Isabel looked impressive as she approached. As far north as Atlantic City, parts of the Miss America pageant were cancelled. Washington's public transit system closed in anticipation of dangerous winds, forcing the District and federal governments to close as well. It seemed strange getting a "snow day" when the really heavy weather wasn't due until evening.

I spent the day doing laundry and re-playing "Spyro the Dragon", occasionally leaving the apartment to wander around the neighborhood looking for hurricane damage. As it happened, our only major casualty was the tree across the street, which snapped in the early evening and blocked half of Connecticut Avenue. The shattered trunk showed clearly that it was rotten inside, a disaster waiting for the first major storm. Nobody seems to have been under it when it fell. It made the 11 PM news.

This morning we are still off work. The Metro is running on a reduced schedule. All along Connecticut, apartment maintenance men are sweeping up the leaves and twigs. Over in Alexandria, they are mopping up from the storm surge and preparing for the flood that will sweep down from the hills in a day or two. But all the really major weather seems to have been to the west. I'm simultaneously relieved and disappointed.