We flew to the Virgin Islands for 9 days over the holiday break. That’s Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket out the window in the picture above, Waking at 4am we drove to Boston for our 10 o’clock flight.
We arrived at Sunset and took a cab across the island to the ferry terminal and crossed over to St Johns by ferry under cover of the night where a quick stop at a grocery story and a cab ride later we were at the Virgin Islands National Park Cinnamon Bay campground. We set up and after a quick trip to stand on the darkened beach were off to sleep. Getting us there had taken a car, a train, a plane, a van and a boat.
We camped on a platform, Jakobi had her own tent. The campground was mostly empty but the beach filled up each day with people staying elsewhere on St John’s and St Thomas. It got exponentially more crowded once Christmas arrived.
The beach was lovely with plenty of shade as it faced North. The best times were early morning when I would make a snorkle trip around the small island swimming with the blue tang and the other fishes inhabiting the reef.
I was happy to sit on the beach and read, swim and do crossword puzzles. The girls hiked all the trails around the campground and Colleen ran the trails.
Facing West on Cinnamon Bay Beach
I met Jessica that first night on the darkened beach as she was watching for phospheresence in the surf. The campgound had a pavilion and cafe where you could get food and Wi-Fi, it also had presentations each night on local craftes (Tues), Astronomy (Wed), Coral Reefs (Thur), and Turtles (Fri).
We loved the Astronomy presentation held on the beach and led by Ranger Mark. There was also special guest, National Parks Ambassador Robbie, who gave a short talk on the detrimental effects on the biosphere of light pollution. Afterwards we got to know him and his mom Rita and hung out with them alot over the rest of our stay.
Lots of ball playing on the beach. The girls even had a toss!
Sunset was the best time, the beach was empty and the colors were beautiful
Campground Iguana
Mahu Bay Day Trip
We walked a mile along the road, with the cars driving on the left no less, to Mahu Bay to swim with the turtles
Overlooking Mahu Bay
The girls really loved swimming in this bay with the turtles and the rays. I found it a bit crowded with 20 boats moored just off shore and the thin beach backed up onto the road.
Jakobi and I went back to Cinnamon Bay and Colleen and Ambiana hitched to Waer Lemon Bay where they had a nice hike and explored some old sugar plantation ruins.
Meanwhile J.B. …
J.B. spent the time we were away with Carlye and Craig in Middlesex
Hike Up American Hill
This was a short 1 mile hike just out of the campground
Beautiful view and flowers
Hike to Reef Bay and Back
On our second to last day, having had enough beach time I hiked the width of St John’s from Cinnamon Bay over to Reef Bay and back. Colleen adn Ambiana hiked a different route to Reef Bay and Jakobi stayed behind to go snorkeling with Robbie and his mom.
This must have been a sacred spot for the Taino as water is super scarce on this island and here was a waterfall and a pool.
More sugar plantation ruins
Back from Reef Bay on the L’Esperance Trail
The Reef Bay Trail was like a highway so I hiked back a less travelled route
Windmill Ruins at the top of the trail
My hike data
Loop Hike at Campground
Ambiana took me on a short loop hike just across the road from the campground.
Robbie & Jakobi were buddies
Heading Home
After 9 days we woke up with the sun and began to long journey home…first we took a a van to the ferry….
…and then a ferry to the plane….
We flew direct to Boston then took the train to our car and drove back to Vermont arriving home just before midnight!
