First of all I want to say a big thank you for all the phone calls; emails and messages checking in to see how we are doing with all of the flooding. We are far enough from the water that we have had no problems. I am trying not to take that for granted! There are many who have lost homes and businesses, and my heart goes out to them.
Steve and I finally went downtown with the camera to take a few pictures now that the worst of the flooding is over. Thousands of sandbags stand in tribute to the volunteer efforts that went in to save our little town. And they did their job!!! I have to tell you, tho, that these are much heavier full of water than they were when it was dry sand. I'm not even sure I could lift them at this point!!!
Here is one of the spots that I spent a couple of days helping at when I was downtown sandbagging last week. It's amazing to think that each and every one of these sandbags was filled by hand. One person would shovel the sand; one would hold the bag open; one would tie the bag shut and then others would haul them away. And people just jumped in and helped. Talk about a sense of community. Now comes the tough task of cleaning up. And the task will be even harder down stream in
Cedar Rapids and
Iowa City!
But as far as downtown Cedar Falls, it is dry and will be open tomorrow for business!! Some stores and restaurants were even able to be open this weekend!
I think I may have to head downtown tomorrow for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants on main street. We were headed here for dinner last Monday night with M when we first realized the severity of what was headed our way. Boy! It's been quite a week!!
I don't want to forget to say a Happy Father's Day to my dad!! Sure wish we didn't live quite so far away or I'd stop by with some circus peanuts and to skunk you in a game of cribbage!!! Maybe in a few weeks! Thanks for being a great dad and grandpa!
(And now GREAT Grandpa!!) See you in a few weeks!!
First of all I want to say a big thank you for all the phone calls; emails and messages checking in to see how we are doing with all of the flooding. We are far enough from the water that we have had no problems. I am trying not to take that for granted! There are many who have lost homes and businesses, and my heart goes out to them.
Steve and I finally went downtown with the camera to take a few pictures now that the worst of the flooding is over. Thousands of sandbags stand in tribute to the volunteer efforts that went in to save our little town. And they did their job!!! I have to tell you, tho, that these are much heavier full of water than they were when it was dry sand. I'm not even sure I could lift them at this point!!!
Here is one of the spots that I spent a couple of days helping at when I was downtown sandbagging last week. It's amazing to think that each and every one of these sandbags was filled by hand. One person would shovel the sand; one would hold the bag open; one would tie the bag shut and then others would haul them away. And people just jumped in and helped. Talk about a sense of community. Now comes the tough task of cleaning up. And the task will be even harder down stream in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City!
But as far as downtown Cedar Falls, it is dry and will be open tomorrow for business!! Some stores and restaurants were even able to be open this weekend!
I think I may have to head downtown tomorrow for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants on main street. We were headed here for dinner last Monday night with M when we first realized the severity of what was headed our way. Boy! It's been quite a week!!
I don't want to forget to say a Happy Father's Day to my dad!! Sure wish we didn't live quite so far away or I'd stop by with some circus peanuts and to skunk you in a game of cribbage!!! Maybe in a few weeks! Thanks for being a great dad and grandpa! (And now GREAT Grandpa!!) See you in a few weeks!!
8 comments:
Sandbags are great for building muscles. ;~)
I'm so glad the worst is over! I'll continue to keep everyone who was affected in my prayers. Thank goodness for all the wonderful volunteers like you!
As I watched the news pictures of Iowa flooding I started thinking, now is Jan from Iowa and living in Minnesota or from Minnesota and living in Iowa? So I looked you up today and am glad to hear you and your family are ok! What an ordeal! I hope things get back to normal soon!
I thought of you often, wondering how you and your family were faring! I am so glad that you all are safe! Thank you for all of the hard work you did, helping with the sand bagging! (Small world: my mom went to college there, back when it was Iowa State Teachers' College, or something like that, before it became the Univ Northern Iowa.)
I have also been very concerned about the Univ of Iowa! Isn't that where at least K goes to school? Much of that Univ is underwater, including the Music & Art Depts bldgs, sigh! Has K been down there helping out?
Last week was a horrible week for much of Iowa, between all of the flooding in eastern Iowa and the tornado that razed the scout reservation and killed young boys! My thoughts an prayers go out to all who were affected by all of these tragedies!
Thanks for the update - I have definitely been thinking about you and your family.
The weather certainly has not been kind lately. When talking to my dad yesterday, he was telling me about tornado damage in a small town near him - over 80% of the town was destroyed.
I am glad you are safe and your area was not affected. There has been so much devestation in the last few weeks with all the bad weather. It is so nice to see people pulling together and helping others out.
I'm so glad your area is not seeing the worst of the mess over there. I still can't believe how bad and widespread the flooding is. A guy that works for us went to a sheep show in western Iowa this past weekend, he said he had to take a 150 mile detour that looped all the way into Wisconsin because of all the flooded roads.
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