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.
(
geocities.com/TheTropics)