Forums39
Topics39,190
Posts317,755
Members26,631
|
Most Online3,755 Sep 23rd, 2024
|
|
18 registered members (BenP, fabila, Fletch, polaris, jrw, xrayman67, SXMScubaman, Uksimonusa, YachtReprise, Manpot, deliveryskipper, 7 invisible),
2,840
guests, and 311
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#313093
02/05/2024 08:23 PM
02/05/2024 08:23 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,712 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,712
Memphis, BVI, CT
|
How 'bout when the airstrip was dirt, as it was when Ratman first came about 1965. The plane made two passes, the first to chase the cattle. There was a sign, "Immigration closed, come back tomorrow."
The deal when we got power in the '70s was we had to give up our generators. Foxy, whose business was expanding and needed power, got wind of this and showed up with a bunch of guys and somehow loaded our cast-iron Lister generator into the back of a Rover and took it to Jost. A few years back we were cleaning our shed and our mechanic found the device for calibrating the generator. He used to work on the generator at Foxy's and said how useful that device would have been.
At one point Tony was talking about acquiring a house by us. Ratman convinced him it was a bad idea.
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#313216
02/07/2024 06:16 PM
02/07/2024 06:16 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,460 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,460
Finger Lake Region
|
We’re relative newcomers, we do miss the Mineshaft Cafe and his signature drink…Bringing the bucket down and mixing up the “Cave In”. It’s All in The Juice!”
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: crmoores]
#313226
02/07/2024 09:08 PM
02/07/2024 09:08 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 281 Va Beach
Kmon
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 281
Va Beach
|
We’re relative newcomers, we do miss the Mineshaft Cafe and his signature drink…Bringing the bucket down and mixing up the “Cave In”. It’s All in The Juice!” We also miss the Mineshaft Cafe and the Sprauve brothers Elton and Lincoln!
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#313232
02/08/2024 12:13 AM
02/08/2024 12:13 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 540 OU Sooner
ggffrr11
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 540
OU Sooner
|
How 'bout:
-- one-hour, dial timer on the fridge in the monohull > make a softball size ice ball > all you had -- pasteurized, unrefrigerated milk (vacuum packed) which came in the size of a small cereal carton -- hardshell dinghy which threatened to capsize when towed behind your boat -- chicken feet and beaks for sale in the grocery store (still sell some) -- Rudi's all you can eat lobster dinner on Jost -- Toll bridge on leaving the airport -- Pretty decent shopping over in STT -- Being able to call home at BEYC and take a real shower -- Shark pen in front of BEYC -- Generator only power at Cooper -- Off the grid solitude
Last edited by ggffrr11; 02/08/2024 12:14 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#313234
02/08/2024 01:46 AM
02/08/2024 01:46 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347 USVI
LocalSailor
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
|
I have been living and sailing here in the Virgin Islands since 1975 and I think my favorite memory of sailing the BVI was all the different color green squares, like a checkerboard, on the Tortola hillsides, the little farms and grazing plots. The Foxy's Wooden Boat Regatta back in the seventies when there really was a wooden boat fleet, some of the most famous Wooden Boats would sail and they were so beautiful. Labor Day weekend in Jost. I had friends who had their wedding inside the Baths grotto, in waist deep water, and we all attended and had a wonderful time and were the only people there that day. Always anchored overnight in Devils Bay, stern too. Making sure we had an extra bottle of Cruzan Gold for Albert when dropping into JVD. Sailing with Charlie and Ginny and later dinner up the hill from the marina at a house/dining room where the owner would slide the roof open , enjoying some delicious West Indian foods. Heading down island by sailing through Eustatia Sound, and out through the reef leaving Virgin Gorda to starboard, after a night of stories recanted by Bert Kilbride at his Saba Rock outpost. Dropping a box of books and magazines off to the few residents on Salt I.
It is a bit different here now, but I still keep my eyes open for a wooden sailboat rail down or looking perfect on their hook.
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: ggffrr11]
#313247
02/08/2024 11:02 AM
02/08/2024 11:02 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 322 Massachusetts USA
tmsxmsails
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 322
Massachusetts USA
|
-- pasteurized, unrefrigerated milk (vacuum packed) which came in the size of a small cereal carton I remember it being irradiated, unrefrigerated milk. Was the strangest thing. It kinda made sense but I wondered what kind of dose I was getting in my cereal.
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#313772
02/17/2024 10:17 PM
02/17/2024 10:17 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 816 Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 816
Kannapolis, NC
|
Okay, I’m obviously a rookie compared to you all. We started our BVI run in ‘05. So much has changed for us. I’m sure those of you prior to ‘05 have seen much more. What we have seen in 18 years is good and bad. We tend to be a bit selfish in wanting the old days to be the norm. But Anegada has shown that still exists. Yes there have been some changes, I.e.Sid’s and Tipsy’s. But the long ago vibe still exists there.
Go Irish!!
