Photo Courtesy of jcantroot (flickr)
The first weekend of May was supposed to include my first experience running the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. Well . . . my plans changed. Instead, I spent three days stranded in a flood – literally. I wasn’t clinging to a tree awaiting a rescue from the Coast Guard (which some people experienced firsthand), I was stranded in my apartment without cell phone service, internet, cable TV, and sometimes we lost power all together. A couple weeks ago I had to cancel my marathon in Cincinnati because of a scheduling fiasco, financial limitations, and a startling realization at the Country Music Half Marathon that I wasn’t prepared for a full 26.2 miles. You can read about the half marathon experience here. I changed my plans for the weekend to include hanging out with my wife Tessa and our friend Kendall who drove up to Nashville from Chattanooga. I knew the forecast included a few days of rain, but I wasn’t initially prepared for a catastrophic flood. After the highway flooded, Kendall was stuck with us for the duration of the storm. We made it work with lots of eating, reading, and trips to the Redbox for lots of new movies.
The Great Flood of Middle Tennessee
The flood, which brought in more than 17 inches of rain in some areas, caused widespread damage in the Nashville area and around much of the southern United States. The highway nearest to my apartment was blocked off completely and people were being rescued by boats from the rooftops of their homes just 2 miles away. Many people have likened the flood to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The damage isn’t nearly as bad, but it is the worst flooding in Nashville since 1937. Many of Nashville’s greatest tourist attractions were severely damaged, including the Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Grand Ole Opry, Bridgestone Arena, and LP Field (home of the Tennessee Titans). The Cumberland River, which runs through most of Nashville, flooded much of Downtown Nashville. Nashville’s water treatment plant nearly shut down as the water came within a foot of flooding it completely. It a nut shell, Tennessee is under water and it will be a long time before the mess is cleaned up.
What do to While Stranded
1. Outdoor Activities
I ran in the rain on Saturday, before the flood got serious, and it was exhilarating! Running in a storm is one of the most liberating experiences because you have nothing to lose. Try it sometime. I’ve always enjoyed a good run in the rain and it really makes you feel powerful to fight against the wind and water. People who drive by you will probably think you’re crazy, they might try and offer you a ride home, or they might throw things at you. Don’t worry about it. Just keep running.
2. Break from Technology
No power, internet, TV, or phones. What to do? Hmmmm. Losing access to the connectivity that I thrive on was very scary at first. I kept wanted to Google everything and I couldn’t. I read two books, spent an enormous amount of time thinking about food, and watched the rain fall. Time seemed to crawl by because my usual distractions were obsolete. Losing technology allowed me time to stop and think. I had many great conversations, read books and magazines, cooked quite a bit once the power returned, and went on walks in the rain with my dog. It was simple, peaceful, and necessary. I don’t take breaks very often, so this opportunity was very nice. The hard part will be to intentionally choose to take breaks more often, instead of waiting for the next great flood.
3. Try Something New
I recommend alcohol. If you normally don’t drink, start a new habit. Ok, maybe alcohol isn’t the best choice, but this is a good chance to experiment with something you haven’t taken the opportunity to try up to this point. Start writing that book you’ve been putting off. If you have phone service, call someone you’ve been avoiding. Exercise. Do some intense yoga. Spend a lot of time shopping for groceries and experiment with new recipes. I tried my first green smoothie and it was fantastic. More on that topic coming soon. The goal here is use your time wisely. Don’t stare at the wall and complain that you’re bored. Do something.
4. Count Your Neighbor’s Chickens
If you’ve been able to avoid the disaster of the storm, take some time to help others who were affected the most. Look for the greatest need and find a way to help out. The post-flood cleanup effort has already begun in Nashville and this is one of the best ways to reach out and help your community directly. Some of my co-workers lost their cars in the storm and other people around Nashville lost their homes. Even if you can’t give your time to help, give money, give clothes – give whatever you can.
5. Clean Your Closest
Organize everything! Bust out the cleaning supplies and scrub the floors. Clean out your closet, recycle, donate, and trash whatever you can get your hands on. This is an awesome opportunity to simplify your life in many ways, especially your physical space. I cleaned our kitchen over the weekend and Tessa and I bought some sweet new pots, soil, and seeds to begin our own miniature forest on our porch. Spruce the place up and spend some time enjoying the place you call home.
The Clueless Graduate,
Jeff Sanders
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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