Nothing much to say here, the attached video says it all.
Showing posts with label House Sitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label House Sitting. Show all posts
Vieques, PR - September 2017 - Chapter 4 - Hurricane Maria Hits
Ryan, Corina, and myself have completed our preparations for hurricane Maria; we've put away or secured everything we could. We have plenty of food and water, and the house is solid. We know personal safety is paramount, and know our roles and the rules of engagement.We're as prepared as we can get.
Hurricane Maria is taking dead aim at Puerto Rico and we're in the direct path; the storm has arrived.
This video compares (2016 and 2017) part of highway 997 to Esperanza the day Maria past
The Esperanza Inn sustained some damage, but considering its proximity to the ocean, I would consider the damage minimal.
From the Inn we walked to the malecon (boardwalk) to check out the damage and ocean.
Random shots
That should do it for this post, but before we go, let me give you the latest information I've received on the recovery of Puerto Rico, in particular Vieques.
- Electricity remains out and will be out until sometime in early 2018. The power grid is severely damaged and outdated. There are a lot of personal generators, but commercial power is non-existent.
- Running water remains an on and off again situation; mainly due to faulty/aged equipment.
- Food, both free and for purchase is slow to arrive.
- Gas, while it is available the time spent in line and the amount permitted to purchase varies.
- Most importantly, at least in my mind, the people of Vieques remain friendly, adaptable, and willing to help their friends and neighbors.
If you have any particular questions regarding the life before, during, or after the storm, post a comment on the blog.
Until next time, travel safe
Mike
Hurricane Maria is taking dead aim at Puerto Rico and we're in the direct path; the storm has arrived.
Satellite track of hurricane Maria
With the most severe winds and rain from Maria passing us about 0400, we could see, hear, and feel the weather calming. The sky lightened enough for me to see inside the house.
After checking for any apparent damage I turned my attention to cleaning water that had blown through the windows into the kitchen. Ryan soon joined me in the kitchen while Corina started mopping water from the master bathroom. In total, we took about 34 gallons of water from these two areas; we filled a two gallon mop bucket 17 times.
It took about two hours to clean the water, then we went outside to take a good look around.
After looking around the house and not finding any major damage, we decided to walk to the house Ryan and Corina were sitting. As we walked along the ridge-line is soon became obvious that we would not have been able to drive.
This house is located across the street from my friends house above. To be totally honest, we fully expected to find this house destroyed, or at least the roof missing. Not only did the house remain standing, but the chicken coup in back only sustain minimal damage.
After walking back to the house I was sitting, we got in the car and headed to check out the damage at the Esperanza Inn.
A short video leaving the house and going part of the way off the hill
After checking for any apparent damage I turned my attention to cleaning water that had blown through the windows into the kitchen. Ryan soon joined me in the kitchen while Corina started mopping water from the master bathroom. In total, we took about 34 gallons of water from these two areas; we filled a two gallon mop bucket 17 times.
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| This is the same type window that is in the kitchen |
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| Master bathroom |
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| Outside the entrance - before |
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| The outside patio - before |
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| The steps down to the patio |
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| The outside patio - after |
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| The trees between the road and outside patio - after |
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| The yard looking up to the house - before |
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| The yard looking down from the house - before |
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| The yard looking down from the house - after |
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| The neighbors destroyed wooden house (as mentioned in video) |
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| The breezeway between the driveway/parking area and house - after (note the cistern and satellite dish) |
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| The parking area is just to the right |
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| The parking area |
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| More of the parking area |
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| A close call, no damage to the car |
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| A neighbor clearing the road, making it passable |
After looking around the house and not finding any major damage, we decided to walk to the house Ryan and Corina were sitting. As we walked along the ridge-line is soon became obvious that we would not have been able to drive.
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| The bottom of the hill head up to the ridge-line |
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| The ridge-line starts here |
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| Tree debris |
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| One of the four concrete power poles that fell across the road |
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| What's left of a frame house on top of the ridge-line |
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| My friends house that lost the entire second level (as mentioned in the video) |
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| The house Ryan & Corina were sitting |
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| The driveway |
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| At the end of the driveway, there used to be a carport |
After walking back to the house I was sitting, we got in the car and headed to check out the damage at the Esperanza Inn.
A short video leaving the house and going part of the way off the hill
This video compares (2016 and 2017) part of highway 997 to Esperanza the day Maria past
The Esperanza Inn sustained some damage, but considering its proximity to the ocean, I would consider the damage minimal.
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| This door was blown open |
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| And the room had a couple inches of water inside |
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| A look at the pool from the top |
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| The fence surrounding the property was almost all blown over |
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| Another shot of the fence |
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| The driveway from above |
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| Waves remained high after Maria passed |
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| Damage to the malecon was by winds and waves |
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| The waves undermined the boardwalk, leaving several holes |
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| The majority of the street was cleaned early in the day |
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| Side streets, not so clean |
That should do it for this post, but before we go, let me give you the latest information I've received on the recovery of Puerto Rico, in particular Vieques.
- Electricity remains out and will be out until sometime in early 2018. The power grid is severely damaged and outdated. There are a lot of personal generators, but commercial power is non-existent.
- Running water remains an on and off again situation; mainly due to faulty/aged equipment.
- Food, both free and for purchase is slow to arrive.
- Gas, while it is available the time spent in line and the amount permitted to purchase varies.
- Most importantly, at least in my mind, the people of Vieques remain friendly, adaptable, and willing to help their friends and neighbors.
If you have any particular questions regarding the life before, during, or after the storm, post a comment on the blog.
