The recent St. Croix Trip. The most recent St. Croix trip was from January 1 to 20, 1997. There were 6 of us: Kieth Pierce, Corry Carter, and Bill Burke were there from the 1st to 9th, and Joe Batman from the 3rd to the 16th. Only Freda and I were there the entire time. Joe is from Pittsburg PA, and learned of the trip from the internet. The rest are all from Madison, The weather was "perfect" for most of the trip: a bit windy the first day and again on the 20th, but excellent in between. As usual, there were some brief rain showers, but they were mostly at night. The estate (and the entire west side of the island) was covered with various flowers as a result of the fall rains. The houses at Northside Valley (we had 3 for the first 9 days, then 2 two bedroom ones for the rest of the trip) were a bit unprepared at first: no gas for the stove in one and no hot water in another. But the gas was restored by day two, and the hot water a few days later. Life can be rough in Paradise. DIVING Kieth, Joe and I were certified scuba divers, and Corry did a "resort course" with CRUZAN DIVERS (1-800-352-0107), and then two boat dives. Kieth and Joe and I did the boat dives (on three wrecks in Butler Bay, and Horseshoe Reef off the west coast). There were three other divers on the boat with the 4 of us, plus the divemaster who was sticking with Corry. In addition, I did two boat dives at Salt River with Anchor Dive Center (1-800-532-3483). They were the west canyon wall and in front of Gentle Winds. The calm winds made these, (and the various north coast shore dives) really excellent. Salt River is now a National Park, and it shows in the larger number of large fish. These were the best dives of the trip, and I think the best dives in the Caribbean when the weather is right. There were 3 other divers on the boat with me, plus the divemaster. And as with the CRUZAN DIVERS boat dives, there were no other dive boats to be seen anywhere during our trips. And as with the CRUZAN DIVERS boat dives, the trip to the dive sites is typically just a few minutes. The rest of our diving was from the shore: the Pier at Frederiksted (day and night), the west coast shelf from Monks Bath to Spratt Hall beach (done in several segments), Davis Bay from the beach at Carambola, and Cane Bay, from in front on The Waves Hotel, from the boat launch, and from Northstar (in front of Picnic in Paradise). But the west coast Monks Bath area had fewer large fish than in the past, related I think, to increased fishing there. Different people did different of these dives. For example, I did a total of 10 dives, 4 boat and 6 shore, for a total cost of $165. Joe and Kieth did more dives but for a lower total cost. We did see some other divers around the boat launch at Cane Bay, and 6 divers in a Zodiac doing the dive at Northstar. But one reason that diving St. Croix is so good is the lack of other divers, and especially on the best places. The "new pier" is not as good a dive as the "old pier" (before it was damaged by Hugo, and replaced). But fortunately some of the remains of the old pier were left in piles scattered under the new pier. These piles are where most of the fish stay, and they have most of the coral and sponge growth. There were lots of octopus out at night. OFF the WALL with a COMPUTER I have been diving the north coast wall since 1979, but this is the first trip where a dive computer (Joe had one) was used. It makes a BIG difference. In the past the dive plan was based on the Navy/PADI decompression tables: maximum depth and time. This limited 90-100 ft dives to 30-25 minutes and typically a diver had about half a tank of air remaining at the end of the dive. Using the dive computer, even when the maximum depth was the same 90-100 ft, we could extend the dive for about an hour and return with only about 500 psi (for Kieth and me--Joe still had almost 2000 psi!). One north coast dive with the computer was about equivalent to two of the earlier ones. I was a bit more tired after the dive, but computers are the way to do wall dives. GOLF Kieth and Corry played two rounds of golf at the Carambola course. The rumor was that President Clinton (then on vacation in St. Thomas) was going to come over and play golf there, but it never happened. SNORKELING The beach at Spratt Hall had more fish which made for better snorkeling than in the past, but it is still not as good as at Cane Bay, or in front of Colony Cove. These both are excellent places for beginners to snorkel. CRIME? I have heard many stories about crime in the islands. And on one trip many years ago, our car was robbed while we were diving from the shore. But I have had no problem since. This is probably because now when doing shore dives, the car/van is left unlocked with nothing of value in it. MISCELLANEOUS The resort at Carambola is a real asset for the St. Croix trips. There is a dive shop and restaurant/bar. They had an excellent buffet dinner on Friday nights, complete with "mumby-jumbie" dancer and a fire dance/limbo show, all for $30 a person. They also have hammocks, beach chairs and towels, a pool and hot tub. A great place to relax after diving the north coast. Many divers stay at The Waves, at the east end of Cane Bay. (1-800-545-0603) A room with a kitchen is $150 per night (during the winter), and there is great diving