The Weather and Its Victims

from the mom

Was your storm really as bad as it looked on TV?

Yes, it was pretty bad. We still have hanging electrical wires in our neighborhood and there were trees down everywhere. M tried to go out Friday morning to find coffee and found no coffee places that were open and had trouble navigating because of downed trees, fences, and branches. Power outtages were spotty with stoplights out and businesses out of power right next to others that were fine. Gas lines were crazy and traffic was wretched.

How long was your power out?

Only about 24 hours (approx. midnight Friday to midnight Saturday). Our DSL internet just came up this morning however.

How did you make it?

If we didn't have young children, it wouldn't have been bad at all. But we do and it was cold. So we stayed at friends house Friday night. They had us in one room and in the next, a couple with a 3-wk old newborn who had a tree land on their house. M enjoyed the hot tub and we all enjoyed the wonderful breakfast. We were pretty relieved to get home Saturday though. The house was already warm when we arrived at 11am. A lot of folks are still without power and we have had some nights in the high 20s. Without generous friends, it would get really dicey.

Oregon looks like a dangerous place to be. Why is that?

The freak accidental weather deaths in Oregon (James Kim in southern Oregon and at least one hiker on Mt. Hood) make me very sad. My home state is not really that scary. And there are trackers that hikers can take up Mt. Hood so they can be easily found. These guys chose to go without. There is still a little bit of the wild west, but nothing like recent events would suggest.