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Keep left. A little reminder of the potential perils of St. John driving. This Jeep, towed to Cruz Bay recently, has a rental sticker on the windshield. No idea if someone was hurt or not, but somebody – either this driver or the one who hit him – didn’t keep left. Had an accident or a close call? Tell us about it. If it’s a good story, we’ll send you an OSJ bumper sticker. 23 Responses to “Keep left.”Leave a Reply |
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March 27th, 2008 06:03
Hope no one was hurt. You are going to investigate and let us know. As for close calls:
Once I was driving up the switchback at Trunk Bay and the back window fell out. No one was behind me so I went back and got it.
The time going up Jacobs Latter and a car pulled out at the top from the left. It was raining. Stopping, the tires spun and I slid backward until I slid into the curb. Getting traction I shot up the road and skidded to the right. So I kept going on the road to the right going back to town!
The time going up the big curve before you get to Fish Bay. The garbage truck in front of me slid backwards and hit me. My bumper got hooked on the trucks rear end. I was pulled up the hill! It came loose at the top and everyone just kept going.
There are more… but this is enough for now.
March 27th, 2008 07:14
We were leaving the National Park Dock after a wild day on Jost and this palm tree started moving and hit our Jeep Liberty bumper . It was the craziest thing you have ever seen. We didn’t know those things could move around like that or I’m sure my husband would not have parked by it. The taillight had been hit before and was taped together when we got the vehicle, but we knocked the whole thing off. I think we paid them 150$ cash for repairs before we left the island. I seriously doubt they fixed the booboo. Moral of this story-BEWARE OF MIGRATORY PALMS or STAY AWAY FROM THE PAINKILLERS ON JOST!
March 27th, 2008 07:39
David…. Loved all your stories But I must say I think if I were you I would give up driving on St John!
March 27th, 2008 08:25
David - I loved your stories too. Lynn that is what is like when you live on stj and not a tourist! … and that is just a little bit of what every day life is like on island - and now you know the rest of the story.
March 27th, 2008 08:52
“My bumper got hooked on the trucks rear end. I was pulled up the hill! It came loose at the top and everyone just kept going.”
I can only assume you soiled yourself
March 27th, 2008 11:20
good afternoon
two years ago traveling in a westerly direction
towards maho bay around one of those 180 degree
switch backs a cement truck almost decapitated
my wife as it turned the corner. i think i left
my heart and some…. on the road that day.
also, for most people, the first time getting
stuck on jacobs latter when your jeep is not
in 4-wheel drive.
have a great week.
qball
March 27th, 2008 12:44
Watching my 40 lb bag of dog food slide out the back of our Suzuki going up Jacob’s ladder.
Kibbles ‘n bits everywhere.
Maddie, the ever hungry yellow lab
March 27th, 2008 12:45
Keeping left; sooo not the problem. More accurately, whose boat is it, anyway? Curious? Though, I can say for certain that is was not worth finding that old metal boat at the (previously reported) undisclosed location. So, here’s how it all started. “Good” Friday, I should say not. I mean, who could blame me, with all that sobriety going on in Cruz Bay, I had no choice but to try my luck in Coral Bay. Especially with all the beaches being closed due to those swells affecting the North Shore beaches, really, what else was there for a girl to do on a beautiful Friday in STJ? Well, on my way to Coral Bay, decked out in my beautiful red rental jeep with tunes blasting, I’m feeling very happy with myself and actually had this very sort-of proud moment about how accomplished I was feeling with my driving. I mean, small island, minimal chance of getting lost, keep left, no problem, why didn’t my husband think I could manage this simple task? (Did I really just say that?) Well, I guess that should have been my first clue that trouble-soon-come. Anyway mission accomplished, after finding this not-quite-so religious bar, many hours were passed celebrating (in the true sense of the word) the holiday. What a great day and now the time had come to make the trek back to Cruz Bay. Easy enough, just one road until I reach the other end, just reverse what I’d accomplished earlier, practically an automatic-pilot situation, right? Well, somewhere along the way I realize that I “may” be lost. As I try to establish my bearings, out of the corner of my eye I spot this very familiar eyesore transplanted (on land) to this very remote area just over the embankment sitting on a trailer set on some cinder blocks. What, I know this rusted old piece of scrap metal, it’s thee old metal boat that everyone seems to think they own, currently (or potentially) the subject of a legal battle. Well, I’d be glad to share with you the location, but truth be told, I’m really not too sure where the wrong turn occurred and was, in fact, a little off the beaten path (yes, lost). Oh I have some time, no worries, no hurry, and am rather curious, besides, as we all know, I feel like I (Ali-Oop) have somewhat of an ownership interest in this boat too, so I am now on a mission to come face-to-face with this old metal boat. Around the bend, down an old dirt road and what, where did the road go? Not to worry, we all know this to be typical of St. John roads. Anyway, mission nearly accomplished, I’m getting closer and can actually see it through the trees. No problem, the reason 4-wheel drive vehicles were made, right? Here I go. What just happened? Oh no, not good. Do they have Triple-A for towing on St. John? Ugh, did I really tell the rental agency that I didn’t need to take out the insurance?
