Jon @ Homer

Puerto Rico

After braving the snow & ice to travel at Christmas I was off to Puerto Rico for Winter Nursery - 10 days of planning corn in the sun.

I left for PR on an unseasonable warm day, snow and ice wasn't the problem it was in the high 50's(F) and there was still some snow hanging around - especially in Chicago so my 8:30 flight didn't take off until 5 till noon. Once in Chicago I missed my original flight - AA had rebooked me automatic but that plane had maintenance issues so we didn't get off the ground until after 7 pm.

I got into San Juan about 10:45 picked up an ugly but functional rental car and headed down the to Santa Isabel. I got in so late that I had to physically shake the security guard to wake him so I could check in at the hotel. (scared him when he woke)

The Hacienda Santa Isabel is a nice place - quiet no chickens running around. I enjoyed the place and it was nice but if I goto winter nursery in the future I think I will stay up the hill with everyone else at the Hotel Baños de Coamo. Location to station was great but it's restaurant had not open so I had to drive back to the Autopista for breakfast. I did get to take advantage of the swimming pool and all in all I had a very pleasant stay.


Rooms & pool


Main entrance

Of course I was in PR to work not enjoy the surroundings:


While the first pollenation days were full the weather was great - in the low 80's and very low humidity levels. The furrow tape irrigation system was balanced so I was able to have dry feet most of the time. I ended up working on Sunday to make sure some old silk was covered.

As the nursery work was winding down my trip was shorter than planned by 2 days. I did make sure that all the late populations were set up for one last day of pollenation and it hung on longer than expected so it was good that I was around to see that it was finished off properly.

My return trip was uneventful, they needed to switch planes on my second leg to Champaign so even though my flight from PR was late I didn't miss my connection.

posted by Jon at Homer @ 8:29 PM