We picked a good week to be away. Severe thunderstorms hit the East Coast Friday night, June 29, the night before we were heading to Long Beach Island in New Jersey for the week. The storm left about a million and a half people without power, including us. We didn't know how long we would be without power or just how violent and widespread the storm was.
I went out at about 6am Saturday to get coffee and ice. Portions of our neighborhood looked like bombs had exploded--dozens of large trees were split or downed, driven onto cars, onto garages, into the street. Branches and leaves were everywhere. We were very fortunate that we had no damage. Donna swept up the debris and leaves that littered our driveway so there wouldn't be signs that we were gone.
Nearby businesses were without power so I drove down to the next town to our south, Burtonsville, and found a Dunkin' Donuts that was open--and with a very long line of customers who like me were without power, sleep deprived (the house got very warm very fast) and in dire need of caffeine.
Once I got our coffee, the next stop was at the town's supermarket for ice. There was a run on and I was lucky to get a couple bags. Back home, we moved most of the contents of our refrigerator and freezer into coolers, loaded them and our luggage into the SUV and headed to the Jersey Shore, where the storm had been much less severe and had caused no problems.
Power was not restored at our house until Tuesday, July 3. Throughout the week the daytime temperature in Columbia was around 100 degrees. If we had not planned to be at the beach I don't know what we would have done. Our friends and neighbors, the Mclellans, took very good care of Donna's many flowers and plants, brought in our papers and mail and turned on our air conditioner on Saturday morning so when we arrived home late that day the house was comfortable.
At the shore, the weather was extraordinary. On the land it was in the 90s but every day except one there was a cool ocean breeze, so on the beach it was perfect.
We are privileged to be able to stay at such a beautiful place as Loveladies. This year we were especially grateful to Lou and Joan for making their beach house available to us.
I went out at about 6am Saturday to get coffee and ice. Portions of our neighborhood looked like bombs had exploded--dozens of large trees were split or downed, driven onto cars, onto garages, into the street. Branches and leaves were everywhere. We were very fortunate that we had no damage. Donna swept up the debris and leaves that littered our driveway so there wouldn't be signs that we were gone.
Nearby businesses were without power so I drove down to the next town to our south, Burtonsville, and found a Dunkin' Donuts that was open--and with a very long line of customers who like me were without power, sleep deprived (the house got very warm very fast) and in dire need of caffeine.
Once I got our coffee, the next stop was at the town's supermarket for ice. There was a run on and I was lucky to get a couple bags. Back home, we moved most of the contents of our refrigerator and freezer into coolers, loaded them and our luggage into the SUV and headed to the Jersey Shore, where the storm had been much less severe and had caused no problems.
Power was not restored at our house until Tuesday, July 3. Throughout the week the daytime temperature in Columbia was around 100 degrees. If we had not planned to be at the beach I don't know what we would have done. Our friends and neighbors, the Mclellans, took very good care of Donna's many flowers and plants, brought in our papers and mail and turned on our air conditioner on Saturday morning so when we arrived home late that day the house was comfortable.
At the shore, the weather was extraordinary. On the land it was in the 90s but every day except one there was a cool ocean breeze, so on the beach it was perfect.
We are privileged to be able to stay at such a beautiful place as Loveladies. This year we were especially grateful to Lou and Joan for making their beach house available to us.
You have very kind neighbors, and you enjoyed some very good timing. And when did you get an SUV?
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