Hurricane Irma...........

And then there was Hurricane Irma...This one will be remembered for a long time.  I think it's the biggest to hit the US.  And it's been a pretty scary time.  I think everyone was glued to the weather channel as this one made it's way from the shores of Africa to the Florida Keys, growing by the day into a dangerous Cat 5 Hurricane.

On Thursday the 7th we finally made the decision to leave home.  It was at that time predictions were to have the hurricane follow a path up the spine of the state of Florida, and Storm surges for the east coast would be large enough to have Lake Okeechobee overflow its banks. So we packed our bags, some food and water, our important papers etc. and hit the road on Friday morning, the 8th.

Trying to find a hotel had not been easy.  Motels were book throughout the northern part of the state and well into Georgia and Alabama.  I was finally able to find a room for one night at the Rodeway Inn in Perry, Fl, just south of Tallahassee.

A pretty old building, and definitely nothing fancy - but we were not in a position to be too fussy.  The rooms were huge, and very clean, but the beds were very very uncomfortable.  From home to Perry would normally be a 4 1/2 hour drive, but it took us about 10 1/2 hours to get there.  At one point on US 19 N it took us 2 1/2 hours to move 12 miles!  Gas stations that were open and still had gas were very hard to find, and with the gas we had left in the tank we knew we would not make it to the hotel.  Finally found one open.  Waited in line for more than 45 minutes to get to a gas pump!   Needless to say we were exhausted when we arrived, and Rich's leg was really bothering him.  We called Dominoes to have a pizza delivered, and called it a day.

We left Perry before 7:00am, headed for Tuscaloosa, AL.  Stopped at McDonald's about 1/2 mile from the hotel to fill the thermos with coffee. I waited for 2 cups of coffee for about 25 minutes. They made one pot at a time and the place was full.  During that time they ran out of most food.  The only thing left was Egg Mcmuffin, Sausage Biscuit and McGriddle.  And you could only get Black Decaf Coffee .  Sugar yes, cream - NO!  So by 7:30 we were back on the road.

Didn't take a lot of pictures on the road.  But I don't remember every driving through Alabama!  Passed this red antique car on this Alabama back road!

The drive to Tuscaloosa was not as bad as the previous day.  And we arrived at our hotel early afternoon.  Very nice hotel, very clean, comfortable rooms.  Great area to sit and relax near the lobby, and a very nice hot breakfast each morning.

Rich got to talking with a couple people who here for the Alabama football game, but most everyone else we talked to was evacuating from Florida.   Original plans were to leave here on Monday, hoping we could start the trip back home........but we know that's not going to be possible, so we were able to book a couple more nights.   The only thing we know right now about "home" is that we lost power about 5 this afternoon.  And as we watch the weather station now, they continue to talk about Sebring and Wauchula.  Just heard that Wauchula is getting winds over 100 mpr!  Friends, Buddy and Diane live in Wauchula in a modular home............but are in Montgomery, AL right now watching this!!!

Tonight we did wander out long enough to get something to eat.  Went to the Grand Buffet (Chinese).   It was TERRIBLE!  I know..........I complain about food most everywhere we go...........but even Rich said that it was the worst Chinese Buffet he's ever been too...........

OH Well.............about time to call it a day.