Cumming, GA, USA (7 nights)

We had originally planned to only spend a few nights in Cumming, GA with Katie’s parents before driving to our home base in Tampa, FL.  However, Hurricane Irma forced our plans to change.

JT’s dad John decided to evacuate his Tampa, FL home (our home base) on Saturday September 9.  He took our cat Grace and his cat Louie to JT’s sister Kate’s house in Birmingham, AL, so Katie and her dad Gene drove over to Birmingham on Sunday to pick-up the cats and bring them back to Cumming.

When Katie, Kate, and Gene tried to find Louie and Grace in Kate’s basement, the cats were no where to be found.  Katie eventually found Grace hiding behind the dryer and was able to cox her out.  Kate found Louie hiding on a shelf in the same laundry room. We captured the cats and put them in their carriers.  The drive back to Cumming was surprisingly uneventful, with no notable traffic.

JT worked full days on Saturday, Sunday and Monday before leaving on assignment to Chicago on Tuesday.

Katie stayed a few more days until leaving Friday morning to drive Louie and Grace back to Tampa, FL. She ate lunch twice at the Foster House with her mom – Foster House was one of their favorite summer lunch spots when Katie was in high school.

Chicken tenders, sweet potato chips, and creamed corn.

We had missed Grace while abroad. Leaving her behind really is the hardest part.  She’s in good hands with JT’s dad John, but we still miss her.  Katie was surprised how easily Grace came out from behind the dryer at Kate’s house when she heard Katie’s voice and saw Katie’s face.  Grace went right back to sitting in Katie’s lap the next day.

Grace on Katie’s bed.

Katie fell in love with Louie during their five days together in Atlanta.  Both cats are rather senior – Louie is about 15 years old and Grace is 12.5 years old – so the stress of evacuating and moving to various places was a scary ordeal. Louie is thin and frail due to old age and thyroid issues, but he is a big sweetheart who loves his neck scratched.

Louie by the windows in Katie’s room.

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