Inspiration of Beauty

I woke up next to something this morning that was beautiful and blue. It inspired me to share some beautiful and blue images with you.

So here we go.

Orient Beach, St. Martin (French Side). It is a zoomed out pic because a lot of folks there are naked and this is G rated. I was on a work trip so I never got to experience L’Orient except for the drive-by view (which I couldn’t see much). Inside the Bay area, this water changes color to a very pale turquoise.

Next up:  Honeymoon Beach on St. John. Its a short hike with a 250 foot downhill “stroll”, but well worth it. Named Honeymoon due to its privacy and it certainly has nothing to do with Lavango Cay across the way. Lovango (pronounced “Love and GO”) Cay is rumored to be named for its brothels many years ago. MMMM dirty pirate sex. As you can see the water changes color due to the change in depth and the color of the sand.

Staying on St. John, we have probably the most photographed beach in all of the Caribbean: 

Trunk Bay. This is the one you see on a lot of the post cards. Isn’t it awesome? I have not actually been to this one. I was on the way then stopped into an establishment in Mongoose Junction and my friend (Adam L) convinced me it was a good idea to challenge a Rasta in a firewater drinking contest near Momma Mooies. I believe I won, which means I really lost later on the boat ride back to St. Thomas. Adam will have to fill in the details.

One you guys may have seen is this one: 

It is the gorgeous and sexy Cinnamon Bay. Look at the Blue and check out those curves. Cinnamon Bay has been featured on postcards, posters and even album covers like this one: 

Kenny Chesney’s Old Blue Chair. Most of the videos he shoots around the beaches and in his boat Soul Shine are in and around Cinnamon Bay and Gorda Sound. Why was it his favorite, because he lived there in this masterpiece – for a short while anyway:

Last I heard it was still for sale at around 8 million. Great view of the Bay.

I have to give one shout out to St. Thomas. You won’t hear me give many, because while St. Thomas is nice, I’m a Crucian which means I think all St. Thomians assume they are better’n us and the 40 miles of sea between us could be 100 for all we care. You guys would have nothing if it were not for your t-shirt shops and cruise ships. You are the Dollywood Daytona Beach Myrtle Beach of the Caribbean. Anyway, here’s Megan’s Bay. It’s beautiful enough to host homes owned by Michael Jordan and Oprah. I think its pretty but the St. Thomas traffic makes it very difficult to enjoy. 

Now to some that are very beautiful and very dear to me. First up WEST END! Near Fredericksted you’ll find Sandy Point. If you watch the last 3 minutes of Shawshank Redemption, you’ll see Morgan Freeman walk up to a boat on this beach. (It was supposed to be Mexico). Here is Sandy Point:

On Sunday Funday, a tradition in St. Croix is to hitchhike on a boat over to Buck Island, anchor out, and party until dark. Its a flotilla of fun. Here’s the beach: 

But here is what Buck is known for: 

It is the only underwater national park in the US. The reef is amazing.

I have two more remaining. The first, I have shared previously. It’s my favorite and holds my fondest memories of my time in St. Croix. Cane Bay:

There are a lot of pictures on my facebook page (and Alicia’s) of this beach and a pretty girl and some friendly dogs who found there way over to our towels for some snacks and kisses.

Last one: Shoys. Oh Shoys. Where i stay is just up the hill from here. I can see it out of my bedroom window and from the pool deck. Shoys you hold a very fond memory.

It was here  that the “magic” happened.

So, to the pretty blues that inspired me, here’s something to inspire you.

“We Live. We die. And the wheels on the bus go round and round.” ~Morgan Freeman, The Bucket List

This post was inspired by a client who lost his spouse. I have created several of these lists and Alicia and I created 2 bucket lists for “together” activities.  I apologize if this runs long, but you are free to stop reading at any time.

I do want to preface my list by saying this is in no particular order and since most, if not all of these activities, would even be possible when the kids are away, it is not meant to be taken hey have no part of my list. I do specifically imply that all of these would be awesomer if I had my wife with me.

1. 

I have always wanted to catch a summer mid-day game at Wrigley. Summer because the streets are booming with activity and the outfield wall ivy is green. Later, I want to go out for a  steak dinner at Harry Cary’s.  13 oz filet. mmmmm.

2. 

Would love to catch an afternoon game at Fenway. Nothing screams baseball like the lights coming on, a $10 hot dog and a $20 beer. Oh and during the day would be spent walking around Market St. The last time I was in Boston, Alicia took an amazing photo of the sunrise and its reflections turned the buildings and orangish color. Its beautiful. Now I want to see the sunset in Boston.

3. 

The Empire State Building. It is really amazing. So, on my bucket list is to take Alicia to the deck, and present her with this:

and ask her to renew our vows, while in NYC. This could only happen in the evening, as one cannot appreciate the view without the city lighting up before your eyes. The day would be spent walking up and down Lexington, over to Times Sq., and Rockerfeller Center and having a picnic just inside the corner of Central Park, where Alicia can drool over all the amazing shops on 5th Ave.

4. I want to spend a whole day catching my limit of these:

That’s a Wahoo and my favorite fish to eat. If you haven’t had Wahoo tacos, you haven’t had a fish taco. I love blackened wahoo over rice with mango salsa and sweet peas. Hello to my wonderful friends and amazing chefs at Savant in St. Croix. They shared many secrets with me while sharing a drink in the back courtyard.

