THE FATHER BLOG

We are back from our trip from Tortola BVI. If you want to know about the nightlife and partying in Road Town by the cruise ships docks…..I couldn’t tell you a thing about any of that.

What I can tell you is that the people of Tortola are wonderful. The island is beautiful. The beaches and water are fantastic. It is such a relaxing island and that is what we went for on this trip. It is definitely not peak season so it probably worked in our favor for being less crowded as well as the fact we stayed on the quieter West End of Tortola down overlooking Soper’s Hole Wharf and Marina off Frenchman’s Cay.

I would give one big piece of advice: make sure you have a 4WD or AWD vehicle and learn how to put it in 1st gear (possibly got stuck and almost slide down a mountain backwards on a tight switchback). Otherwise, Painkillers are delicious and the Carib was ice cold! Sage Mountain National Park is more of a nice walk through a rainforest more than a hike but it was still fun. Cane Garden Bay has way more activity than the other beaches on island (and we actually all preferred the seclusion of Smuggler’s Cove over it).

I’ll touch on more as I get acclimated to being back home but wanted to give a quick update. Now back to reality….

With the family vacation arriving quickly, one big part of the family won’t be joining us. Deke and Delaney.

I know I’m not the only person that treats and loves their pets like children. I certainly do and there is always a slight feeling of guilt leaving them for the week. But that is when we call on family once again.

Years ago when I started playing hockey, I met this group of guys who went from being just teammates to some of my closest friends. A couple of the guys went from teammates, to close friends, to what I have now considered for years my brothers. I’m lucky and blessed to have these people in my life.

So when we leave Deke and Delaney while we are enjoying the islands, my brother Kevin and his wife Gina will be house and dog sitting for us (again….because they have done this in the past as well).

I understand people having the need to put their dogs in kennels or pet hotels while they travel and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Those places can be great. But I cannot bring myself to do it to my two. So having them stay here and knowing everything is taken care of is 100% peace of mind to allow us to enjoy our trip…..and that is absolutely priceless to me. I cannot thank them enough for allowing us that.

So while we are away enjoying our trip, Deke and Delaney will enjoy their stay-cation with two of their favorite people. They will get to play, swim in the pool, and enjoy time with who we always tell them is “Mommy and Daddy 2”.

Pain Killer

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 oz. Aged Rum (Pusser’s Rum)
• 4 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz. Cream of Coconut
• 1 oz. Orange Juice
• Fresh Nutmeg (for garnish)
• Pineapple Wedge (for garnish)

Preparation: Place all ingredients into a cocktail shake. Shake vigorously to combine then pour over ice into a hurricane or highball glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and a pineapple wedge.

There are slight variations to this drink but that’s pretty close to the original served at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke. We’ll soon be in Tortola BVI and will definitely have to try one at Pusser’s since this was the rum originally used to make the Painkiller. I know it’s only Tuesday….but Cheers!