Until next time, travel safe
Mike
Vieques, PR - September 2017 - Chapter 1 - Into the eye of a storm
Late last week, I arrived home from house sitting in Naples Florida to prepare for the next leg of my summer, southerly migration. As I awoke, the morning was calm and illuminated with clear blue skies; but I knew that was only here, not my destination of Puerto Rico.
For the past few days, the local news channels had been mentioning a tropical system that had developed off the African coast and further development was expected. Within about 30 hours the system had grown from a tropical storm, to a major, category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 115mph, and it had since become known as Hurricane Irma. While it’s still too early to determine an accurate track, Puerto Rico is within the cone which is the ‘most probable path’ of the storm.
For the past few days, the local news channels had been mentioning a tropical system that had developed off the African coast and further development was expected. Within about 30 hours the system had grown from a tropical storm, to a major, category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 115mph, and it had since become known as Hurricane Irma. While it’s still too early to determine an accurate track, Puerto Rico is within the cone which is the ‘most probable path’ of the storm.
Naples, FL - Aug 2017 - Sun is back in the Sunshine State - Chapter 2
The week started with rain, but today it has moved on. The sky is now a brilliant blue with the white puffy clouds that let your imagination run wild. Gazing skyward, I decided to revisit the Naples Botanical Gardens. A short drive from where I’m staying, this is one of my favorite places that is close to walk the well maintained paved trails with boardwalks and a bird watching tower. Walking these trails, you’ll not only be able to enjoy the natural beauty, but get about 3 miles of exercise.
Naples Florida - Aug 2017 - My Annual Southern Pilgrimage Begins – Chapter 1
As has been for the past three years, in August I house/pet
sit in Naples Florida for a couple weeks, return to my home, repack, and make
my way to Vieques Puerto Rico. This year
is no different.
Arriving late in the evening, I joined Jim and Cynthia for dinner. We renewed our friendship, and enjoyed reminiscing our significant events of the past year. While much had changed in our lives, many things remained the same, and we shared most of it.
So without further adduce, let’s GO!!!
Places in and around Naples that I've visited over the past few years
MISSISSIPPI - Day Trip 2 - Destination Nowhere - Jan/Feb 2017
I've been here in Pass Christian MS for almost six weeks and about to start my journey home. After a stop in Louisiana to visit friends for Mardi Gras, I'll make a stop in north Florida. I'll stop at a lighthouse that time didn't permit seeing on my way.
Most of my time here in The Pas was spent golfing, eating, talking with locals, and sight seeing. This posting is going to cover several towns, attractions, and eateries. Like my previous post, these are in no special order, just places for you to consider when you make your way to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The first thing I want to discuss is the amazing sculptures that can be found along Highway 90, the Gulf Coast 'Beach Road'. These sculptures are what remains of trees otherwise destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Most of my time here in The Pas was spent golfing, eating, talking with locals, and sight seeing. This posting is going to cover several towns, attractions, and eateries. Like my previous post, these are in no special order, just places for you to consider when you make your way to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The first thing I want to discuss is the amazing sculptures that can be found along Highway 90, the Gulf Coast 'Beach Road'. These sculptures are what remains of trees otherwise destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
MISSISSIPPI - Day Trip 1- Pass Christian - Jan/Feb 2017
Well, I’m a few weeks into another house/pet sitting assignment, this one is along the Gulf Coast (Gulf of Mexico) area of Mississippi (MS). The coastline is dotted with several medium to small towns, some of them can even be considered villages; one such town is where I’m staying, Pass Christian. As my time here continues we’ll be taking other day trips to some of the nearby surrounding towns.
Let’s GO
House/Pet Sitting in Retrospect - Puerto Rico, Vieques - September 2016
This is my third consecutive year of house/pet sitting on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico; does this make me an ‘island boy’?
When I tell people I’m going to Puerto Rico, they usually
ask where and I tell them, Vieques or Isla Nena. That’s only draws more questions like, some
of which I’ll answer now.
Wikipedia – Vieques, Puerto Rico
Population: 9301 (2010)
Size: 21 miles (east to west) by 5 miles (north to south); 52 squares miles of land
Economy: The island is attempting to redevelop the agricultural and tourism industry. Since the US Navy closed the bombing range and departed the island in 2003, their clearance of unexploded ordinance has been the largest employer.
Geography: About two-thirds of Vieques is comprised of a decommissioned US Naval bombing range which has been designated as the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. The wildlife reserves are on the east and west ends of the island, with communities in the middle. There are two major municipalities, Isabel Segunda on the north coast and Esperanza to the south. The island is surrounded by beautiful, secluded, and not so secluded beaches. Some of the beaches, along with hiking and four-wheel trails are located within the wildlife reserves.
A WORD OF CAUTION; within the wildlife reserves the trails and beaches are marked with warning signs, PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS and STAY ON THE MARKED TRAILS.
Okay, if you’re interested in visiting Vieques, and I do recommend it, those facts should at least get you started in finding out more.
Now Let’s GO, and Travel Thru My Eyes to Vieques, Isla Nena, Puerto Rico.
HOUSE/PET SITTING in RETROSPECT - NAPLES FLORIDA – September 2016
Recently I completed another house/pet sitting assignment in
Naples Florida for Jim and Cynthia, clients turned friends. This is the third or fourth time I’ve cared
for their pets and home, yet it was like visiting Napes for the first
time. Yes, I ‘revisited’ a couple
places, but with so much to do in the area, there was are also many new places
to explore.
FLORIDA - 2016, January - House/Pet Sitting - Chapter 3 - The End
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| Sunrise at the Hillsboro Lighthouse |
With that said, I still spent some time fishing, but didn’t catch a damn thing. With the temps being below average, the waters choppy, and more often than not the sky cloudy, nothing was biting. And it wasn’t just me, other fishermen out there also.
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