Bill
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#314110
02/23/2024 10:54 PM
02/23/2024 10:54 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282 Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
|
I first came to the BVI around 1980 Loved it so much, I found land in South Sound and bought it. Took several years before I told my wife that If we did not build we would be too old to build. So we built in 2000 and then in 2004 , expanded the villa to 6 bedrooms. Irma destroyed it all. So after fighting the insurance company for our funds ,we rebuilt in 2019 and finished it in 2021. We overran our budget 1M dollars., but the villa is fantastic. Now I am building a tennis /pickleball court.. I am 85 now and am still very busy, but age is starting to slow me down. Remember Air BVI and the original small airport. Remember all of North Sound and all the changes that have taken place. My children are slowly taking over my assets in the BVI, so we will be in the BVI for years. My son's daughter is building a new home in South Sound. I am now a great, grandpa to a lovely young boy born this year. I am very happy that I invested in the BVI , and it has been a joy to see Virgin Gorda come back after IRMA. We now also have a turboprop plane which we fly from Vero Beach directly to Virgin Gorda and land at the airport.
Last edited by tpcook; 02/23/2024 10:56 PM.
tpcook
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#314202
02/25/2024 01:55 PM
02/25/2024 01:55 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
|
I grew up on a sailboat based out of Grenada. We sailed the island chain up and down from Grenada to Puerto Rico often as my stepfather was retired military and we took advantage of the medical and commissary perks at Roosevelt Roads. We were often the only boat in White Bay, the coral and sea life was still beautiful most everywhere, we played hide and seek in the rocks at The Baths and often didn't run into any other people. Another core memory is helping my mom carry an enormous wrench through the airport in St. Thomas to help our friend "fix" the prop on the plane he had given us a ride on. Today, you can't even get a bottle of sunscreen through the airport! I definitely miss those days but also appreciate the refrigerator/freezer on my catamaran compared to our ice box, having 200+ gallons of water instead of 25 and being able to take a fresh water shower on the boat!
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#314241
02/26/2024 08:21 AM
02/26/2024 08:21 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
Shifty
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
|
Just returned a week ago from a 9 day bareboat charter. First time in decades I did NOT take the crew to the Baths. I've been longing for that! When dad took me there for the first time, we landed the dinghy on the beach, pulled up to higher ground and tied the painter to a rock in the sand. Wandered through the meandering trail, with no ropes, no ladders, no signs and no crowds. I think we saw 6 or 8 people.
I remember also from the earlier days the "cocktail hour" routine... Drop a hook, open a beer, sit back and watch the procession of other arguing crews going through the same process--often with humorous effects.
On at least one occasion, WE were the humorous effect. Arrived late in the afternoon at Trellis Bay in hopes of seeing Tony at the Last Resort. Anchorage was pretty full, but we all agreed there was room at the east end of the anchorage for one more boat. To the certain entertaining delight of all other vessels, we were wrong... grounded the keel to a halt on the sandy bottom.
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#314270
02/26/2024 01:27 PM
02/26/2024 01:27 PM
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,109 Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,109
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
|
When a steel pan band played every night at Stanleys Welcome Bar on CGB and Quito used to play a couple of songs and then serve you a beer..when Bomba used to make spicy "Manpot" stew from the left over bar b q the night before.And yes he gave me that moniker!
Last edited by Manpot; 02/26/2024 01:28 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#316720
03/26/2024 05:43 PM
03/26/2024 05:43 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 190 jost van dyke
capttom
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 190
jost van dyke
|
When my then-girlfriend and I took the job at White Bay Sandcastle in 98, there was still no phone and no electricity. We turned the generator off around 9, Windy Callwood was the sometimes bartender, and 30 people and four boats was a busy day. No one stayed overnight in the Bay. We left the booze on the shelf overnight. A few months later the road came over the hill, the poles went up, and we were suddenly in the 20th century. Now we had phones as well, instead of the VHF radio. The old reservation system was Carol at Red Hook Mail Services calling us on the radio and telling us what our week looked like. Hard to believe that was only 26 years ago.
Last edited by capttom; 03/26/2024 05:44 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#316760
03/27/2024 09:56 AM
03/27/2024 09:56 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 972 Middleburg, VA
cwoody
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 972
Middleburg, VA
|
I remember the young seagull gangs of the 90's were quite aggressive.
The leader of one of the gangs, we name "Otto", and his notorious crew were the most aggressive.
We still see Otto from time to time, but things are not as bad as they used to be.
As these gangs grew older, they and their recruits found the cruise ship tourist were much easier pickings.
They are now quite familiar with the CS schedule and flock to Cane Garden Bay for unlimited treats.
Another reason to avoid CGB on those special days.
Chuck W.
|
|
|
Re: Remember when...
[Re: Shifty]
#316766
03/27/2024 11:49 AM
03/27/2024 11:49 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 281 Va Beach
Kmon
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 281
Va Beach
|
Great stories and memories! ...which makes this one quite trivial in comparison. But here goes.
Seagulls.
Through the mid 80's and into the 90's, we were annually inundated with seagulls in every anchorage, especially when grilling out. By the dozens, they would swarm the cockpit, occasionally perching on deck rails, the dinghy motor and bimini. And always lightning quick to steal an unattended morsel. Funny, I haven't thought about it in years and it now has me wondering why we haven't experienced that in over 20 years. Where'd they all go? My two cents - People must have quit feeding them! This all got started by them being fed by people on boats who thought it was "cute". They got used to being fed by people throwing food for them off their boats. Hence, they grew to expect it and started swarming around random boats expecting to be fed!
|
|
|
|