Charley
Arcadia, Florida
8/14/2004

 This was the sight that greeted us as we drove into Bev and Don's neighborhood. I think that was a mobile home...I'm not sure.

 Here's another one that I took from the driver's side. At least the damned thing is almost in one piece. Gail and I just kept mumbling, "oh my God". As you can see, we went in the "work" van. It's got all my tools.


 It didn't get any better the further we went. We were just hoping we were on the right street. There were no signs left standing.


 Just look at these trees! It was everywhere. You really have to see it in person to appreciate the enormity of it all. Look at the front, right. Why are those potted plants and that wooden puppy still there? Go figure.

Right after this we passed another mobile home. Try to picture this. The only thing left standing was the front wall with no windows and no door. There are no side walls, roof, back, or interior furnishings, nothing but a floor and the front wall! Standing in the doorway was a middle aged woman with this blank stare on her face. It was so surreal. It broke both our hearts.


 We arrive at Bev's. Her house is virtually untouched compared to those around her. Why in the world did she have to take the kennel name "Windy Pine".
Man were she and Don lucky, if you can call it that. They and their 10 dogs were unharmed as they sought shelter with a friend who lived in a block house. That probably would have been alright but the friend lost a big portion of their roof and the ceiling came down on all those inside. I'm not kidding folks, this hurricane was one bad bitch even if his name was Charley.

To see the rest of the pictures, click HERE