Off the Beach

The beach at Sandals Grande in St. Lucia is one on which you could spend your whole vacation and never leave. The sand is immaculately maintained, there are all sorts of comfortable nooks and crannies for you and your significant other to spend some quality time by yourselves, there is ocean side service for any libations you might need to quench your thirst, and several of the great restaurants that Sandals offers are literally right on the beach or over the water. Still, staring out at Rodney Bay and seeing the breeze dancing across the waves is every bit as enticing as the allure of staying beachbound. When the urge to get out on the water strikes you Sandals offers more than enough options. Everything from waterskiing and wake boarding to snorkel excursions to standup paddle boarding, kayaking, and sailing are available and included. My wife and I can only sit staring into each other’s beautiful eyes for so long so before the chill had left our cold drink glasses we were trying to decide which water activity to try first.

Rodney Bay is a big half moon of water that is sheltered enough you don’t have to worry about drifting out to sea but still blessed with strong and steady winds that get any latent sailor in you itchy to leave the shore behind. We sailed almost every day we were in St. Lucia and there were several times they had to come out to tell us to come in before it got dark we were having so much fun. We also availed ourselves of Sandals fleet of kayaks, both single and tandem, and enjoyed cruising along the shore and exploring Rodney Bay Marina which is home to some incredible boats, yachts, and sailing ships of every description.

Sandals also has dive and snorkel boats that regularly head out to some great sites and we went out to visit the fish numerous times. Quite candidly some of the best snorkeling and fish viewing is right off the Sandals beach around the center pavilion but any chance to take a boat ride was too good to pass up. We also took a paid excursion on JJ’s Jetboat tour and it was well worth the price. It lasted about 4 hours and took us to lunch at Beautiful Marigot Bay (which is where the recent Dr. Doolittle movie was filmed) as well as several snorkeling spots along St. Lucia’s incredible coast. And boy, can JJ’s boat get up and run powered by two 350hp motors that are raring to go.

I couldn’t get all the on-water activities in one short video so you’ve got two to choose from. The first  is focused on kayaking and sailing while the second takes you along on JJ’s, and other boats as we visit Marigot Bay and various snorkeling spots. As nice as the Sandals resort was, and as much as they pampered us, it was the on-water activities that would take us back to Saint Lucia in a heartbeat. And since it’s a whopping 22 degrees in Denver as I write this, that 80 degree water would feel pretty darn good right about now!

Pigeon Island

Most folks who come to Sandals probably spend most, if not all, of their time at the resort with only an occasional foray via an approved excursion that picks you up and drops you off at the resort. The beaches in St. Lucia, as in some other islands, are actually public access which means anyone can stroll the Sandals beach. There is security at both ends of the beach which monitors the comings and goings of visitors and guests alike. Sandals Grand sits at the northern end of Rodney Bay and just outside the gates on the northern side is the Pigeon Island National Landmark. For $8/US you get access to a beautiful ocean front park as well as trails that lead to two high points of land which were coveted ground when the French and English were squabbling over this piece of terra firma. The trails are a bit of a grunt climb with one taking you up to the old English fort built in the 1870’s while the other takes you up a slightly more arduous climb to the higher of the two peaks. The wind blows pretty consistently in St. Lucia and the tops of the two climbs had the intrepid hikers holding on to their hats.

What makes the climbs worthwhile are the 360 degree panoramas. To the north lies the island of Martinique some 25 sea miles away and the day I went there was a steady line of sailboats big and small making a beeline from one island to the other.

Once down, the park boasts stunning views of the ocean waves breaking against the unprotected north side and one can sense the power of these rolling waves as they cascade merrily along the shore. Just outside the entrance gates there are shops catering to the tourists brave enough to venture outside the confines of the resort. The visit to Pigeon Island and all it offers is something I’d highly recommend. Here’s some footage I took from up on high...

Let’s take a quick stroll...

One of the things that hits you as you step off the plane in St. Lucia is how green everything is. The calendar may say December but the flowers are beautiful. It’s apparent that Sandals Resort takes enormous pride in their facilities including the lush gardens. I’d love to know the design firm that helps Sandals lay out and design their resorts but whoever it is knows what their about. The gardens are set against the luxurious pools that seem to beckon around every corner. My last blog took you on a bird’s eye view of Sandals but tonight I’ll take you on a quick stroll through the resort. I know a lot of Caribbean resorts are lovely, how can they not be in such gorgeous locations, but Sandals is truly a feast for the eyes especially for those hailing from the brown landscapes of a stateside Winter. Enjoy!

