to take Steven
and Peter
as they boarded for the mainland
and made their way
so that we could return and read Peter's poem
as a barge went by
a rainbow returned
causing the need to plunge our toilet
and with yet another rainbow (each one nicer than the one before)
we heard the arrival of the bikers' boat
and left home for a walk
starting with the real estate signs at Pam's house
moving on to the reconstruction of the houses damaged in the hurricane of 1995
recording the lovely sky
as we made our way up the hill
and past the barrel cactus
to the bottom of the fort
and then along the way
to the assembled bikes and paraphernalia
as Aggie told us about the bike tour
about to leave
and we recorded views from the fort
including this picture of Suzanne
and these pictures of me
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and then made our way down past the new construction
and the destructed hotel
along the road to the fire station
and then along the Overdown
past the sign that gave Mark's hours at the Pirate Deli
to note that Honeymoon Beach was fairly deserted
though our neighbor had a good bumper sticker
as I ate my granola bar
and watched the arrival of the boat
that brought Steven
and Peter
just in time to take this insect from the chair
into the water
and watch it make its way away from the property
so that a lunch of sandwich
and pina colada
and pretzel sticks
could be enjoyed by Peter
Suzanne
Steven
me
Seva
and Sara.
as we heard tales of the diving expedition
Later that day, as evening was approaching, we climbed into the truck
and made our way back to the fort to enjoy the views
and watch the approaching sunset
as these photos of Suzanne and me
were taken as Seva and Peter climbed the hill
and then the Justs
and Kramers posed
as Sara took photos of the arriving crowds
while the clouds
alternated with food
and clouds
and food
made for an interesting gathering with the locals
including this woman
and her husband who had invented vrbo.com which is how we found our house.
Back at home, snacks
cheese
crackers
and goat cheese were assembled
as Sara, Seva and Suzanne worked in the kitchen
to cook pasta
and tomatoes
and make drinks
so that when the table was set
this could be my plate
as Peter
Seva
Sara
Steven
Suzanne
and I enjoyed a pleasant dinner together.
Monday began by observing that our ship had come in
and the views through the window suggested it would be a lovely day
as coffee brewed
Steven read the yellow pages for a car rental
as toast was ready
an egg was cooking
to accompany juice
and Peter wished us a good walk.
We began by passing the other barking dog next door
and then passed the botanical garden
and the Alamo
before hitting the private property sign
that protected this tower of visibility
and the private road below
as we made our way away
and down the neighboring road
to lot 88
and then began to get wonderful views
before we stopped to visit this woman who is married to Tony in the class of 53 (Princeton). She posed with Suzanne
and then Suzanne and I posed
before walking on being reassured by the neighborhood crime watch
as we looked at the big house on the hill
and walked past Rosebud which seems to be the house owned by the owners of H2O
before we found the path
that led me to the shoe tree
and the beach
with Suzanne following.
As I was gathering shells for my sea necklace
the Justs and Kramers appeared to our surprise
and as they explored
and observed scenes
and Steven and Sara settled
as Peter described the one that got away
as Suzanne collected sea glass
an activity Seva attempted to explain to the Justs
even as Peter took these photos of me
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and the approaching crowd (large for this beach
and the serene views of a beautiful beach.
No trip to Limestone Beach would be complete with photos by the Shoe Tree so the Justs went first
followed by the Kramers
and Suzanne and me.
Once back on the road, we boarded the golf cart
and followed this road home
so that I could admire my necklaces
even as I struggled to get a picture of this precious piece of sea glass
as part of the collection
and finally got a good photo
which freed me to enjoy various views from the house (in the hopes of finishing off the battery)
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and the group in the kitchen
away from the key limes
as sandwiches were made
and Suzanne
and I
finished admiring the different views in the house
before we boarded the truck
and went to the beach to have a drink
and a sandwich
and check out the pirate boat
though it was still safe for Suzanne and Seva to float
before Suzanne returned to shore
and we headed home so that the relevant members of our group could go on the junior league housing tour offered by Chuck Gidley
while these drinks were created by Seva
allowing me to read the poem that had been written by the gang of 4 about their journey to Limestone Beach.
On their return, Suzanne had a drink
as Peter
heard Steven out about the houses he'd seen
while Seva
Sara
and I listened
though our ship seemed to be going out.
It was at this point that Suzanne was talking to Ben via cell phone
which was illuminated
as Peter
Suzanne
and I
left photos too dark
and too bright
for omelet
and buttered toast
with mini-tabasco sauce
before coffee and trimmings were created and served
and this sequence of photos of me in the hot tub were produced as a fitting end to the day.
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It was Tuesday and time was slipping by though our ship had come in
and the moon was arisen
so Suzanne and I went to Heidi's cart at the dock
so that Suzanne could have this egg sandwich
while we waited for the Justs to appear
and bid them farewell
as they headed to the ferry
and boarded
while I took this picture of Suzanne
and she took many of me
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and we admired our house
before seeing the ferry off
and going home to see the poem that Sara had written
and the ripening key limes.
