Today was going to be totally different than any other St John Day. Our goal was not to hit a new beach, but volunteer with the National Park Service and Friends of Virgin Island National Park on a cleanup project. The Francis Bay is a short easy walking trail that has a section with an elevated boardwalk which is in disrepair. We followed the NPS van from Cruz Bay out to Francis Bay really not knowing what we had volunteered to do.
What we saw on our arrival was overwhelming. The boardwalk was twisted and turned through the mangroves. There was ground clutter everywhere and it was extremely obvious there was plenty to do.
There were only 6 volunteers, which I found disappointing, to assist the NPS crew of 5 also. The job at hand for the volunteers was to clear all the sticks and ground clutter away on the left side of the boardwalk. The NPS folks were disassembling the pathway in 16-foot sections.
The end goal was to flip the sections on their sides and reset the pads for the foundation. Once that is completed, replace the sections back, and voilà the path will be good as new.
The volunteers armed with rakes, pitchforks, hand saws, and a device I had never seen before (or care to see again) began removing the clutter. It was hoped that we would be able to clear the first 100 yards or so.
The whistle melody of the Bridge Over the River Kwai kept bouncing around in my head as the manual labor continued throughout the morning. The group chatted some, but for the most part we developed a system and kept on working. Water was a must, and the breaks more frequent as the sun rose higher above the jungle.
By lunchtime we had far exceeded the day’s goal and clearing 2/3 of the brush. However, the worst part lay ahead. The group gathered for lunch and sitting on a piece of the boardwalk enjoyed sandwiches and water. Best meal yet!
During the morning I blew my pants out. Yep, it was like wearing a skirt. Lucky for me it was not a commando day. Or maybe I should say lucky for the volunteers. We finished our lunch, and we said our good byes. Hot, dirty, and glad we helped.
A swim was needed to cool off and clean up. Driving down to Annaberg Sugar Mill there were boats lining the shore.
We decided to head over to Haulover hoping for a good snorkel. The drive out to the East End took us by Hurricane Hole. This well protected bay is where boats weather out storms. Irma was not a normal storm!
I do not know how many boats were lost that day in September, but there is at least 30 still stacked on top of each other or scattered across the shore.
Haulover has never been known as a sandy beach, but now it is almost all rocks. Entry into the sea is not easy unless you have dive boot but we made it.
A very nice snorkel, it was good to see fans, coral, and lots of fish. Our hope was to find an octopus, and Haulover is a great spot for that - but no luck.
We packed up and headed to Maho for Janet’s afternoon swim. The rain began as we climbed up the hill leaving Coral Bay, so we stopped at the Smoothie Stand. Great Smoothies and a shot of rum is free if you choose! As always on an island the rain storm lasted 15 minutes. Our journey resumed to Maho, refreshed and recharged by the Smoothie.
By this time the beach was clearing out for the day. Janet had a swim and I read my book standing in the refreshing water. A creative family had left a sandcastle monument for all to enjoy.
The day was coming to an end – and all of our activities of the day were starting to be felt. Back to our sanctuary, Sweet St John, Janet and I teamed up for a Puerto Rican dinner of Lechón, arroz y frijoles, and tostones.
Dinner was enjoyed on the deck watching the twinkling lights of St Thomas on the horizon.
Another great day comes to an end… and we made it all the way till 10 pm.
