Milton is Getting Bigger and Badder (and We're Starting to Freak Out... a Little)

The Calm Before the Storm (and the Toilet Paper Panic)

Hurricane Prep - Day 2: Our sleepy little town of Cape Canaveral is anything BUT sleepy right now. It's like the entire state of Florida has collectively decided to lose its mind as Hurricane Milton barrels toward the coast. Except for a few die-hard locals, that is. More on them in a minute.

Grocery stores are practically battlegrounds, with people scrambling to stock up on essentials like water, milk, and... toilet paper? Seriously, folks, what's with the TP obsession? Do you think a hurricane is going to magically turn everyone into a nervous poodle? I just don't get it. 🤷‍♀️

Well, there goes my running route for the next few days. Thanks, Milton! Guess I'll be doing laps around the living room. #TimeForTreadmill #HurricaneSeason #FloridaLife #GhostTown

Hunkering Down (While Others Embrace the Wind)

Anyway, back to the actual hurricane prep. Windows are being boarded up, hurricane shutters are slamming shut, and patio furniture is being dragged inside like it has suddenly sprouted legs. Even the cruise ships have abandoned the port, leaving the harbor eerily empty. It's like the whole town is bracing for impact... except, well, not everyone.

You see, there's a certain breed of Floridian who laughs in the face of hurricanes. They're the ones who hang out at the handful of bars that stay open during storms (yes, they really do!), sipping on "hurricanes" (obviously!) and swapping stories about past weather events. It's a strange mix of nonchalance and thrill-seeking, and I can't quite decide if I admire them or think they're completely insane.

This guy clearly didn't get the 'batten down the hatches' memo. Respect the dedication! #HurricaneMilton #FloridaMan #ExtremeSports #ImOut

And then there are the kiteboarders. While most of us are battening down the hatches, these daredevils are out on the beach, harnessing the increasingly ferocious wind to perform aerial acrobatics. I guess when life gives you hurricane-force winds, you go kiteboarding? Yeah, not me.

East Coast vs. West Coast (Sending Good Vibes)

Here on the east coast of Florida, we're hoping to avoid the worst of Milton's wrath, but the forecast still calls for some serious wind and a storm surge that could turn our streets into canals. (Cue the mental image of us cruising to the grocery store on paddleboards.) Our west coast neighbors, on the other hand, are staring down the barrel of a potential catastrophe. Milton is heading straight for them, and it's not looking pretty. We're sending all our good vibes their way and hoping for the best. 🙏

Forget the big box stores, this is where the real hurricane prep happens! Cape Canaveral Liquors is a local institution, and they're always there for us, rain or shine. Stay safe, and we'll see you on the flip side! 🍻 #HurricanePrep #LocalHeroes #CommunityLove #CapeCanaveral

Operation: Save the Beer (and the Plants)

As for us, we're hunkering down and hoping the roof of our little beach condo doesn't blow away. The deck furniture is currently having a slumber party in our yoga room (guess we won't be doing any sun salutations anytime soon), and Ty's precious potted plants are getting a crash course in indoor living. We've got food, water, coolers full of ice, a car full of gas (thank goodness the mold-mobile is back in action!), and — obviously — plenty of beer! 🍻

Even Buddha needs a safe space during a hurricane! Our yoga room is now a temporary home for our patio furniture.

Waiting for Milton (and Maybe Losing Our Minds)

The whole town feels like it's holding its breath, waiting for Milton to make his move. Stores and restaurants are already closing, Jetty Park (my daily-run-happy-place) is locked up tight, and even the peacocks seem to have disappeared. It's eerie, exciting, and a little terrifying all at the same time.

Stay tuned for updates on our hurricane adventure. Will we lose power? Will our top-floor condo become an open-air theater? Will Ty finally admit that maybe, just maybe, bringing all 47 of his potted plants inside wasn't his best idea? Find out tomorrow on... "Adventures in the Sunshine State (where anything can happen!)"

Teamwork makes the dream work (and keeps the beer cold). Ty's hard at work prepping our hurricane survival kit, one bag of ice at a time. We've got this, Milton! 💪 #Preparedness #CoupleGoals