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Monday, September 17, 2012

My Hurri-cation Experience and Road Travel Tips

Hey Everybody! I can't even BEGIN to tell you what I've been through. You guys know I evacuated for Hurricane Isaac.

Well, long story short, I had two great weeks in Cincinnati, but came back to half of my kitchen ceiling on the floor (insurance man came last Tuesday), a dead car battery (called AAA to replace), desktop needs a new part (computer guys is coming on the 2nd), hair blowdryer doesn't work (just bought a new one) and suffered from vertigo/and an allergic reaction that made my face blowup like I was in a boxing match (thank GOD for penicillin! the swelling is going down!) I'm taking care of things, but it has been overwhelming. Despite it all I'm THANKFUL! I missed you guys and I'm slowly catching up with everyone's blog.

I'll be covering my road trip to Cincinnati all week. I thought I would start by giving some traveling tips. I've evacuated so many times. My mom and I drove from Louisiana to Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and then Ohio (where my Aunt lives). It takes us about 12-14 hours. So here are some pics and here we GO!!!


BEFORE getting on the road! BEFORE driving out of town!

If possible, make sure your car is serviced (gas, oil change, air in the tires etc.). Take important papers and mementos with you (either in a tote or water resistant bag). UNLOAD, UNPLUG and LEAVE THE DOORS OPEN to your refrigerator! If not, trust me food will spoil, maggots will form and you will have to dispose of it all when you return (Hurricane Katrina). Make sure you can pay your bills online, through your phone or take upcoming bills with you. Stop by the bank and get some CASH! It's always good to have a little on you. Print out driving directions! I know almost every car/cellphone has GPS, but if for any reason it fails you'll have something to rely on. Wear comfortable clothes! The difference in temperature from Cincinnati and New Orleans is drastic this time of a year. So I wore some black leggings and a heather grey lightweight sweater. I've been contemplating selling my LV Speedy. Just not into monogram, but I'm thinking I should hold onto it because it's a classic.






Gas Stations! Road Food!
When driving, try to find gas stations with food marts! Why? Because they are usually bigger, safer, stocked and cleaner. Well, as clean as they can be. HaHaHa Unfortunately, they're loaded with processed food junk. So I suggest keeping some energy/healthy snacks, fruit and water in the car to munch on.



Here comes the SUN!
I don't think I have to remind everyone to bring sunglasses. With the sun beaming down and drying you out, don't forget to have lip balm, wear sunscreen, bring visine (eye drops), and if you wear contacts keep contact solution and your glasses nearby.



Stuff Happens! First Aid and Medicine!
Anything can happen while traveling. Cuts, insect bites or an allergic reaction is possible. So bring any prescription medications you may have (keep them close, keep them cool... not in the back of your vehicle), first aid cream, band-aids, neosporin, insect repellant, aspirin etc. These items can be expensive if purchased on the road, so it's good to have a ziploc bag filled with your own.



Stay Connected!
Have a cell phone? Most likely! Do you have a CAR cell phone charger that you can plug into your car's cigarette lighter? Hmmm! Buy one! It charges your cell phone and keeps you connected. Also make sure you bring your regular cell phone charger. Also if you have to evacuate, join Twitter! Subscribe to local and national weather/hurricane forecasters. Subscribe to local and state emergency response and preparedness agencies. They will tell you what's happening in your area and when it's safe to return. Also if you have a laptop, wireless connection etc. That is also helpful. I didn't take mine, because I had so much other stuff to bring.


Have FUN!
It can be stressful, just thinking about the storm that's approaching and friends you've left behind. So it's important to bring good music to play in the car and take in the sights you see on the road. My mom and I took turns driving. So when I wasn't driving, I tried to take pics of what I saw. I mainly saw trees, hills and rocks but a few interesting things appeared on the way :) Hope these tips helped!

In my next blog post, I'll show you my aunt's condominium.  
She's a vintage chic!

Do you have any tips when you travel by car?

...and the WINNER of the Starbucks and Mary Jo Matsumoto Caffeine Addiction nail lacquer Giveaway is...


Little Rus of Fashioned by Love Blog!
Congratulations!!! I'm sending you an email!
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47 comments

  1. Great post and advice Kim! glad you are back to normal...have a good week:)
    ~Anne

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  2. Kim, you sound like you have had a really rough couple of weeks! Glad you are slowly getting back to normal. These are good road trip tips!

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  3. Hiya doll, am very pleased you are back and safe!! Sorry though about all the dramas that came a long with it. And I hope your health gets back to normal too, I've never had vertigo, but it doesn't sound so pleasant. BIG hugs from me to you. Loved the pictures, I haven't seen an American road in so long, I forget what they look like most of the time, haha!! I liked the big bird there :)))) I hope you have a wonderful and restful week ahead and that everything gets back to being settled for you!! Xxx

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  4. My heart just jumped out of my chest! :) So so soooooooooooo happy! Thank you for giving me a chance to try those fab colours, Kim!

