The morning in Dallas. Bus Fire / People parked everywhere / Lines

[Silverhair]

Today my wife wanted me to take her to work. She normally leaves at 6AM (Still dark here at that time.) by herself and drives I-45. But fearing that the traffic may force her off I-45 she asked me to drive. I know the back roads and she doesn't so I can bypass a problem if needed.

A few minutes after getting on I-45, at the Marsh Lane exit, we saw cars beginning to slow and merge left. We could see flames on the shoulder of the road. I thought that it was an 18-wheeler on fire. I took the exit to avoid the merge, and saw it was a bus. The fire had just started and only the rear of the bus was on fire. Two police cars were there and the officers and others were helping people off the bus. They were carrying some.

On the way into Dallas, we passed hundred of cars parked well off the side of the road. People that had driven until they were just too tired to drive and had to rest. Mostly the cars were in groups, for mutual safety I suppose. We saw only a few that were parked alone.

I stayed at work with her until daylight, then started home. I saw a sign that said that I-45 South was closed in Ennis, about 35 miles south of Dallas. I think they have made it a northbound only. Most of the cars parked on the side of the road were gone.

At the site of the bus burning was a big traffic snarl. Southbound was no problem as that traffic was extremely light and the service road was able to handle all of us. But the north lane was stacked up for miles. When I got to the town I live in, there were lines at the gas stations. (I had filled up the evening before - both cars.) Police were diverting traffic from I-45 onto a two lane road that connects to I-35 about ten miles away. Roads that normally have modest traffic were packed. Many of the people seemed to be confused.

Local churches have set up shelters and quickly became full.

We have personally taken two elderly women from Houston into our home. They were just too tired to make it any further.

[Pirate Smile]

1. How kind of you. What is the general feeling regarding how everything

has been handled so far?

[Silverhair]

5. I haven't talked to anybody about "the big picture".

Most people, understandably, are concerned with their making their little piece of it work.

That kind of thinking usually come later, when you have time to reflect.

[Mizmoon]

2. Your kindness makes the whole world better

each small act means a lot. Good for you and your wife.

[Kazak]

3. Man, that is horrible!

I cringe looking at the pictures...how awful!

[spuddonna]

4. Bless you...

I hope all these people get to safety as quickly as possible...