Room w/a view at Trembling Hills

Yes, Steven J. Lehner always has sage advice.

The first few years of our bareboat charter trips I always wondered why my older cousin took a 10th day of vacation. The end of the trip would come around, and he would always be talking about Monday on the couch. He would joke about checking himself into a room at Trembling Hills. Detox with a view!

Years went by, and I got older. Suddenly I did not enjoy that first day back at work, having just returned at 1 AM in the morning from a solid 9 days of "breakfast cylinders", rum runners, and 2AM beer & a Stuben. In fact, most of my Monday at work revolved around me - face down on the desk - sweating and hoping that I did not get a lot of phone calls. Praying for the day to end so that I could go home and collapse on the couch in the fetal position. I would spend the day wondering why I did not take Monday off - that critical 10th day of recovery.

Here is to you Steven J. Lehner, and the critical 10th day of vacation. I plan to make my reservation for a room w/a view at Trembling Hills in advance of our next trip! Or you can just book it for me when you place your reservations!

Re-visiting Transylvania Ave

Here is evidence of Pete, then Stub and Vinnie, re-visiting our long lost trail.

Swimming with the sharks?

One of my favorite places in the world is The Bitter End Yacht Club. I cannot picture a more perfect resort - anywhere. There is a little for everyone. Sailing, dancing, relaxing, diving, snorkeling, the baths a short distance away, the list goes on. We seem to always end up here whenever in the BVI's for a few days. It is very relaxing, and there is a little island (Saba Rock) that used to be a very cool bar/band area easily reached by a dinghy from the moorings in the bay. We could have dinner at Bitter end, then either catch a band at the yacht club, or motor over to Saba Rock for some fun.

One night after much entertainment at the yacht club, we were headed back to the boat. It had been limbo night, and we were well lubricated to compete in the event. On the way back to the dinghy you pass a shark tank. It has a short little railing all the way around it. Stub thought it would be funny to give the group a scare. He ran up the the rail/fence and mocked jumping in. To his surprise the railing gave was slightly. He rotated over his hip on the railing and was all of a sudden hanging upside down above the tank - feet pointing directly at the moon. Someone grabbed his shoes and pulled him back to earth. I believe that is the only time I have ever seen a look of fear/shock on Stub's face. The guy seems to take almost anything in stride.

It did not take long for the jokes to start rolling in. Mauler was wondering what she would have told her sister if her son had ended up swimming with the sharks. I told Mauler that the nurse sharks would have had a hard time "gumming" him to death. The fall on his head might have done him some good too!