Friday, October 31, 2008

We're free! We're free!

We are finally done with the Gustav/Ike relief operation in Baton Rouge. Only one person is left working on the job, and she has my phone number if she needs any support. The last equipment has been shipped, and the final server backup has been completed.

Baton Rouge is an unusual venue for us, since the facility there is a semi-permanent "hot site" with a server, fifty computers, and fifty phones on line at all times. One of the things we had to get done before we could call ourselves finished was to get all the hot site items back to their rightful locations (things tend to get moved around during an operation, or taken out of service due to problems), and to get all the computers "re-imaged" for the next operation. All the computers remain powered up and on line, since they are being monitored and administered remotely.

Now that the job is over, we are just going to chill out for a few days while we contemplate our next move. There are no more storms on the horizon, and I think, after fourteen straight weeks, that we are done with the Red Cross for the season. We try to remain available for all of hurricane season, which technically runs through November, but I think we've done our part. The job that we actually started back in Orlando is still ongoing in Texas -- the only operation still open -- but they, too, are winding down and expect to be closed before Thanksgiving.

I'll post more once we've had a chance to catch our breath, and we will then return to our normal schedule of posting at least each time we move.

5 comments:

  1. Oh man! I've been checking in almost every day....congratulations! (I guess that's what's appropriate) 14 weeks is a long time. You guys are either really, really committed, or perhaps need to be "committed".
    I look forward to your future travels.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations on your efforts. Wonderful of you give your time and energy - wow 14 weeks! Well done.

    Randy and Pam
    www.warnerrvews.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. In the past you have mentioned that you sleep overnight in picnic areas sometimes. How can I find out what states allow that? We are picking up our coach on Thursday. Yeah. KZ

    ReplyDelete
  4. @Lazy KZ:

    That's a simple question with a complex answer.

    The short answer is that Texas is really the only state (AFAIK) that even has "picnic areas" in any consistent way, and Texas generally allows overnights in all picnic areas unless otherwise posted (such as at this one).

    That said, many states have rest areas of various kinds, and knowing whether overnight parking is allowed or not is something of an art. We use a variety of guide books to help us out, which Louise wrote about extensively here.

    The Escapees' "Days End" directory, available to members, is very useful when it comes to rest area stops. And several books, notably the "Guide to Free Campgrounds," list whether overnight stays in interstate rest areas are permitted.

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't think your web page is updating correctly, I still see the 10/31/08 post BUT the Twitter URL shows the most current. What's up?

    ReplyDelete

Share your comments on this post! We currently allow anyone to comment without registering. If you choose to use the "anonymous" option, please add your name or nickname to the bottom of your comment, within the main comment box. Getting feedback signed simply "anonymous" is kind of like having strangers shout things at us on the street: a bit disconcerting. Thanks!