Mandatory Evacuation

Last week we were all watching Hurricane Gustav in the gulf. This obviously put a kink in our Labor Day weekend plans.  As the days progressed friends began bailing out of the "lake weekend" to be close enough to home to prepare for evacuation if needed.  

When Hurricane Rita hit 3 years ago, Scott & I stuck around until the mandatory evacuation...then we left in the EARLY morning hours in hopes of beating traffic. We still hit traffic and as the day progressed others sat in traffic trying to evacuate...(of course Houston had already begun their evacuation). We evacuated with a weeks worth of clothes, dogs, guns, golf clubs, and a satellite dish to watch the storm at Dad's house in Riesel. (my vehicle stayed at his parents in Liberty...it was full of photos, tubs of momentos, etc.)

Having an 8 month old changes the whole game plan. We prepared the house and the office "for the worst" and packed a few of our "favorite things." This time we left on Friday evening in two vehicles...and we headed to Toledo Bend lake to "enjoy" a few days of the weekend.  Of course at the lake I was unable to allow myself to RELAX and enjoy myself.  I spent most of the time watching the storm on the weather channel and keeping in touch with others who were planning for evacuation. We found out on Sat. that they would call for a mandatory evacuation at 6am Sun. At this point it was a Category 4...with the chance of intensifying in the gulf. We already felt like we were ahead of the game being at Toledo Bend...the fear was waiting too long and getting stuck in traffic with Tyson in the car. (OK it was MY fear...not Scott's) So we woke up (when Tyson woke us up) at 3 am packed it up and headed to Riesel.  

Why two cars? When we returned from Hurricane Rita...we came back as early as possible to "patch" the house...etc. We were out of our house for a while...and Scott worked at a homeless shelter in Houston until the office opened back up. With Tyson it was not worth taking the chance and bringing him into a "bad" situation if we did not have to...but Scott would need to return as soon as possible. AND...one vehicle is NOT big enough to carry Tyson's "stuff."  GEEZE!!!

We stayed in Riesel with Grampa Don & Gammy Rita for a couple of days...watching the storm...by this time we knew we would not be receiving a direct hit...but we were glad that we didn't get stuck in traffic. Tyson enjoyed his visit with Grampa & Grammy...so the trip was definitely worth it.

As we watched the track of the storm...we were incredibly thankful that it did not come our direction AT ALL...but we are also so incredibly thankful that it downgraded before it made landfall in Houma, LA.  

We chose to travel back home before the mandatory evacuation was lifted...in hopes again of not getting stuck in traffic...so we left Riesel around 6:30 pm...and made it back to Port Neches at 11:30 pm. Let me just say that I have never had an energy drink before...but the fountain drink I picked up in Huntsville (when Tyson got his nighttime bottle)...was the kick I needed. Scott got a coffee with an extra shot of espresso...by the time we got to Cleveland...I felt like I could drive home, unpack the car, put the house "back together"...and complete Tyson's one year scrapbook before the next day. For those of you who know me well...I should stay away from "energy drinks"...but it is exactly what I needed to get us home.

Did we do the right thing??? absolutely...leaving "before" an evacuation is called...and heading back "before" a mandatory evacuation is lifted...doesn't always seem like the "best" plan. 

We spent the morning unpacking everything...putting all the outdoor furniture back outside...and Scott & the BEST office manager in the world got the office ready for business.

We grilled meat from the freezer...and spent the afternoon with friends. As we sat in the pool yesterday evening and watched our local sportscaster (good job James) give the latest traffic report...we were all very thankful that we were back home...with an extension to our Labor Day weekend.