davidtug3

Where will Ike strike? When will BW go home?

ByCapt. Wendy

Go west, young man, go west! Forecasters were right when they predicted Gustav to make landfall over my bayou.  I want to believe this model is accurate  when it indicates Louisiana is nowhere in the cone of whatever it’s called.

Do I trust it and rush home today?  Or do I remain patient, and take my time going home?  When I get home, there will be no internet services for who knows how long.  I won’t be able to post the gator hunting trip that we took the week before Gustav.

Comtemplative and undecided,

BW

This is where our oldest son spent the hurricane:

He was standing on the tugboat taking photos of the barges and other tugs and barges–all tied up together and tied to the trees on the bank.

Similar Posts

  • Coastal Restoration: Beating a Dead Horse?

    In the spring of 2010, my email box was inundated with writers looking for the softer side of the story of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and following oil spill disaster. These seekers of a different angle flocked to my bayou to interview my shrimping neighbors. As a wetland advocate, I wondered how I could use this man-made disaster as a platform to further the cause of education and awareness.

    It became clear to me early on that most of the journalists who arrived at my door really had no clue about our culture and way of life. So, if they wanted a story about how the oil spill had impacted us, then they must humor me and allow me to educate them about this vanishing ecosystem and its people.

    What these well-meaning journalists needed first was a foundational perspective from the standpoint of a population of coastal communities who were suffering yet one more blow to their way of life. As a woman who lives, works, and fishes here, I could give them that perspective, which was simply this:

    This oil spill was not an isolated disaster for the people of coastal Louisiana. It was like being kicked when we were already down. And here’s why.

  • Bayou Woman’s Adventure with Vibrio Vulnificus

    You’ve probably been wondering for the past week where I’ve been, haven’t you? I know, you’ve been thinking, “Hm, I bet the awesome fishing trip with those retired Assorted Nuts wore her out!” And those Assorted Nuts have been thinking, “Poor BW. She just can’t hang!” Well, you’re all wrong, because the trip was fantastic and invigorating and left me with memories that will go way beyond the Assorted Nuts and the fish they caught.

Leave a Reply to sweetlilmagnolia Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

16 Comments

  1. Do you have electricity yet? Have you heard from bayou fabio? At least we know you are safe and comfortable in your present location. The kids have something to do. Another day to see where the storm is heading sounds more prudent than having to turn around and hauling everybody back up. But that’s just my opinion. Stay safe
    Debbi

    Reply

  2. Hi Debbi! Are you working heavy schedules right now? Yes, there is electricity, and I got a report from someone who saw Fabio repairing his boat. Now that he has had time to “recharge” his cell phone, I think I’ll give him a call. That’s one vote to stay a day longer! Thanks!
    BW

    Reply

  3. Two votes! Better to be a little inconvenienced and homesick, than in harms way. Been meaning to ask about the rest of your family. How are they and where are they?

    Reply

  4. Stephanie, my husband and the young boys are with me, and Hubby going back to Fourchon tonight to work. Older boys are both at work on their tug boats—the oldest never left his boat but rode out the storm tied to each other and tied to trees. Want to see photos? Daughter and son-in-law were up here but returned south over the weekend, as school started back for them this week. School for mine starts Monday, so see? I don’t have to rush back!
    BW

    Reply

  5. RE: BAYOU FABIO – I talked to him today. He has been surviving on fish and tap water. Since he has no way to receive news, he has no idea that he was supposed to be boiling the tap water before drinking, but he is healthy as a horse! He told me not to come home because Ike is going to turn this weekend and head toward Louisiana. HUH?

    Reply

  6. Oh my! On a tug boat during a hurricane! He is much braver than I. I am with the others,one more day just to be sure. No doubt you are eager to be in your own bed again!

    Reply

  13. Question? Where is Bayou Fabio getting his weather reports? Or is he using his talents from generations living down there? I vote for staying with Heather Here a bit longer.

    Reply

  14. BLU – When packing things that cannot survive, rods & reels don’t count. Besides, they don’t fit well in the cab of a truck or car!

    Katy Bug – Looks like he knows what he’s talking about, because now they are predicting coastal flooding—as far east as St. Bernard Parish. I am staying put for now.
    BW

    Reply

  15. My heart and prayers are with you all. i can’t imagine having to leave my home and not know what is happening to it. But better to lose stuff than a life. I’m glad you are staying put. Even though they say Ike is heading for Texas, there’s a lot of things that can happen between now and landall.

    Sending you a virtual hug.

    Reply

  16. Hi Sue! It’s good to hear from you! Well, I am trying hard not to chomp at the bit as I was all set to return home tomorrow. Now I have to subdue that energy or transfer it elsewhere. I think I’ll work on a new post that has nothing to do with hurricanes! Thanks for the hug!
    BW

    Reply