I knew it was a possibility, simply by the time of year. It’s hurricane season. It’s the Caribbean. 1+1=2. But even then, no one really ever knows what’s going to happen. That’s the beauty of weather, right? Unpredictability.
Okay, beauty is a strong word.
Anyway, I’d kept saying this trip wasn’t really a vacation. Not so much in that it wasn’t time away in a beautiful place with lovely people, but that it wasn’t planned or anticipated for like your average trip. I primarily came to take care of the dogs, as I have several times in the past, and everything else is icing on the proverbial cake.
It’s just this time, it wasn’t really icing at all. Or, rather, instead of icing being sun, sand, and perfect days it was more so a new experience, people coming together after a storm, people caring about me and checking in, and about reconfirming what I’ve always said: it was no mistake that I was born in a time and place where there is electricity and plumbing. I appreciate those two things in a way I have not in a long time.
All in all, the area I was in (St. John, US Virgin Islands) is okay. There were no major tragedies or loss. Some surrounding islands had it worse, and I’m thinking of them as they recover. The photos are pretty sad. The sight of ruined, broken boats always breaks my heart especially.
There is, of course, my personal experience of the storm, the whole other part of the story to tell. But, for now I’m just concentrating on getting home, so grateful that it wasn’t as bad as it couldve been, and praying for those further north that still have to deal with this storm and any that may be to come.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m glad you are ok!
My brother is camping on the Outer Banks right now, and being a man, told my mom yesterday – “Earl’s down near Puerto Rico, that is far away…” Thankfully he is with his girlfriend, a source of reason.
Boo to Mother Nature for putting a damper on vacations!
I’m glad you are ok!
Oh my gosh how scary. I swear, those storms seems worse to me than the earthquakes out here. I hope you make it home safely soon.
Good to hear you are all ok and safe. I would have been there too if I had settled on VI as a destination (the dates were when I would have scheduled to be there)… as it was, we left Cape May this morning in the hours before Earl arrived. By all accounts, it did look like it was going to be more a tropical storm there and not feel the full effects of Earl.
In DC now.