Ike has ruined my plans as well. I made the call to put off our trip about 30 minutes ago. I'll begin preparing my place over the next two days as I plan to ride the storm out regardless of where it hits, even with a direct hit I am staying. I don't have the patience, money or the time to travel 46 round trip miles over a 14.5 hour period, been there done that, and I am not doing it again! The local government may claim they have made improvements since Rita and evacuations will be much smoother and I might agree with them because this ol' boy is staying put! After last nights inventory, I have plenty of batteries, a radio, 2 battery operation lanterns, 2 coleman lanterns, about 2 weeks worth of food, a grill, a coleman stove with plenty of fuel, 3-5 gallon solar showers and 2-5 gallon water bottles, 2 cases of bottled drinking water, a .38, a .45 and a 12 & 20 gauge ready for looters! Bring it on Ike!