Say it with me: Conrtaflow

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we. First things first, the word is contraflow, not contraband, not counter flow, contraflow. I can’t even being to explain what a bad idea this is. Some how this seemingly helpful process can turn rational, and normally calm individuals into enraged drivers with homicidal tendencies. Have you ever had to pull onto the shoulder of the interstate, to sit in the back seat and cry with your baby? How about change a diaper on your lap? Wait, this is better, how about bottle-feed her from the front seat while driving? I have. While I don’t necessarily think any of these things are in any way safe, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. I thank God for my husband. He was the only one who could keep me sane. Below are some pictures of the parking lot formerly know as I-59.


We stopped at the Mississippi Welcome Center so Grace could get a bit to eat, Oak and Itch could potty, and Mommy could clean the dog vomit out Daddy’s truck. What a fun adventure.


Grace had a wonderful lunch, Oakley and Itchy barked at everything, and Mommy and Daddy took a breath. BTW it took about 3 hours to get there. We were originally on our way to Alabama to stay with Josh and Jill, who oh so graciously were going to let all five of us stay with them. Thanks again guys!


We finally got back on the road for more fun times. I-59 was going from bad to worse.
Why didn’t we leave sooner? Oh, but we did. The night before contraflow started we pilled everyone up in my car and started on our first adventure, but decided just before Hammond, that we really wanted to go home, so we did. Grace was really fussy, and seemed to be coming down with a cold, and the dogs were so crammed up, it just didn’t seem like the right thing to do.

But Sunday morning it was pretty clear that we were going to get hit hard, and what would we do with a baby, 2 dogs, and no electricity? We just kept thinking about how difficult Katrina was, with just Oakley and us. So we left again, but this time in two cars; boys in one car, girls in the other.
After about oh, 6-7 hours in the car, we had made it 10 whole miles into Mississippi. Wow, seriously? Everyone was starting to have major meltdowns; especially Grace and me. Jared kept assuring me it would be okay, and that I needed to keep it together. Again, thank God for Jared.
A side note, I love my husband, I love my husband, I love my husband.
When contraflow is started, they (they meaning the lovely, and oh so helpful police officers. Sarcasm intended.) will not let you off. But alas, EXIT 15. Beautiful, wonderful exit 15. I could almost hear the angels singing. Finally out of the I-59 parking lot and in McNeill, MS, off exit 15. Great! Were, exactly in the hell is McNeil? All I can tell you about this place is that they have very poor cell phone reception.
Fun fact: McNeill is approximately 100 miles from our house; it took approximately 8 hours to get there.
So we got to a little store with blue tarps on the roof that appeared to be damaged in Katrina. How fitting. There, we called my parents for directions. At this point we had given up on ever getting to Alabama, but my Uncle in Mississippi said he would take us in. My parents got us wonderful directions and off we went.
Another side note: Everyone should go pick up a copy of Streets and Trips 2009, I’m a new fan!


We went north, then east, then south, and finally 9 hours after our adventure began we were there. We’ve been here at Uncle Nay’s for about 4 days now. Uncle Nay, thank you so much for everything!!! He has gone out of his way, to make sure everyone is comfortable and happy. While we are ready to go home, we are so greatly appreciative of all that he’s done and is doing for us. Thanks Uncle Nay, you’re the bestest!
On to our house, our poor lonely house. We’ve been in contact with our neighbors, who said everything seems to be okay. They also said, the power is out and we lost some siding, but it landed in our backyard. So, as far as we’re concerned, no big deal. At least our house is standing. I hope everyone else out there is okay, and didn’t have any major problems. Our story was long, but our family is safe and that’s all that really matters.