OT: Tropical Storm Allison is here

[kwormann]

Sorry guys, but being from the Midwest, this is my first tropical storm and it is a bit exciting....they cancelled summer school classes for tomorrow (darn!) The only thing that ISNT fun is DH is out in this and by the looks of the streets on the news, Im not sure how he will be getting home.....

Kim

[SoCal]

I feel for you Kim. We lived in Houston from 1982-1987 and only experienced one such storm. It was great that we didn't have to go to work but it wasn't fun while it was going on! I don't know if Houston has gotten any better but when we lived there, the streets would flood quickly whenever it sprinkled it seemed. Hope DH gets home soon. Be safe.

BTW, I hope you don't lose power (coming from someone living in California!). How will you check in with us if you do? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by SoCal (edited 06-05-2001).]

[Jewel]

Oh my gosh, Girl, be careful out there! After going through the Seattle Earthquake a few months ago I know first hand what it feels like to be frightened by Nature's Forces! Your family is in my prayers and thoughts tonight! Keep us posted... and 'cause we're all hopeless romantics, let us know when DH makes it home safe and sound, allright? We'll worry if we don't hear! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[kwormann]

Good news that he just called and is still at his dinner meeting...wasnt aware that it had turned into a TS...now he is at least aware so I feel better! Now the excitement of no school is taking over!

SoCal...the streets flood so quickly! We live in Montrose and I hear it is the worse here right now!

Jewel...an EARTHQUAKE??? How horrible! Iv always wanted to go to Seattle!

Thanks for the good thoughts!

Kim

[KValley]

And here I was feeling smug that I live in the Northwest where catastrophic weather events don't happen. HELLOOOO? Julie? Forgetting the earthquake so soon? (I was actually in Arizona when it happened, but the antique mantle clock which stopped as the earthquake gently shook our home is a constant reminder) Oh, and then there is that matter of the rather ENORMOUS volcano 21 years ago...Thanks for the reality check, Jewel http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Kim, I must admit that I miss the amazing thunderstorms we witnessed all spring and summer long in Illinois. I feel a little lost without my Tuesday morning tornado siren test. Even though the tremendous storms- tornadoes, tropical- are horrifying and very scary, there is something so awesome and strangely exhilarating about such powerful weather.

So, batten down the hatches and hug your DH tight!

Julie

[kwormann]

Ill hug him when he gets home...

Id forgotten about the volcano! I was about 9 or so (was it 1979 or 1980?)

[Jewel]

Originally posted by KValley:
And here I was feeling smug that I live in the Northwest where catastrophic weather events don't happen. HELLOOOO? Julie? Forgetting the earthquake so soon? (I was actually in Arizona when it happened, but the antique mantle clock which stopped as the earthquake gently shook our home is a constant reminder) Oh, and then there is that matter of the rather ENORMOUS volcano 21 years ago...Thanks for the reality check, Jewel http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif


Julie, I was feeling mighty smug when I moved to the Pacific NW over eight years ago. I spent 30 years in central California RIGHT next to the San Andreas Fault line, listened to the horrible reports of the San Francisco quake, watched the riots in LA on TV when the Rodney King verdict went down, etc, etc, etc. I wanted to move to a gentle place with no disaster fund built into the State Budget. Just wanted to live in a place where I could watch a soft rain watering my lawn from my kitchen window... and a week after I moved up here someone told me that that BEAUTIFUL Mt. Rainier that I loved looking at through my living room window was actually a volcano...
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif . Two months after I got here we endured the infamous "Inagural Day Storm" of 1993 that sank us 3 feet deep in snow and left us without power for nearly a week. A few years later we endure a 6.8 Earthquake and I almost get nailed by a stack of Dr. Pepper 12-Packs at Larry's Market?? It was like God knew I was tempted to buy Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts and was trying to bring me back to reality! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif Where's that gentle city with the soft rain? You want reality check?

That San Andreas Fault isn't sounding so horrible now! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Jewel (edited 06-05-2001).]

