It's Flashback Friday! These posts are from my book-in-progress about our sabbatical year...
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Anyone remember Hurricane Irene? |
As
we unpacked our last box, the radar on the local weather station showed Hurricane
Irene heading directly for the South Carolina coast. We were not off to an auspicious start.
Relieved and relaxed during the whole journey
southeast, we arrived on Fripp Island to insufferable late August heat. Built in the Charleston style, Greg’s rental
home was three stories tall with the kitchen and living room on the third floor
for maximum ocean views overlooking the moss-covered live oaks and palmetto
trees- Great for enjoying low country vistas, but hard on the back. After
the second load up the two flights of steps, it was obvious that we had brought
too much stuff. Our temporary home was
only 1600 square feet and the home we left was over twice as big. Back in Canton, it didn't look like we had overpacked, but being in the smaller home, we gained
perspective fast.
“This is like trying to fit twenty pounds
of potatoes in a ten pound sack.” Greg
had a knack for pulling out old sayings that summed up the situation
perfectly. We decided to unload the
U-Haul, return it, and sort when our energy returned. We
told the kids to save themselves and go play instead of standing around in a
thousand degree trailer learning new cuss words from their schoolteachers.
An hour later, we were thanking God for his tender
mercies. A family from Delaware, and our neighbors on Fripp Island, had been
following my blog, saw the U-Haul, and walked over to invite us to dinner. Greg and I declined, as we were sweating like
pigs and unfit for company, but gratefully accepted for the children. After the past ten days of stress, we hadn’t
even thought about supper. We continued
to unload while the kids dined down the street when Delaware Mom (Yes, Jennifer, that's my anonymous name for you.) arrived with
two heaping plates for us. Simple
kindness is highly underrated. It was
the best meal I’d had in weeks and sustained us till the last box was carried up.
Looking at the massive, swirling grey clouds covering the coastline
from Georgia to Virginia on the television screen, I thought, “Have we
really moved in only to be forced to move out?” Listening to the reporter, I
tried to comprehend the situation. What does mandatory evacuation mean,
anyway?
Having no
experience in Hurricanes, we watched and planned. Since buying the Fripp
house in 2006, we have never had a hurricane threaten our coastline. The
house came with plywood sheeting for the windows, but we had never checked how
they fit. At Lowe's in Beaufort, we purchased an extra case of water and
wood screws just in case. No one in town was panicking which I found very
comforting. Maybe they knew something I didn't.
During the following twenty-four hours, Irene's path
moved eastward and we were unofficially deemed safe from the storm.
Looking at the Category 3 Hurricane on the satellite, we breathed a sigh
of relief for us and said a prayer for those to the north. Anabel was
disappointed. At twelve, a hurricane sounded exciting. She has no
concept of storm damage. The weatherman said to watch out for rip currents
and extremely high tides, but the low country area should miss most of Irene's
path.
I said, "Thank,
God!"
Greg and Wyatt said in unison,
"Surf Board!"
This has to be the biggest
difference between men and women.
However, both sexes did a
foolish thing on Friday: we drove into Beaufort to pick up Greg's Harley.
The power had gone off briefly in the morning and we had a little rain,
but other than that the weather seemed like any other day at the beach.
When the repair shop called to say the bike was ready, it wasn't raining
at all. Greg thought it best to go on in, pick it up and get it over with
in case heavier winds and rain began. The kids stayed at home finishing
school work while I dropped Greg and headed to the art supply shop and the grocery
store. By the time I exited Publix, I felt the first drop of rain.
I called the house and Greg wasn't home yet. Should I worry?
Greg was an excellent driver and a smart guy. He'll be fine.
Driving home, the closer I got to the outer barrier islands of Harbor and
Hunting, the worse it became. Sheets of
rain pelted my windshield. Wind shook
our massive two-ton Ford Excursion. I
suddenly became eerily aware that no other cars were on the road. I should have headed back inland, but all I
could think was, “Where was Greg? Is he
home with the children? Has the power
gone out again? Are the kids safe? How
could we have left them alone? We know
you can’t trust the weatherman!” If this
was what the outer bands of a hurricane were like, I can't imagine how scary
being hit head-on would be. I pulled over to call home. Greg had
stopped three times driving back and was wet to the bone, but had made it home safe and sound. The kids were fine and
loved nature’s drama.
I made it home with groceries
and new art supplies for the kids.
Evening arrived just as the bands spiraled further northward. We
used our new paints to capture the edge of a hurricane sunset. To quote American Blues singer, Huddie
“Leadbelly” Ledbetter, “Goodnight, Irene!
I’ll see you in my dreams.” Or nightmares, as the case may be.