How ironic that my last post was about preparing for a hurricane...and then we had one! If you follow the weather, you know that last week Hurricane Earl hit us here in the Virgin Islands. We knew he was coming on Monday, and I started the day normally... showering, checking emails, etc...much to the irritation of husband who was busy securing lines on our sailboat (home) and powerboat (business). I didn't think that we would get weather so soon, then the rains came and the winds picked up and our boat was tossing and turning! One big gust threw the boat and stuff came crashing off the countertops! I packed my "ditch bag" as fast as I could and told T: "The dog and I are ready to go!"
We packed up and headed to our friend's house at 8 a.m. They have a great place (we stay there to watch their dogs when they are away)...huge TV with a million channels, (we have no TV) great hot shower, (boatyard shower for us!), big fridge and freezer with everything you'd want (tiny dorm fridge with no freezer for us!). We arrived, and much to our dismay, they had been out of power since 5 a.m! No TV, no shower, everything melting in the freezer. Sigh.
I was dying for an egg sandwich for breakfast, and thankfully they have a gas grill outside...so, grilled eggs
We sat through the rains all day, and cooked a pork tenderloin on the grill for dinner, along with some veggies...no complaints here!
We did have to scoop water off the deck with a dustpan to fill the toilet so that we could flush, but probably more than you want to know!
Hurricane Earl came down at a 3 or 4 strengh, and we were so worried about the boats! We wanted to check everything, but were trapped by fallen trees and a curfew. Finally we got home...everything OK! I was amazed. Home and business still floating, not a single thing amiss. BUT...Hurricane Fiona was supposed to hit that night! We stayed another night with the friends...skipped dinner because we all got ridiculous playing Happy Hour Trivial Pursuit (drink a shot everytime you miss a pie piece).
Next day we went home, everything still ok...and our power was back on. Some parts of the island were restored just a few days ago!
So -hurricanes done, and we were off to North Carolina for a family reunion...not sure that would happen because another hurricane was threatening. We made it, it was great...my brother smoked a pork for 12 hours with a homemade raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce that was amazing...so much good food all weekend!
Long story short, the budget was nowhere to be seen for about 2 weeks! Faced with an emergency, you buy whatever you need NOW, whatever the cost! There are actually laws here against stores price-gouging in an emergency...so no trouble there.
Whew! Crazy couple of weeks. One of our first meals back was gigantic smothered burritos...
tonight is chicken with corn and mash...needing some comfort food!
Thanks for stopping by!
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Glad you all made it thru okay. I remember those days and it can be scary. Also remember water everywhere because there was no drainage system. One time in particular this booming voice came over the marine radio saying "Hello earth, hello earth, this is God, this is God, build an ark!" We never found out who it was but everyone in the boating community talked about it for a long time.
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