Trips with Grayline Tours

Trip to Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC  2005

Trip to Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN

Christmas Time at Dollywood

During this last year, I have had the chance to take some trips around the country with Grayline Tours of Nashville. One of the most memorable was a run down to New Orleans, La. after Hurricane Katrina.  That trip taught me a lot about people and circumstances, and just what others are capable of doing in times of need. There was no movement except by Police escort, and it was an eye opening experience to see soldiers fully armed and at the ready.

Myself and another driver, Jarrod McCord, spent seven days down there, each taking survivors from the Super dome to the Astrodome in Houston, TX. Of those seven days, we were only able to spend one day in a hotel (on the return trip from Houston).  On the way to Houston, we made a stop at a rest area near St. Martinsville, LA.

Upon arrival at the rest area, we were greeted by a large group of people who had donated an enormous amounts of hot delicious food, water, clothing, and other basic necessities for the survivors on board the bus.  One of the people there that helped make all the difference for the passengers was Deputy Nick Breaux, a Lieutenant with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office, a rare gentleman that went out of his way to make everyone feel welcome and made sure everyone had what they needed before we pulled away, always in good humor and elevated spirits, considering the conditions. He and his people were given a most well deserved round of applause by the survivors before we pulled away. Many Thanks to Sheriff Ronny Theriot for allowing his personnel to assist.

While in the staging area just outside New Orleans, there was an average of 300 buses waiting to be assigned to pick up passengers.  While we were there, soldiers were welcomed aboard to enjoy the air conditioning, watch movies, call home and write e-mails home. Many of the soldiers were able to enjoy sleeping in air conditioned quarters for the first time since they were called into action. They went out of their way to make sure all the drivers had what they needed and that no one ran out of fuel, and that we felt secure under the current conditions. Many Thanks to Verizon Cellular for donating minutes so that soldiers could call home without it costing me a fortune.

I feel honored to help those in need, but the media definitely left me in less than desirable spirits. What really occurred and what the general public were shown and told were two drastically different stories.

To the survivors, I hope that you and your families were able to get back together and rebuild your lives, whether in New Orleans or elsewhere. My prayers are with you, wherever you may be...