All of this activity inspired Suzanne and I to take another walk, so we left the house
and came upon abandoned file cabinets which seemed out of place on the island
before we realized we were looking at Heidi's patriotic truck
and then made our way beyond the construction vehicle
at the lovely house
and caught a view of the boat
before reaching the privacy of Sprat Bay
walking through their boat trailer parking lot
watching the boats
and coming upon the entrance to their private dock
where we took in the views
before going to the stony beach
and as I watched the ships go by
Suzanne explored
until she had gathered significant amounts of sea glass
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until we reached Elephant Point with its views
and beach
and the open sea
where we watched the Westin boat go by
before I came to the point where the real estate sign
and the interesting clam rock were.
as Suzanne explored and found more sea urchins
as I took a few more pictures before we admired her haul
and we marched on to the house with the remarkably long driveway
and the dirt path
with the many red roofs
and noted that it was for sale
so we took another picture
and then went past the entrance to this house
as Suzanne marched behind me
and we looked down at a boat
and water that undoubtedly gave the island its name
before we came to the gate that let us out of Sprat Bay
and made our way past the house under construction
with a quality job possibly under delay (financial downturn and all!)
and caught some views of the green waters of Limestone Beach
before passing the Rosebud House again
and then finding our way
to the beach bar at Honeymoon
where this woman
allowed Suzanne to be the mirage lady
before we ordered lunch -- chicken
and grilled cheese -- from Heidi
and as our trash was accumulated
Suzanne
and I
reached off to Peter
who admired the woman in the shiny (and striped) bathing suit
as we noted the girls from the pirate ship ahead of us one by one
and Suzanne gathered sea glass
as Seva returned from the waters
and the woman in the shiny bathing suit
worked to open a coconut
and Peter installed a snorkel mask on Seva's head
as the large ship signaled that it was time for us to go home
where we observed the Justs exiting from their ferry.
This enabled us to set the timers
and have our potatoes
as ingredients were gathered
and vessels were created
for omelets
and salad
as Peter went through the steps necessary to make an omelet
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including a key lime vinegarette.
After noting the name of David the ship's captain
I watched Peter make his next omelet
with some more eggs for yet another
which came together
even as Suzanne worked on the salad,
so we had omelet
and salad
and omelet
and salad (with pictures in about a 3:1 ratio)
before dinner was served
and this is what I ate.
It was to be our last full day on the island and so after recording the rums
Sara, Suzanne and Steven
joined me
for a walk to the botanical garden and beyond
past the views
and a photo of the Justs
taking these pictures of us
before I took this picture of them
and then recorded this bumper sticker
and some remarkable views
as we wound down to the trees
and then the land of Sprat Beach
where we met our pharmacist (not brain surgeon) friend from Freeport, Maine
and as Suzanne worked on sea glass
I recorded him and his wife, Dora.
before we went up the hill to the house with the large driveway (which was the house where they were staying)
and admired the views
and the wood work
around the pool
before a final picture
when Sara was trapped behind the gate.
Next we went back to the Sprat Bay Dock where Suzanne searched for sea glass
as the Justs settled in
though this find
caused Steven to anoint Sara's head with water
perhaps because of the scenery
though Suzanne still grabbed a few final pieces of sea glass as she walked down the beach
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The pirate boat at Honeymoon
lured us home
where the Kramer's poem
and the open refrigerator
lead to preparations
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took another picture of the inoperative feng shui device
and my sandwich
and then turned to the task of getting a good copy of the Kramer's poem
as Suzanne completed the task of preparing food for the beach
and we gathered in the back of the truck
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as we recorded the members of the pirate ship (complete trip includes a drink, a tattoo, a day on our beach and a few other perks)
and then did the Small World thing (though our brew was better than their coffee)
as Peter posed
by the memorial plaque
and we recorded the beach sign
as I caught the tattoo on the back of one of the pirates
before beginning to record the step by step gathering of the pirates
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to the ship which eventually sailed.
Soon after, the Justs returned with a bucket full of gin and tonics
which we drank as the sun began to set
When the roosters appeared
we all toasted
and then I watched the sun move lower
as our neighbor took a picture
and I was sunset
and boats,
sunset
and roosters
before concentrating on the sunsets and clouds
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and the sun continued to set
while the woman in the shiny bikini appeared
and the sun continued its descent for all to view
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had a last view of the setting sun
as the bikini lady blurred away
and Steven
took this final picture
before we made our way to the Pirates Deli
where Mark was ready to make our pizza
but a visit to the hot tub amused us
while waiting for the pizza
and pina colada to be ready for
Peter
Steven
Sara
Seva
Suzanne and me.
After a game of pool and another of darts
Peter brought the last round of drinks and we felt the time ticking away.
It was our last day at Water Island and thoughts of having to head north to the cold were very much with us as we had our morning milk
saw the ship that had come in
and observed Suzanne in a scene with many special effects
even as a rainbow appeared to point the way towards home
as our ship stood still
while cereal was eaten
and bags were loaded on to the truck
so that the women could pose
before we went down the hill and took the obligatory phone booth picture with the Justs
followed by a photo of the post office
and the welcome sign
as people assembled
for a photo of the 3 men on the trip
as the Justs decided to take a picture
Peter, Seva and Suzanne gathered on the dock
and Sara set things up
so that Peter could take pictures
that looked like these of the Justs on Water Island
after which the ferry came in
and prepared to be boarded
so that Suzanne, Seva and Peter
Steven, Sara and I
could look back on Water Island and the house that was
before we came abeam the big ship
and took one final picture of Villa AquaBella.
Once back on land, we took a taxi driven by this friendly gentleman
to the airport
and after the duty free shop went to this gift shop
and this cafeteria
to have a meal of Johnny cakes and veggie burgers
until the plane arrived
and we could board while watching the Kramers in line
and once on the plane
could enjoy drinks
and the sandwich we packed
as I finished my book.
Back at JFK, the escalator was not moving this fast
but it did bring Peter
Seva
and Suzanne forward
so that we could be welcomed back
and after a long ride, Jeff and Ben
were there to welcome Suzanne and me home from a wonderful trip. All of us a little better for the wear.
