Our B.V.I. Adventure

Much of the BVI has been under one very large rain cloud these past few days.  According to the local forecasters, if this storm organizes any further, it could become Otto.  Currently, it's hovering at Subtropical Depression 17 status.

Well, "yet-to-be-named" Otto, you could have fooled me.  You've been lashing our little island for three days straight now.  There's flash flooding in Road Town.  The government has closed schools and offices.  We haven't seen the sun in more than 48 hours, which has caused me to - GASP - wear a sweater! 

Here are some photos of the roads...


Crazy, right?  I think it's time Subtropical Depression 17 moves on outta here!

On Sunday, Day 305, Michael and I tried something new.  It's called SUPing.  A type of surfing, SUP stands for Stand-Up Paddling.  I took my camera inside the waterproof bag and took a few shots of Michael in action.  Even though you can clearly see the bag in this photo, I really like this shot.

While neither of us has ever surfed, we caught on quite easily.  It was more like kayaking, really.  They say it's like taking a hike on the water.  We were able to see fish and coral beneath us as we glided over the reef.




SUPing provided a pretty good work-out.  We paddled around Smuggler's Cove for an hour straight.  By the time we came back in, we had an audience.  Michael took a spin on my board so I could get some footage to share with you.



My most humiliating moment came as I approached the shore and a large group of people sipping on their painkillers and bushwackers...  Unsure of how to complete my SUP loop, I shouted out to Andy's son, Josh.  It went something like this:

Me:  "Hey!  Josh!  What's the correct way - woah, woah - to dismouuuuuuuunt?"
SPLASH!
As I came up for air - full of equal parts salt water and humility - the crowd was laughing.
Random Guy: "I think you just answered your own question!"
Josh:  "What did you say, Amelia?"
Me:  "Nevermind..."

The only real casualty of the day (my pride aside)?  Michael's sunglasses.  On his first fall into the water, his hat and glasses came off and he was only able to grab the hat.  The BVI has claimed two pairs of wayfarers so far...onto #3.

The new Rite Way grocery store opened the day we left for our week and a half in Knoxville.  I even tried to go that morning, before our 1 o'clock flight, but was turned away because their official ribbon cutting wasn't until 2 o'clock.  Go figure.
I have to say it was well worth the wait!  But before you see the beauty that is the inside of this new grocery store, a quick reminder of the old one, which is just next door.  That's it with the green and yellow awning.   (Remember when they had a sale at this same grocery store?)
Another shot of the old store, this one of the interior:
And the new!
Get a closer look of that produce!
It truly was a pleasurable shopping experience!  Don't worry Publix, you're still my number one.  And Fresh Market, they've got nothing on you; however, for BVI standards, this is most definitely the "best on the island" as they say.  

The aisles were nice and wide - two shopping carts (or trolleys for our British and Irish readers) could pass each other with ease.  The staff looked great in their new uniforms and they seemed more helpful.  Although, I didn't see my favorite stock boy...he usually sings Iyaz's "Solo" or "Replay" to me while I shop.  I'll have to go back soon and make sure he made it to the new store!

Up until now, grocery shopping has been something I've dreaded here in the BVI.  Not anymore! 

For Michael's 30th Birthday, which was on September 21st, we headed back to the states, to Knoxville specifically.  I planned a birthday bash inspired by Michael's favorite things.  Here's the back of the invitation:

 And the front:

We had an absolute blast and we thank all of our family members that helped us pull it off.  (Sharon, Dennis, Matt, Megan, John, Kay, and Whitney that means you!)  Party planning is something I absolutely love but I must admit, it's a challenge putting things together some 3,000 miles away from our home in the BVI!

We also appreciate all of our friends who joined us for the party.  It was great catching up with everyone as we sipped on Pusser's Painkillers and listened to the sounds of Eric Johnson, a Knoxville native.  Michael's father, Dennis did an amazing job on the shrimp boil.  And that's my mother in the photo to the right of the shrimp spinning our friend Casey around blindfolded, as he was about to "pin the bowtie on the frat guy."  Email me if you need to know where to get your own life-size cut out of Michael.  ;) 

If the birthday celebration wasn't enough of a throw down, our friends Allison and Reid hosted an amazing tailgate on G10 the next day and John and Lindsay shared their field passes with us so we could see the game in Neyland Stadium up close and personal!!!





This was just the first weekend of our visit back to the states!!!    We also witnessed the dedication of our niece Gracen and the wedding of Michael's cousin, Megan.  It was great to spend time with family and friends, as well as with my coworkers - felt great to be back in the office!  WHEW!  As I remember ALL of the events of the past week and a half, I am overwhelmed.  We are truly blessed!!!

Oh, and one of the best parts of the entire trip!  (Talk about burying the lead!?!)  Milly came with us!


She is just too cute for words!  

Remember this sailboat from Scrub Island?  The one Hurricane Earl claimed a few weeks ago?

Well, we went back to Scrub today and here's how we found it:
The owner of the boat spent most of the day patching the hull.  You can see the port side of the boat took the brunt of the damage.  He said the plan is to sail to Puerto Rico where it will be professionally repaired. 

Oh, and the boat's name?  Sea You Later.  Unfortunately, the sea saw it sooner than later...

It's never a good thing when you see this truck in your driveway...

This truck (and three workers) came to fill up our cistern on Day 278.   This is the first time this has ever happened.  A water shortage with no end in sight!

Our water set-up is a bit complicated...

We have both town water and cistern water.  We primarily use town water, but if there is a disruption in service we switch over to the cistern that holds thousands and thousands of gallons of rain water.  We have no idea when the switch occurs, it just does.

Apparently we had been on the cistern for a week or so before Hurricane Earl reached us.  And Hurricane Earl was more of a wind event, with winds blowing as many as 115 miles per hour!  Not necessarily prime conditions for collecting water.

And the adventure continues...

So Signage Sunday has had its first casualty...Do you recognize this???
This dates back to one of the first Signage Sundays ever!  April 18?  The one brought to you by the BVI Nurse's Association.
The A, B, C's of avoiding HIV/AIDS took a beating in Hurricane Earl.  We'll let you know when it is replaced.  Stay tuned...