In the last two years we have had to evacuate twice. In each case, my first thought was to load my musical gear, but more critical than that are documents such as insurance policies, checkbook, credit cards, any cash you can get before you leave and irreplaceable legal documents.

Next came food and drink, which, in our case was non-perishable snacks and bottled water and a propane camp stove. We also loaded a queen sized, inflatable air mattress.

And finally, toiletries, clothes and a good road map.

It is a very stressful proposition and if you don't have advance reservations or a definite refuge to go to, it can be very difficult trying to find conventional accomodations.

Just thinking about it stresses me out. And it was no where near as bad as what the victims of Katrina are facing now. My heart bleeds for them.

Eddie