Mornings After

We’re staying at a Sandals resort on the North side of St. Lucia. St. Lucia is a fairly sizable island and has a population of 170,000. Like so much of the Carribean it’s a contrast in extreme wealth set against a backdrop of poverty and subsistence living. The drive from the airport, on the southern side, takes about an hour and a half and the island drivers, including the shuttle buses, take pride in driving fast and scaring the *#@$ out of the tourists. Flying around hairpin corners, zooming over hill and dale must be key skills taught in their drivers education classes because everyone’s in an extreme hurry to get somewhere or another. Either that or their simply doing lap after lap of what is, after all, an island.

Sandals prides itself as being a 5 Star luxury resort. It’s also all inclusive which means you’re not continually reaching into your purse or wallet to pay for everything from food and drinks to water sports. The only things that require payment are excursions offered by private vendors that take you off the resort to see the local must see sights and attractions. Being 5 Star luxury of course means that while your not constantly reaching for the credit card you of course have already paid substantially when booking your trip. Sandals isn’t the cheapest vacation which is why I’ve only been twice in thirty years (the last was on my honeymoon when we went to the Sandals in Montego Bay, Jamaica) but for special occasions such as weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries these resorts can’t be beat. Of course, if I had the money, I’d also include birthdays, clean checkups from the dentist, not having to shovel snow or deal with Artic temperatures as equally good excuses to visit. There are three Sandals resorts on St. Lucia and we picked the Sandals Grande primarily for its beach and it’s water sports offerings. From scuba and snorkeling to windsurfing, sailing, and water skiing it’s all available and all included. I love to sail (funny that I ended up In landlocked Colorado) and Rodney Bay, which is where the Grande is located, offers phenomenal steady, moderately strong winds ideal for getting a Hobie off and running. The Bay also has lots of yachts moored just offshore and if you’re into boats it’s a lot of fun to cruise around and ogle all the nautical hardware. Sandals is an adult only resort and has a good cross section of ages and nationalities coming to visit. I could go on and on about how nice the resort is but suffice it to say I’d return in a heartbeat if I got the chance. Here’s a short bird’s-eye view of the resort filmed at the crack of dawn when not many folks were up and about. All the liquor you can drink is also included so most folks seem to sleep in but I find the mornings are almost the best time of day. Here’s wishing you a little St. Lucia sunshine and warmth!

A taste of paradise

Well, the road that beckons has turned into the sea that beckons, and I’m a long way from the Colorado mountains I love so much. The sea is Caribbean, the water is turquoise, the trade winds are fair, and the temperature is perfect for shorts and flip flops. Oh, and the rum’s not bad. The particular island we came down on is Saint Lucia which is part of the West Indies. They can name it what they want but I call it Paradise.

This particular evening as I write this the steel drums are playing Calypso and Reggae and the resort is hosting a Caribbean Beach Party of which yours truly will soon be partaking. As you probably know, a little beach sand between the toes goes some distance towards relieving the stress of ordinary life and island life here is, to be honest, more fantasy than real. Still, a week under the swaying palm trees staring out at an azure sea is impossible to complain about so I won’t even try.

Today’s events included morning and afternoon snorkeling excursions bookcasing a mid morning sail on one of the resort’s Hobie Cats in the kind of steady breezes that Colorado sailors can only dream of. Heck, I even let (well, I actually insisted) that my darling wife learn to sail said craft so I could lounge while staring up at the mast as it made dancing circles in the sky. Speaking of dancing, I’m not usually one for fancy footwork, and more apt to trip over my own two feet, but the band’s still playing, the night’s young, and the love of my life has her hand out enticing me to partake in some gentle swaying to the beat. Who am I to say no?

An XMas wish...

You probably heard of the Denver radio station that was going to ban the "Baby it's cold outside..." Christmas song because in light of the #MeToo movement some listeners supposedly objected to some of the lyrics. I say supposedly because some skeptics thought it was a publicity stunt to drum up buzz for the radio station. There's probably some truth to both perspectives but ultimately, after conducting a poll of listeners, the station had second thoughts and said song is now again in heavy rotation for the enjoyment of all.

Apart from generating buzz for the radio station it did get me to thinking that there sure is a lot about the Christmas holiday to get offended by if one is so inclined. In my spare time I play the guitar and this time of year love to play Christmas tunes where only my two pups can hear. They've been known to howl along when the mood strikes but I don't take it personal. Anyway, as I've been playing these songs some of the lyrics have struck me to be a little suspect so here is a tongue-in-cheek review of some of the more outrageous. Feel free to be offended or just sing along...

Away in a Manger...
The whole concept of forcing women to give birth in a manger, no crib for a bed, is just as wrong today as it was two thousand years ago.

Good King Wenceslas...
The good King seems like a decent enough fellow. Still, dragging his page about in such horrendous weather takes involuntary servitude to a whole new level.

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer...
There's a couple of songs involving Reindeer that probably have the PETA folks anguishing but I think this particular song give our cloven-hoofed friends a bad rap. I mean, supposedly Gram was simply walking home on Christmas Eve when she was run over, but there were no witnesses, and as of yet no incriminating video has surfaced, and as for "hoof prints on her forehead" that sounds pretty circumstantial to me. Could have been elk for all we really know.

