This time WE'RE the evacuees ....

[Lyn-Del]

We were forced to evacuate for Hurricane Ike.  Yikes! 

We are in Austin for tonight, have reservations in Dallas for tomorrow - Sunday.

On the road with two vehicles, 7 dogs, 3 cats, and about 30 budgies (parakeets).  We had to leave one cat behind -- Bungie simply refused to show herself. 

It's gonna be interesting.....

[Dag]

Take care....
I`m glad we dont have those phenomenon here in Norway

[LemonDrop]

I'm glad you started early.  I wish I had room for you "all" here, but one sister has moved in with me, and the other (fleeing the storm), along with her daughter (with her significant other& his son), grandson, and 3 dogs will be arriving tomorrow.   

[Daniel Meyer]

You know where I'm at if you need anything.

[QOTFU]

We're staying put. Got my flashlight, diet coke, twinkies, fritos and bean dip. All is well in paradise!

[DrewDanube]

I bet the cat stayed because he/she didn't want to leave your other babies that are in the barn. 
I'm glad you got out early...its going to get nuts...heck it already is!

[fiddle mike]

I'm sitting tight in Corpus as long as Ike tracks as predicted.  If I was in Austin I'd do the same thing since its  on the left side of the storm.

[RainMaker]

You know where I'm at if you need anything.

If history is any indication, you'll be riding straight into the storm at 140mph........

[Super Santa]

Glad you are away and safe.  You do live considerably closer to the coast than most of us.  I be staying put.  We are about 30 miles from Galveston Bay as the crow flies (or seagull).  About 40-45 to the Gulf of Mexico.

Tomorrow we will have a much better idea of just where it is coming in.

[Lyn-Del]

The cat stayed because she saw the carriers and the other cats stuffed into them.

Daniel, we're settled at the Red Roof on North Central Expressway (Richardson).  The only thing I'm really looking for at this time is trying to find a place to let my big dogs stretch their legs.  This old lady can't provide enough exercise to a German Shepherd on a leash!!  And the dog isn't small dog friendly so dog parks are out.  Do any of you Dallas members know of a suitable fenced area?  Under normal circumstances the Shepherd and the Dalmatian are trustworthy without fences, but they're feeling our stress.  And the four-month-puppy isn't reliable on recalls yet.

[godfire]

Hey Lyn-Del,
I have a fenced in back yard, it's not huge but at least your dogs could run around a bit.
I'm about 5 miles from Richardson, and should be around the house most of the weekend.
Give me a call if you need to come by.
Jim
214-538-7633

[hotglue #43]

We are battened down, and have supplies.  generator is ready, and plenty of gas .  We are 30 miles north of Galveston and 12 miles from the bay....  But we are on high ground and will not flood....
Forecasts show the eye coming right through us.

Hanging tight...
hotglue

[Lyn-Del]

Keep us posted as long as you can, please! 

I'm sitting here in a motel room, surrounded by my dogs, cats, and birds.  Wizard is out at the moment filling the gas tanks on the truck and the car, rumors are that gas may not be available long.  Sigh.

I can't handle sitting and watching the Weather Channel or other constant news reporting, it leaves me feeling sick and helpless.

[Tinman]

Hi Phyllis,
        You could have left one with us. We are a hunkerin here at home.
I feel like they are hyping it up a little too much but you never know.
I also think that once it makes land fall it will fall apart because the eye is too big.
But they were just saying it is strengthening and the eye is getting smaller.
I think it has run out of time to get much stronger unless it stalls.
Keep your fingers crossed it does not do that!
It has been so dry out here that I feel it will really take a whole lot of rain it a short time
to make it flood. My biggest fear is flooding and the tornado's that it may spawn.
Everyone who fled and everyone who stayed may God be with you and keep you safe!

[Lyn-Del]

Tinman, please keep us posted as long as possible.  I'm a nervous wreck!!!!  Wizard and I agree on almost everything in our lives, but it appears that we have a big difference here -- I can't stand watching the constant news coverage (I know much of it is hype, and go nuts anyway!), and he wants to watch it.  We compromise - as soon as I fall asleep or take a dog for a walk, he hits the weather reports!!  I just monitor the weather websites and watch for reports from friends.

I trust folks I know, who aren't after ratings.  So, please, check in as long as possible.  If you want my cell number, it's 713-201-2366. 

Take care of yourselves. 

[Thalas'shaya]

Lyn-Del,  the White Rock Lake dog park in Dallas is separated into three sections: Large Dogs, Small Dogs, and Swimming Dogs.  It sounds like that might be just the thing for you?  http://www.whiterockdogpark.com/  I just got back from a motorcycle trip to Utah and sprung my dogs from the kennel.  They had been staying with Nana (my mom) but she had to evacuate from Ike, as well, and her evacuation digs aren't dog-friendly.   

