All wet, part 2

[skybytch 273]

I arrived back in FL late Tuesday night. Spent the night at Jack and Lynn's and was on the way to Sebastian by 11am. There are not words to describe what I've seen and done in the past 48 hours, but I tried. The following was scribbled in a notebook as I sat and sweated in the front of the shop.

Weds afternoon -

Slightly damaged mobile homes standing alone amongst piles and piles of framing and twisted metal. The ground on either side of the road strewn with twisted corrugated metal... for miles. Boats upside down on top of other boats on top of destroyed boathouses. Piles of furniture, drenched carpeting, tree limbs and wet stuff by the side of the road waiting for pickup. Miles and miles of powerlines down, hanging, dangling off thousands of downed power poles. Piles of pieces of boat docks in the median of US1. A boat on the wrong side of US1. An entire 2nd floor of a house blown off.

< snip list of things I have left and things I've lost> I have much to be thankful for. I wish I could find the insect repellant.

11pm, Weds -

It's hot and sticky in the store. I just took a refreshing WetNap bath. Hopefully I can get to sleep soon, mainly so I don't have to hear the mosquitos as they dive bomb my body.

My mind can't get around most of what I saw today. Mile after mile of destruction. Snapshots of devastation run through my mind. Unlike a scary movie I can't turn away or cover my eyes. And I know I'll see the same and more again tomorrow.

Thursday afternoon -

Befor today I thought I knew what hot, sticky, sweaty, dirty and smelly felt like. I was wrong.

Spent the morning at the house picking through the remains. Can't describe the emotions - if you can feel it I think I've felt it twice. My landlord (ex landlord now I guess), Bill, is my hero. When I arrived my stuff was out of the house and sorted - I doubt I could have handled seeing it strewn through the foot of mud that he said was in there when he opened the door.

If I never have another peanut butter sandwich in my life.. I'm okay with that. I found my bottle of Off. Life ain't all bad.

Thursday night -

The house is empty. I watched 20+ bags of what was my stuff being loaded into and then driven away in a big garbage truck. Two carloads of dry and semi-dry, possibly salvagable stuff are safely under the roof of the store. My body is exhausted, my back muscles are screaming at me but my brain won't stop. What I've seen and done in the past two days is beyond anything I've ever experienced.

I have cold sodas, cold beer, a dry place to sleep, a cell phone that works and a running car to charge it in. Life is good.

It's now Friday afternoon. My car is packed as full as it will get, and I'll be leaving the bike here with Jack and Lynn (the rack doesn't seem to work well with the car - three stops to reattach straps in under 2 hours isn't cross country road trip ready). Just ate an awesome home cooked meal and enjoyed a bit of heaven - ie a warm shower.

I'll be on the road for real in a little while. Hoping to be in California by Tuesday night.

[Spatula 0]

While I've never meet you in person, I've read your many posts. Laughed a whole lot, learned even more. For what it's worth my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care of yourself.

[katiebear21 0]

Big hugs to you, hon, and wishing you a safe journey!

Katie
Get your PMS glass necklace here

[jumper03 0]

Good luck Lisa.

I'll be thinking about you.

Jump
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Scars remind us that the past is real

[sunshine 2]

Gimme a call if you get bored. I just might be at the grocery store looking for hamburger.

Stay safe, stay strong.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[Amazon 7]

Good luck with your new episode in life. You have survived and you have what is important to you now. Somehow I think the next phase of life is going to be better

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[jceman 1]

Quote

Somehow I think the next phase of life is going to be better

Yes, I'm sure it will, and she will most likely have a bike in it -- I found another way of anchoring the straps and I think it will be able to make the trip.

Fare well, my friend, fare thee well.

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

wow, Lisa, that's terrible! :( Best of luck to you in Cali. It sure sux that it's been such a terrible season you've had to endure. I've lived here most of my life and never seen anything that compares to this. Not much will prepare you for something this bad I don't suppose.

Take care.
Angela.

[ladyskydiver 0]

Good luck and be safe.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Shotgun 1]

Wow. I don't even know what to say other than I'm glad you're ok. And the next time I see you, the Red Bull & vodka's on me.

Have a safe trip, Lisa. We'll be thinking about you. And California will be glad to have you back.

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[PhreeZone 20]

Bytch.. hit me up when you get to Cali.. I'll make that we get you off to a good start on a nice music collection again

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

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