Enjoy our October newsletter (& the re-opened beaches, waters, & trails of St John!!):
Life is good again on St John!
This past week we have gotten a lot of inquiries about how the Federal government 'shut-down' has impacted St John. Are the beaches open? Can we still have our wedding on the beach? Snorkel in the waters off the beaches? Well, until this morning Sunday, October 6 at 7 AM, the answer had been that the US Virgin Islands Park Service closed all Park facilities, including the beaches and waters surrounding the Park beaches. This impacted a lot of folks, tourists and locals, who depend on the Park beaches (wedding planners, taxi drivers).We were delighted when this morning the VI National Park Service Deputy Superintendent, Mike Anderson, told the St John Source that the VI Park beaches, waters, and trails will be open effective immediately! The Visitor's Center and the Annaberg Plantation will both remain closed for now.
This happened just in the nick of time since this afternoon at 1 PM the 'Occupy St John Beaches' movement (over 1,000 people signed on in about 48 hours!) planned a 'sit in' - or I guess in this case 'swim in' at Maho Bay beach entitled "Yah nah shut down da beach me boy". The Occupy folks encouraged people to be respectful but, I am sure that the Park Service staff were also relieved that the event will now turn into a 're-opening' party!
October St John news flashes & fun St John clips:
St John's Basketball Court and Playground has been totally renovated and this month the final equipment has been installed. The Estate Pine Peace court is the only regulation size basketball court on the island. The renovations included major improvements including a drainage system, new playground area, covered bleachers, a new scoreboard, new lighting, and a brand new basketball court. We, Great Expectations, were happy to be one of the private sector financial contributors to this important project. You can pass by the court at just about any time - day or night - and see it being used.- 8-Tuff Mile Race Registration is now open and available for on-line sign-up. The 18th Annual Race which takes place on Saturday, February 22, 2014 has been a 'sold-out' event in the past so if you are interested in running or walking this race, best to sign up now!
Cruz Bay Landing is the official name of the new restaurant of the JJ's Texas Coast space. Seems appropriate to us since the restaurant is right at the ferry dock. The space has been totally renovated and built out. Todd and Christy, former owners of Woody's, promise this restaurant to be a fun, delicious, family place where their slogan 'You're Here. Now Relax' means serious fun.
- Great Expectations has a few openings this winter. If winter time is your preference to be on St John, do not dilly-dally since our calendar is already filling up for this winter (and spring). Contact us today to secure your week on St John to make sure you have a place in the warmth.