    On a different note - sorry to hear about the house... :( Hope it'll all be fixed promptly.

    Lovely to see you back!

    xxx

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  5. Welcome back darling!i've missed you so much and during the second week I kept wondering how you were getting on. I'm happy this stressful experience is over and you are getting back to your routine. I'll stay tuned to read everything of your trip!a big big hug xxxxxxxxxxx Coco

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  6. So glad to see you are back, Kim but sorry to hear about your kitchen. Hope things soon get back to normal for you. Great post and good advice
    - you are so organised! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such lovely comments on my recent posts - you know I really appreciate all your positive messages!
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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  7. Welcome back! Sorry about your house and all the other headaches you had. I hope your trip was fab. Can't wait to see your aunt's condo. I LOVE vintage chic!

    You are so right about Twitter. You know I'm a FB girl but I switched to Twitter during Isaac. It's faster and uses less of your phone's power. I used it to Tweet to NOLAready and Entergy about the downed power line in front of our house. My hubbie had bought one of those devices you can jump start your battery with, and there was a USB port so we used that to keep our phone charged after our power went out.

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  8. Omg having to evacuate all the time sounds dreadful. Just reading this makes me thankful I live in boringville USA, right smack in the middle of the country lol.

    These are fabulous road trip tips. Growing up, we moved 14 times so, I've been on quite a few major road trips across the country. Any other advice I have is to make sure you have an equal amount of favorite music for every person in the car. In my experience, that takes away a huge load of stress!

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  9. WOW! I am so sorry you've had such a rough few weeks! Thats terrible!
    Great photos though, looks like you saw some interesting things even though it was a hectic time.

    xoxo Bree
    The Urban Umbrella

    http://www.theurbanumbrella.com

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  10. This is my first opportunity to visit this website. I found some interesting things and I will apply to the development of my blog.

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  11. Wow, that is one long road trip lady! I hope you had a great time despite recent events lady.
    The thought of having to evacuate, pack up and get going is a nightmare, you really have to be prepared and super organised to a certain extent!

    Well, I hope you have a top week Kim!
    x.o.x.o

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  12. Welcome back Kimmy! I really miss you. Sorry to hear about your house. It's great that you stay positive. Great tips too!

    xo Jo

    http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com/

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  13. i agree with all of these! road ninja is awesome - it lets you know how far off the exit things are so you don't drive 2 miles off the exit.
    can't wait to see more - i love the road trip images

    <3 katherine
    of corgis and cocktails

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  14. So glad you're back blogging Kim - hoping that all the things you're dealing with work themselves out and you are able to get back to normal soon!

    Wishing you a very happy Monday!

    xo Mary Jo

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  15. Oh, my goodness! You had quite the adventure, but I am so happy to hear that you are okay. I'm sorry for all of the badness you had to come home to, but at least you are happy and safe.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  16. OH my I would never have thought of doing all this - suppose living somewhere with natural disaster like hurricanes - you have to be on top of it all. In little Denmark all we have here are a few wasps and rather cold winters :)) Glad you're well my friend - good to have you back,
    Axx

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  17. I am so glad you are back safe and that your trip went well! I am sorry about all of the hassles you have come home to, good luck!

    -Jacqueline

    www.jenesaisquoifashion.blogspot.com

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  18. So glad to hear you made it out alive and well in the Hurricane Isaac evac. Sorry about the ceiling and the vertigo, but I'm very happy to hear that you are now A-OK!

    <3 you!

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  19. That sounds hellish, but I am so impressed by how optimistic you are being! You're inspirational :-)

    http://thegeekypeacock.blogspot.com

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  20. welcome back! :)
    i missed your posts.
    i am sorry to hear that you are going through some after the hurricane but i am glad to read you're managing everything well in good spirit!
    hope you feel better soon and come up with more posts for us. :) xoxo

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  21. Perfect post and advice!!!^^

    xoxo

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  22. welcome back, kim! look forward to hearing all bout your trip. sorry to hear about your home and car...but you are such a great sport!! take care!

    [oomph.]

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  23. KIM!!!

    I'm so glad that you are back and safe! NOT glad about your allergic reaction, but meds are certainly amazing. THIS was such a fun and positive way to share your evacuation experience. You are so POSITIVE - I LOVE IT!! And your tips ARE SO HELPFUL. I'm going to forward it to my mom and brother in Houston. We've missed ya!

    xo, sam

    **Style of Sam**

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  24. Hello Sweet Kim,

    I haven't been by in a while, so I loved this post because I'm catching up with you. I loved the gas station stop pic a lot you look fab. Well for me travelling by car calls for music, music and more music or audio books which I simly love.

