When a fellow retired firefighting officer invited my partner and I to share a week in his rented condo in St. Croix, we didn't hesitate to purchase tickets. And were glad we did. It was our first visit to this far reaching United States territory, and it was delightful. The people, the beaches, the scenery, the weather. Air temperatures in the mid 80*F every day. Caribbean sea at a constant 83* with fifty foot visibility. We swam every day, snorkeled often. Turtles swam with us along with us, as did dozens of species of tropical fish. We all dropped exhausted into our beds every night, lulled to sleep by the tropical breeze whispering in the palms after busy days of touring the island, watching the wildlife, exploring the towns and dining on local foods.