Hey yall, we went in.

Well, we couldn't take it anymore. Sitting in Floridian paradise, unable to know what to do with ourselves was becoming too much to endure. Tuesday afternoon Sean and I left for New Orleans.

We were told that all roads were closed, and no persons would be allowed in. The previous days had been filled with reports from friends and family who had gone, but we had also seen both violent and amicable evacuation scenes on television.

Our decision to go back was truly hinged on the fact that we had nothing better to do. Besides, all of this pretend peace of mind was driving us nuts. We keep trying to act like we are on vacation, so that it doesn’t make all of our hosts miserable, but really we (at least I) sort of feel like screaming every few minutes. Sometimes an impulsive road trip is the only cure for a restless spirit.

We employed our good ol’ American senses of conservation and filled up the F150 and drove about 1400 miles roundtrip in order to …. Um…collect our thoughts? We also collected some practicals like tools and work clothes.

We arrived into Covington (across the lake from N.O.) at about 3:30 A.M.. It was really dark and silent. The 11:00 curfew was in effect and nobody was around. The proud trees that proliferated Covington were collapsed and stacked like dead soldiers after a battle. I still can’t believe how sad it and scary it felt. We tried to come up with some kind of strategy or story, because surely someone, some kind of gate-keeper will ask us something…right?

We decided that perhaps a nap was in order, so we parked in front of Merica’s house and slept in her driveway until the mosquitoes woke us up. Sometime after 4 A.M., we decided to head for the causeway bridge.

The entrance to the bridge was heavily guarded by police and the electric sign insisted that the causeway was “closed due to weather”. As we got closer, we grew even more nervous. The truck in front of us was the only other car we had seen on the road. He was carrying palates of bricks. He stopped and spoke to the guard, then moved through the gate. We didn’t stop. We just waved that country truck wave, and the guard waved back.

Yeah. They didn’t ask us for our story. That was a very cool disappointment.

Once we arrived in Metarie, we could see that patches of power had been restored, but largely it was an empty abandoned city with no sign of life. I 10 was barricaded. At least, someone had barricaded it recently, but it could have been easily breached.

We drove down river road. The only things we could see were feral cats, broken oaks, and army HumVs. Nobody actually cared that we were there, driving around unofficially.

When we arrived at our house, it was dark. The glass pane in Doug’s door was broken and the door was left wide open. Clearly, someone had been sleeping in our beds. We were too scared to go in, so we went and sat in the truck near a well-lit area where the press was camped.

As soon as the sun made an appearance, we entered our home, Sean with a flashlight and I with (don’t laugh) a billy club. I’m a little embarrassed about my weapon. Much to our astonishment, all was well. Someone had clearly rummaged through our drawers, but it looked like all they took was our change, some clothes and our bikes. Too bad about the bikes, but if they helped someone, I am pleased.

The damage to our home is minimal. The town will be hard to fix, but it can be done with some solidarity, patients, and elbow grease.

We have heard that people will be allowed to return next week, but we are ready to wait until it is slightly more inhabitable. The trash, flies, and lack of water, is a little overwhelming. Not to mention the chaos of re-entry.

Sean will likely go back in 2 weeks. With any luck, William will join him and help him fix the fence before I bring the dogs back. In the mean time, I will try to work and get some income for a while.

I have posted some pictures for everyone. There are more on my other blog http://ccmuses.blogspot.com

I don’t know who is reading this anymore, but I would love to collect some photos of our friends that are scattered about. If anyone can, please send a picture so we can all have a look at our loved ones, safe in their space. Email me at nolajacqui@yahoo.com.

Ben and Ama, your house looks fine. The picture all the way to the left shows the only evidence of damage. It looks like a less than 1 ft high watermark. It seems that you somehow, stayed dry. Yeaaaah! 

First st. lost a tree and 2 windows, but otherwise looks great. Christians tree house and legos are perfect and Sean has already started cleaning up the pool. 

MJ's sustained some roof and fence damage, but the Crown Vic looks fabulous as ever. 

Considering the circumstances, I consider us very lucky. As you can see in the bottom picture, some of our neighboors were not so fortunate. 