5. A second fishing trip would include my limit of these awesome fighters:

Grilled Mahi, Blackened Mahi sandwiches, Mahi steaks, (I’m drooling, I know).

6. 

Would love to take one of these guys form a ranch in Colorado or Wyoming. I want at least a 6 by 6. I already have my order for the processor: french ribs, filets, Osso Bucco, loins wrapped in bacon, etc.

7. I also want to take one of these but, I want to do it with a knife and not a gun. I have plans for this, too. A large hickory fire and a spit. Our entire family over to eat the next day. MMMmmmm makes me hungry. Hopefully buy then I will have a good recipe for hash.

8. I always wanted to go to this place and hunt ducks. Its the Mecca for duck hunting. Stuttgart, Arkansas. I have seen pictures where the amount of ducks flying in actually blacked out the sun. That’s awesome.

9. I would love to travel to Rome and Bologna, Italy. Also, I’d like to take Alicia Paris as French cuisine is her favorite. i imagine a few cooking classes in Italy and France could be arranged.

10. Spear fishing in the Caribbean would be great. Also, diving for bugs (spiny lobsters) then cruising through Gorda sound on the round about way to Jost Van Dyke.  Spend the night hanging out at Foxy’s. 😉 No Firewater rum for this guy.

I know I have many more items, but these were the first that popped in my head today and for some odd reason, I decided to write them down and share. Feel free to share yours, but don’t be disappointed if I steal your ideas and add them to my list.

“Art is a jealous mistress; and if a man have a genius for painting, poetry, music, architecture or philosophy, he makes a bad husband and an ill provider.” Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Almost everyone has a hobby or interest that they love doing. It can be fishing, hunting, reading, facebooking, tweeting, playing video games, candy crush, playing a sport, following a team, or even following their favorite television program. You cant wait for the next opportunity to participate in whatever it is you like doing. It pulls at you like a jealous mistress. The mistress that lurks when you are home with your family.

Bonne Esperance, Saint Croix, United States Virgin Islands (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My jealous mistress is a 27 by 6 mile wide island known as St. Croix. I miss her and everything about her. She’s beautiful. She’s smells wonderful and she warms my heart. Upon arrival, I embrace her with a deep breath, a stretch of my arms and a calm warm smile that flows from the heart to my mouth. I shut my eyes for a second and take it all in. Ah! Here at last. I begin greeting everyone I recognize which is usually a lot of people. Quite often Dave or Wally is there to pick me up. More smiles as I embrace brothers whom I have been close to for many years.

There I am happy. I stare out the window as we drive into Christiansted. I like to watch the changing landscape and view all the roadside vendors. And I stare at the water. That blue is hypnotizing. I once told Alicia her blue eyes could stare into my soul. Its the same effect here.

It wouldn’t be a mistress if it didn’t compete for my love. See, my kids and family are here – stateside. To be there, I had to be without them. To be with them, I couldn’t be there. I believe it became obvious to Alicia when she kept catching me just staring out the window. I remembered a quote from Herb Louthian that said,  “The law was a jealous mistress.” (He’s a lawyer.) It hit me. I was infatuated and I lusted after something else. I have been back and forth I estimate 50 times since August 2003. I have been there as short as 2 days and as long as 3 months.

In September 2009, I took Alicia for 9 days. Me, Alicia, and the mistress. Its the closest I ever want to come to a threesome. I was nervous and scared. What is she hated it? My goal was to live there once the kids were in college. Little did I know she would end up falling in love with her, too. In fact, if you ever read her blogs, you’ll see that she posts more about St. Croix than I do. I actually saw her cry when she had to tell her goodbye and board the plane.

She made a lot of friends during that trip. We were invited to live with complete strangers in little apartments above their shops in Fredericksted. We’re odd for saying it to most Cruicians, but we love the West End and Fredericksted. Cane Bay, which is my favorite beach is located nearby. The most amazing drive is Cane bay to Fredericksted via the rain forest. Stopping of course to see Momma, having a shot of MommaWanna, and sharing a beer with her pigs.

Sunday Fundays are spent on the Chinese Cookie anchored out at Buck Island. Saturday is the party bus which hits so many local beach bars you forget how many you have visited, where your flip flops are, you “real” name, and of course your shirt.

English: Buck Island, St. Croix, USVI Slovenčina: Buck Island, St. Croix, Americké Panenské ostrovy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are so many places I love to eat that i fear naming any would leave some off. My top four are 1. David J’s deck (haha so I can stumble to my room), 2. Savant, 3. Bachus, and 4. Kendricks.

So see my mistress, is beautiful, can cook, has awesome curves, is fun to play with, encourages me to bring along my wife, and offers things that cannot be found anywhere else.

One thing I have failed to mention adequately. St. Croix is home to some of the nicest people in the world. EVERYONE speaks. You announce “Hello” when you enter a room in St. Croix and everyone responds. Everyone gives from the heart. All of those lives form the Bob Marley songs are true. Its a one love community. In St. Croix you can find someone worth hundreds of millions of dollars, sitting next to someone who is homeless and sharing a beer and a laugh.

I leave you with Cane Bay Beach. The sun set behind those mountains in the distance. It resembles the fire that that burns in my heart that one day, we’ll be living just on the other side of that hill.