Hi Val & Granny (and the rest of the Gang) you know I am to young to be in here (only 4? cough cough cough). It does look like things have cooled down some as the sky is clear on this end and we have not had to deal with the smoke and ash even though it was knocking at the back door(Grande Dunes is less than 5 miles from me). I did get a call from a friend in Calabash (right across the NC/SC line) that said they had word to be prepared to leave. I have really been stressed out working in Pawleys if this thing turned and they told us to evacuate it takes me about 45 min to get home and you have to worry about the roads being blocked and with 3 yorkies at home that just would not be good especially with the 16 yr old not feeling good. I have gone thru hurricanes and was to close for comfort to the 2001 tornado but this is the first time since I moved here in 93 that I have had to deal with a fire like this. We found out about it pretty early Wed. when an insured called to make sure he had coverage on his restaurant in Carolina Forest. I guess I will find out Monday if we had any claims (I have heard some interesting ones). Carmen those were great pictures.

 

I think it was about 1 1/2 years ago, when it was announced that the Air Force had flown its ONE MILLIONTH mission since 9/11, in response to DC air space incursions/violations. Apparently, it's pretty routine. Just imagine for a minute the price tag for the above services/missions.

 

Now that you've figured out that you can post in the Vintage Forum even if you're too young, we'll expect to see more of you in these parts! Thanks for the update. I woke early this morning wondering if this mess was under control. Sounds like its almost over. Hoping to head your way for a few days toward the end of May. I almost dread seeing the damage.

 

Hi Xzanna, thanks for checking in and giving us a report. I'm sure you are worried being so far away from your "babies." I remember how long that drive was in normal traffic. Hope the worst is over and things will cool off or that you'll get some rain down that way. Hope to see you again next time I'm down. Stay safe.

 

Hi G-Rod had a busy weekend helping a friend move yesterday but dropped the top and took my neighbor for a ride today kicking and screaming (right) and we went over to Carolina Forest as they are building a house and I saw no smoke. 31 is still closed and we went by Brightwater (nice retirement) but if you did not know better you would never know anything was wrong. We have someone in the Myrtle Beach office that lives in Grande Dunes that had to deal with smoke but all in all we were very very lucky.

Waiting for you to come back down. I think they have some new sculptures at Brookgreen.

 

Glad to hear things are getting back to normal. The pictures were scary though. I'm going to try to get back down to see the lights (and now the new sculptures) at Brookgreen this coming Christmas if all goes well. I missed them last time because I just KNEW they would be open on a Sunday night. We'll have to hook up this time.

 

I'd like to think I could make it this year as well (since I missed last year ) but December is a tough month for us to get away from home. We usually get all booked with the kids/grandkids, etc. not to mention decorating for Christmas, yada yada. Maybe I'll decorate around the first of November so we can "enjoy" it longer.

 

Do you think they'd let us back in after climbing their statues and stuff?

 

I was scared they wouldn't let me in, but I sneaked past the gatehouse really fast. Here's a picture of the kid's garden that I took when I was there with my daughter and her bf last month:

 

Cute!!! Granny come on back and I am sure I will be here. Val be glad you are not here right now. When I came thru Murrells Inlet this morning the air did not have that eau du spingtime scent. It was kind of like gas a dentist would give you. The radio said it was from the fire on Sandy Island. They also said alot of the roads were closed this morning. Its been about 4 days so I think it just needs to go away now.