Coincidence?? Hmmm… Haha 🙂
So it’s been nine months since our little world down here changed. As I have said month after month, the progress here has been simply amazing. Sure, things aren’t perfect and that’s ok. Caneel, Cinnamon and Concordia are closed for the foreseeable future. The Beach Bar and Rum Hut, two of our favorite beachfront bars, remain closed as do a handful of other great spots. Coral Bay is a resilient little community, but it too needs some more time to heal.
However on the bright side, we have dozens of shops and restaurants that are open. We have at least 100 different accommodations for you to choose from. The airlines are expanding their flight options to and from St. Thomas. Sure, it’s not as much as we’d hoped for, but again, that’s ok. Our beaches are healing and several look great. The reefs look really good in some areas. We still have fish, and there are so many turtles at Maho!! Our wildlife is thriving. I saw the cutest baby fawn over at Jumbie yesterday, and Steve and Janet Simonsen saw a flock of flamingos over Great Cruz Bay this morning … amazing!
Kenny Chesney released a new song last week, and there’s a line in it that struck me. “We say we can, when they say we can’t,” he sings. I think that sums up this island perfectly.
So as I mentioned in the headline, yours truly is nearly nine months pregnant. I’ve reached a point where I am now planning on taking a little step back from News of St. John. But no worries, this is only a temporary thing while I wait for my Little Man to arrive and for the early part of his life.
So in the upcoming weeks, there may be a day where I skip a post because this mama-to-be needs her rest. I will continue to write, but you may see some other names pop up as authors on this blog from time to time. I am so fortunate to have the talent of three amazing island gals who have signed on to keep the “news” going during the next couple of months. I will introduce you to all of them very soon.
As far as island tours go, we’re putting those on hold too. But no need to worry, we will be back up and running in full swing October 1st.
And for full disclosure, we’ve decided to have Little Man up in the states for several different reasons. So like many of you, we will be doing the walk of woe (as I’ve seen many of you call it) at the ferry dock in the near future. But I assure you that we will be back as soon as this little fella gets the go ahead to travel. Oh, and we will absolutely let you all know as soon as he makes his debut. 🙂
In the meantime, please check out these pics that show the remarkable change seen here over the past nine months. And please check out Kenny’s song about the islands in its entirety. Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone.
Congrats!
So happy for you.
Take care and i’m sure the parents are ecstatic!
Looking forward to meeting you all when we get our home established. In the mean time, your work is appreciated.
Best wishes to you and your family!
Congratulations ,What a wonderful place to bring up children!
Jenn, thank you for your updates, noting KC’s new song and congrats on the lil man! Looking forward to two weeks on the rock, July2-16!!!!
Safe travels and wishing you a healthy baby!
Thanks for all you do, Jenn. I read this news everyday. I love to know what’s happening on my favorite island.
I’m looking forward to hearing about the arrival of your little one. Please include a picture of him along with you and hubby. That would be great!
Hey, quick question. Will they be replacing the short wooden pier at the ferry dock? When I check out St. John Spice web cam I see only the pilings left. I assume it received hurricane damage.
Blessings to you. Take care.
Jenn,
Congrats on the Little Man coming and prayers for a successful delivery. Your blog has meant so much to us these last 9 months. I may live in Atlanta, but my heart is always on St. John! Thanks for all you do.
Safe travel home and let us know when he arrives. Best wishes to all of you
Congrats Jenn!! So happy for you. Thanks again
for your assistance and thanks for keeping us
all updated on St John. Safe travels! Hope to
meet you when I am on island in December.
Jenn –I start most of my days by reading the News of St John as it starts my day with calm and beauty. Have so enjoyed watching this beloved island bounce back though your eyes. The island’s spirit is truly one of a kind. Wishing you much joy and happiness as you embark on the the adventure of motherhood — it is truly the best journey you will every take! Enjoy the tender moments with your newborn little man. Wishing him a safe and easy delivery. Be well! Thanks for all you do!
Jenn
Good Luck and Congratulations! Thank you for all of your updates. We look forward to them. Wishing you much live and luck!
Congrats on the baby!
Not that it is anyone’s business but I was curious if you were planning on an island or mainland birth. (How I thought birth would go and how it ended up happening were VERY different.)
Looking forward to more expanded family news!
Congrats on the family expansion!
Do you discount the potential future advantage of the child being “barn here”?
While that would have been great, we are leaving based on the advice of my doctor among other things. 🙂
But your “walk of woe” gets you back on the island sooner than some of us :-). Happy “Labor” Day, good luck and never do air travel without a pacifier 🙂
what about the baby?
Best wishes, Jenn! I’ve enjoyed your posts and our online conversation. Hope to see you in the fall or spring.
Congrats!!! I’ve been following you for about a year and I just love reading your updates especially since I do t live there but love the island good luck to you & your growing family!
Thank you for all your work keeping us up to date on all the island news. I really appreciate it! Hope everything goes well with your delivery of your lil man. Looking forward to seeing his beautiful face
We’re coming down soon! Which reefs would you say are the best? We’re bringing friends and it’s their first time. We’re all super excited!
Hi Sara-My family just got back from STJ 5 days ago. The shallow reefs IMO took a hit. The tip of the reefs at Hawksnest are good but closer in is sad. Trunk also was a bit sad, but still worth the snorkel. We even saw a spotted eagle Ray one day! We didn’t snorkel at Francis, but the turtles at Maho were abundant and some of the biggest we’ve ever seen! We did a boat day and Waterlemon and The Indians were great! We also snorkeled over by Little St James which was nice. I hope you have a wonderful trip and that your friends enjoy the island.