Jingle Bells...
Another case of animal abuse. What horse, in its right mind, wants to pull a sleigh dashing through the snow while the passengers are laughing all the way? Is the horse laughing? I don't think so...

Frosty the Snowman...
Frosty ends up a puddle on the floor; 'nuff said.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...
Ok, what's with Rudolph? Who would name a reindeer Rudolph? A name like that is almost enough to justify running down grandma. And the red nose - has Rudy been out drinking? No wonder they won't let him play in any reindeer games. I'm writing a check to PETA as we speak.

Santa Claus is coming to Town...
So this old guy with a big belly and a white beard knows if I've been naughty or nice? Sounds like Google. I don't remember signing off on the privacy policy on any Santa app. Just how much of my personal information does this guy have? Maybe I'll sit down right now and write 'ole Santa a letter and complain. That way I'll kill two birds with one stone as I really would like him to bring me an Alexa for Christmas.

The Twelve Days of Christmas...
Speaking of killing two birds, are you as tired of those six geese a laying and seven swans a swimming as I am? And since I've already got two canine singers accompanying me whenever I play this interminably long song I sure don't need eleven (ELEVEN for goodness sakes!) Pipers piping. And if those ten lords don't stop leaping about scratching the furniture and knocking over the Christmas tree I'm going to make them eat a turtle dove, partridge in a pear tree, and French hen pie.

I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus..
Well, I gotta admit, the jolly old elf does get around but what's with Mema? I guess Santa really does know who's been naughty or nice.

The Little Drummer Boy...
Ok, not so much as I'm offended by this song but if you know a good drummer (or a bad one for that matter) who wants to accompany this guitar strumming fool and his two dogs just send your resume to Candy Cane Lane.

Well, enough of this nonsense, you get the idea. So have yourself a Holly, Jolly Christmas as you listen to those Siver Bells and keep them bobtails ringing. Me? I'm going to let it snow, let it snow, let it snow and have a Silent Night.

Singing is hard work...
time for a break

Ho, Ho, Ho! So you (or someone you know) want a drone....

Tis’ the Season for drones beneath Christmas trees and if you’re new to the world of these unique and wonderful flying machines it can be a little overwhelming. What to look for in a drone? Where can you fly? What else do you need to know before flying for the first time?

First a caveat - I’m no expert but I have been flying drones for several years now and I'm often approached by folks who are curious and intrigued by what I'm doing. With those folks in mind I thought I’d pass along some info that I wish I had when I first got started. So here goes...

A drone's-eye view provides a unique perspective!

First, what do you want to do with your drone? Do you just want to have fun flying something around, do you want to use it to take pictures or videos, do you want to do acrobatics and/or race it? Drones can do all of these things and more but what you want to use it for will narrow down the type of drone you get. For example, many, if not most, drones available today have the ability to take pictures and shoot video but they vary greatly in how good a quality those pics or videos will be. Today’s high end consumer drones (roughly $500-$1200+) can shoot video in 1080p or 4K which meets what professional cinematographers were clamoring for not too long ago. My drone can shoot in 4K but I shoot in the slightly lower quality 1080p because my top-of-the-line Samsung television from several years ago (let alone my computer) can’t process 4K resolution. By comparison, if you watch a YouTube video today its playing at best at 1080p. A top of the line camera drone, in essense a very stable tripod in the sky, as you can imagine, won't fit the bill if you seek to do flips and super-high speed turns.

Are drones expensive? Drone prices, thanks to incredible innovation over the last several years, allow for even low-end toy grade drones to offer features unheard of just two or three years ago.There are some incredible toy-grade drones offering decent cameras and other nice amenities for around $50-$100. Hobby level drones offering better cameras and better amenities fall generally in the $100-$500 range and serious drones featuring top of the line cameras and tons of other features will put you in the $500-$1,200 range. Many drone pilots start out with a toy-grade drone to earn their wings and then move up from there but today's high-end drones are so advanced that even novices can fly them (carefully!) in relatively short order. Commercial drones, used for thermal imaging, geo-fencing, wind turbine and utility line inspection can run upwards of $30,000 or more. I wanted a drone from a photographer's perspective as a camera in the sky able to provide a unique perspective on the world that I, with my ground-based hand-held camera could never see. My thought process was that I was buying a camera that flew so I was willing to spend about the equivalent of what a decent camera would go for but I first went through two far less expensive drones to learn how to fly. What will work for you may be completely different but that's what worked for me.

