Good morning,

Like my friend Ronnie, I shuttered (except for the tough one), brought in things from outside, and … OK, we got a little wind last night. Not scary. Just more than we usually get here nestled into the mountainside above Cruz Bay. Total rainfall for Gonzalo here was 0.6” with most of that yesterday afternoon.

I see that the Government has decided to open schools today. No reason not to because of weather, but they once again forget about St John. As far as I know, the ports are still Condition X-Ray and I know that all the ferries are still docked and rafted in the Creek. Guess our high school kids are going to get swim practice after all.

I’m not complaining, we dodged another one here while there is really nasty, killer weather all across the US Mid-west and South. Looking forward to another great day in paradise,

John

Just now they are bringing the new, unused, ferries in to raft up in the Creek.  Pretty crowded down there. Wish I could figure a way to transfer a photo from my phone to my laptop to show you.  Just have to imagine it for now. Maybe by morning.

John

It is still quiet here in Cruz Bay.  All the old ferries are safely docked together in the Creek while the unused new ones are secured at the ferry dock. Last Caneel boat on its way in now. We’ve buttoned down mostly, but my wife has a potential major “told you so” as I declined putting the storm shield up on the French Doors to the living room. With Gonzo predicted to pass 51 miles northeast of us, over east of Anegada, I figure we will not get much.  Nestled into the hillside, we’re protected from the north, east and mostly south, and the wind should not shift to hit us from the west until morning when we can do whatever one does when watching things blow around (maybe rum in the coffee?)  Should be an interesting night listening to the rain blow around. Ambien might be in order. Stay safe everyone. We’ll check back later.

John

Good morning,

Yesterday the closest point tool indicated the storm would pass south of us (directly over St Croix) but this morning it reports Gonzalo will pass about the same (35 miles) to our north.  If this keeps up the worst of it should miss us.  Reminds me of a storm a few years back (can’t remember the name) that was headed directly for St John when we went to bed. I listened all night for wind and rain and woke up to find it had passed harmlessly (at least to us) to our east by a few miles and we got nothing but a little rain.  Hope this one keeps up the shift northward.  Meanwhile we will be putting away the things my wife had me set back outside last week. Don’t take chances with Mother Nature!

Definitely the calm before the storm here in Cruz Bay.  It’s beautiful, ferry service seems normal ( see a barge running) and they haven’t started moving boats into the Creek yet.  Hoping for the best.  Happy Columbus Day.  I understand that in 1492 American Indians rescued Columbus, lost at sea.

John

After putting things away safely for the Bertha non-event, my wife got tired of the crowded spare room and we finally moved things back to the deck and the screened dining porch just a few days ago. She jokingly mentioned that this might precipitate a storm. And now here we are looking for Gonzalo (where do they get some of these names?) to pass 35 miles from us Tuesday morning about 10 am (based on the 1:30 pm status).  Guess it’s time to bring things back inside and prepare for heavy rain – not that the rain will be entirely unwelcome.  Just hope it doesn’t come sideways or solid. I had been wondering how we were going to get from 0.13” so far in October to our average of 6.95” for the month.  Guess I know now.  Button up St John, get the towels ready.

John in Cruz Bay