FIRST: I'M SAFE. I'm spending the night tonight in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
My return from Mexico was Sunday. I made it safely back to Tampa International Airport Sunday night after 2 uneventful flights and zero delays. American upgraded me to first class on the Guadalajara leg and I also got exit row on the flight from DFW. So it was a great day of flying.
Airport hotel Tampa. I landed @ 10pm and took a cab to an airport hotel for the night. Then in the morning, Monday I took an Uber back to the airport for a rental car to drive up to Arkansas for Labor Day. (my car still needs the radiator replaced) So after my careful preparation, my rental car had a flat tire. Damn. My feeling of urgency to flee the hurricane was foiled for a few hours while I got that repaired. ($32 and three hours later) I finally got on the road North about 2pm.
FLEE THE HURRICANE
Now it's Tuesday night and I'm watching the weather like most people and I see the grim faced weatherman standing in Steinhatchee, FL. (I drove through there yesterday about 5p) I finally stopped in Perry, Florida for the night at a Hilton. *MY guess is the storm will hit very near Perry. I've stopped in this hotel before and cant imagine what a 10ft+ storm surge will do to that town. It's gonna be a mess.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those folks. I'll get up early and take off again driving North to Arkansas. Again, I'm out of danger now.
Back in the USA. -Skip