One year ago today...

...what we refer to as "the storm" hit Pontiac Cove Marina. It's hard to believe it has been a year. Even more difficult to believe it was 78 degrees that day, as this morning in Pontiac we are somewhere in the teens! But sure enough, one year ago today it was pushing 80 in Pontiac. Unseasonably warm, yes, but no one was complaining. That is until a cold front came crashing in, dropping the temp about 40 degrees in a matter of minutes and bringing with it a storm that would wreak havoc on the place. The only witnesses were Jackie Klineline (owner of Just Jackie's restaurant on the hill) and Mary Cline. The two were at the restaurant, and when they saw tin flying through the air, they ran in the walk-in cooler for safety until it was over. When they emerged from their hiding place, what they saw below them at the marina was devastation.

As most of you know, the damage has all been repaired; and a brand new dock was built in place of the one that was totally destroyed. Some boats suffered minor damage; a few boats had more major damage. But in reality, it could have been much worse -- remember the ice storm that hit Lake of the Ozarks at the end of last year... we don't even want to think about that kind of devastation.

"The storm" on Feb. 16, 2006 was arguably one of the worst storms, in terms of damage, this dock has ever seen. At the time it seemed like the worst thing in the world. But we know better than that. There are many worse tragedies that have occurred in this world that affected a thousand times more people. But in our little piece of paradise, it was pretty scary.

While this day doesn't exactly call for any "happy" anniversary salutes, for us it serves as a reminder how lucky we are to have bounced back the way we did. We were open for business during the repairs and rebuilding, and we were back in the full swing of business by Memorial weekend.

I'll admit it -- I'm secretly wishing it were pushing 80 in Pontiac today, as I sit here in my layers upon layers of clothing. I'm ready for summer! But you know, I'm leery of those unseasonably warm winter days now. It just isn't normal to be wearing shorts and flip-flops before March. So I'll take 18 degrees in February any day.

Cheers!

Click here to view more pics of the storm damage from Feb. 16, 2006.