Race Day in Photos

Rash Guard On, iPod programmed, and goggles cleaned - Let's Do It.

The starting line... Janet is Ready

And there off!  If you look closely in the bottom of the pic you can see a turtle - I am sure the little green turtle was saying, What the hell is going on!

Janet swims in the last 20 yards

Towel boy keeps his promise!

Her medal for 1:47.08 of effort moving water

Cooling Down

What does one do after swimming 3.5 miles in the ocean?

I let her sleep for 1:47.08 - then I woke her up saying lets celebrate!

She done good!

Waiting for the ferry home - more in the coming days with a Photo Wrap-Up

Special Bulletin Dos.....

 Ok you figured me out - if it says Special Bulletin there are no pitures below....

Hopefully later tonight I will be able to upload Race Day Pictures.  However, I wanted to pass on to our team, Swim Janet Swim, today's results.

On an absolutely beautiful Virgin Island day, the race started promtly at 8 am on Maho Beach, St John.  At 9:47:08 Janet walked under the finish banner on Hawknest Beach.  In 1:47.08 she had swam/swum (never get that one right) 3.5 miles in the ocean.  She finished 3rd in her age group of 50+ females.  Go Janet!  BTW - Towel boy was right there and I got a picture to prove it.

As predicted the water was very choppy in front of Denis Bay.  Rays and Starfish were sighted along the way by Janet, but no turtles.  Ironically as she rounded the point to swim into Cinnamon Bay her iPod began to play Kenny Chesney's song "Old Blue Chair".  The song written on and about Cinnamon Bay St John.  The playlist worked for those who sent in songs.  She only swam/swum with one bud in her ear so she could hear safety officials if she strayed off course.

THE BIG NEWS!
Team Swim Janet Swim got a major shout out!  Why you ask... It was for being the #1 fundraising effort this year!

Because of each of you and your willingness to support Janet and the Virgin Island National Park, Janet and I will get to have dinner with Kenny Chesney at his house on Peter Bay tomorrow night!

Well... not really, but we did get a couple neat hats and book and DVD about the park.  Most importantly a real big thank you from the friends of the park.  Thanks to ALL of you for your support.

Pictures at 11.

We now return you to your normal web surfing venue.

This has been a Special Bulletin Dos....

This is a Special Bulletin.....

Not a blog but as the title states a Special Bulletin. We are 12 hours from SHOWTIME!

 What a crazy day. Started out normal and we were even a little slow getting out the door. There were no Cruise Ships docked today at St Thomas so we decided to go to Trunk Bay. Trunk is absolutely beautiful and in fact most publications rate it the best beach in the Caribbean. I will not argue the point except.... It has too many damn people fore me, but that is because of cruise ship excursions.

 We had a wonderful morning at Trunk in the shade reading. At lunchtime I went to Connections, the local internet cafe to upload pictures, but they were closed for the Memorial Day Holiday - They reopen on Tuesday.

 So at this point I have to give a shout out to Low Key Water Sports that allowed me to use a laptop and get some shots uploaded.

 As we were headed to the pre-race meeting my phone rang. Not a good sign... it was the owner of the cottage. Tom he said, we have a problem, but it has bad news and good news. He is upgrading the pool area with solar panels to provide warm water to his house, the rental villa, and the cottage. He accidentaly drilled a hole into the pool deck for a support beam and hit the cottage's water supply line. We had to move, but.... We movin' on up to the east side to an apartment... (if you are over 40 you know where I got that) The rental villa is sweettttttttttt. We loved the cottage, but the villa is very nice and our view improved if you can believe that. 

So it is bedtime. Alarm going off at 0500 - Hoping conditions will be good for my sweetie. Hope you enjoyed the pics and will try to get more uploaded soon.

Picture Time

Friday was a day of discovery, light swimming, and just another day in paradise.

