The Sturdy Pelican

Hurricane Matthew has come and gone.

While Matthew wreaked havoc far and wide, our home in Cocoa Beach was spared.

Rob and Sam got up Saturday morning and gathered their things.  They left the hotel and headed towards the coast.  As they got close, Rob got a call that Sam's assisted living facility was getting ready to move residents back into their homes.  Rob and Sam drove on and they arrived just after the buses.  Rob got his dad back in his room and Sam promptly fell asleep in his recliner.  He was happy to be home.

After making sure his dad was comfortable, Rob went to the house.  The streets and yards were a mess but there was no obvious structural damage.   He got to our house and was relieved to find that there was only minor damage to exterior items.

For 40+ years, there has been a concrete pelican sitting on a post on our dock.  This pelican has weathered many storms and Matthew was not going to be the one to send it to the bottom of the canal.

One of our neighbors had been kind enough to text a few photos just to let us know that everything seemed fine.

NOTICE THE BLUE GLASS VASE.  IT SAT RIGHT THERE THROUGHOUT THE STORM

ANOTHER NEIGHBOR WAS KIND ENOUGH TO TIE DOWN ALL OF OUR PATIO FURNITURE 

ONE FENCE PANEL DOWN

A FLOODED DOCK WITH SOME LOOSE POLES

We got lucky.  We know that so many did not.  We are grateful and relieved.

While Rob took care of his dad, I have been in Alabama near my family.  I parked Lewis out in the country near my cousin's house.

LEWIS ON THE FARM

My friend Lisa visited a couple of nights and we sat outside and watched a movie and a football game.  It is really dark and the stars are abundant.  I saw an amazing fireball shooting star on Saturday night. 

 The coyote population makes itself known when it gets dark.  Lots of howling.  Penny Lane and Annie Belle have to have a leash when they go out after dark.  I have heard many stories of dogs falling prey to these coyotes.

We will spend a few couple more days in Alabama and head to Florida.  We need to get down there to do a good clean up and Sam has an eye appointment.

Our Sturdy Pelican....spared to see more sunsets.

Another great day in this thing we call life.