i wish someone would have told me ........

Neil. flowers and trees and links www.smilinglizard.com

Thanks Bombi... I have googled a bit already, and haven't found anything comprehensive. For example, smilinglizard.com doesn't do trees. Some books are out of print. I saw two thin volumes at the UVI bookstore but didn't like the price. Next stop: the library..once I find it, and have the time to hunker down in it.

I just heard that a teacher at Good Hope has said she's going to have the 9th grade class 'publish' a field guide this year as their project. Being that my daughter will be one of her students, I hope they do it!

thanks to all for your advice and help. i'm packing right now and will be there in less than 48 hours - woo hoo! this is my last trip before i get on that one way flight.
all of you on this site have made things so much easier and it's comforting to know there are good people and a good community there. i look forward to discovering who all these tag names are. you'll know me by that kentucky accent - ha!

Let us know where the derby party will be this year 😉 Only time of year my husband gets homesick.

derby party sounds good to me! i'll have plenty of time to plan and it will be a a heck of a bash come may!

Can someone please tell me which company they used to ship their cars from Miami to St Croix. My husband and I are planning on moving to the island very soon. I have done some research but get more confused the more I read about this? We live in Ohio and will be driving two cars to Miami and we liked the idea of being able to pack the cars with items to take rather than shipping a container as we are coming rather "bare bones".

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Cleo, I shipped two vehicles this year on separate occasions. The first one was through Tropical Shipping. The second one was through Managed Fright (they contracted with Crowley Shipping). In both cases, I was advised in writing not to pack any items in the vehicle. Lee Fleming at Managed Freight said that there was a high probability that items would be stolen at the docks. I did pack some tools in one vehicle despite the warning and they arrived just fine. IMO packing a car is a calculated risk and I certainly would overdo it.

Unless it's stuff you don't mind parting with, I wouldn't do it...that's if they even let you get away with packing the car.

We shipped with Tropical 5 years ago and were very satisfied with the service. At that time you could pack a car and we did. It arrived completely intact, right down to the McDonalds bag of trash!

Hey Linda J,
Did That McDonalds bag of trash become "OUR PROBLEM"? LOL

interesting to see so many old names in this thread. including trw. 

Posted by: Betty

I would suggest bringing your entertainment. For example if you are a crafter, scrapebooker, cook, bring your stuff. Entertainment value on the island at night can be very limiting. For my husband and I it was computers, game systems and books. I don't regret bringing my books at all. I'd go crazy without them, but to each their own. Whatever your hobby or passion is bring it. As someone who loves to cook I find the selection of "toys" on island to be very limited. So I pick up things whenever I travel.

I would be as spartan as you can be with everything else. You won't need as many clothes. There are a few fashionistas but mostly people live in shorts or capris and flip flops, at least in their off time. Homes tend to be smaller and with much less storage. Bring your memories and hobbies and leave or get rid of the rest of the stuff.

This is pretty sensible advice to me and the same basic plan I followed. I think it's good to be fairly minimalist with what you bring, but I heartily second bringing entertainment and hobby related things. 

As someone who owns an upholstery shop and will be moving down next year, shop and all we were thinking about bring extra furniture with us to sell.  Would that idea be a help to those living on the island?  

Posted by: Upholstery Girl

As someone who owns an upholstery shop and will be moving down next year, shop and all we were thinking about bring extra furniture with us to sell.  Would that idea be a help to those living on the island?  

If it is good quality wood, and clean suitable material and you have unused room in your container it will probably sell. Reasonable price and space in your workshop are considerations.

I don't know about St Thomas but here in Michigan I find it amazing the quality furniture that is put on the curb.  People are throwing out hardwood bases and buying plywood and chipboard. I have been picking up discarded furniture for years and upholster it and keep or give away to family. So, I have some great quality items to bring with us.  We also do a lot of bar stools and from all the pictures I've seen that would be a great thing to bring too.  Thanks for your feedback☺  we are doing a site visit the end of July and we will have a lot of our questions answered then plus have a ton more questions to ask!