Trunk Bay and the underwater trail is a favorite snorkeling spot for Sis Paige and I, to say nothing of the shopping on St. Johns after the adventure.  This particular day Katie had loaned us her new “blow up” paddleboard to take with us.  As we pulled up to the park ranger’s window to pay the entrance fee, the rep asked us what it was Paige was dragging behind her.  Ever the honest spirit, Paige immediately responded, “that’s our paddleboard.”  The ranger started shaking his head as I chimed in with, “oh my sister mis-spoke.  That is actually a “blow up” float” (sort of).  He finally caved in after reminding us that paddleboarding is strictly verbotten near the coral reefs.  We drug the board as far away from the lifeguard as we could before initiating the blowing up process.  After taking turns with the manual pump until our arms couldn’t push down one more time, Paige announced it was “good enough ~ you give it a shot Rita:)”  I own two boards back in Galveston and love paddle boarding through the waves.  Never have fallen off before.  Can’t say that anymore.  As I shakily stood from my kneeling position, I noticed immediately that this felt more like standing on a half-inflated innertube.  After the first wave hit, off I went, hitting my lip against my upper teeth on the way down.  Realizing that I was now leaving a bloody trail in this shark-infested water, I leapt up onto the board in one herculian feat. Needless to say I made it back to shore in record time.  We laboriously continued the inflation process until we were satisfied that it felt solid enough.  Sis Paige went out and performed some really cool yoga moves before we called it a day and headed for the shops.  Another magical day in the Virgins.