It’s been a grueling week, and it’s not over yet. We know we’re not alone as all of Florida and northward are making similar preparations, evacuations and decisions.
This evening, we pulled into a campground with availably in the Florida Panhandle, about an hour and a half east of Pensacola.
For the first time since Sunday evening, we are out of the projected cone of Irma’s path. We’ll celebrate the milestone.
Not that it makes us necessarily safe, as she continues to shift around and is a very large storm – westward for the past day. We will need to continue on tomorrow.
We’ve covered 835 miles since we left Marathon. Much of that caravanning with Chris driving the bus towing the MINI and me driving the escape truck. Which means we’re each driving long hours to make this journey.
Despite all of the horrid traffic reports and stories of gas shortages – we’ve done well. Navigating smaller blue-highways (ie. back roads) instead of interstates when we can, we’ve managed to mostly avoid traffic.
While fuel stations are out of fuel, there are still plenty with stock – and we top up the tanks as we find them.
Tomorrow the Keys start to sustain powerful hurricane force winds and substantial storm surge. The outlook is not good for the islands at all.
While we’re generally positive folks, and of course are casting protective bubble over Y-Not – we are braced (as much as we can be) for the realistic outcome. It will take a miracle and a half for her to survive this storm as predicted.
There’s no doubt this is tough stuff. We’ve been in stoic get-it-done mode for days – plan and execute.
Exhaustion and emotions are catching up to us.
It would be ludicrous to come all this way, just to have Zephyr and us still in the path. So onward we will go, despite craving just curling up into a ball for a few days.
In the end, we will not be homeless – unlike potentially many facing the wrath of this beast. We are truly blessed to be mobile, and able to trust in our years of experience to navigate this.
Boats can be replaced, no doubt – and the dream will not be lost, because it lives in our hearts.
But that does make this easy or emotionless. Our hearts are breaking.
Carry on our friends. Stay safe wherever you are. It’s a long ride ahead for those impacted.
Here’s a short video update we live cast this morning before hitting the road:
So glad to hear that you are on your way to safety and have passed out of the “zone” Safe travel and soon, hopefully, a well deserved rest for you both.
I feel for you! It takes me back to LA and the Rita storm of 04. I had spent days packing all I had to get it in a car! The storm was not supposed to hit near me, but my gut would not stop rolling unless I packed. When the storm changed course I was able to hit the road and traffic just right before the gas ran out etc. It hit land right where I had lived! I does help to be a step ahead and having your familiar bus home. I am happy for you on that and sending you good thoughts on the rest. You will find rest soon as you get further out!
Wishing you peace. Everything happens for a reason. Glad you have reached a safe haven to weather the storm.
Chris and Cherie so worried about you, so glad to hear you guys are ok. Stay safe, keep us updated.
Hardly ever comment, though I read all your posts, but this time I’m thinking of you. And impressed with your pro-active ‘get it done’ style. Good luck.
Hi Cherie and Chris! I’ve been following your blog for several years. We are from Atlanta – retired and Rv part-time. Sorry you’re having to go thru this. This forecast for Atlanta is high winds, llots of rain and loss of power. We are currently in PA. Anyway, there is a Baptist conference center just east of Birmingham , AL- Shocco Springs, in Talladega , AL., that has campsites I don’t know, but they might be willing to harbor some evacuees.
Blessings and safety, Linda Fox
Thank you for keeping us apprised of your progress. We care. s/Terry Apple (and Les)
Hope Y-Not survives Glad you are in a safe position .my wife and I have been long time viewers we had to leave our newell motor coach behind in the Jacksonville area due to a damaged radiator from a rear end collision earlier this week. We too have traveled west and are staying with friends and are grateful to be out of harms way .take care and stay safe . Deb&Tom
Thanks for the update. I’ve been following your evacuation as it happens. I am so glad you were proactive and got out of there when you did. The almost inevitable loss of Y-Not must be weighing on you. Be strong. Be safe. You have a whole community pulling for you. Find a safe spot and then curl up into that ball.
Stay safe!! I don’t want to be negative knowing how stressful this all is. But there is a lot of misunderstanding about what the “cone” means. Being out of the cone doesn’t mean someone is not in the path of the hurricane winds and storm surge — the cone represents the probable track of the center of the storm. Be careful! Stay safe! If you are staying anywhere near the cone, please “batten” down and keep us posted when you are able! We’re all staying tuned to the news and wishing our wishes could be turned into something that could dissolve the storm.
Yes.. we know.. and said as much in our post that it doesn’t mean we’re to safety yet. But it’s a milestone we’re noting.
All federal forest in the southeast have waived all fees for evavuees. There is a link on our facebook page Wesley Carol. Be careful and stay safe.
You guys are so blessed in so many ways – I know you know.
—- I mostly like the technical stuff.
Gimme a buzz if you pass thru Atlanta.
Stay Well.
P
Hoping Y Not comes through okay. Glad you are safe. You never know with storms. Rest safely and stay strong. From a follower in Houston.
I am very relieve to read that you have made it out of the cone.
I tremendously admire your spirit of adventure. It motivates me to get out and live.
In fact it got me to take the plunge and buy a used Class B motorhome. I have had some short adventures in New England but have placed my Florida plans on hold.
Sending Metta ( loving kindness) to you both for this difficult situation.
Big prayers for you both and all those affected by these natural (?) disasters!
The thoughts of so many of us are with you! Stay safe and hoping that Y-Not comes through safely!
I know you’re not checking your messages right now but when you do check in you will see I am sure everyone rooting for you and your property and the property of your families. Wishing you peace in the midst of all of this as well as the aftermath. You’re smart so I know you and your kitty will be safe. I just hope the best for your new boat. Miracles do happen.
Cheri, good luck and best wishes to you,hope everything works out ok.
It’s all so upsetting!! I need to turn off TV for awhile. Stay safe guys and keep the hope that Y-not survives!
Thanks Cherie got the update. I have family scattered about the state. And have been concerned but being in Oregon, not much I do other than fret and give a little advice. Watching and waiting for her to turn. So, I will know who is possibly in the greatest danger.
That’s very touching, but experience has taught me not to count out your boat until the fat lady sings. Please be aware that there’s a very nice new campground just off the I 10 in waveland Mississippi called buccaneer state park. It was badly damaged just a few years ago, so the entire thing was rebuilt. It is right on the water, although your site won’t be. There’s a great public library there that’s new, air-conditioned and comfortable. It’s a great place to relax. Good luck to u two and y-not!
I have tears in my eyes reading your post Chris and Cherie–I know you must be exhausted both physically and mentally! My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Glad you are out of the cone! I’m currently driving home from a 15 hour round trip one day journey to drive south to get my freshman college student out of Irma’s path. Her college evacuated. She could only get a ride so far up the coast, so I drove down to meet her and bring her home to Northern VA. I feel much better now that I have my child out of the cone. My heart goes out to you and everyone who will be affected by this storm. Things can be replaced. It is hard to lose our things but our family members trump everything else. Keep going and safe travels!!!
I just finished reading Sean’s post and now this. So far away from this on the west coast but I’m feeling your exhaustion and emotions just the same. Be safe the three of you and thanks for the update. I think most of us really do think of you several times a day right now.
I know.. so sad that even with the storm turning our way – so many will still be impacted.