Bummer about that fence. How it ended up behind the tree, I don't know. 

This is basically how we found it. 

Nesting Place

I would not be so bold as to call this place "home", but we will be here in Tampa for an extended period. It has been said that falling leaves land at their roots; perhaps this is why Katrina's wind has blown us back to west Florida.

We just arrived here last night after taking a detour to Tallahassee where we spent some time with Sean's nephews Jack (almost 2 yrs) and Alex (5 days). Jenny and Charlie were as sweet and kind as I imagined. We intended to leave Minerva in their care, but at the last minute decided that we would need to choose between putting her down or take her with us. Abandoning her was simply not an option. We were not ready to let Katrina take our home, our lives, and our dog. We decided to bring her to Tampa.

I must say this is the best part of her trip so far. The dogs were greeted with bbq rawhides last night and pig ears this morning. Every dog should have an Aunt Katie!

I feel comfortable here listening to the click of dog feet on my mother’s floor with the smell of blueberry pancakes and bacon pouring out from the kitchen. Comfort food and puppy dogs can be amazingly effective healing instruments.

Since the last inventory post, I have located many of the missing persons (thanks to Merica). There seems to be many people in Covington. I was not aware that it was open...what is the deal?

We will be here looking for jobs, and working until we know what to do with our lives now. It is rumored that homeowners will be allowed back into the city to view, or salvage their homes. Is this rumor valid?

Love to all.


My new contacts numbers are:
Kathleen's: 727.725.1020
Mom's (Peggy)727.734.8729

Inventory

I can't seem to focus on any single thought since the faces of everyone I know in my community are flashing behind my eyes. Where are all the people we love? Are they safe? Please let us know if you have any information about the unknowns. These are the people I just thought of, we may add more.
love,
Jacqui and Sean

Let Love Rule



Those we know are ok:

• Sean and Jacqui
• Jeff Finn
• Ryan Finn
• Daniel Bobeck
• Jenny and Jay
• Laine, Joanne and Dennis
• William Czjaka
• Kaysey, Steve, Cass, and Nick
• Ben and Ama
• Julie Louse
• Randy Clark
• Gipson Blanchard
• The Foultons
• The Saladinos
• Red Devit
• Kathryn Wheat
• Duane and Family
• DJ Soulsister
• Christian and LiLi Barahonna
• Ren and Bobby
• Peck Family
• Katie and Claire Triplett
• Obriens and Rose
• Cass, Heather, Kay and LouisChris Radcliff
• Paddy and Elsa Mackey
• Jordan
• Lloyd and Mya
• Jude Mathews
• Shannah and Jonah Langenbeck
• Sarah and Rick
• Mike Lenore
• Jackson Kowles
• Jeffery Chamblis
• Millie and Willie Clark
• The Montalbanos
• Bradley Sabin
• Kate Cromwell
• Chris Radcliff
• Billy and Nikki Southern
• Ren and Bobby
• Amelia
• Sunshine and Jheri
• Joe and Crispin
• Sonny

Unheard From:

• Scotty and Jennifer Rattery
• Jerry Ropollo
• Missy and Dave
• April and Jeremy
• Ruby Nunnery, Leslie, Rob, and Remmi
• Earnest
• Greg Surry and Julie P
• Paddy and Elsa Mackey
• Noel and Gretchen
• Jessica Thompson
• Mark from Circle Auto
• Monistare Family
• Grace Baptist Family
• Dave Morris
• Doug Dietrich
• Angela and Julie
• James Clark
• Michelle and Eric
• Renne Morrisey
• Mac McLaughlin
• Brian Whitead
• Dave and Billy Constance

Contact info

O.K. Here is the long awaited contact list. I know that many people are worried about us. The 504 area code seems to be cursed by a defunct network.

Keep in mind that we will be moving around quite a bit.
Email:
sclark88@hotmail.com
nolajacqui@yahoo.com

Jacqui cell: 504.460.1667
Sean cell: 504.495.4265
Paul’s House: 904.460.1030

Jacqui’s Mom (Peggy):727.734.8729

I also intend to maintain this blog to keep you all abreast of our adventures.

I just can’t say it enough, Thanks everyone.