Good Morning Tracey,

What's the latest news?

The latest news is about 19,600 acres burned. No human life was lost and as of yesterday, 85% of the fire was under control.

One or two highways are still closed, I'm not sure whether it's HWY 90 but other roads have re-opened and people have started drifting back into Barfoot Resort to assess the damage of their homes.

What I thought was really great was that several large hotel chains on the Grand Strand offered free rooms to the victims of the fire. That's what I call helping people. Red Cross and shelters were also available.

In all it's about as good an outcome as we could have expected from such an event.

Since Wednesday we have had daily dense smoke warnings here but  I was out riding around on my golf cart on Thursday because I didn't think it affected the South End but I was coughing pretty badly Friday, so I stayed in enclosed areas from then on, not walking about at all outside or doing yard work. I realized it had drifted all over when I looked at my skylites.

Otherwise, the weather is really beautiful here. Couldn't be more perfect and there are plenty of tourists on the beach.

Clem

The latest news is about 19,600 acres burned. No human life was lost and as of yesterday, 85% of the fire was under control.

One or two highways are still closed, I'm not sure whether it's HWY 90 but other roads have re-opened and people have started drifting back into Barfoot Resort to assess the damage of their homes.

What I thought was really great was that several large hotel chains on the Grand Strand offered free rooms to the victims of the fire. That's what I call helping people. Red Cross and shelters were also available.

In all it's about as good an outcome as we could have expected from such an event.

Since Wednesday we have had daily dense smoke warnings here but  I was out riding around on my golf cart on Thursday because I didn't think it affected the South End but I was coughing pretty badly Friday, so I stayed in enclosed areas from then on, not walking about at all outside or doing yard work. I realized it had drifted all over when I looked at my skylites.

Otherwise, the weather is really beautiful here. Couldn't be more perfect and there are plenty of tourists on the beach.

>>Today, even though the fires are not out everywhere, here along the coast, the winds are down, the temperature is perfect and the air appears to be clear. I walked this morning earlier and had no problems with coughing.<<

 I'm glad to hear that the smoke is not as bad as it was.  Hopefully, they can get these fires out sometime in the next day or two.

>>They're also having local fundraisers and I'm proud how people have come together to help. <<

It takes something like this to bring folks together, but at times like this, you see the good in people. 

>>That's already begun. Hopefully the authorities will get the last of the fires under control this week.

We sure could have used some rain last week.<<

We could have sent you some rain from Saturday night!  We had a beautiful day Saturday.  It got up to about 77F (which is unusual for this time of year) and I had the windows open.  As I was getting ready to go to a BBQ, I looked at the sky and it was very dark.  The winds started to pick up (they set a record...115 km/h winds).  Then the rain started.  We had some lightening, the rain and the wind.  It created some havoc around here.  Hydro poles snapped and fell, along with wires everywhere.  Many were without power, and yesterday afternoon, my power went out (although it wasn't storming at the time). 

Since my week was crazy, I haven't followed a darn thing!  What's the latest?  Are the fires out?

>>Sounds like you had a patch of really bad weather. Here it's been mid to upper 70's, perfect weather with plenty of sunshine through next week and only about a 30% chance of rain. That usually is isolated and rarely gets to the coast.

In short, perfect vacation weather.

I washed both my car and my golf cart yesterday. The stuff from the trees that is falling is almost at an end as well. That means I might be able to relax and not have to clean off the parking lot every couple of days.<<

We did have a bad storm last Saturday, but the week wasn't bad.  We still had a few days with that "winter" chill in the air, which I hate.  Now, we have warmer weather upon us.  It was quite pleasant yesterday, even if it was cloudy in the afternoon.  Today, the sun is shining and our expected high is 66F.  That I like.  I have windows open, which is wonderful!  It clears out that winter stale air.

 Hopefully this is the end of it.  The destruction must be awful.

We've had almost perfect weather here. It's been in the low 80's and dry for days and only isolated showers expected thru next week. Most don't materialise. Starting on the 7th, we'll see what the fallout will be for bike week. It start around then. With all the new ordinances, the number of bikers may be drastically down this year.

We have not had bad weather either.  Finally, some warmth in the air!  It's been in the high 60's, and looks like it will stay there for the week.  Let me know how bike week turns out.  Should be interesting.  But, attendance could be down due to the economy too.  You just don't know which it is..the ordinances or the economy.

The air quality seems to have vastly improved. Hopefully the fires are out and staying that way.

Let me know how bike week turns out.  Should be interesting.  But, attendance could be down due to the economy too.  You just don't know which it is..the ordinances or the economy.

The economy could play a part but the other part is the reduction in vendors' licenses and venues for different entertainment.

The Gold Wing Crowd is here right now but their bikes are quieter.

I'll be interested to see how long the rallys actually last. The vendors have reduced number of days, but usually the bikers arrive early and stay late. The local police is bringing in 160 officers from around the state.

I might just have to buy my groceries at 7 am and stay inside if it's as bad as last year.

Afternoon Tracey,

Let me know how bike week turns out.  Should be interesting.  But, attendance could be down due to the economy too.  You just don't know which it is..the ordinances or the economy.

There is fierce debate and comments in both the newspaper and the local TV stations. However, attendance in my area seems to be down by a lot. I don't have any figures yet. Another problem may be the weather. It's been very unpredictable and we are having thundershowers right now and more expected during this week.

We'll just have to wait and see after the rallys end what the numbers are.

Clem

There is fierce debate and comments in both the newspaper and the local TV stations. However, attendance in my area seems to be down by a lot. I don't have any figures yet. Another problem may be the weather. It's been very unpredictable and we are having thundershowers right now and more expected during this week.

We'll just have to wait and see after the rallys end what the numbers are.

Hi Tracey,

Be interesting to hear how much the numbers are down for this.  I know this was a popular week in MB.

The figures so far show a 13% drop. Translated that has meant I can sleep at night, there are no bikers roaring down my street at 3 a.m. and the restaurants and biker bars and hotels are  hurting for business.

The question is, does MB need biker bars, strip clubs and the noise and congestion that accompanies bike rallys in May? Critics insist the cost to MB for extra police, cleanup and local residents problems far outweigh the rewards to a few specific businesses. Most businesses don't benefit and vendors are not local, so the money goes out of state.

The bikers insist they spend a lot of money here and there are only a few bad apples who ruin it for the rest and that the MB Mayor needs to be gone from Office.

One positive aspect so far is that accidents are way down, there have been no fatalities from last year. That to me is positive.

Sorry to hear about your lousy weather!

I think the bad weather before and now have contributed to the downturn in biker attendance as well as the economy, more so than bikers being forced to wear a helmet or have a valid driver's license or have pipes that are below 89 Decibels at idle. But what do I know? That's just my opinion. We've had rain and wind almost every day of the rally so far.

Clem