Sunday Drive

Yesterday we experienced a most bizarre phenomenon. After 4 years days of dark gray skies; pelting rain; uber-high tides; and raging cabin fever winds, we saw the sun.

And it was good.

Eager to see what havoc the storm might have wreaked, I drove down to the public beaches and was met by impassable, flooded roads such as the one above at Haven/Old House Woods; so no beach shots yet. In spite of the storm's fierce winds there weren't many trees down, nor was there much exterior damage to structures. But there was plenty of standing water which can mean interior damage to homes in low-lying areas.

By the way, there are only about two places in Mathews that are not low-lying. One is the ascent of the hill at James Store and the other is the bridge going over the Piankatank. Actually, neither of these locations is in Mathews County, though we must traverse them in any attempt to escape the county, especially in Category One hurricanes called Ida flood-like conditions.

After I returned home from this little adventure, I received an e-mail from a concerned property owner who asked if I would check on her house and send pictures. Happy to help and eager to do anything that didn't involve housework or yard work, I hopped right back into the car and drove to what felt like South Carolina a very remote part of the county to her property. The house was OK, but her yard sustained quite a bit of damage from the winds and high tides.

On the way there, as I approached the courthouse and Best Value,* a very unusual car passed by. This was not your typical car that stands out around here: your Cadillac, your Hummer or your Jag-you-are. No, this was a car for royalty - a very striking, elegant and aristocratic Rolls Royce. We see these sorts of cars around here about as often as we see a Thai restaurant.

Has Tom Cruise already moved to Mathews? Was he here to check on his property, riding around in his distinguished chariot? Does he realize I could have saved him a trip? These are the insane thoughts that instantly popped into my mind. Then I reasoned that he wouldn't want to draw attention by motoring around in a car that stands out like debutante at a tractor pull.

So who was it? Anyone?

* Speaking of Best Value, Food Lion has king crab legs on sale for $3.99 per pound. Also, turkeys are $0.37/pound (if your total bill is $35 or more). Folks, you can't even buy water for $0.37/ pound. Get 'em while you can!

And don't be surprised if you're rubbing elbows with a Rolls Royce-driving Somebody at the freezer case. He may have a keen eye for a bargain but needs to trade the Rolls for a pickup with 4-wheel drive.