Although I wasn't surprised that my continuing flight from Chicago to Ft. Myers was cancelled, I was concerned over the lack of information from CNN field reporters in Tampa who were standing around dumbfounded as to where Charley wandered off to. On my way to a Chicago hotel I received one last phone call before all the phones went dead that seemed to confirm that Charley had indeed hit my hometown directly.

Much of what happened next is contained in this thread: http://www.guitarseminars.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/006582.html

Its hard to convey how something like a major natural disaster can affect your perspective on so many things. As horrible as it was (and in a way, still is) it seems that even the hardest hit by Hurricane Charley agree that we're extremely lucky compared to the victims of the Tsunami. The disaster aid response here was truly phenomenal. Personally, my sense of hope, compassion for my fellow man, and respect for my neighbors has been strengthened by this experience.

The local TV news programs have been showing current aerial views of areas hit by Hurricane Charley. Its pretty obvious that we have a long way to go. The local Home Depot here in Port Charlotte is a zoo. Many tell me that they drive to hardware stores in other counties just to find the building materials and supplies needed. An entirely new population of contractors, home inspectors, insurance adjusters, and construction workers have moved here to help with the reconstruction process. Many a damaged home and business now have mobile homes or recreational vehicles parked outside. During the Holidays Santa's House at the shopping mall was even noted to be patched with a blue tarp!

Six months later I again want to thank all my fellow IGSers who helped make an unbearable situation slightly more bearable. You folks are in my thoughts frequently and I've never been more proud to be associated with IGS.