January 7-8: My Evacuation Vacation

First of all, thank you to Jessie and Denise for your comments. They make me feel a bit less alone. And thanks to all the people who have been so wonderful. I am blessed.

Just after I got back to the house after dropping off my car, the sheriff called to say our road was unsafe and going to be shut down. I asked (trying unsuccessfully to keep the panic out of my voice), "What do I do?" and he said, "Get out of there. We're worried about the whole hillside." He told me to get to a shelter in Packwood. I told him I am not shelter people. He told me to get somewhere off the hill. To prove I wasn't panicked, I called Kelli and asked her how was I to get my rolly-bag down the hill? She said under no uncertain terms to take my rolly bag, just put some stuff in my backpack and get the hell out. Then she told me what her mom had packed to go to her house. I called Barb, the bravest woman I know, to ask if I could go to her house and she said come on over! Best of all she said be sure and bring Berkeley!

Nick Creighton, Suzie's husband (their family was staying with Barb as well) said he'd come pick me up. So I put on my too-big-for-me-boots, my jacket, my Discovery Team summer emergency Big Bird rain gear, my back pack, picked up my other bag and the end of Berkeley's leash and headed down to the highway. I did not take pictures as the camera was not easy to get to and I was on a mission. I passed Susie Magnussen and she said be careful of falling trees. Wow. When I got to pavement where Leroy Rd. meets Long & Winding, there was Nick in his big grey truck. He told me to hurry up and get in as he felt the road shifting under his truck as he came up. I crammed Berkeley in the back and jumped in backpack still on my back. I was shoved up to the dashboard with my face practically in the windshield...I said, "Just sec. I don't want to die with my backpack on" (never mind about the rest of the get up).

This is little Alex Creighton carving fish from soap. He showed Barb, who is not only brave but very honest, one of his fish and she said it was a very good squid.

Barb rooted through her cabinets to find us some alcohol. I owe her a bottle of Kahlua. Suzie and I used it as our coping agent...that and the kids' milk.

Here's Suzie on the couch with Molly. She was worried about her house as they live about a mile from the Cowlitz in the valley. But good news! It didn't get in the house! Don't let the coffee cup fool you, either.

Here is one of the many mud slides along Highway 12. Before Nick went to work this morning, he told me I wouldn't have to walk as far to my house; it might be right on the highway. Very amusing, Nick.

Here are some more slides. The truck is Elyssa's. She and her son Zach were out taking pictures. Elyssa and Suzie said they'd walk me to my house be with me in case there was any damage.

Here was fish along the gutter. I said he didn't look native. Elyssa said he was; she said she checked his passport; I think it was a forgery. Later I talked to a neighbor who said Buck lost all his gold fish (poor guy: first he lost his pigeons; then his rabbits got out; now his fish) from his pond...I think this is one of Buck's. Unless he's wild...and very dead.

Susie and Elyssa at the sign at the top of Leroy Road telling us the road is closed (duh); they say it's "hollow" under the road. Only a half mile more to go up hill to the house. Boy will I be in shape by spring!

This is the shoulder of the Long and Winding Road. Nice.

It's now 9:09 pm. My Internet just came on an hour ago. The arm of my satellite dish broke off when some big wad of snow and ice fell and hit it. I realized tonight there is no way the propane man can bring me propane in the next few weeks. So, tonight I read a book and combed Berkeley's hair and sat under the warm and wonderful blanket Jessie made me so I wouldn't use as much propane.

We here in Randle are trapped...actually, I can't even get to Randle. The National Guard turns us back. I guess I can get to Morton, but nowhere from there. A condo in Seattle or Olympia is sounding very good to me right now. I know, I am weak.

As for my traveling mercies:

I am trying to enjoy my journey; I know God is with me; and I am home safe and sound tonight with no damage to my house...