[hotglue #43]

Lost power around 2300 hrs.... that's 11:00 PM....
running the generator now, but wil shut down soon to save gas.
basically.... if yer not in the surge flood zone... yer OK  .. strong winds nowand rain bands... but not too bad.... all things considered..
hope it doesn't take weeks to get power back!!!!!

[Lyn-Del]

Got a call from my neighbor who stayed.  He said I need a "whole roof", my well house is gone, and some of the tin off the bike barn.

He's going to walk over soon and check on the bikes, and see what he can see. 

Yikes!

[Lyn-Del]

I've talked with Tinman.  Power is out, but he's fine.  He even drove out to my place to survey the damage.  Said my roof is all over the yard, but the plywood decking is in place.  And a third to a half of the bike barn roof is gone.  If it didn't fall in, then the bikes should be ok, they've all been rained before.

No point in trying to get home for a while.  I hope they get power back up faster than the two weeks that are being predicted for Houston.  I'd rather not be in this motel any longer than I have to.

[Tinman]

Howdy all, Got small generator that is obviously powering my inet and the fridge and a fan.
All I got fortunately was a couple of broke trees. Back is sore from picking up debri yesterday.
Good thing it is supposed to cool off tonight and my back should be less sore tomorrow.
I'll get to those trees then.
Drove around a little and there sure are a lot people that were less fortunate than me.
My daughter lives less than a mile from me and she has power.
So maybe it will not be long before ours come on. I noticed at the end of the street there are several trees broken and hanging on the power lines. So until those are cleared power will not be restored.
All I know for now.
Take care everyone that was affected by this storm.

[Rocketman]

You know the routine is thrown off when Tinman is doing ANYTHING but snoring at 1AM!

[Tinman]

Power is coming back on slowly. Not at my house...
But the little generator keeps right on a ginning.
My daughter has power and she lives less than a mile from me.
The Texaco @cr99 and hwy6 has power. The citgo hwy6 and 35 has power and gas as of 7am this morning.
I think I heard that the exxon 6 and 1128 has power and gas but long lines.
The Chevron does not have power yet.
The Kroger 518 and 288 is open but is a mad house. The HEB in the same area is the same way.
Will let you know more as I know more.
Could not get in Seabrook. Sorry Mark! Our minutes on cell phone are almost exhausted for the month so reserving what is left for emergencies. I hope we do not have any of those.
Take Care everyone!

[Rocketman]

Could not get in Seabrook. Sorry Mark! Our minutes on cell phone are almost exhausted for the month so reserving what is left for emergencies. I hope we do not have any of those.
Take Care everyone!

Thanks for the update.  We received news that residents are allowed back to our house a few hours ago.  Not wanting to return at dark, we are preparing to leave at O-dark-thirty tomorrow, and check out the house then.  I don't know when I'll get internet access again, but I'll try to post an update when I can.

[Lyn-Del]

We're staying in Dallas until the power returns.  Everyone .... take care!!

[Tinman]

Another update!
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lyn-Del]

Hopefully I'll get a call today saying I do then....

[Super Santa]

I am in SW Houston and still no power here.  Just depends on where you are.

[Tinman]

I think they are doing the easy fixes and most populated areas first.
I can still hear generators running in the distance.

[hotglue #43]

I'm listening to the drone of the generator now.....   getting the power back would be nice!!!!!!! but the cool temps are a BLESSING!!!!!!!!

[Daniel Meyer]

Hey Phyllis,

If you're still in town...need to do laundry or get away from the hotel for a bit or something let us know and come on over. You've got my number. I'm working during the day but Carey can be around...

[SideCar]

Likewise. If you need a place to do some laundry or other, don't hesitate shouting.  You may remember, but in case you don't, we're just west of DFW airport.

Hope things are back up and running at your place soon.  My mom's power got turned on last night, but she is further north in Houston than you are.

Take care.

Gary

[Lyn-Del]

Appreciate the offers, guys, but for now, we're ok.  Can't really leave the hotel without loading up all the dogs - it's poor manners to leave them unattended to bark .... they've been very very good, about the only barking we get is when we're moving dogs in and out on potty runs, they get excited.  We have actually both gone to eat at the same time twice!!  In only a week.

While I'm sitting here, a friend has been helping make arrangements to get my roof repaired.  Another friend is supposed to go tarp the roof until then.

Until I have power, I don't have water.  No point in going home just to be spending the time and gas getting in water lines ....

Meanwhile, I'm bored.  It's hard for us to get out, but if anyone want to visit US, we're at the Red Roof Inn, exit 22 from the N. Central Expressway.  Right next to the Walmart.  Room 152.

Wizard is really missing his daily "clean the bike" time!  And, of course, we both missing our "ride the bike" time.  We'll make up for it when we get home, surely.