Thanks so much for your updates. Congrats on the arrival of your little guy. Looking forward to more new of St John. Safe travels.
Thanks for all the updates, hopefully will take your tour in March. Enjoy your maternity leave, you deserve a break.
Wishing you and Mike the very best. Can’t wait to see pictures of the little guy. What a blessing. Praying for safe delivery and complete joy when you see your little miracle. Sending lots of loving thoughts.
I am so excited for you! We all can’t wait to hear about your little man St. John! Best of everything!!
Congratulations and Best Wishes! Thanks for all the updates about the Island. I hope to do a tour with you when you’re back on the island.
Lots of well wishes to you and your family, safe travels too. Thank you for always keeping us informed of all the goings on in our beautiful & beloved island paradise. Hope you have a very uneventful and quick delivery!
All the best!
The Lewis family
Thanks Jen for keeping us up to date, can’t wait to get back there May, 2019. Enjoy your time off and congratulations on the new little man, will be looking forward to those pictures.
Best wishes for a fast and healthy delivery. Will be there 6/22 to 7/1. Sorry I won’t be able to meet you but hey next time. All my best!
Jenn
Our March tour with you “cemented” you into our St. John hearts. Your positive and connected
‘blog’ communications have helped us follow “Love City’s’ recovery and celebrate our special
island’s unique and strong spirit. Thanks! And we hold you in our thoughts in this next new
life adventure.
Oh Jenn,
So terribly excited for you and I wish all wonderful things for you and your budding family. Hope you will be back next winter as we have two trips planned – January and March – to make up for missing this year, and we were so hoping to meet you and thank you in person for keeping us up to date on our favorite island. Best of everything- be sure to post s photo of your sweet one!
Best of luck Jenn….thanks for being iur source of info on our “home”. Safe travels.
Congratulations!
Thank you all the news!
Prayers for you and baby!!
Safe travels!
Congrats and Good Luck Jenn! Hoping to get back to the Island again soon! We had so much fun on our two tours with you!
Our family just got back home earlier this week from 9 glorious days on island! I have to say that after seeing the horrific pictures of the state of the island after both hurricanes I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I will tell you that it was so much better than what I thought. My take away was that everyone there has worked their tails off to get it where it is today. Hats off to you! Sure, there is still room for improvement, but overall I was pleased with the progress. Caneel Bay resort would be the only exception. The beaches were beautiful especially when you’re looking out at the water. Restaurants were filled with patrons and everyone showed their gratitude for returning to the island. No one more than when we went out to Skinny Legs. So please if you’re considering going, go! You won’t be disappointed. We were so sad as we were making the walk of woe when we were leaving, but filled with excitement to return next year to see how much more the island will have healed and how Wharfside will have reinvented itself. Until then, Godspeed to all for a quiet hurricane season.
Thank you for the last 9 months of updates on how the recovery efforts are going, and good luck and have a safe delivery with your baby boy and looking forward from hearing from you again!
Congratulations, Jenn, to you and your family as you welcome Little Man into your hearts and home. Being a parent is a journey that brings so much love into your heart, perhaps some sleepless nights, and a feeling in your heart that is overflowing joy. Little Man’s “I” story is already beginning with some pretty awesome chapters! Happy parenting!
Thank you for all the great news you report. We look forward to reading your posts. Congrats on the baby and wishing safe travel.
Thanks for your many posts. I read and feel close to the place I love. Take time for your new life now, we’ll all be waiting when you return.
Great news…Congratulations to you and your family! Congratulations also to all who have worked so hard and continue to nurture the island back to health.
Best of luck, Jenn. Wishing you a safe, easy delivery! Thanks for everything you do and for being our “Coconut Telegraph!”
Congratulations
Congratulations! Best wishes for a safe delivery. Thanks for all you do Jenn!
CONGRATULATIONS! Like the Johnson & Johnson commercial says, “Having a baby changes everything.” And it’s FOR THE BETTER! I wish you and your family much happiness!!! Kelly
Sending you hugs and much happiness to you both! Can’t wait to see the little dude. Take care and see you soon.
Mary & Clark
Jenn, Congratulatins on the expansion of your family! I want to let you know that you have become the spokesperson of St. John! Everyone coming into the Gallery has spoken so highly of your updates and keeping the continued progress of the island available. You have been such a positive note, post Irma/María. St. John is very lucky to have you. Safe travels and delivery!
Congratulations, Jenn! We are St. John lovers from back in the States and have been following your website for updates on our favorite little island in the world. We so appreciate how you have provided information, first and foremost, but also hope and encouragement during a devastating time. While we have certainly donated several different ways to the recovery of St. John, we always wish we could do more to show our love to Love City. You have done that over the last 9 months. Thanks for create space for community to thrive during uncertainty. We are already planning a return visit in early 2019. We wish you the best with your new little man’s debut.
“Coincidence?? Hmmm…”
SO funny! Often, if there seems to be an abundance of births in the DC area in September – November, there will be a quiet news story that looks back 9 months, to find that is when we had a blizzard or something. HAHA
Best wishes to you! The moment after your little man is born, your life will never ever be the same (from crazy joyous to sometimes crazy challenging). Impossible to imagine or describe. But in a couple of months, you will be another member of the mom club who “gets it”. Looking forward to the news!! xoxo
I just learned of this blog today. Tracy Pajewski was kind enough to offer this blog to help me in planning our trip to Cruz Bay in March. It has been 8 years since we were in St. John We stayed at Cinnamon. Bay . The devastation breaks my heart. Hopefully new memories will start with our stay st Seaside at Grand Bay Resort. Congratulations on your new bundle if joy.
I am so happy you found us! I adore Tracy. She’s a great human. 🙂