Grotto Beach at the Buccaneer Beach Resort

We loved Grotto Beach at the Buccaneer Beach Resort. It was much smaller and calmer than Mermaid (one of the three beaches) with slightly more shade once you grabbed one of the shady spots. There's a cute family of iguanas that inhabit a spot close to the beach and the golf course. They would sit in the shade and catch bugs. The water was clear and calm - just how I like my beaches. There was a nice bit of coral near the shore for snorkeling. 

Flora and Fauna in St Croix

These pictures speak for themselves.  So I'll let them do the talking.

It begins ...

As I mentioned in one of my recent posts, back in June, DH and I traveled to St Croix for 9 wonderful days.  We'd previously been to St Thomas (very bustling) and St John (calm and serene and expensive) but never made it over to St Croix.  A Skyauction peaked my interest and I did some research, chose a property, won the auctions (yes, two) and then convinced DH that St Croix was the next island we were meant to visit. 

Because of work comittments (DH) and health issues (me) the earliest we could travel was late June AKA hurricane season.  Luckily, since it was early in the season, chances were that a hurricane would miss us.  For some reason hurricane season really starts churning in September and October, so we crossed our fingers.  Our prayers were answered.  We departed on time and arrived home on time.  Once again (2nd time in one year) one of our bags was misplaced but once again it was on our return home.  Go figure, it was a suitcase filled with dirty clothes and American Airlines delivered our bag the day after we got home.

I hope you will indulge me but my next few blog posts will recount in some detail in words and pictures our recent trip to St Croix.  I cannot say how much a surprise it was that I enjoyed St Croix so much.  Sure, it is no Turks & Caicos or Anguilla, but it made it to our top 5 islands!

In the  St Croix Botanic Garden 

with my favorite vegetable -- the Breadfruit!

Day trip to National Harbor

DH and I recently took a trip out to National Harbor (http://nationalharbor.com/) via the Alexandria Waterfront.  It was the first time we'd been to NH in about three years and it was a nice reminder of what a cool place it is.  This time around we went via the Water Taxi (http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/national-harbor.php) which if you've never visited NH that way before is a really cool way to get there.  The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs $16 for adults.  It takes you under the magnificent (new-ish) Wilson Bridge.

While at National Harbor, DH and I decided to eat at  McCormick & Schmick's.  Service started off cold (they lost our reservation and was a bit snooty even though I had my confirmation on my cell phone) but warmed up eventually.  A reminder that we were not in Montgomery County anymore (inside joke)!  The food as always was delicious!  I've eaten at M&S restaurants in DC and Baltimore and have never had a bad meal yet!  The seafood is always fabulous.  In the past I have almost licked the bowl after eating their clam chowder and lobster bisque.  This time around it was too hot for soup so I had a delightful lettuce wedge (hold the tomatoes!) and grilled trout with mashed potatoes.  DH had the Parmesan crusted chicken.  For desert we shared the apple pie with vanilla ice cream.  Their sweet tea as always did not disappoint.  The combination of the Water Taxi ride, a visit to the Harbor (and my favorite piece of art - The Awakening) and a good M&S meal was the perfect capstone to our day.

One of my favorite pieces of art -- The Awakening at National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland

It's a bronze sculpture of a man that's awakening from a sea of sand. If you've never seen it, you're missing out.

Just got back ... St Croix

It's been quiet on Itchy Feet because we've been on the road!  DH and I just got back from 9 fabulous days in St Croix.  What an island!  It was truly a surprise to me how much I liked St Croix.  Now I get why STX has such rabid devotees.  Plus, the island is way bigger than I expected.  More details and lots of pictures to come in future posts, but here are a few anyway ...

The view from our hotel patio

This guy had major personality.  Ran into him at Grotto Beach.