[bigdogdad]

"Three months after Hurricane Charley." Did alittle driving from Ft. Myers upto Tampa and then over to Orlando (Ok, I went to Disney World) and had the following observations. In my own little part of town, major street signs still down (signs that say Airport that away, hurricane evacuation route, etc), roofs even in my neighborhood still being repaired, many store signs still not replaced (Hess, resturant, various businesses, etc.)and tons of tree stumps still not removed. Driving further up and closer to Punta Rassa/Port Charolotte (spelling?) area there are tons of roofs still covered in blue tarps. Quite a few buildings still up but destroyed to the point that they should be bull dozed. Quite abit of garbage still laying around also. In the same general area along the interstate, many of the huge lamp posts that light the entrance ramps onto the highway were broken in half. Mind you, these things are made of metal. Many road signs were still down, broken in half and they appeard to be made of six to eight inch angle iron. Once on route 4 heading to Orlando again signs down and when looking into the woods along the highway it was amazing to see all the trees almost blown down. You knew which way the wind was blowing. Even when I checked into my room at Disney, I could see many roof shingles missing and many tree limbs broken and hanging dead. Apparently they have been very busy and still are repairing.

Just wanted to relay that even after three months what is still out there. I feel for the ones that were hit direct and relize just how lucky I was.