Hello everyone and happy Monday! I am so excited to tell you all that one of our favorite programs offered by the National Park is officially back … garden tours at Annaberg! This makes me so happy!
Some of you may be saying, why is a garden tour so exciting? Well for one, you get to learn about and sample a variety of native plants and fruits grown here on St. John. But even better, you get to once again chat with Charles, Annaberg’s gardener who was born here on St. John.
I visited Charles several times a week prior to last fall’s storms while out and about on my News of St. John Tours. Charles would show my guests around the garden and then offer them samples of everything ranging from sugar cane and coconuts to mangoes and gooseberries (depending on the season). It would also introduce my guests to other native plants and discuss their medicinal or traditional uses. It was a very cool experience, one all of my guests loved.
So this is why I am happy to tell you that Charles is once again up tending the garden and offering tours Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. I met up with Charles last week, and he said he is looking for volunteers to help him with the garden tomorrow, June 12 around 10 a.m. So if you are on island and have a green thumb, please head up to Annaberg and help Charles out.
And for those of you looking to visit Annaberg soon, Charles’s garden is located straight up the hill and to the right when you enter Annaberg.
The National Park is also offering the following programs this month:
- Tuesdays at 9 a.m. – Take a post-hurricane ranger-led hike along the Lind Point Trail. During this mile hike, guests will learn how the park’s wildlife and habitats are recovering following the storms. The hike finishes at Honeymoon Beach. It begins at the National Park Visitor’s Center.
- Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. – The Park will present Sky Watch, an up close and personal look at the stars through the Park telescope. This occurs at Peace Hill, so please bring a flashlight for the quick .1 mile hike up. Also wear comfortable shoes. You may want to bring a chair or towel to sit on.
- Fridays at 10 a.m. – Explore the water’s edge at Leinster Bay. Wander through the shallows and along the mangrove coastline to discover the marine life on St. John. Please bring sturdy shoes that you don’t mind will get wet. This walk meets at the Leinster Bay trailhead just below Annaberg.
Thank you for this information. We are heading back on July 5 with our kids. Do you have any other (can’t miss) activities?
I would definitely take them to Maho to snorkel with the turtles. If you are looking at the water, the turtles are to the right. Also, the Catherineberg ruins are fun for kids to explore.
Will be there in July. What will be offered. Real like the hike and snorkel to Solman and the Skywatch. It there a guide hike to Solman too. What else is offered in July?
Hooray for Charles!!