When we found out Hurricane Katrina was heading towards New Orleans Byron and I and our children loaded up and left with our pictures and a few changes of clothes. Byron left our bikes at home because there was a problem with one of the mounts. So he left them believing everything was going to be ok.

After Hurricane Katrina hit we knew that we couldn't go home for quite a while. Believing from false reports that I had 8 feet of water in my home I cried. I was more worried about my bikes than the furniture and felt resentful at Byron for leaving them home. We stayed in a truker's motel in Galloway, Arkansas for just about as long as I could stand it. My three girls were climbing the walls and generally driving Byron crazy. Evacuees were every where, humans and animals! My sister invited us to stay with her in Maryland, so we headed up there.

After two weeks of not knowing anything but rumors and feeling helpless, frustrated and angry, my husband was able to return to our home and check on things. Many of our neighbors sustained major damage. We escaped with some roof damage, many trees and a fence down and other minor damage. The rumor of 8 ft of water was false for myself, but true for my family and many of my friends.

So I decided to make to best of my stay in Maryland. Byron sent my touring and my mountain bike back to Maryland via a friend. (Thanks Allen!) I had to stay in Maryland for medical treatment for graves desease and so my children could attend school (Special thanks to Seneca Academy Private School for allowing my children to attend their excellent school free of charge.). There were no hospitals or schools in the New Orleans area for quite a while> A large percentage are still not open as of Thanksgiving 2005. The people in Maryland were wonderful and made me feel wanted and at home. Thank you dear Monique and Sean! I rode my bike many times, but three different occasions stand out and I will write about them.