St. Croix Holidays are Here

doesn't look as bad as it felt while swimming in it

It really feels like the Winter Solstice here today. The northwest swells were a challenge to swim through this morning(a surf advisory was out but we went anyway), visibility was minimal just enough to find the path to where you were going, but the ride back in was a blast...surfing all the way... The wind(20-25k)after getting out raised the goose bumps in warp speed. The Christmas Winds have set in with a vengeance, bringing clouds, big swells and gnarly weather to the island.

Its howling up here at the aerie. Comforters are on all the beds(i know you statesiders will laugh at how wimpy we are). i think the night time temperature hasn't dropped below 70 but we are freezing. Sweat shirts and long pants in the evening are a must.

i've been baking my holiday cookies and handing them out to friends only problem is i seem to be testing the quality more than necessary. Out and about around the island it is very festive. A new friend that just moved to the island and swims with us said his wife woke up to drumming and singing this morning, he told her she was hearing things. But when another friend arrived they said they had gone through a huge group of people dancing along behind Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Nights. So it sounds like jouvet which is the start of festivities. i really, really love this time of year.

Chicken Shack setting up the party

Christiansted is decked out in new lights. The Gentlemen of Jones seem to have replaced a lot of the old decorations and even have the Star of David on one end of town. The lights look really bright this year and the ones that cross the street are lovely. The boat parade was last weekend and the Christmas village is going up and every where you go food smells make you want to eat constantly. The racetrack has lots of activity, trainers working their horses and general sprucing up.

All the stores are jammed, people seem to be doing a lot of shopping and finding a parking spot close in takes all ones ommming skills. Kids and family are pouring in from college and jobs in the states. i'll bet this year more are coming home for reunions. Partying is taking a toll and we have barely gotten started...this won't end until the 6^th when the island winds down the festivities with the big parade.

Yummy Lobster

Music is everywhere and i want to share some of our traditional stuff with all a you in the states. So here is Stanley and his gang singing Mama Bake your Johnny Cake Christmas Comin.

See ya next week if i make it!