We're back at St. John, USVI !

We had to get back to the island.  Back in the Fall of 2017, Hurricane Irma, did major damage to this island including Cinnamon Bay campground.  We skipped coming last year, but now it was time.

Work is finally progressing at the campground and word is out that the reopening should come in time for the late fall and winter season.  CB had to be our first stop after arriving.  Very sad to see all of the damage, but very uplifting to see reconstruction.  As our taxi driver said, "It will come back."

Old Danish Warehouse -- Before

Old Danish Warehouse -  After Hurricane Irma

Since we had no campground to pitch our tent, we "roughed" it at Grand Bay Resort where we rented an efficiency for two weeks.  Our VRBO was only a couple of blocks from the Cruz Bay ferry dock.   We shouldn't get spoiled with hot water showers, a king bed, and in room laundry as we will be back at Cinnamon Bay Campground next time.

Camping at Cinnamon Bay

Not Camping at Grand Bay Resort

Cinnamon Bay Beach

Annaberg 

Food truck at Maho Beach

Rams Head

During our stay, we hit most of the north shore beaches, Solomon, Honeymoon, Hawks Nest, Trunk, Cinnamon, and Maho.  Many changes including a bar and food setup at Maho, and the Cinnamon Bay food truck (which survived the storm) moving to Trunk Bay.  We also did our pilgrimage hike to Murphy Great House first walking along the beach with views of Waterlemon Cay.  We had helped back in 2015 to clear the overgrown ruins, volunteering with the Friends of the Virgin Islands, and we came back to have lunch with views of the BVIs from the great house.


Besides spending lots of time at the wonderful beaches with snorkeling to see all of the fish and turtles, we also again volunteered with the Friends and helped clear part of the  L'Esperance trail near the Reef Bay Factory ruins. 
Tough but rewarding work as we cut and pulled the overgrowth of wild pineapples, Catch-n-Keep, and all kinds of wild foliage.


And our final beach day at St. John had to include Salt Pond and a hike to Rams Head.  A mandatory day for when the weather is windy and the seas are rough; and they were.  This time we took the VItran bus (only $1) to Salt Pond, but when it was time to get back to Cruz Bay on the 3pm bus.....No Show.  So Morey snagged a ride with some fellow beachers.

St. John survived the storm, and although its taken over two years to get back to its old self, St. John is back....and so we will be back.