Gladly. The most important element was that our vehicles were essentially preloaded. We had done this independently, but we both had a sleeping bag, first aid gear, water and snacks permanently stashed in our respective vehicles. Mrs. Hikermor also kept a pair of walking shoes. These days I never wear any other kind. I also had small shovels, a couple of saws, jumper cables, hand tools, maps, spare flashlights, and a fully accessorized Leatherman Wave in my vehicle. We would have been just fine if we had left instantly, with only those items. They weight less than fifty pounds and occupy maybe three cubic feet. My gas tank was slightly more than half full, with 200 miles range, which was more than we needed.

At one point we had a written check list (when our daughter was very young) but that has lapsed. We had a pretty good idea of priorities - people, pets, papers (insurance et al), pictures (typically unique family stuff). Add to that personal laptop computers and accessories and that was our unwritten check list.

Susan had corralled the significant papers before hand in a couple of file boxes. She got those in her car, along with our elderly cat in her cage (also cat food). I threw in some extra food, snack bars and canned food (Dinty Moore beef stew = MRE), my preloaded money belt with $20 bills, more water, my CERT bag which had a hard hat, more tools and other 24 hour necessities. I also added my solar panels and accessories (prepacked in an ammo can) plus more flashlights and my Zebralight headlamp usually used for bedtime reading. Since our power was out, I had been using it to get around the house, looking for stuff, along with the small AAA light on my EDC key ring. I also threw in my stock of rechargeable batteries, and two Goal Zero mini lanterns. Also a duffel bag of clothing. At the last minute, I threw in my S&W Mod 27 with accessories (also prepackaged in an ammo can) more for sentimental reasons than any fear of coming hostilities (but then you never quite know). A good many of my knives, some also more sentimental than anything else, made the cut.

With an increasingly ominous red glow upwind, we left. With the grid down and traffic lights not working, the five miles we drove was the most hazardous undertaking of the evening. I was very glad I am in the habit of baking into my usual parking space, facing the street - not a good time to be backing into traffic.

After the first night spent snoozing in our cars in the harbor, we were able to return to the house, whereupon we retrieved more heirloom items, mostly family photos, and other odds and ends, but that was just gravy.

I am glad our vehicles were preloaded. We could have walked out the door, driven away, and been just fine. We could have survived if we had only retrieved the backpacks from the cars, and walked away with those - just not as much fun.

We should have loaded more heirloom items the first time around. Other than that, I think we did pretty well - we were clearly stressed and not functioning at our best which is why preloading and modular packaging are important. Susan and I worked well together, and overall, this experience strengthens our relationship - Yea!!!