Hello Gale

Let's start with the Beaufort Wind Scale since that is today's science lesson, both theory and applied.  http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/beaufort.html 

Not sure about where you are but here in Station Creek, 0140 found the Strong Breeze winds knocking on our door.  Strong Breeze my ass!  At 0630 we were closing hatches that someone left open (me) and tightening lines that were flapping around. That was after checking rechecking then triple checking that the anchor was holding. It was. Good anchor.  Then at 0700 Mark called Island Khaya and confirmed that it would not be prudent to try to pull anchor and leave. Wise decision. So back to bed with earplugs we went. Good anchor.

Mark and Jon were up and about when I finally got up at 1000. The tide was at it's lowest and boy was the wind howling. I missed out on vacuum up the vampire gnats task unfortunately.  Meanwhile outside, Cranky Gale.  

So what do you do when its 30 knot winds (33 knots at 1040 and that's Near Gale to you and me) and gray outside? You eat carbs of course!! Pancakes with blueberry and biscuits and both turned out darn good.  And Kit Kat for dessert.  Then you go down to your cabin and snuggle in with the "chick flick" of your choice! I'm thinking 'PS, I Love You'.

In all seriousness, as bad as it is outside, we are holding firm in the creek even with the wind yelling at us. It's going to get worse with likely 40-50 knot gusts which means Strong Gale.  Plus now the tide is coming in so that and the wind are to be testing our hold.  I'd be lying if I said this wasn't quite unnerving and rather unpleasant but as I always say, "I'm sure everything will be fine."

Mark just turned on the generator so we can have heat...uh yeah, we are now in true Gale winds, just ate blueberry pancakes, baked biscuits (success with the oven) and just turned on the generator to warm us up.  Welp, spoke too soon, looks like we blew a breaker with all the heaters on.  Hmmm, up and running again.  The sound is what is really bothersome and knowing that it sounds as bad as it is.  Did I mention, good anchor.

We are truly nervous though (or maybe just I am) and fully respect the power of what is happening outside (that we all do for sure). We will be watching the anchor closely all day plus tracking the wind speed and direction but we'll be warm while doing it.  Sheesh wish you could hear the wind.  Actually, no I don't because I certainly don't want to be hearing it.  Nature does like to remind you who is really in charge.

I see some people have cold rain and even snow in places...it's only around 40 something here and I, for one, prefer the 70-80 temps we will find as soon as we can head south again. Making people sick with tropical posts and clear blue water pictures will be better than this I'm thinking.

Stay warm folks. I'm sure everything will be fine... XO Suzanne