When I was a little girl, I loved to read books about exotic places. I had an active imagination and although I had never traveled outside the state of Kentucky, I longed to see palm trees, white sand beaches, and wild jungles. My dad did travel a lot, and when brought me a pendant that was made from butterfly wings, which looked like a palm tree and a setting sun, the fire in me was fully ignited and I knew I would ultimately achieve my goal of living in a place that looked like that. And I have! And what a magical place it is!!

St. Croix is the perfect blend of serenity and activity, is breathtakingly beautiful, and it is seeped in history. Everywhere you look, you are reminded of the past, and the various people who called this place home. There are sugar mills everywhere, ruins, old aqueducts, and blocks and blocks of historic buildings. It’s fairy tale beautiful here. And there are places on the west end of St. Croix that look exactly like that pendant I received as a child! I go there as much as I can and just relish the feeling. It’s home to me on a very deep level.

I met a lovely couple out west who love St. Croix as much or maybe even more than I do. Tony Ayer was born here, grew up here, has retired here, and lives on the west end of St. Croix for most of the year. As a young boy, he used to roam through the bush in search of plantation ruins and other remnants of the past, and has a vast collection of treasures! You could spend hours in his office or home just admiring all of them and learning their origins! His lovely wife Nancy is a big history buff herself, and used to be an antique dealer here. When Tony found the ruins of an old sugar plantation on some land he had purchased, he knew that he was going to fulfill one of his life’s dreams….to re-create a great house and grounds! It was indeed a labor of love that he embarked upon in 1986, but the results are nothing short of amazing. You feel like you are waltzing back in time when you enter their home…it is truly one of the most beautiful places on this island, and in my opinion, in the world!

It’s not just that every detail has been attended to….from the authentic re-creation to the furnishing of the home…..although it has. It’s the magic and mystery of the land; the foliage and ruins, and of course the lovingly designed and constructed labyrinth that give this place such a special feeling. Truly, when you tread upon this land, and enter this spectacular home, you are in the West Indies…..and you’re transported to the magical and exotic experience of an earlier era.

Nancy and Tony have enjoyed this home and the 14 acres it sits on for well over 20 years. They aren’t spring chickens anymore, and they are ready to downsize, although they plan to keep a home on the west end of St. Croix. So now, my task is to find another owner who will respect and appreciate this home as much as they have! I know the new owner is “out there” – I know there is someone who is ready to step into this magical place and make it their own. If you know who this might be, do them, and me, and yourself a favor and tell them about Estate Mount Washington on the beautiful island of St. Croix! It’s a place you’d never forget…so send the buyer so you can come and visit! For additional information, go to www.estatemtwashington.com