    It was good to come by and see you. Take care hun.

    Lisa x

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  25. I was wondering where you were... i am glad to see that you are back and WELL !
    My only recommendation on a road trip is bring toilet paper :)

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  26. Hey Kim, wow sounds like it's been pretty intense on your end. Hope everything is OK, sucks that you have to evacuate (again?) but very glad you're safe and sound! I have kind of a mini emergency kit packed for just in case I need to evac - mostly important documents, and some personal belongings I don't want to part with.. also the cat cages are near the doorway just in case!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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  27. Wow hon, this sounds like some crazy times!!! I'm so glad you're ok.

    <3 Cambria
    jupefashion.blogspot.com

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  28. Welcome back Kim! I was thinking of how you were faring when you returned home. I'm sorry about the damage. It's a good thing you weren't there cause things can be replaced but you can't. I hope the vertigo and allergic reaction is gone for good. I'm sure you didn't need that on top of everything you were dealing with. At least you enjoyed your time in Cincinnati and it looks like you and your mom had a fun road trip :) I think you should hang on to your LV Speedy. It is a classic that you might appreciate more when you're older. I need alot of snacks when I go on the road lol.

    Thanks for catching up with my blogs and all your sweet comments! I'm feeling better these days :D

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  29. It is so great to see you! I was getting worried about you and am so glad that you are ok (though replacing things must have been annoying!)

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  30. safe travels!! love the tips. i love stopping at reststops for the goodies!
    xo
    MOSAMUSE

    www.MOSAMUSE.com

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  31. I'm so glad you're ok and I can't believe you've evacuated so many times! Great tips there, I wouldn't have known about the fridge. In my neck of the woods, we don't have to worry about flooding too much, but we do have earthquake drills!

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  32. Oh, I am so glad you're back Kim!! Your road trip sounds such fun ( but then, I've always longed to go on one myself, so perhaps I'm a bit biased ). I'm sorry to hear about the damage you have, but thank goodness what matters most ( the people ) are safe.

    ♥ xixia | thisisxixia.com

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  33. Soon sorry to hear that hun! =( that's horrible glad ur all better and ur house can always be replaced u and loved ones can not! So yay to ur lovely road trip and gorgeous view. Thanks for sharing hun. Take care!

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  34. Welcome back Kim, hope you get settled in and back to normal soon :)

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  35. Sorry to hear you had such bad luck, but at least you were safe! Lots of great evacuation tips too! Did you pack lots of clothes? Do you have a set emergency kit of clothes?

    When we had to evacuate the floods I turned up at my parents with all of the important documents, computers, chargers etc, and 10 tops. I don't know why I thought I needed to bring 10 tops and only the pants I was wearing but my mum found it very amusing!
    Thankfully we had the luxury of time and the choice to evacuate, so we had a good laugh at the odd things we had chose to bring. In my mind, insurance covers material things, it's the photo albums and mementoes that have low replacement value but huge emotional value that can mean so much.

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  36. must be really fun there! thanks for sharing the giveaway
    by the way, I'm hosting a giveaway with clothingloves.You can win $100 cash coupon! join it!
    jessillesilv.blogspot.com

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  37. great post!

    love from italy

    hip&chips

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  38. Oh goodness. That sounds like quite an adventure! I feel horrible that you have to deal with so much stress upon your return though. Here's hoping to some quick fixes!

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  39. Gosh, Kim, that sounds terrible, how are you holding up? It must have been a huge shock, to come back home to that, but I love seeing that you're coping with a smile :) Thumbs up and welcome back! Can't wait to read more about your adventures!

    xx Ivana
    Macarons and Pearls

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  40. I'm glad you were able to evacuate and that you're okay. I know many things can be replaced but you cant be, so glad you're safe!

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  41. Kim I read your instagram while I was out and saw that you are recovering from a rough one. Girl, what can I say other than glad you are in one piece. I can't believe your face blew up. Darn it why didn't you get a pic? Ha Ha lol. You know I love freaky medical curiosities and oddities...lol. I'm sorry, just joking with you. Loved seeing your road trip photos, I love that stuff especially the Alabama sign. Never been there. Great advice as I am getting ready for a long road trip myself. Really enjoyed this post and hope the kitchen gets fixed soon, I know how that can be. lots of love, girl. dawn suitcase vignettes xo maybe I will twitter more.

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  42. Glad to hear that you're safe and made it home!! You have some great tips!

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  43. Love to see you ok and safe :)
    I followed your blog, I hope you can follow back

    fashionerza.blogspot.com

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  44. Omg I'm so happy you're alive and well! Here in Finland we don't have hurricanes, so I can't quite imagine what you've been through, but the most important thing is that the losses were material - and not human lives and such. The road trip looks like a lot of fun, I would actually love one myself if I just could take one, like, now. xoxo ♥

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