Crucian or Cruzan - Our Last Evening in St Croix - Tomorrow We Fly Home to Tallahassee

March 12, 2024

Brown Sugar - Dark Rum

In 1917 - the USA bought Virgin Island to protect the sea routes coming out of the Panama Canal. They paid $25 million in gold to Denmark for the place. Before that the Virgin Islands mostly grew sugar. They needed lots of slaves that came from Africa. The sugar was turned to rum - and was shipped throughout the world. The people here are mostly slave descendants. The average household makes about $25,000. Tourism is the money crop today.

St Croix is just below the Tropic of Cancer - so the weather all year is pretty nice. We swam in 82 degree ocean with 82 degree air. There was a constant on shore breeze.

Yesterday was a visit to Buck Island National Park Reef. The island is surrounded by coral reef which causes the waves to break way off shore. The national park has a trail you can follow underwater. We had snorkels - fins - masks - and bladder vests. We stayed out in the reef about 2 hours - and saw lots of fish - even a barracuda.

Today we had a walking tour of downtown Christiansted. It focused mainly on the life of Alexander Hamilton - he is their most famous resident. Hamilton lived with his mother and brother here. When his mother died at an early age - 12 year old Alexander was on his own. He worked for a doctor and pharmacy owner - and showed a talent in writing and organizing. His benefactor sent him to the colonial America to go to school in New Jersey - then Columbia College. He became an organizer in the American Revolution. His big break came when he became George Washington's under officer for 4 years. He eventually was a founder and signer of the new Constitution. He became the Secretary of the Treasury. He eventually got in a political battle with Vicc President Aaron Burr. In a dual - Burr killed him. Hamilton is on the $10 bill - also the play Hamilton is about his life.

Unfortunately today - they have no USDA approval for their products. Thus tourism is the only money they import. Water and electricity are tough to get here. They have a desalting plant - they also collect rain water. They pay a lot for electricity - made mostly by diesel generator. It cost 47 cents a KWH. 4 times what we pay in Florida. They only make an average of $25,000 a household - and that includes many rich snow birds. Roads are paved but pock marked with pot holes. We have seen one car - an older Corvette - that was sporty. Roads are limited to about 40 mph by condition. If you like keeping a fancy car - forget about it here. Lots of SUVs.

Schools are not that good. Although colleges are free here - many of the locals cannot meet entry requirements. Although they are US citizens - and can move to the mainland without issue - most of them would not even consider or want it. They elect their own legislature and governor. There are not a lot of homeless people here - more on St Thomas - which is a busier island.

Lulu loves the tropical life. She has been offered a professor's job many times in Hawaii. But the feeling of isolation - from friends - family - customs - sports - entertainment - keeps us on the mainland.

There are 2 major towns - and one airport in between. Few cruise ships come here - mostly they visit St Thomas. We can see St Thomas from our balcony - although it is 40 miles away. A round trip on boat costs $120 - $400 on float plane. The boat takes 2 hours - the plane 15 minutes.

We will probably come back to St Thomas on a cruise. From Florida to here - a 5 day cruise costs about $500. But Lulu would come back in a second. Me - I have other places to see - and miles to go before I sleep.