Rita No. 2

23:07 CST, Galveston, Texas

All right then. 

I guess I'm going to have to blog at  least the approach of Rita.  It's going to be a challenge, even with five days warning, to get the boat properly secured and to be fully prepared to go for higher ground on a moment's notice.

It will be a much greater challenge to actually go to higher ground, knowing that if I must, I shall not have a boat to come home to. 

As I mentioned earlier, my decision to stay aboard and ride it out vs. hightailing it for high ground will be based on a rather complex matrix of factors.  These include what side of the cirulation makes landfall in relation to this marina, and whther Rita visits on a high tide, or low.

Couple that with sea-bouy reports of wave frequency and height, the offshore surge level, and just my overall read of those and several other measurable and instinctual factors.

I'll have to decide for sure, one way or another, no later than Friday morning.  After that, the egress routes will not be optional.  State and local police will block all exits off of the freeways, routing the traffic along restrictive, pre-planned routes.......and well, let's just say I'm not going to be stuck in a herd of car-borne sheeple.

But if it's at all possible, I'm going to stay abord the New Dawn, and see to her needs as the winds rage and howl.  It won't be the first time, but as always, I'll pray it's the last.  I don't have a death wish, but I'll do what I can to save my home.

I'm no stranger to the storm.

Comments

[Rivrdog]

If you can put your "necessities" into one rolling two-suiter, check into a nearby hotel and get a 3rd floor room on the leeward side (you'll have to guess which side will be leeward). If you can ride it out, do so, but if you feel like abandoning ship, you'll have the hotel.

This'll work unless TX orders a mandatory evac of Galveston Island.

Oops, forgot about the pusses: what's up with them?

[Rivrdog]

BTW, I have a boat for you to stay on here in OR, Cap'n. Holler if you need me to come and get you.

[Tammy]

Be Safe Jim and your Cats : )

[Jim]

George, thanks for the offer. I'll have to be closer to Galveston though to manage the mess.

Looks like Galveston is going to employ the mandatory evacuation option.

I'll post on this in a bit.

Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX