Hi Everyone.
My wife Diana and I have been longtime followers of the board, loving the little bits of info to store away for the future, taking in the joy in the the trip reports, watching for photos of friends, all the things "we" all do.
Time for me to give back a little something, so here is my tale of discovering the special (maybe magic) vibe
of that tiny strip of white sand that is home/heaven to all of us.

In the early 90's we made our first trip to Negril, staying at Sandals Beaches. I still remember the first night, walking to the edge of the lighted beach next door at Swept Away, looking into that pitch black of open beach, thinking no way in hell would I walk into that darkness. Well, we all know that would soon change.
After one more year at Beaches, we were ready for the open beach. A chance arose the next year to go with another couple, and somehow I steered us to Firefly. Good price, o.k. rooms, on a gorgeous beach. This promised to be a special stay, and with my best friend Bil along, you could be sure we were both properly medicated at all time. No harsh chemicals, only things good for you (Appleton and spliffs).

At this point I must state, with great pride, that I AM A DEADHEAD. Since 1972 the music of the Grateful Dead has been the soundtrack to my life. Amazing stuff to hear when you're 15. Now I know we deadheads are sometimes portrayed as a group drug-addled and blindly loyal to the Dead. While I may be a wee bit
drug-addled, I consider myself almost painfully objective about their music. At their shows I was always in my seat, listening and sifting the gold and the trash, while others celebrated the Dead in the own ways. Perhaps the most colorful and intense group were the hall dancers, whirling in the lobby, maybe never even seeing the band, just moving to the sound. Wild and free spirits, not my style at all.

So returning to Firefly, we are having a great time, all is good, and its time for a walk. I have my DiscMan loaded with good ole live Dead, have fortified myself properly, and I head off first time down this new beach, loving it all. Made it past DeBuss, then turned to head back, lost in bliss. An amazing walk! Head full of tunes and mostly on autopilot, I am suddenly also hearing crazy goofy laughter.. My eyes focus, and I see my wife one side and Bil on the other, cameras in hand and peeing themselves. Apparently, they had seen me returning from a ways off, and couldn't miss this photo opp, because I was reeling, twisting, tilting,spinning, bending, flowing.....the spirit and freedom of that beach had made me a dancer.
THAT was one of the special moments in my life. REALLY!!

Present day, we return to Idle Awhile and the friends we love every year. It's been "home" for well over a dozen stays, and by the way, our room is booked, forever.

I can't describe what my walks do for me, but for a few weeks in early February every year, you'll find me moving down the beach, panama hat and shades on, my feet being guided by the sounds I love.
Feel free to give a wave or say hello. I might appear a bit unhinged, but I'm just "dancing".

Jim