And the saga continues...

Editors note: Due to a natural disaster (the flooding of the raging Red River in Fargo, N.D./Moorhead, MN) this blog has been taken hostage by flood updates and general "how they're doing" posts so friends and family can keep track of what's going on in the world of the writer's parents. Lovely, pithy posts may or may not return sometime in the near future.

Hello! Well, just when the cities of Moorhead and Fargo started returning to normal (back to school, etc.), this happened:

For those not "in the know" on flood control, this is a dike/levy. In the middle of the street. Made of mud. Yes, apparently flood control engineers are little boys at heart who relish the chance to take out the dozers and play with dirt in the street. I guess I can't blame them.

Anyway, mom said she didn't sleep very well last night, because she kept hearing the "Bang! Bang!" of dump truck tailgates slamming shut. Now, this is the view from their driveway:

And I thought Fargo/Moorhead was unscenic at best before this started. Uff.

Here is the update from Mom about the newest phase:

"We have been kind of relaxing, sorting stuff, washing clothes, etc. for the last few days. Nice to have some routine - even if the all contents of the basement are in the upstairs. We have the sewage leak under control, have disinfected exhaustively, and torn out the downstairs bathroom. That was an enormous pain.

We received news last Friday that the river my go up and crest higher than the first time in the next week or so. This is due to the large amounts of snow (thanks to two blizzards lately) still on the ground in the F-M area and south of us. The city of Moohead is raising clay dikes to 44 feet, reassessing and improving as needed the standing sandbag dikes, building secondary and third line dikes. So, since we live across the street from the river we are having a 4 foot dike built on the street in front of our house. This is a huge blessing for us - eliminates the need for sandbagging- but we will have to park several blocks away and hike in through the alley and the four foot snow drifts. The third line dike will go up about 5 blocks away. Getting around will be trickey - but better inconvenienced than wet.

Please keep us in your prayers - especially the leaders and first line people (law enforcement, firemen, National Guard, city works)."

When I asked her today if she was scared, she said she was. "I have been the entire time. It is stressful to have this happening and repeating. I think I am alittle reality overloaded from '97. Seeing firsthand the devastation of a flooded city is something you never forget. But - I see plenty of evidence of God's protection of us also (like the dike, the insurance, the help) So -- take it a day at a time. And, hike to your car. And be thankful for the cool weather.
Just hope we can be strong and supportive of everyone."

She should really write this blog. She's much funnier than I am.

Oh. One last thought. I was in Vegas a couple weeks ago and visited this. I think they may be on to something here.

Just saying.

Vegas, Baby!

Yep, I'm clearly the last person I know who's never been to Vegas.

And do you know what this land-locked nerd wanted to see first?


Yep.

It was every bit as interesting as I thought it would be (Ummm....Army Corp? Might I suggest something similar for the Red River? They seem to be having some issues)

We went down inside where the power-generating equipment is, which was freaky....

...since the other side of the wall was holding back enough water to submerge several Eastern European countries.

On a side note, they're in the process of building a bridge that spans the area. This is the beginnings of the bridge:

Radomly, there is a statue at the Dam that you rub for good luck in the casinos. In Vegas, it all comes back to the casinos. Even man-made engineering feats. Hmm.

Another random thing...after the Hoover Dam tour, we were taken to a cactus garden. As far as cactus gardens go, it was a nice one.

The actual Vegas part of the trip was great! A Disney world for adults if I've ever seen one.

I loved how every place is such a good replica of the real thing. Take New York for example:

Rome...

My favorite was the Venetian.

It really did seem to be the perfect replica...

...and it just so happens that the good friend I posed for photos with in the original Venice...

...was with me!
Hee.

All in all, great escape to warm weather. I think we were looking for good excuses to be outside, so we kept taking photos!

Photos from Moorhead

Hi all,

Not much to update. They're still sort of hanging in the balance. Mom is working a bit and Dad may go back to school on Monday. Just waiting to see if there is a "second crest".

Here are a few photos taken earlier in the week:

This the view from their driveway looking across 3rd street. These houses overlook the river. The house on the left hand side of this photo....


Is pictured here before the blizzard:And here after the blizzard: Another neighbor's house:

The sandbag delivery vehicle:

This view would be beautiful if you didn't know:
I'll continue to post updates if anything changes. Otherwise, I'll do my best to return to regularly scheduled blogging! (Oggy will too).

Love,

Sarah