Guess it's going to be a bit windy the next 2-3 days.

[John Schmidt]

We have underground utilities in our area of town so we take bets as to how long before we lose power. Used to be if a large dog peed on the sidewalk the power went down, the utility/power system is owned by the City and there's been some improvements. I figure we'll go down a couple hrs. into the storm. When Charley went through in '04, eye actually passed over the house, it was a Cat2 with winds right at 108. It did just under $100k in damage to our house, here's hoping we get a pass this time. We have most everything either in the garage or fastened down, once the car is in the garage I'll roll it back so it applies a slight pressure against the garage door from the inside, helps prevent it from blowing in. Not fool proof but helps.

If I check in from Kansas you'll know the wind was stronger than anticipated. 

[MAD6Gun]

 Stay safe John.

[Willow]

John, the latest projection expects her to pass right next to you.  You hunker down and keep as safe as possible.  No running out to the edge of town to watch the eye rolling in. 

[baldo]

I'll be thinking of you, John...

[John Schmidt]

John, the latest projection expects her to pass right next to you.  You hunker down and keep as safe as possible.  No running out to the edge of town to watch the eye rolling in. 

If it passes east of us that's a bit better re. weather and wind. But, if it's west of us, we'll get the worst and heaviest. The bad part about all this is there's another one right behind it.....Jose. Guess I'll leave the windows boarded up a bit longer.

[Skinhead]

Good luck John.  I hope all goes well.

[Savago]

Good luck! 

[old2soon]

IF and ONLY if ya check in from Kansas at least wave on da way by!  I'll be Praying for you and Rita.  Just soz ya know-Hopin and Prayin for both of y'all do NOT in any way shape or form keep me from worryin a tad! PRAYERS and Good Fortune John. RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

IF and ONLY if ya check in from Kansas at least wave on da way by!  I'll be Praying for you and Rita.  Just soz ya know-Hopin and Prayin for both of y'all do NOT in any way shape or form keep me from worryin a tad! PRAYERS and Good Fortune John. RIDE SAFE.

Thanks Dennis, we have a good bunch of Valkyrie riders over in the western area where this thing appears to be heading. Keep them in mind as well. We might possibly go to a shelter Sunday, Rita isn't real mobile so will just have to see.

[3fan4life]

How's everything?

[Patrick]

OK John, whats the story ? How did you [ and everyone else] make out ?

[desertrefugee]

Almost 6 million Floridian "customers" currently without power.  Head count much higher.   John is likely one of the customers.

[MAD6Gun]

Ron (EEZZZRIDER) Heathman is in Ft Meyers visiting family. Doug (six2go) talked to him last week. Said he was stuck and count leave because he had to stay with a dog. He is a couple of block from the beach. We have not heard from him since. I have tried to call him a couple of times. No answer.  Not sure what is going on..

[six2go #152]

Ron (EEZZZRIDER) Heathman is in Ft Meyers visiting family. Doug (six2go) talked to him last week. Said he was stuck and count leave because he had to stay with a dog. He is a couple of block from the beach. We have not heard from him since. I have tried to call him a couple of times. No answer.  Not sure what is going on..

I talked to him this morning. He has been at the hospital where Laurie is working since Friday. Other than being stir crazy, he is fine.

[old2soon]

I would LOVE for ALL our Florida Brothers and Sisters to check in here and let the rest of us worry warts have an idea how y'all iz. And for those in the path of remnants of irksome Irma. Good news or bad news is better than no news. RIDE SAFE.

[Robert]

 Must  admit this was one of the worst storms we've had. Not only was the intensity strong but the duration,it seems like it went on forever. But now that it's past the sun is out and it's 90°.   We lost our power at 8 AM Saturday morning fortunately we have a generator we can run most of the house so that kept us cool. curfews in many areas here depending on the area that you're in depends on the time it takes effect. Cable and Internet will be out probably until the 18th maybe the 20th power they're not even in saying how long that's going to be many areas have power but more areas do not. People are crazy worried and scared driving like maniacs stoplights don't work in most areas gasoline is spotty groceries are spotty.  Most people came out safely many left the area .  It could've been so much worse.

 I forgot to add this little bit of information I did get out for a ride today even though it was over many tree branches And many leaves  even a few powerlines but it was just nice to get out into the wind not hurricane wind.

 Good morning guys

i just wanted to update this post with a couple of other things at night it is pitch black around here. The noise from generator s   Fills the air otherwise it's normally silent there are no cars on the street because there's a curfew somehow I never realized how pretty the stars were and how many there were.  Going a little stir crazy since there is no Internet no TV phone is only cell phones.  Most all businesses are closed because they have no power  and even if they have power most of the time they don't have Internet or phone.  I could not get a hold of one of the guys who works for me so it's kind of nice that he drove over to find out about us in to see when we were opening He had no phone in his house he was bailing water out of his house during the storm.

 Utility company and Internet company say that this is the largest rebuild ever done in history my question is why weren't they prepared for this. Forget about talking to a live person and forget about updates they really got everybody but you know what