Wallowing in Wilma's Wake

Wicked Wilma whacked us. The Florida keys got a storm surge from the south and one from the north, each washing completely over our 2-mile-by-4-mile island (highest elevation 17 feet). So you can say we're all washed up.

The power went out around midnight as the winds blew and objects thwacked into the outside walls and shutters. The water came up, went out, came up and took it's time going out, but when the tide went out, the island drained. That's one nice thing about an island, the water has a place to go.

Now the soundtrack here is generators and sirens. Tomorrow the chain saws will start.
My own houseboat did well -- no leaks, no damage except a couple of scrapes. It's very well built with 12x4 beams and hurricane strapping. It's been through the edges of Andrew, the eye of Georges and the middle of Wilma, along with all those baby storms in between.

It bounced around a bit and the dock is demolished. My kitchen cabinets spilled out so the floor is now a lovely mix of Cheerios, soy sauce, sesame oil, popcorn kernals, dish shards and glass splinters. But it's just clean up. And, oh yeah, replacing the china and glassware. Anyone who wants can send me pretty dish or glass.

The boat has been for sale for a while. Now I really feel like selling it. I'm what they call a motivated seller. If you're interested, see it at www.nu-flotilla.com and make me an offer.

Gotta go for now -- I'm working on generator power and gas is gonna hard to come by here.

Oh -- the times on my previous posts may be a little off. I keep forgetting to adjust them.