Day 10 - Heading Home

 We decided to sleep in and do a 9:30 breakfast.  We met at a different breakfast for a brunch buffet.  It was delicious, but definitely nothing like we’d become accustomed to.

We found a balcony and looked out at the bay in front of the hotel.  B&K had shared that they often anchor out front when they are off charter.  And look who we saw!  We sent a text and they came out to take some pics of us as well!  A fun final goodbye!

We headed back to our rooms to wrap up our packing.  I worked a little bit on my laptop while Sammy rested.  She’s come down with a runny nose and itchy eyes.  I’m not certain what it is but I think it’s a response to the water from snorkeling.  But I suppose we will see.

We checked out of our rooms around 11:30 and then waited in the lobby for Big Love to pick us back up.  Once through security and customs, we got super lucky and found two rows of seating (5 chairs each) facing one another and claimed our spot for the wait.  We grabbed some food for those that didn’t have a big brunch and even did a little shopping at the gift shop.

Luke is returning to college on a Delta flight that was originally scheduled to leave at 2:45 while the rest of us are on American leaving at 3:00.  Fortunately with an airport this small, our gates are pretty much right next to one another.  Ironically both flights were delayed and we boarded a little later but very close to the same time.

We said our goodbyes to Luke and headed to our plane.  In St Thomas, you board and unboard by staircase and walk to the building.

Our first flight was appx 4 hrs to Charlotte, NC.  Our party filled the entire first class so we had a lot of fun with the flight attendant.  That is once she gave us grief for switching our seats after she took our dinner orders.

It was a pretty smooth flight overall with just a few bumps coming in for landing.  

We grabbed some food in Charlotte and we ready for our final leg home at 9:45 pm

We pulled into GRR sometime around 11:30, grabbed our bags and said goodbyes.  We ended up missing 3 of the 10 bags we flew home but hopefully they’ll be delivered soon.  Luckily we don’t need the swimsuits and shorts any time soon in Michigan!

And that’s the end of our trip.

I wish I had the words to share what a great time was had.  The amazing experiences and once-in-a-lifetime moments.  But more than that is experiencing it with people you love.  I cannot tell you how proud I am of our kids and how they handled it all.  They were so kind to one another, they tried new foods, and faced new challenges and all the time wore a smile.  

Stories we won’t soon forget…

• Annie being scarred by a lemur
• Luke finally learning some SkipBo strategy - he hates that game
• Scott mastering the entry (via backflip) into the dinghy
• Using the same toilet as so many incredible world leaders on Necker Island
• Bread Girl and the accomplishment of eating 33 rolls in one meal
• Todd’s leg flared up after a run in with fire coral
• Cole admitting that “details are my specialty”
• Big Love and his questionable window decals
• Jen’s calm voice asking Scott and Sammy to come out of the water when we spotted ANOTHER shark
• The sheer amount of food we ate and the fact that Scott gained 6 lbs 
• Uncontrollable giggling as Mama Vanessa ate her chips & cheese during Tyler’s graduation
• Warm nuts and Baileys in first class
• Celebrating when Cole finally saw a spotted eagle ray
• When we all swam in shark-infested waters
• Hearing B’s doubt completely switch to amazement when we said there was a shark
• The smooth cruisers that we let ahead of us in line at the Baths (along with their 30 closest friends)
• The size of the dinghy
• Dancing and reading the script of Annie Jr on the bow of the boat and often by flashlight
• Tyler reaching down to pet the Barracuda

I hope these memories are the stories you’ll never forget.  Stories to tell your kids and grandkids someday!

Day 9 - Disembarkment

Its bittersweet to wake up on our final morning aboard the Blue Pepper.  We finished most of the packing last night, so this morning felt relaxed as we woke up, gathered for our final meal from K and then prepped for the 1.5 hr trip back to St Thomas.

We pulled in and docked just before 11:45 am so we had just enough time for some final pics.  Then we said our goodbyes and headed to find Big Love, our driver.

We arrived at the Marriott Westin Resort on Frenchman’s Cove just after noon.  Luckily one of our rooms were ready so we left our bags and headed down to the pool.  We ordered two cabanas so we could rest in the shade for the afternoon. 

Positioned on the point, the hotel offers some incredible views and from our cabanas, we were super relaxed.

The kids spent time in the pool, then played cards and just relaxed.  We had an excellent server who kept us hydrated and brought our lunch.  It was a great way to find off the sea legs we were all feeling.

Once our other two rooms were ready, we headed up to get cleaned up for dinner and then met at the pool side restaurant for a great meal. 

After our steaks and pastas were finished, we headed back to our rooms for an early bedtime.  Scott actually timed it and it took us 12 mins to leave the restaurant, walk to our room, put on PJs and climb into bed.  It was a perfect way to finish the night.

Day 2 - Welcome Aboard

Our rooms were beautiful at the Marriott Frenchmans Cove.  Each family had a two room villa with a kitchen, living room and dining space.  However, we weren’t there long to enjoy.

We met at 8:30 am for breakfast down by the pool. We had fun waiting for the food to arrive and enjoyed a variety of breakfast items: Pancakes, French toast, Breakfast Tacos, Omelettes and more.  Then we quick went up to pack up and check out.

Todd and Scott stayed with bags waiting for the bellhop while Annie and I went to the beach with the kids.

Annie and I settled in on the beach chairs.  Luke joined us to work on some reading.  Tyler and Cole went exploring and checked out some plants and animals in the shallow waters.  Todd and Scott made their way out to the floating platforms to relax and talk while Faith and Sammy went to a different one to jump like a trampoline.  It was fun watching everyone enjoy their time in different ways.

