This is a working farm and not a hotel, so if you are looking for turn down service and satellite TV, this won't be your kind of place. But if you want a taste of living on an organic farm with down-to-earth people who are living by very real ideals about the value of connecting to the earth that sustains us, this is the place to go.

When you arrive at Ridge to Reef Farm (aka VISFI, aka Creque Dam Farm) you will be greeted by friendly people who will treat you with respect, who will offer you a warm welcome and great conversation, who will give you great tips on what sights to see and what sights might not be worth it, and who will feed you fantastic, home-grown food three times a day. If you are there to learn about farming, they will put you to work instantly. If you are there to simply check it out, they'll happily show you around, get you involved a bit, and give you lots of sight-seeing tips.

Nate Olive - your host - is a good singer and plucks a mean banjo. Beautiful lady Shelli runs things at the farm with a smile and a warm heart. And if Chef Angletta is there to cook, be prepared for some wonderful concoctions like her green tomato fritters or a fantastic potato and garbanzo bean curry. (and don't worry: Nate and Shelli and the other staffers cook up some fine farm-fresh fare as well!)

You will quickly learn the value of sunlight as the entire property is off-grid and runs on solar power. You will also learn the value of slowing down, getting back to the basics, and taking in the sights and sounds of the farm and the island of St. Croix.

The living quarters for guests are open-air screened cabanas that sleep 4 people each. There are compost toilets by the cabanas. A 5-minute walk takes you to the community center - the heart of the property with a kitchen, a large covered porch and wi-fi. Another short walk from the community center takes you to the showers and flush toilets. All along the way you will encounter fruit trees, vegetable and flower patches, goats, sheep, chicken tractors, a lovely pond, and very likely many puddles and a lot of mud. But it's ok - it's organic mud. Walk barefoot in it and enjoy.

Some practical tips for those who don't know what to expect: Expect to get dirty, wet and wonderfully tired. Bring shoes that are mud-worthy. (hiking boots or trail runners are a good choice) Bring clothes that you can wear more than once. Do not bring anything fancy - you won't ever need it. One bathing suit and one set of clothes set aside for sight-seeing trips is a good idea. Do bring a flashlight!!!! Do bring a backpack and NOT a rolling suitcase. Bring earplugs if you have trouble sleeping with noise because the frogs can be quite loud at night. Bring your computer if you wish since there is Wi-Fi at the community center. Don't bother bringing a phone (very little service at the farm), unless you think you'll need it for a city visit. And do bring the non-chemical bug repellent and sunscreen!

One last tip: Getting to the farm is a bit of an experience in itself. Talk to Nate about transportation ahead of time, especially if you are wanting to get to the other sights on St. Croix. (I highly recommend a charter cruise to Buck Island for snorkeling and beach time.)