March 27th, 2008 12:53
Note the license plate….that jeep got ‘JAK’ed up!
Note to moderator: I’m using a term my teenagers reference when they get hit in sports–please don’t post if it’s inappropriate….
March 27th, 2008 14:37
Ali kicks serious butt in these contests.
I’m just sayin’.
-Ruth
March 27th, 2008 16:01
Hi All, well……so far Thankfully ! we have no driving stories to add to this & this will b our 4th trip down in may ! I hope i did’nt just jinx us by saying that outloud !!!!!!! i just knocked on wood ! But have to admit these stories were truly amusing & a lot scarey ! thankfully all of u are ok ! I Leave all the driving to the hubby !!!!! & alway’s am happy to get where we’re going so i can get out !!!
March 27th, 2008 16:14
When I lived on island (this happend twice in the same place and by the same person) I was teaching pilates where Gifft Hill school used to be and was coming out where Polli’s parking is and turning left and this guy smacked right into the side of me.
He was buzzing(with his painkiller) and just gave me $$$$ to go get it fixed.
Not 2 nonths later, same place and same guy……..
will say got alot of massages since could get my jeep fixed for free……….
March 27th, 2008 16:57
In 5 years of living on STJ I had great luck driving except once and I was barely driving.
My friend and I had an old Ford Courier pick up. It was basic with doors that would not close, so we rigged up some bungee cords in a beautiful “cat in the cradle” design across the back window to make sure that the doors would not fly open while driving. Getting out was another treat and I was instructed to NEVER EVER open the drivers door.
I pulled into one of the “between” the tree spots by connections and ran in to get my mail. (which everyone knows takes time, there is the check of the board, chat with the ladies, etc)
I come out and the drivers door is open and Lindy is sitting in the truck. I had left the passenger door open and when lindy decided it was time to sit, he opened the door, the bungees sprung around and the drivers door fell open.
After removing Lindy and rigging up the highly complicated bungee design, I start to back out, the little bump from the spot to the road, sent a poorly hooked bungee flying, hit me in the head,the door flew open, and smacked the tree.
My friend never let me drive the truck again.
March 27th, 2008 18:25
Xislandgirl, that was quite hilarious. I find myself wondering if you have to live here or not to appreciate that story fully. Not sure…
Every time someone from home asks me if there’s anything they can bring me, I never think to say “bungee cords.” They really are quite useful here.
-Ruth
March 27th, 2008 18:34
ding ding ding I think we have a winner in XIG!
but now I’m mad that again I miss out on the bumper sticker! I guess I should have made a story up
March 27th, 2008 18:48
I think all the stories so far actually deserve an on-stjohn.com bumper sticker. In fact, I think anyone who submitted a story should email their mailing address to info@bluetangproductions.com right now so Jeff and Russ know where to send it.
I might make up a story so I can get one also.
-Ruth
March 27th, 2008 19:14
Loved your story island girl ! I burst out laughing imagining Lindy sitting in your car!
Hope you were ok…you could of put your eye out for crying out loud!
March 27th, 2008 23:26
That is why for over 20 years, we haven’t rented a car - we have James Penn and his men taxi us around the island. It’s bad enough to concentrate on staying LEFT let lone to get lost on the island with no one to ask how to get home -
March 28th, 2008 07:47
We went out for dinner and drinks one night parked the jeep. after a lovely dinner and conversation with Elvis at lime inn got back into a jeep and head home as we pulled in to the drive way I tried to hit the garage remote to open the door and it was gone started to look around we were in the wrong jeep. Dropped every one off and headed back into town thank god our jeep was still there and nobody was around when I made the switch I always wonder what the other people thought when there jeep was now parked on the other side of the street.
March 28th, 2008 11:48
Okay Waterguy…garage remote? Where do you stay on STJ that has a garage? And, do all Jeep keys work in all Jeeps?
Good story though!
March 28th, 2008 12:51
A double stall garage with two jeeps. No this jeep the key is so warn think it would work in most you have to wiggle it to work in the right jeep so a little playing around didn’t raise any eye brows. Friends own the villa. I just free load
March 30th, 2008 07:22
Coming back into Cruz Bay from Maho on our last trip down to STJ in Feb we came around the corner just before Hawksnest only to find some happy guy (who did’nt have a clue) riding his rental moped on my side of the road! Lucky for all involved I was traveling at a reasonable speed and was able to avoid what would have been a really bad day for ALL involved especially the guy on the moped. The best part was that he looked at us like we were a couple of idiots! Hello?!!
April 1st, 2008 11:05
It was hairy reading through all of these stories. We’ve been pretty lucky.
Not the hairiest of stories (I always wondered about the Suzuki Samurais I used to see in the Ghuts back in the 90s) but a real one.
My sister was with me on her first trip to STJ. She had driven previously on STT, so she was comfortable driving. We were driving from Cruz Bay down North Shore Road going down towards Hawksnest Bay and she asked me “How often to tourists drive on the wrong side of the road here?” I didn’t have to answer. A guy in a new read topless jeep full of 20-somethings goofing off came whipping around the hairpin on the wrong side of the road.
No accident, everyone stopped in time, but I still beep my horn going around that turn!
Cheers, RickG