Running Away

Has anyone ever considered this, actually done it, or have any tips on it?! Not that I’m seriously considering it, but the idea does sometimes float around in my head as a sort of fantasy, and I’d like to get some perspective.

There appear to be a few rural squatters/survivalists on St. Croix. When I was at a remote beach last weekend, there appeared to be some sort of small, rusted-out structure about 100 feet up on the mountain. I didn’t have binoculars and I didn’t investigate. I figured, I leave you alone, and you leave me alone. I felt that I was being watched the entire time, for whatever that’s worth. I’ve also had that feeling at Annaly Bay Beach.

I’ve also found two makeshift shacks buried in the forest (one in Estate Annaly and the other off a beach in the northwest corner of the island), and I’ve seen one sheltered cove on a relatively deserted beach (actually, Boiler Bay) that had a pile of garbage. It definitely wasn’t storm wash-up, but was placed there by someone who had spent some time living there (a board was also there, which apparently served as a bed). I’ve also seen evidence that the remote Ham Bluff lighthouse has been squatted in.

I have to wonder who these folks are. Does anyone have any firsthand experience in meeting or living with people like this? They seem to hide from me. I’m not surprised!