You can check-out anytime, but you can’t always leave
Sometimes folks who’ve lived on St. John for awhile decide it’s time to leave.
And sometimes they end up coming back.
Meet James and Tiffany Milne. James, from Massachusetts, discovered St. John 20 years ago and ended up moving to the island permanently in 1991. Tiffany, from Maine, moved to the island in the late-90’s, and the two met about eight years ago.
After many happy years, the death of good island friend David Geiger and the pending birth of their son made them rethink things. And so they headed back to Massachusetts in 2005.
“We sold our boat in Cruz Bay and everything else and moved our lives back to the states,” says James. “Tiffany decided to go to massage school and I got my first 9 to 5 job in 20 years.”
And after a couple of years they got homesick.
“The states are nice. Your family is there, but St. John is definitely home,” James says.
So now James and Tiffany are back, this time with adorable son Tenzin. They returned two weeks ago and are living on a boat again, this time in Coral Bay. Tiffany is working at Noah’s Little Arks and James and his guitar can be heard Mondays at High Tide and Wednesdays at Larry’s Landing.
“I play folk and reggae-type music. James Taylor, Bob Marley, and my own work. It’s good to be home.”
November 13th, 2009 00:52
Know STJ is glad to have you back. Will look forward to hearing you playing there again, James. What a cutie, your son and newest addition to STJ…
November 13th, 2009 07:28
Did he play at the Beach Bar for halloween? If so, they did a great job and his son was too cute. He had his own microphone and kept singing Jammin by Bob Marley.
November 13th, 2009 07:30
Let me know??? How can you afford to live on St. John without financial backing? I understand that both of them are working, but, I know that it takes mega bucks just to spend a few weeks let lone live there.
Any suggestions??? Let me know! We have been visiting for the past 23 years – and still no luck of losing my luggage and staying for eternity!
November 13th, 2009 07:43
oh my gosh what a cutie!
November 13th, 2009 08:09
Good to see you back where you belong!! Tenzin is too cute!!
November 13th, 2009 08:18
Home Sweet Home~ Tenzin, you are a lucky little island boy!
November 13th, 2009 08:39
Tiffany & James! I have an adorable picture of Tenzin on the beach near High Tide taken ??? I will look you all up in March & make sure you get a copy! Welcome home!
November 13th, 2009 10:23
Will look forward to hearing u & your son play in the spring ! Your son is just adorable !! congrats & much happiness to u all !
November 13th, 2009 16:22
I hope they are properly disposing of their sewage from their boat.
November 13th, 2009 23:06
I wanna see the little dude play…
November 14th, 2009 05:41
Welcome back! We’ll stop down to see you.
November 14th, 2009 06:49
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” Michael Corleone
November 18th, 2009 21:11
Welcome Back!! Sorry I missed you this trip.
Your little one is so cute…..
Will catch up in April hopefully get to see you play
November 19th, 2009 17:34
Really enjoyed listening to James back before it was High Tide – loved the James Taylor songs! Looking forward to seeing you again on our next visit!
December 3rd, 2009 11:20
Great inspirational story…and cute little boy!
Yes! If anybody knows of someone needing a nice married couple to help out in their bar/restaurant/hotel…let us know. We’re dying to make it to St.John. We are ready to leave the states behind and finally live in paradise. We’re bascially looking for a steady job and good place to stay. Any ideas?
January 25th, 2010 13:43
I enjoyed seeing the photos of you, Tiffany and your very sweet son. I bet David would be glad that you returned to the island. One bad egg doesn’t spoil the dozen. David loved St. John and you too.
Kind Regards,
Armida Geiger (Brian’s wife, David’s sister-in-law).