Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 340-692-2874;
www.sgvbg.org
;
Centerline Rd; adult/child $8/1; 9am-5pm)
If
you continue east on Centerline Rd after leaving the Cruzan Rum factory, you soon see St
George Village Botanical Garden on the highway's north side. This 16-acre park built over
the ruins of an indigenous settlement and a colonial sugar plantation does for the flora and
fauna what Whim Plantation does for the grandeur of plantation days. A self-guided tour
takes you on trails among the ruins of the rum factory, great house, shops, dam and aque-
duct. There are more than 1500 species of tropical plants, including a profusion of orchids
and hibiscus, as well as the much-admired cactus garden.
CALEDONIA RAIN FOREST
Most of St Croix's rain falls over the mountains on the northwest corner of the is-
land, producing a thick, damp forest of tall mahogany, silk cotton and white cedar.
Although this area is commonly called 'rainforest,' only about 40 inches of rainfall
here per year. That's actually less than half the amount a true rainforest receives, but
no matter. This place looks the part, with clouds, dripping trees, earthy smells, slick
roads and muddy trails.
The best hiking, mountain biking and off-road exploring is here along the unpaved
tracks of the Creque Dam Rd (Rte 58) and the Scenic Rd (Rte 78). If you don't have
the time, inclination or vehicle to do off-road exploring, you can still see the rain-
forest by following Mahogany Rd (Rte 76) as it cuts through the spooky woods; it's
twisty and pot-holed, so be careful.
St Croix Leap
ART STUDIO
( 340-772-0421; Mahogany Rd (Rte 76) Brooks Hill; 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri,
10am-4pmSat)
Tucked into a steep hillside at the heart of the rainforest on the Mahogany
Rd is the unusual outdoor woodworking and sculpture studio called St Croix Leap. Here,
master sculptor 'Cheech' leads a band of apprentice woodworkers in transforming chunks
of fallen mahogany trees into all manner of art and housewares. Bring your bug repellent.
