Challenge Entry

Loss Challenge

By RobinG
3
written 5/15/07 11:29 AM, published 5/20/07 6:48 PM

First, please forgive me, I forgot to shoot in b&w, I remembered this morning at 4 am.  I don't have the program to change to b&w.  

The Flood of 93 caused alot of loss, I live outside a town that had to relocate the entire town and start over, because of this flood. I did not live here at the time. They moved the entire town to the top of the bluffs.  The town is called Valmeyer, Illinois  My house was flooded to the second floor.  The owner decided not to take the buyout, he rebuilt the house, it was the family farm. He never lived in it again, they moved to the new town.  This brings back memories of the flood when people drive by Water line .  Mikes' is a popular hang out for the kids, they have ice cream, a little deli and convienence store, plus you can get gas.  Mike is also the local mechanic.  Here is his place after the flood Mikes' after here it is now Mikes' now at its new location.  Driving out where the town was, was very depressing when I first moved here, all the homes decimated with numbers painted on them to show that they were to be torn down.  Now you see the occasional farm buildings but no house.  The majority of the farmers still farm their ground they just don't live there. This family rebuilt after the flood, but this winter the house burned, they are too old to rebuild.  fire.  Nothing was ever done with this place Over grown.  This was a million dollar hog farm, renovated just before the flood Hog farm.  The new town now welcomes you Welcome sign.  If you want a little more info you can find it here http://www.conradol.com/valmeyer.html  Sorry this is so long.  Have a great afternoon!  :o)  



 
  • kitzi
    6
    Gosh Robin that's aweful..but a neat tribute to the enduring human spirit.

    - ©kitzi

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  • How sad...And what a TRUE loss... Your story was very heartfelt...Good pictures too...

    - Have a nice day...

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  • Isn't it amazing what people can rebound from, though? I'm glad they moved the town to higher ground. I have a terible feeling that the waters are going to keep rising for a long while. Good theme post, Robin.

    - learning never ends

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  • Nicely done Robin...

    - Growing Up is Optional...

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  • Very informative post, the town slogan on the sign.... Rising to New Heights... really does mean just that does't it? I remember riding up to Sturgis for the rally in 93 and seeing so much of the aftermath of those floods all through the midwest... Mother Nature really does call the shots, and leaves us to rebuild.

    - Run Bubba Run!

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  • I've seen towns that were just abandoned and always wondered what could have happened to make all the people leave. Now I know. Nice post Robin!

    - blow.....hard

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  • I like your story about the relocated town...Nature is very distructive at times, glad that most are able to rebuild and start over. Is a shame no one did anything to the place that is all grown over.

    - Blessings

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  • kalole0
    4
    It is a sad story repeated in so many ways and so many places. Katrina comes to mind. Water line really helps to put the extent of the flooding in perspective. WOW

    - togetherness.....

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  • fuzzy1
    4
    GREAT challenge post..this illustrates loss very well...

    - f8 and be there...

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  • well done. my little town was wiped out by the plague of 1917-18 , was not enough people left to go foward and the whole town just rotted into the earth...d

    - out.....there

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  • That's some loss! Very sad, but also a little hopeful. Sometimes a fresh start can be a good thing. I hope the new town will continue to grow. Don't worry about b/w, these look good in colour! Great theme post, Robin!

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  • Sopris
    4
    Excellent post Robin!

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  • bugaboo
    4
    Outstanding post, great shots to represent the story!

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  • RobinG
    3
    Thanks everyone! The town is growing, I think it has around 1200 people in it. It's a great town to be a part of. :o)

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  • Pyro43
    6
    Good theme post, Robin. It's such a pity that people have to suffer so. Now to the favorites page.

    - Mmmmmm... Multiplicative

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  • trio55
    4
    Nice story, Robin. I'll never forget the floods of 93. Worked all summer without a day off, sun up to sun down and later most nights. A lot of those hours were spent working not far from Valmeyer. The rains were relentless.

    - