This Earl character is giving me a tropical depression.

Presently a Tropical Storm, he’s forecast to become a Cat-1 hurricane later today.

Well it’s that time of year folks. St. John as well as the rest of the US and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are officially under a Hurricane Watch, meaning that “Hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours.”

Yuck, yuck and more yuck. There’s so much to be done and I feel like Maynard G. Krebbs … “WORK!” And I’d rather go snorkeling.

It was such a nice week so far, calm seas, perfect weather. But in the words of my friend from Jost Van Dyke, Foxy Callwood, “such is life.”

It’s still early though, and a sharp northward turn would be nice.

For information about Earl check out the Weather Underground

Trunk Bay Snorkel Trail

Just off the east end of Trunk Bay is a small island called Trunk Cay. On the west side of the island the Virgin Islands National Park (VINP) has created a snorkeling trail for visitors to this the most popular beach on St. John.

Trunk Cay

I revisited the snorkel trail a few days ago with an underwater camera at my side and the following is a recap of my snorkel adventure and what waits in store for others planning to see for themselves.

Trunk Bay Snorkel Trail Experience

Beginning of the trail

The first sign is located under the red buoy just off the beach on the west side of Trunk Cay. The next sign is informational. Follow the arrows or the orientation of the signs to reach the next one in the series.

Directions

Sign Three

Please Don’t Touch or Stand on the Coral

The third sign is there to warn those that don’t know any better not to touch the coral. Even light touches can be damaging and in these days of extra warm waters, which have resulted in the kill off of the symbiotic algae that nourishes the coral, corals are more susceptible than ever to disease. Also worth mentioning is that touching the coral often leads to flesh wounds that take some time to heal.

Sign Four	Sign Five
Yellowtail Snapper	Sand Diver

Sign Six	Elkhorn Coral
Star Coral	Finger Coral

Sign Seven

Sign Eight

Parrotfish

Ram Head Point, St. John US Virgin Islands (USVI)

Ram Head

The above photo was shot yesterday at sunset rounding Ram Head Point.  Ram Head, on the southeast of St. John is always a dramatic place, but at sunset it is particularly beautiful.