Unique Places in U. S. Virgin Islands

All the comforts of home. Here is the private swimming pool. The entire ranch overlooks the beautiful ocean. The Ranch reminds you of a ranch in Arizona or New Mexico unless you look at the ocean side. But, it is that rustic.

The Reef Bay Trail - I would suggest going on a ranger led hike and taking the boat afterwards at the bottom. It's really interesting to see the tropical forest, the petroglyphs, and some sugarmill ruins, but the hike back up the mountain isn't as much fun in the heat.

The whole island of Tortola, The BVIs, is off the beaten path. To the left, more vistas from our island drive. No matter where you stay, or what you do, you are only one in a smattering of people to ever make it here. Sit back and enjoy!

For more info: www.bviwelcome.com

Reluctant to make my first open water dive, a helping hand assisted me!

Three out of five of us took scuba lessons at home but certified in the warm, clear waters by St. John, BVI. A wise idea instead of freezing in the cloudy Pacific Ocean in Monterey or a quarry.

Photo of our chartered yacht, the TriWorld, a trimaran, captained by Jim Eldridge.

Lynhollen Yacht Charters, PO Box 489, Fair Oaks, CA 95628, 800-821-1186, E-mail lynhollen@worldnet.att.net

Lynne Hollen is knowlegable, friendly and experienced in sailing herself before brokering yacht charters. Lynne found us a trimaran, TriWorld, with Capt Jim a dive master and Katy the Maty, a superb cook.

Charter a sailboat with captain and crew. Choose with the captain each days stops and anchorages. Since the TriWorld came with master diver and compressors, we litterally fell off the boat to go diving.

VI Eco Tours!! This is a must-see if you have the time. The group provides tours of the local mangrove lagoon. It's run by this brainy bio. major who makes mangroves seem interesting. Throughout the tour, you row your own kayak through the lagoon while the guides point out various flora and fauna. Then, they take you snorkeling in an awesome reef that's been barely explored since it's not open to the public. This was a lot of fun and it helps work off a few of those pina coladas!

Take the ferry to St. John's for dinner one night. You can take the ferry from Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie. Most restaurants will reimburse the fare when you come over. Definitely try this one night. The restaurants in St. John rival those in St. Thomas. A lot are right on the beach, plus you get the added bonus of taking a night ride through the harbor and seeing the stars reflecting in the water.

Salt Pond Bay, Lameshur Bay, Francis Bay, Leinster Bay, and other beaches on the North and Eastern coast. The beaches closer to the ferry stop at Cruz Bay are crowded and most often visited by tourists and cruise ship denizens. The beaches that are farther out equally beautiful (and in some cases more beautiful) that those closer to Cruz Bay and just a little harder to get to. Be warned though that some require easy to heavy hiking to reach.