Much ado about something
Category HurricaneDean
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We're back. Made it in last night. No worries. On leaving St. Maarten, we were in the northern bands of what was, at the time, a Category 2 hurricane. The wind was a pretty consistent 25-30 mph and lots of clouds rolling around. More...
Bookmark :
We're back. Made it in last night. No worries. On leaving St. Maarten, we were in the northern bands of what was, at the time, a Category 2 hurricane. The wind was a pretty consistent 25-30 mph and lots of clouds rolling around. More...
If you didn't know what was going on further south, you probably wouldn't have thought much about it other than, "Hmmph, doesn't look like a good day for the beach."
As we're taxiing on the runway in an American Eagle, the pilot says, "It may be a bit bumpy on pull out, but after that it should be pretty good." The runway is on the NW side of the island and takeoff is to the east over a mountain.
Over the last day I'd watched everything from small prop planes to a 747 make that takeoff, and they all start with a fairly easy right turn after clearing the runway. I suspect ours was a little more rapid. I never even saw land out the right hand window of the plane as he turned 270 degrees to go straight north. There was some nice slide-slipping and a few up and down bumps, and then it was over and 40 minutes later we're in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Problem is, we've arrived at 10:30am, our flight's not scheduled to leave until 4:55pm. It's 193 miles from St. Martin to Puerto Rico. Hurricane Dean was south of St. Martin when we left and travelling at 24 mph. Let's see, 5 and a half hours till departure, 5x24 = 120 miles, plus another 24 it travelled while we were flying, that's 145 miles or so the Hurricane's going to move (mostly west we hope) while we sit around and wait. Okay, that's still 50 miles away when we leave even if it does turn north. No problem. Let's go the mall and get something to eat.
We take a taxi to the Plaza of the Americas, find some food, and debate about a movie or bowling. In the end, we go with bowling as the movie might not be over till 3:45 and we're not interested in being late for this flight! It's a cool bowling alley too I might add.
We get back to the airport, go through security (a lot more people now than at 10:30), and start walking to the gate. Marla passes one terminal and it says On Time. I pass the next one and it says, "Delayed - 5:50pm".
Ok, the margin for error is growing thinner as is the kid's patience. However, we've been getting a constant dose of the weather channel, and while it's apparent that Dominica and St. Lucia got hit pretty good, the storm is staying on a western track and hasn't moved north. At worst, those northern bands might come across us again.
After a breathing treatment for Derek and watching Cat in the Hat on my laptop, boarding finally begins. We have the entire 35th row all to ourselves and the kids stretch out and get some sleep on the last leg for home. On arrival, a welcome sight as Jonas is circling the terminal in the Monterro. Load up the bags, drop him off, and we're home before 11pm.
Oh, and nice touches by Francie. House is clean, sheets have been changed, flowers on the dining room table and in the bedroom, fruit bowl and refrigerator filled with goodies. Even the dog looks like he's been brushed. Meanwhile we've left Francie's cats outside to deal with the next weather event to come blowing through. They've got good claws though and I'll bet they can hang on 
.
I have lots of pics and videos that haven't been posted. I'll get those sorted out this weekend for one final vacation post, although probably not the last post about Hurricane Dean. Based on current projections, I will not be at all surprised if he isn't dumping rain on us hear in Dallas next weekend. Good vacation, but happy to be home. Now, off to the Doctor...
As we're taxiing on the runway in an American Eagle, the pilot says, "It may be a bit bumpy on pull out, but after that it should be pretty good." The runway is on the NW side of the island and takeoff is to the east over a mountain.
Over the last day I'd watched everything from small prop planes to a 747 make that takeoff, and they all start with a fairly easy right turn after clearing the runway. I suspect ours was a little more rapid. I never even saw land out the right hand window of the plane as he turned 270 degrees to go straight north. There was some nice slide-slipping and a few up and down bumps, and then it was over and 40 minutes later we're in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Problem is, we've arrived at 10:30am, our flight's not scheduled to leave until 4:55pm. It's 193 miles from St. Martin to Puerto Rico. Hurricane Dean was south of St. Martin when we left and travelling at 24 mph. Let's see, 5 and a half hours till departure, 5x24 = 120 miles, plus another 24 it travelled while we were flying, that's 145 miles or so the Hurricane's going to move (mostly west we hope) while we sit around and wait. Okay, that's still 50 miles away when we leave even if it does turn north. No problem. Let's go the mall and get something to eat.
We take a taxi to the Plaza of the Americas, find some food, and debate about a movie or bowling. In the end, we go with bowling as the movie might not be over till 3:45 and we're not interested in being late for this flight! It's a cool bowling alley too I might add.
We get back to the airport, go through security (a lot more people now than at 10:30), and start walking to the gate. Marla passes one terminal and it says On Time. I pass the next one and it says, "Delayed - 5:50pm".
Ok, the margin for error is growing thinner as is the kid's patience. However, we've been getting a constant dose of the weather channel, and while it's apparent that Dominica and St. Lucia got hit pretty good, the storm is staying on a western track and hasn't moved north. At worst, those northern bands might come across us again.
After a breathing treatment for Derek and watching Cat in the Hat on my laptop, boarding finally begins. We have the entire 35th row all to ourselves and the kids stretch out and get some sleep on the last leg for home. On arrival, a welcome sight as Jonas is circling the terminal in the Monterro. Load up the bags, drop him off, and we're home before 11pm.
Oh, and nice touches by Francie. House is clean, sheets have been changed, flowers on the dining room table and in the bedroom, fruit bowl and refrigerator filled with goodies. Even the dog looks like he's been brushed. Meanwhile we've left Francie's cats outside to deal with the next weather event to come blowing through. They've got good claws though and I'll bet they can hang on .
I have lots of pics and videos that haven't been posted. I'll get those sorted out this weekend for one final vacation post, although probably not the last post about Hurricane Dean. Based on current projections, I will not be at all surprised if he isn't dumping rain on us hear in Dallas next weekend. Good vacation, but happy to be home. Now, off to the Doctor...
Comments
Posted by Lance At 11:34:55 AM On 08/18/2007 | - Website - |
Glad you got back safe.
Posted by Julian Robichaux At 11:20:13 AM On 08/18/2007 | - Website - |