Wednesday, November 11, 2009
We Survived Ida in Orange Beach, Alabama
Monday - Wednesday, November 9-11. We have had lousy Internet access for the past few days, so I haven't been able to post. Thanks for the calls and messages. We are fine.
Bob and I spent Monday completing boat preparations for Ida, which seemed unsure whether to return to full-fledged hurricane status or just remain a big blow. Rain, rain, and more rain, accompanied by lots of wind pretty well described the weather all day. We secured all the cushions and anything that could move, added lines, positioned fenders, and went back and forth about whether to stay on the boat or accept the Conrads' kind offer to return to their house during the storm. Because it looked as if Ida was weakening, we finally decided to stay where we were.
We never lost power, and we slept like babes as Ida finally came ashore on Dauphin Island, then headed east towards us. Our only crisis was a shrieking alarm that came on just as we were going to bed. As it turns out, the batteries in the carbon monoxide detector were dying, and the shrieking was to let us know that it was time to change them. That REALLY got our attention since the worst of the storm was imminent, and we had nowhere to go. Fortunately, Bob changed the batteries, and the confounded detector quit alarming us.
Tuesday brought more rain and wind, but we were able to get out of the boat and explore this amazing marina complex, which consists of condominiums and lots of specialty shops and restaurants. The Levines and their company joined us. I can't say that I've ever been to a marina that has a large ferris wheel! But the Wharf has been an excellent place to take shelter in a big storm. As the storm got closer, the marina filled with huge sports fishing boats and large cruising boats -- all here for the same reason -- shelter in a storm. The staff was very professional, supplying lines and fenders to boats that needed them. They were even planning to walk the docks when the eye of the storm passed through.
Today (Wednesday) we picked up our rental car, which just happened to be located in Foley, Alabama, where a huge shopping outlet resides. After retail therapy for me and a visit to West Marine for Bob, we are back on the boat, preparing for our 6-day trip home to Huntsville. When we come back, we hope to move quickly down the rest of Florida's Panhandle.
Bob and I spent Monday completing boat preparations for Ida, which seemed unsure whether to return to full-fledged hurricane status or just remain a big blow. Rain, rain, and more rain, accompanied by lots of wind pretty well described the weather all day. We secured all the cushions and anything that could move, added lines, positioned fenders, and went back and forth about whether to stay on the boat or accept the Conrads' kind offer to return to their house during the storm. Because it looked as if Ida was weakening, we finally decided to stay where we were.
We never lost power, and we slept like babes as Ida finally came ashore on Dauphin Island, then headed east towards us. Our only crisis was a shrieking alarm that came on just as we were going to bed. As it turns out, the batteries in the carbon monoxide detector were dying, and the shrieking was to let us know that it was time to change them. That REALLY got our attention since the worst of the storm was imminent, and we had nowhere to go. Fortunately, Bob changed the batteries, and the confounded detector quit alarming us.
Tuesday brought more rain and wind, but we were able to get out of the boat and explore this amazing marina complex, which consists of condominiums and lots of specialty shops and restaurants. The Levines and their company joined us. I can't say that I've ever been to a marina that has a large ferris wheel! But the Wharf has been an excellent place to take shelter in a big storm. As the storm got closer, the marina filled with huge sports fishing boats and large cruising boats -- all here for the same reason -- shelter in a storm. The staff was very professional, supplying lines and fenders to boats that needed them. They were even planning to walk the docks when the eye of the storm passed through.
Today (Wednesday) we picked up our rental car, which just happened to be located in Foley, Alabama, where a huge shopping outlet resides. After retail therapy for me and a visit to West Marine for Bob, we are back on the boat, preparing for our 6-day trip home to Huntsville. When we come back, we hope to move quickly down the rest of Florida's Panhandle.
