Things were intense from 3:30 a.m.-6:45 a.m. I could feel my sister’s brand new three story brick house start to shake, with what felt like an earthquake at times. I heard a very very loud snapping, whipping noise then saw flashes of bright yellowish/reddish lights from the front door window. I was listening to a battery operated radio and reports were coming in of transformers blowing out— I figured that was what I witnessed. 

The sky was angry and even after the storm Ike has left his mark on Galveston, Houston, Bolivar Peninsula Surfside, Baytown…. and that’s just a short list. Driving through parts of my neighborhood is a surreal feeling. Parts of Houston look like the San Antonio Riverwalk. The normal roads I take to work look like Venice, its so crazy. 

It made we want to cry to see the destruction to our city— however I am impressed with how many utility vehicles, Houston public work trucks, damage relief trucks on the streets. People are working hard to restore our sanity.

The grocery stores were in a frenzy Sunday morning, people were still in a desperate state. Food was flying off the shelves faster then I’ve ever seen. Lines for gasoline were wrapping around 3-4 blocks. Luckily we live in an area where we can ride bikes around for everything we need. Rowan always walked to work, so no change there. I was supposed to leave for Palm Springs for a tennis convention yesterday (9/16/08) but I didn’t feel right leaving my family during this time. 

I checked out the local tennis courts on my side of town and Spott’s Park was hit very bad. Huge trees cut the once manicured black fence to bits. The whole court is covered by tree limbs and debris from wooden fences across the street. Regardless, people were still playing tennis…. that really brought a smile to my face!!

Our surf spots in Galveston and Surfside may well be closed for an indefinite amount of time. I feel for the residents who have homes on the coast and who are returning to shambles and tears. I have wonderful memories of Galveston and hope they can start to heal. 

this is the road i normally take to work– memorial @ waugh

this is roughly 12-13 hours prior to ike hitting houston–last minute supplies– we needed humor!!

a house in my sister’s neighborhood that wasn’t so lucky

what used to be the bread isle

candle night dinner-day after ike- power was still out, but we definitely spent some time w/the family

local grocery store opened day after ike