Weather.com storm photo of Hurricane Gonzales cutting a swath across the Caribbean. Note Florida in the upper left.

Simpson Bay Lagoon, St. Maarten, 20 boats sunk according to news reports. 

We were there in our sailboat late December nearly 2 years ago. Ditto Antigua , Nevis, St. Kitts, Virgin Islands.  Puerto Rico.  All slammed (view during Hurricane Gonzalo’s visit from a luxury hotel in Antigua).  

When we were there, it was not hurricane season.  What a difference a few months makes.

We wish anyone in Gonzalo’s path, safe passage.  We trust the cruising community in St. Maarten will do what it does best, and pitch in.  No matter how well we plan, we all still realize, there but for the grace of God, go I.

Simpson’s Lagoon Dec 2012, dinghies @ cruiser’s Boxing Day party.  Much calmer, then.

Location, Location.
Yes, we miss being on our boat.  Yes we are itching to be cruising again.  But here in Jacksonville, Florida, despite a little rain, thunder and lightening, our boat’s safe and sound on the hard in nearby Green Cove Springs Marina,right now, where it will be for another month.  Yeah… our travel can wait.  We may be a little crazy, but when it comes to timing, we’re pretty cautious.  Gonzalo is a relatively gentle hurricane, as far as hurricanes go.  Be it by planning or luck, we’re grateful not to be in his path.