It isn't so much having to come home, or even to face work on Monday, that is making me so gloomy; it's coming home to WINTER, knowing it will be four months more of gloom and doom before we can get out to Pretty Bay.
I got used to summer about 20 seconds after we landed on St. Thomas, a week ago. And after a wonderful summery week of snorkling, swimming, hiking, swimming, eating, swimming-- well, you get the idea--on St. John, I'm having withdrawal pangs.
Each day began with my reading Morning Prayer down at the beach, sitting on a picnic bench, under a palm tree, looking out at lovely islands, turquoise water, and an incredibly blue sky. Brown pelicans joined me as I read the Psalms, skimming the water and diving for their breakfast. My showers were taken under a glorious "Painkiller" tree with its "Starvation Fruits" which was filled with myriad colorful butterflies. (The campground brochure said "cool showers" were available. This was blatant false advertising; the showers were COLD!)
We either had a bagel or muffin on the little patio outside our door each breakfast, or walked up to the "T'ree Lizard Restaurant" to sit in their open air dining room. A swim would then be in order. After these little rituals, we would take the Izuzu we rented and drive somewhere; sometimes to swim in yet another beautiful bay, or to take one of the many walks to other bays and beauty spots.
We usually had a big lunch in a little restaurant somewhere new, then we had peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. But not before we had another swim. We had our gin-and-tonics about five in the afternoon, sandwiches about 7, then two or three games of cribbage before bed.
One day we did hustle down to the ferry slip in Cruz Bay to catch the 11:30 a.m. ferry to Tortola. We only had about three hours to explore there, unfortunately, as there is much to see. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch, and walked around the waterfront of Road Town, and explored the quaint little Main Street. The ferry ride itself was worth the effort, but next time we'll either take the earlier ferry, or spend the night on Tortola.
One highlight for me was the Sunday service at St. Ursula's Episcopal Church in Cruz Bay. It's a lovely little building with a warm and friendly congregation. I felt at home there immediately. The wall behind the altar is native stone with native bricks imbedded into it in the shape of an enormous cross. All the windows were open to the air, and the view from east side of the church was spectacular.
I read, I wrote, I swam, I rested right down to my soul. Just being quiet, drinking in the beauty of the place, with my life's companion was a blessing. Life is good. Thanks be to God. Amen.
I've spent so much time catching up on the reading of journals and e-mails that I'm now almost too tired to write.
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