Painkillers, Bushwackers and Mongoose, oh my!

Perhaps it's because we were born and raised in New England, but the months between September and January always bring back memories of summer slowly relinquishing it's hold to the crisp smells of apples, cider, pumpkin and ginger breads, cozy fires and warm sweaters, the inevitable anticipation of the first snow fall and busting out the ice skates and stolen cafeteria trays.

It's tingly happy jingle bells all the way until the new year. And then...

DOLDRUMS.

The aforementioned memories also encapsulate the never-ending stacking of fire wood, having mittens and boots duct taped to snow suits to prevent uncomfortable ice meltage, inevitably stuck behind a snow plow at every inopportune time, super short freezingly deary days when you know the endorphins need a hefty kick start but it's too annoying to even think about going to the gym with the rest of the resolutionites, and the entire month of March.

For twenty-plus years of our lives this was more or less the structure of the game board.

As with any game it's fun to challenge the rules and boundaries and see which are set in stone and which are flexible... but you know what? After much poking and jumping over and skirting around said boundaries, we discovered the inevitable: THEY AREN'T EVEN THERE. In spite of what the diehards will preach, there is no barrier blocking the tri-state area and New England from the rest of the world during the holiday season.

The first time seeing a palm tree with lights and tinsel seems like a traitorous holiday pleasure, and "northeastern culture" may consider such a thing along the lines of downright betrayal, but when you sail into Cruz Bay just in time for Thanksgiving and the ridiculously generous spread that is put on by 420 to Center, the traitorous act becomes on of the most wonderful experiences of giving and friendship to be had.

Bushwackers at The Landing created by Boo - a few double shifts in a row would make anyone's spell-check a bit wonky. :)

Spell check aside, if you happen to make it to St. John during this festive time of year, don't forget to take in the sights, sounds, aromas and flavors of Mongoose Junction before thumbing it out Cinnamon Beach... Happy Hour at 420 to ice down any sun or reef burn with which you may be afflicted. Kill the Pain and Whack a Bush!