I’ve always liked the Argentinians, they are a cultured and lovely people, but the Junta were a bunch of fascist thugs who really needed to get their ass kicked, big time. They found out the hard way that an army that has earned its stripes by kidnapping and murdering college kids and professors was no match against grown men who were able to shoot back. Too bad so many innocent kids had to die, on both sides, for justice to run its course, but unfortunately, that seems to be the way the world works.

At night the air cooled, became denser, and rushed down the valley carrying with it moisture in the form of snow. Buried every tent not tended to, and would have suffocated folks in them. In some the people had moved up and these tents were simply protecting stores and in reserve.

By early mid-morning the wind built up to 80 MPH again, this time uphill as the mountain warmed. It blew away the radio facility the Argentinian Park Service had, their semi-permanent facilities and the outhouse they laughingly charged to use. The “Park Rangers” were para-military, sort-of military, connected with the military and anti-smuggling people, and were pathetic. Very nice people, but pathetic. They would have to wait until Noon or so to have enough power to talk to the next station below, who was also waiting for their sad, old car battery to charge.

These were people from the Argentinian 8th Mountain Brigade, and included an officer, several enlisted men and a full-fledged physician. When not on mountain duty they lived in barracks down in the flat-lands, with their families. It was common to drive by a military facility with stone and brick posts holding up metal archways proudly announcing the 8th Mountain Brigade, Major General Jose Garcia (or someone) and some military slogan and a big stone building several hundred feet from the gate.

Next to the gate, however, would be wooden barracks, childrens’ swings and slides, clotheslines with drying sheets, pillowcases, dresses, pants and so on. There would be a big garden, and sometimes men of military age out there weeding. It seemed to be more of a poor farm than a military installation but I just saw what was visible from the road.

I did, though, at one point have to ask directions from a sentry at one of their posts. Fences, gates, razor wire and a thick brick sentry shed announced it as a serious military post, one guarding access to something significant. I approached talking English loudly, and a uniformed person stuck his head out of a window. I kept approaching, asking where there would be a telephone book. Unfortunately it is a “telephonia guia” and we got nowhere. I did get close enough to see the comely senorita who was sharing his lonely vigil.

I saw that wind blow a sleeping bag off a Brit’s pack, and the rolled up thing simply headed horizontally into the void.

Enough rambling.

The shutters are locally called “Clamshells”, aluminum awnings hinged at the top and held in place by metal struts. They are primarily for protection against sun and rain.They can be lowered and bolted into place to protect the windows.

Very straightforward, designed primarily for ease of mass construction, yet still quite well adapted to our climate. The paint is white TiO2, so is the roof and the car. Any other pigment is quickly degraded in this sunlight.

If the power is out, the windows and interior layout allow breezes to easily circulate, and with the shutters up you can keep the windows open and still keep out the rain and sun.

Its a good Florida house, (notice the short, narrow eaves, nothing for high winds to get a grip on). They don’t build them like this any more.

I KNEW you would post a picture of your abode. Which is strange in and of itself because you are pretty private. I LOVE it!. It also answers my question what kind of shutters.

Are those glass blocks?

I like being without power for a few days. Or stranded at home in deep snow. Everything is so quiet, only the sounds of nature in the woods. I also like being self reliant. I usually have 5 gallons of gas on hand and kerosene for the bright Aladdin lamps. They also throw out a lot of heat. Enough food on hand so as not to worry- for a couple of months. And a little cash on hand too.

My house was built in 1968 and pretty sturdy. Construction got shabby and cheap in the 80s and when Andrew hit we paid the price. Bulding codes were hastily revised (and enforced!) so newer structures are pretty sturdy too. Of course, a really big storm can overwhelm any construction. Not too many people know hurricanes often spawn multiple tornadoes.

This storm is no direct threat to us…yet. It is forecast to be too weak, and too far away to affect us seriously. But the shutters are big, flimsy affairs that can be ripped off and blown away by even relatively weak winds. It is only when they are lowered and bolted down that they are strong and secure. But I won’t replace them with something more modern because they provide really nice shade and rain protection and allow me to keep the windows open in the heat, that keeps the house cool even without A/C.

But raising and lowering them is a hassle. As soon as I get up from typing this I’ll have to spend most of the day lowering them
and doing last minute preparations. And once they are down, they’ll stay down until the season is over in December.