Once we wrapped up, we headed up to the lobby and got our bags before our driver Sobers arrived.  

We pulled into the marina right around noon and met Captain Brendan (B).  Sobers took care of our luggage while we were brought aboard to meet Karen (K)  We took a few minutes to get settled in. And then met up on the bridge for a safety briefing.

As soon as we were finished, we headed back down to the main level and enjoyed lunch - Asian noodles, with chicken, egg, and veggies.  After our tummies were full, we settled in for the ride to St John.

Todd and Faith braved it out on the bow and took some real good waves.  Cole decided to join and it wasn’t long before all three were drenched!

We stopped for a quick minute in Christmas Cove to have a break from the waves and use the bathrooms.  Then K surprised us with some warm chocolate chip cookies.

Next, we continued on for appx 45 minutes (in much more comfortable seas) to St John where we grabbed a ball in Maho Bay.  

Even before Captain B gave us the go ahead for swimming, we saw several of the “locals”. This cove is well known for sea turtles and it did not disappoint. 

K served baked brie with crackers and fruit that we enjoyed before, during, and after the swim.  

 

 

B offered to take the group to another spot with likely more turtles, so 7 jumped in the dinghy to head in closer to shore.  Sammy and I stayed behind so she could work on Legos.

For supper, K served coconut breaded Mahi with coconut rice and a mango salsa.  She also had a chicken option for those who prefer.  We had a riviera salad and bread before and strawberry shortcake to wrap it up.  It was a wonderful meal, made better with lots of laughter and a gorgeous view. 

After supper we had a riveting game of Wordle with teams.  So fun laughing together.  Todd and Scott hung out on the bow and did some stargazing.  

Then Sammy worked on practicing her songs and lines for Annie Jr.  We enjoyed trying to keep up as she is far more rehearsed than the rest of us. 

We all kinda met up again on the bow on the boat under a gorgeous sky and relaxed with a last few stories and comments about the day.  Then headed in to go to bed.  I’m pretty sure everyone was asleep before 11pm.

It was am excellent first day.  We are a little pinker but our smiles are large!

Day 1 - Off We Go

Alarms went off at 3:20 am.  It was rough crawling out of bed but we are just so excited.  We met up at the American check in desk at the airport at 4:20.  Made it through security with only Annie having a quick tap down.  We sat down at our gate and settled in to wait for boarding.  Scott put together a Starbucks order and the boys went to pick up.  

While we waited, we heard from Luke that he was boarding his plane in Sioux Falls, SD.

The week before the trip, we received a phone call that there was issues with our seats.  Although 8 of us were ticketed first class, they only had 3 available seats on the plane.  Rather than switching to a different flight altogether, we agreed for Todd, Cole, Tyler, Sammy and I to flying coach instead.  

The five of us were split up.  Sammy and I in the bulkhead, Tyler and Cole a few rows behind and Todd in the exit from.  It was a three hours flight to Miami but only Cole and I got a nap.  Todd struck up a conversation with his seatmate who happened to be a childhood friend of Chuck Snoap.

Once in Miami, it started to settle in that we were actually on vacation.  We grabbed bathrooms and then sat at our gate.  We had a little under two hrs in Miami so it wasn’t long before we boarded. 

It was a 3-hour flight to St Thomas… this time all of us in first class.  This is a fun airport to land at.  Because the runway was extended out into the ocean, as you are coming down, it looks like you are landing on water.  As we approached, the sunglasses came out!

We had a decent want on the tarmac waiting for a gate.  Luke’s plane arrived only about 20 minutes after us but then he had a long wait on the tarmac as well.

As we de-boarded the plane, we walked down the steps into the beautiful 80* air.  Suns out, cool breeze blowing.  It honestly is the perfect temp for vacation!

Big Love was waiting for us with the van. So we loaded up and waited in the air conditioning until Luke’s bag was available.  Then we were whisked off to our hotel.  It was fun driving through town and recognizing the places we visited two years ago. We are staying at a new hotel this time and the Marriott Frenchman’s Cove Resort did not disappoint.

After check in, the bellhop took us and our bags to the room.   

There was a slight delay as the lock on our door wasn’t working but someone came quickly to fix it.  Then we took 15 minutes to change, and headed down to find the restaurant.  

It’s not far to the pool but because the resort sits on the side of a steep hill, we took three elevators down to finally make it pool side.  There were some great views along the way.

After we placed our order, the kids headed over to the pool.  The girls swam and the boys just talked.  Back at the table, the adults did too and I cant tell you how great it was just to relax, share stories and laugh together.  

The group ordered a variety of meals - Ribs, Burgers, Nachos, Jerk Chicken Pasta - Everyone seemed satisfied!  After we finished, the kids headed back to the pool.  While we waited for the check, we noticed them slink by like a line of shivering little ducklings as they made their way past the restaurant to the hot tub.  We joined shortly after.

It didn’t take long before the effects of a full tummy, warm water, and a big travel day took effect and we headed up to our rooms.  I don’t know about the Schmidts, but the Breens were full on pjs and snuggles by 8:30 pm.

Then Tyler had the idea to go for ice cream.  So he and Scott got dressed, texted the Schmidts and five of them headed back down by the pool for dessert.

I’m not certain when lights went out but I know we were all asleep before 10 pm.  

It was a fabulous day.  I’m just so thankful to be here!