Can anyone learn to fly a drone? Just a couple of years ago when I got my first drone it candidly was not very easy to fly. Just getting it to stay at the same height (altitude) took some skill and some concentration and within a week I had crashed and destroyed it. When shopping for a drone today the technology has come to the point where many drones can literally fly themselves, many feature auto-takeoff and auto-land, and increasingly more and more drones offer GPS capabilities that allow the drone to maintain height and position even when the drone pilot has their hands completely off the controls. That said, there are still many, usually less expensive toy-level drones that either don’t offer such features or if they do offer them they don’t work as advertised. Many in the drone hobby still think these simpler drones without the bells and whistles teach better piloting skills. No one wants to crash a $1,000 drone but, as I mentioned, drones today are far simpler to fly than just a few short years ago.

Will you hit something - or god forbid, hit someone - with your new drone? The answer is you might. My drone actually has front and downward obstacle avoidance sensors that limit this from happening but I’ve still managed to accidentally fly it backward into a tree. Obstacle avoidance is really only available on higher end consumer drones so if you opt for a drone that doesn’t have this feature you have to be very careful. Wide open spaces with few people around is the best place to fly any drone; flying close to or over crowds of people is not only a bad idea but also illegal which takes me to my next topic...

Where can you fly your drone? Consumer drones weigh from next to nothing up to around a pound or two. Even toy drones can fly 15-20 mph and slightly higher end ones can cruise at 30-40 mph or even faster. In other words, if they do manage to hit something, or someone, they can do real damage. This, even more than privacy concerns, is why you can’t fly in many places like near airports, over crowds and special events, in national parks, and near emergency operations (wildfires, for example) among others. It falls to the FAA, the Federal Aviation Administration, to determine the national rules but local cities and towns (even local Parks & Recreational Districts) can also set rules governing where you fly your drone. The good news is there are several free apps available for your phone (I use one called B4UFLY) that can tell you if you’re in a restricted airspace. The bad news is that in just the few years I’ve been flying it seems more locations are becoming off limits. The FAA is in the process of having to update the rules governing drones and eventually its likely that drones will have some type of beacon that will self-report location information when in the air. None of this is meant to dissuade you from wanting a drone but simply to make the point that even toy drones aren’t really ‘toys’ anymore and they come with an increasing level of both responsibility and accountability when flown. And here’s something you probably didn’t know - if your new drone weighs slightly more than half a pound (.55 lbs.) you have to register it online with the FAA!

So... if you made it this far and still want that marvelous piece of flying technology that is a drone you want to know which drone to get. I'm not going to be the one to tell you which specific drone is right for you though I will describe the drone I ended up with and am flying today. What I will tell you is that there are some excellent sites on YouTube that provide really useful reviews on all the drone options available. Here are a couple I've found especially useful:

Ready Set Drone - provides good reviews of everything from toy-level to high-end consumer drones. Puts out an annual 'Best Of' list.

The RC Saylors - a young, down to earth couple,  give very candid reviews of mostly toy to mid-level drones. They also put out several 'Best Of' lists.

Quadcopter 101 - when I was just getting started I found this channel a great resource when deciding on my first drone.

Tom's Tech Time - focuses primarily on higher-end consumer drones with great tutorials on how to fly and specializes in drone photography and videography.

Drone  Film Guide - great content on how to get the most from your airborne camera from a photographer's perspective.

Ken Heron - this radio DJ turned drone pilot provides a good-humored look at the world of drones.

What am I flying? As I mentioned I've had three drones thus far. My first was an MJX Bugs 3 (I got it as it was relatively inexpensive but could carry my GoPro camera); my second was a Syma X5C toy-grade drone that came with its own camera; and my current drone is a DJI Mavic Pro. Sad to say but most drones are made by Chinese companies but when it comes to the top of the line for both consumer and commercial drones DJI (Da-Jiang Innovations Science & Technology Co. Ltd.) has few real competitors. I mentioned earlier that my drone has downward and forward sensing obstacle avoidance; newer Mavics now can also sense upward, rearward, and sideward obstacles. New Mavics offer two camera choices and all have a 3-axis gimbal to keep the camera ultra-steady even in high winds. DJI drones also set the standard for automated flight patterns such as follow-me and point-of-interest circle mode, and feature relatively long flight times on their batteries. Recently DJI unveiled software you can load to your computer to learn to fly your drone without ever setting foot outdoors. For my Denver readers, DJI also has the advantage of an actual store located near Park Meadows Mall.

Hopefully this info will give you a head start on entering what really is a fun and rewarding hobby. It's constantly evolving and the creativity and innovation happening with drones is truly amazing. I have a nephew and niece graduating from College next Spring and if I was their age I'd be finding a way to work in this exciting industry. I'll leave you with the following 2 links to some video that demonstrates what even consumer drones are capable of. The first shows off the skills of one of the world's best drone pilots while the second takes you on a short cinematic journey to Iceland.  Each in their own way will likely whet your appetite for your first, or next, drone. Fly safe!