We got up and headed for Denis Bay.  A beach we have never been to in all of our years visiting STJ.  It is a short hike all downhill from Peace Hill.  Maybe .2 miles through the woods and brush.  Well marked and easy walk - even back uphill - and a beach to die for.  When we first arrived it was our beach except for a gentleman who lives in the old slave quarters of the Plantation home that I think is no longer there.  Will have to research that one.  This beach was important for us to investigate because around its point is the finish line for Janet tomorrow.  It also has some of the roughest waters she will experience.

We snorkeled for awhile and got a feel for the currents.  Saw a 3' baracuda that seemed a little upset I was crowding his universe.  Also saw a bunch of angel fish.  The one in the picture was about the size of hand.  We really enjoyed the snorkeling, but not necessarily a place for beginners.

After spending the morning at Denis we headed back into Cruz Bay for a quick lunch, and then returned to Hawknest which is the official finish line.   Janet did do some swimming, but after a great lunch, I do not think her heart was in it.  There was a lady sitting next to us that appeared our age (maybe a little older) that has done the race 4 times.  Janet got some great hints on what to expect.  It was a pretty chill day all in all.

Dinner was back at the cottage.  Fresh Mahi on the grill and life is good.  Another beautiful sunset from our the pool deck of the cottage, and once again it is easy to say - "Life is Good"

Oh yeah the other exciting thing that happened while Janet was swimming at Hawknest, I got a text that "the boy" was getting ready to be interviewed on CNN.  We missed it, but his grandmother saw him and by all reports he looked good.

So here is the deal

Update:  The great folks at Low Key Water Sports allowed me a minute or two on there REAL Laptop

 Today was a serious training day. Janet swam Maho Bay and Cinnamon Bay. Tom played lifeguard on the beach, which means I sat in my chair and lost her as she stroked away.

 On her swim she saw turtles, rays, and starfish. The day's weather was amazing.

 We did come the conclusion that Janet needs more sunscreen on the back of her legs. Tom towel boy has volunteered for that job and Janet knows he will take his job seriously.

 Back to our cottage for lounging around the pool and a late lunch. Dinner tonight was at Tapas - always good. food. However we made the mistake of ordering a nice Gavi to go with our dinner and it was corked. Switched to a Vouray and it too was a little iffy, but we just could not send the second bottle back. Food was 10+, but next time we will skip the wine. So we have return to the cottage and all is good.

We Made It!

Update:   yeah pics are here!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Everything went like clock work this morning. Up at 4 and out the door at 4:45! We were checked in at DCA by 6 and that was So Sweet. Our flights were on time and in fact wev arrived St Thomas early. We sat in row 6 of a 757-200 so the exit door was right by our seat. The door opened we were the first off and with just carry-ons we were in the cab and across the island in time to catch the 4 PM ferry. 1 hour ahead of schedule. It was definitely an Amazing Race power move. Oh yeah I forgot that the Virgin Islands do not use daylight savings time so we are at the same time as the East Coast.

James, the owner of our cottage, picked us up at the ferry and gave us the once around our place for the week. It is like living in a big screen porch. Cozy, but just perfect for our stay. Great views and the tree frogs are singing up a storm

After dropping our bags we headed back to Cruz Bay in time for Woody's Happy Hour as planned! Chad greeted us and we melted back into the STJ frame of mind.

After chillin' we slipped over to the Beach Bar for Janet to get a Bushwhacker and dinner

We enjoyed a fresh Mahi sandwich as the sun called it a day... and so did we. Back to the cottage with a stop at the market to load up on supplies. Tomorrow starts the official training schedule and a good night's rest is in order.

Colour Us Gone!

Maybe you can catch us (if all goes well) walking down the dock in STJ about 4:30 EST on the live St John Spice Cam!  Click Here to Check: St John Spice Web Cam

 

Hopefully it will be Bright and Sunny

BTW I am not English, but the title of today's blog is a hint to the song on the 45 question yesterday. 

Or you can check out yesterdays comments - Have a happy!