[kwormann]

Originally posted by Jewel:
Julie, I was feeling mighty smug when I moved to the Pacific NW over eight years ago. I spent 30 years in central California RIGHT next to the San Andreas Fault line, listened to the horrible reports of the San Francisco quake, watched the riots in LA on TV when the Rodney King verdict went down, etc, etc, etc. I wanted to move to a gentle place with no disaster fund built into the State Budget. Just wanted to live in a place where I could watch a soft rain watering my lawn from my kitchen window... and a week after I moved up here someone told me that that BEAUTIFUL Mt. Rainier that I loved looking at through my living room window was actually a volcano...
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif . Two months after I got here we endured the infamous "Inagural Day Storm" of 1993 that sank us 3 feet deep in snow and left us without power for nearly a week. A few years later we endure a 6.8 Earthquake and I almost get nailed by a stack of Dr. Pepper 12-Packs at Larry's Market?? It was like God knew I was tempted to buy Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts and was trying to bring me back to reality! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif Where's that gentle city with the soft rain? You want reality check?

That San Andreas Fault isn't sounding so horrible now! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Jewel (edited 06-05-2001).]


Id still like to see Seattle sometime.....

[KValley]

May 18, 1980 8:30 a.m. Fortunately, I was not living where I am now- Ellensburg was completely covered in ash from the eruption. My family lived on the Olympic Peninsula, but we felt and heard the mountain blow- I will never forget it (I was 10).

Jewel, I was in the Bay Area last month. Driving on the Bay Bridge from SF to Oakland, all I could think of was the earthquake and the bridge ceiling crashing down on me- isn't that awful?

But who needs earthquakes, volcanoes to keep life interesting? Seattle has the second worst traffic in the country, failing dotcoms, a fleeing Boeing, Mardi Gras riots, astronomical housing prices. It is also one of my favorite places on earth http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Each time DH and I would fly home during the 8 years we were away from Washington, my heart would just ache with longing and homesickness as we circled the Sound for our landing at Sea Tac- Seattle is a beautiful, spirited, amazing city and I feel so blessed to have been raised in and now returned to the Northwest.

Kim- come on out! There is so much to see in Washington State-Seattle is only a part of the glorious environs. I'd love to give you the grand tour!

[Vanessa]

Glad Allison was downgraded to a tropical depression. I have seen and gone through some storms and hurricanes and it is quite dangerous with high winds, landslides. In the Caribbean everyone gets ready because hurricanes and tropical storms cause so much damage loss of power, water, floods and the insurance companies have really lost $$ after major hurricanes (Hugo etc).....
Hope you are sage and that it goes by fast.

[aggie94]

SoCal - You must be talking about Hurricane Alicia in 1984! I lived in Clear Lake, about halfway between downtown Houston and Galveston, and I think we were the only family around that actually stayed in town. I have memories of sitting on our couch, which was pushed up against the front door to keep it from blowing open, eating vanilla ice cream. Aah, those childhood memories!

[Jewel]

Julie, I agree with you. I've been in Washington for eight and a half years and I love it! As you say, the traffic, the Pioneer Square riots (any excuse to party and loot, huh?), the WTO Shenanigans, the Boeing Bail-Out, all that crap...I still can't think of any place with a more temperate climate (it doesn't rain all the time everyone!) or that has big green fir trees next to the freeway perfect for staring at during your commute (your long, long, crowded, nasty commute). This is home until we retire in hopefully 16 years! Then it's probably Monterey or Seaside, California! Whoopee! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[kwormann]

It sounds like heaven next to our worst-smog-levels-in-the-country! Im starting to have breathing problems Ive never had before!

Julie.....it is on my consideration list for next spring break. DH really wants me to see Seattle and Portland (he especially loves Portland). How far apart are they?

[aggie94]

Kim,

I've made the drive between Eugene, OR, and Seattle countless times, so I can answer that! Between Portland and Seattle, it's roughly 2 1/2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic in and around Seattle. Having spent time in both cities, I would have to say that if you can only see one, make it Seattle.
(ducking stones from all the Portlanders on the board...)