from the beach in front. But most who stay there find that they need a car, so that can add another $30 to $40 per day. While it is a nice place, it made me realize what a bargain $50 per day is for both a room/house and transportation. When I figure what a trip costs me, I don't include the money spent on food. This is because I think I would have spent about as much if I had stayed home. The houses have kitchens and I cook in most of the time. Some grocery items are more expensive in the islands (but I bring these with me), but fresh tuna from the local market was only $4 per pound and so we had several nice grilled tuna meals. Meals in the local resturants (as opposed to the "tourist" ones) cost about the same as they do in Madison. We had a nice conch (pronounced "KONK") dinner at Villa Morales for $9.50. (and no sales tax!), and curried goat at a waterfront resturant in Frederiksted for $8. Different food than I would find in Madison but about the same prices (or less). And this added comment: To: jim blair From: rscott5780@aol.com (RScott5780) Subject: Re: St. Croix Trip Report I would like to second your comments on "Anchor Dive" I was there in late Sept. 96 and found the dive sites outstanding as well as the dive shop. History of my VI dive trips. 1. Jan 1975 to VIERS, St. John. (Resident manager Llewelyn Seward) Audrey Handler (MATC) Kim Brown (West High) Matt Juraski (Edgewood College) Kim Schulla (Edgewood College) Sr. Catherine Cordon (Edgewood College) Don Schonmer (Edgewood College) Mike Anderson (Gustavous Alpohpus) plus about 10 GA students. 2. Jan 1978 to VIERS, St. John. (Mike Conoy, Manager) Ann Frodi (Northern Iowa University) Elesibet Morris (friend of Ann) Al Fueling (Milton College) Randy Marlott (Milton College) Brad Bence (Milton College) Joe Graboski (Milton College) Marliss Hall (Milton College) John Dibble (Milton College) Tom Dickenson (Edgerton resident) Mark Hansen (PADI instructor) 3. Jan, 1979 Northside Valley, St. Croix (Sandy & Marcie ;-) Mark Hansen (PADI instructor)* Randy Marlott (Milton College)* Brad Bence (Milton College)* John Dibble (Milton College)* Colleen Buffin (Milton College) Peggy Whitehead (Milton College) Penny Whitehead (Milton College) Dave Askins (UW student) Don Blotner Debbie (friend of Don) * = repeat trip 4. March, 1979 Northside Valley, St. Croix Joe Graboski (Milton College)* Rich Meudt (Milton College) Fred Cruse (Baraboo) Kris Cruse (wife of Fred) Phyllis Dibble (mother of John) Freda Blair (wife of Jim) Arthur Blair (father of Jim) Elva Blair (mother of Jim) 5. Jan 1980 Northside Valley, St. Croix (Johnny the taxi driver) Brian Mitchel (PADI instructor) Robin White (Milton College) Greg Walker (Memorial High School) Camillia Soby (UW faculity) Nancy Draper Marlene Ross (Milton College) Virginia Panger Kathy Bickle Kathy Bock (East High Shool) Jim Andonian Kathy Andonian (wife of Jim) Mary Nettesheim (Milton College) Stan & Kathy Moore Jan & Dan Stone Ken & Bev Watson Wendy Brown Freda Blair* Leon Blair Cindy Blair 6. March 1980 Northside Valley, St. Croix (Johnny the taxi driver) Joe Graboski (Milton College)** Ann Broombaugh (Milton College) Frank Commings (Milton College) John Najem (Memorial High school) Gretchen (friend of John) Laurie Winter Willie Winter (brother of Laurie) 7. Jan 1981 Northside Valley, St. Croix (Johnny the taxi driver) (Jennifer ;-) Leon Blair (Edgewood College)* Cathy Quinn (Edgewood College) Jan Springer Terry Donohough Bill Beake Jack Loud (for his 50th birthday) Bob Swoboda (UW student) 8. Jan 1982 Northside Valley, St. Croix (Johnny the taxi driver) (Jennifer ;-) Charlie O'dell Bob Moon Trerri Temple Dave Askins (MIT)* Vladie ? (friend of Dave, and MIT physics grad student) 9. March 25-April 10, 1983 Northside Valley, St. Croix (Dr Roy Horst and a couple of grad students study mongoose) Cindy Blair Joe & Ruth Miller Lois & Greg Enders Paul Guevara (La Crosse) Don & Suzzane Williams Bill Smith (UW student) Brynn Pheiffer Kris Builder Karen Smart Sharon Effersberger 10. Jan 1984 Northside Valley, St. Croix (+a week in San Juan PR) (Dr Horst mongoose group fills the estate- I get one house) Eliane Tripp Terri Mariola Art & Elva Blair 11. March -April, 1984 Northside Valley, St. Croix (ENV empty except for us) Cindy* & Freda Blair George Blum (UW student) Matt Borden (UW student) Joyce Markle Don Byers Bill Smith* Bill & Anette Smith (parents of Bill) 12. Jan 1985 Northside Valley, St. Croix (1/7=22) (+a week in San Juan PR 1/22-28 with Elva Blair & Dorthy Kleinbeck) Leslie Corpier Mark, Peggy and Jessie Nelson Janice Edison Ed & Kim Marty (Ed dives with no weights!) Connie Catrell Cindy* & Freda Blair* 13. Jan 1986 Northside Valley, St. Croix (1/3-25 for me) Midway/St. Thomas Kieth Pierce (1/10-18) Joe & Ruth Miller (1/10-18) Tom & Linda Williams (1/17-25) Elva Blair* (1/20-25) 14. Feb 21-March 1 1986 Northside Valley, St. Croix (Petries Dive Trip) Midway John & Marilee Rowe All but John Rowe are divers Ron & Jon Schnidt 2 night dives+salt river, NorthStar Dave & Pam Carrigan Van - station wagon Great trip! Bob & Biel Shalley Judi Ross Phil & Dale Grimm Brian Peterson Dave Martin Jim Morrison (friend of Tom Williams, not with Petries) 15. Treasure Trip to Northside Valley, St. Croix Jan 20-Feb 10 1987 Dave Martin* and me. Rent Bobby Baker's jeep, bring metal detector.