Even though we didn't technically deserve it, here's our

Anniversary Vacation, 2008!

Anniversary Vacation, 2008 found Stacy and I in St. Croix, USVI. We stayed at Carrington's Inn in the hills above Christiansted. We much preferred this B&B experience--where we were able to meet other travelers and enjoy their advice, as well as the guidance of our hosts, Claudia and Roger Carrington--to staying at some resort.

The view of the harbor from our terrace

The Courtyard at Roger and Claudia Carringtons' Inn

While we were there, we sailed out to Buck Island to snorkel. We got to visit with Captain Steve and his wife, Lindsey, and hear their story. Apparently, Lindsey met Steve on board the boat while she was taking a break from grad school, vacationing. The next thing they both knew, they were in love. She dropped out of school, moved to St. Croix, and married Steve. They seemed very happy.

Stacy is a snorkeler

Captain Steve at the helm

Day two was the highlight of the trip, for me. Stacy and I met up with another couple, newlyweds Michael and Nicole, and went on an eco hike with Ay-Ay Ecotours. We were guided by a very passionate and colorful naturalist, Ras Lumumba Corriette. The hike was four hours: two to the tide pools on the coast and two returning up into the rainforest hills. Ras took time both ways to introduce us to all sorts of edible plants and fruits, as well as to aquaint us with various animals and natural features we encountered. Despite nearly passing out from getting overheated on the way back, that hike was fascinating!

We had to use the trees to keep from rolling back down the hillsides a la Jack and Jill.

Stacy enjoys the tidal pools halfway through our eco hike

Ras Lumumba Corriette, 62, could outhike a triathelete!

Our final full day there, Stacy and I went for a kayak adventure in the Salt River Ecological Preserve. Despite having a good guide, the kayaking was a bit anticlimactic after the Annaly Bay hike, but we still had a great time.

Me and Stacy near Columbus' 1493 landingsite

Before we flew out on Sunday, we wandered around the Whim Plantation for an hour or so before driving into Frederiksted for a look-see. The plantation was closed, but that meant that the grounds were abandoned aside from ourselves and three rather large iguanas. Stacy and I had a great trip and enjoyed a much-needed time of renewal together.

Stacy really needed a bath before we flew out...

This big bowl is not Paul Bunyan's cereal bowl, but rather is a pot used to reduce sugar water to syrup on the plantation.