What: #17 Check off a
country I’ve never visited
When: February 17th
Where: St. Kitts
Why: To say I have the travel bug is an understatement. Thus, I don't really need the extra encouragement that is provided by this list to motivate me to get to new countries, but it helps me feel like I'm accomplishing something. My most recent adventure took my total up to 18 countries that I have had the enjoyment of visiting, this time finding new nations in the West Indies that I had previously not visited, the first of three being "The Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis", also known as St. Kitts & Nevis. My time there was spent on the isle of St. Kitts. Our guide took us through the main areas that were once sugar plantations, including Romney Manor which is now a very lovely botanical garden. On the site, there is also a batik workshop selling beautiful pieces in vibrant colors. Another destination on the island was the Brimstone Hill Fortress with amazing views across the sea to other islands dotting the horizon.
What: #18 Go to a new national park
When: February 16th
Where: St. Croix, USVI
Why: Last summer, I finally purchased my very own National Parks pass. I love our parks! I grew up hiking and camping and visiting many across the country and admiring the vistas and the architecture (like Colter's Watchtower at the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone) and the people like John Muir who protected these lands for generations to come. It's a yearly goal to go to at least one new-to-me national park each year, in addition to frequently revisiting my favorites like the Great Smoky Mountains. This year, I made my first visit to a very unique park: Buck Island Reef National Monument. Most of this park is underwater, surrounding Buck Island up to three miles in every direction in the waters off St. Croix. It was set aside to protect the elkhorn coral reef that grows here, and if memory serves, it was President Kennedy who proclaimed it a national monument, part of the national park system. There is an underwater "trail" to follow through the reef with information posted about the various formations and fish species, so donning my snorkel mask and fins, I embarked on a fun day in the sea and explored yet another great place protected by the National Park System!
