Post #116803 by Lake Surfer on Tue, Sep 28, 2004 8:31 AM

Back home finally... I have to go to bed soon to make up for the hours I missed last night... got in at 3 am this morning and had to return the van at 7:30. Hukilau was a lot of fun but I was very disappointed that it came to a crashing end... at least for me.

Thursday... the drive down... woke at 8 am after driving from 10 am to 2 am the previous day. Turned on CNN and they had Jeanne poised to nail where I was headed. I hoped for the best and pushed on. Checked in at the Cabana bewildered fron the long drive and the great music poolside. Overwhelmed by greetings from TC'ers BK, Tiki Tony, Keigs, Bamboo Ben (thanks for the beer!) Al and everyone else. Went up to the party suite and mingled, had some drinks and ran more drinks up to James and Martiki. Finally went to bed.

Got up the next morning and headed over to the Mar to unload and set up. Who could ask for better neighbors then Jimmy and Elise and Poly Pop and Danny! Great talking with you guys all day. Jeanne continued to threated all day. Good storm track, bad track, good track.

Many mahalos to all those who purchased one or more of my tiki creations! Your support and kind words are so appreciated!

The party Friday was great! It really looked like Jeanne would miss us but the evac order for the next morning was crappy. I loaded up for the next morning hoping everything would be a go Saturday anyhow. Went up to the party room and the scene was crazy... no one would have known a hurricane was 90 miles away!

Woke up to the alarm at 5 am Saturday.... 2 hours of sleep. Turned on the TV... the track was due west... Vias and I were the 3rd ones to check out of the Cabana. We got gas where we could and were going to go to Tampa to meet friends headed there from Melbourne. Instead he chose to board up and ride it out. We decided to head to the Gulf across Alligator Alley. Kept calling, no hotels anywhere. We drove somewhat leisurely up the Gulf side thingking we were somewhat safer. As Duke said, the damage in Punta Gorda area was amazing and sad. I had driven all around the outside of Florida and had seen all the hurricane damage... this was the worst. We stopped in Tarpon Springs for dinner then headed north for the border. More gas stations without gas... We tried to get a room in Valdosta GA but everything was booked... we continued on through feeder band rains to just south of Atlanta... next morning found out Valdosta got flooded... Spent time in sunny Atlanta touring King's grave, Coke Musuem, Underground, Olympic Park. Headed north again to just north of Chattanooga (sp?) Yesterday had a great day... went to view a TVA dam and then to Lynchburg and toured Jack Daniel's. Highly recommend the tour, even if you don't drink whisky! Headed north, hit Louisville skatepark on more time and pushed on to home. Got in at 3 am.... exhausted.

Great meeting everyone! I hope to maybe return next year... to no hurricane.

Hope all in Florida are safe and damage is minimal... you are all brave souls.

[ Edited by: Lake Surfer on 2004-09-28 08:35 ]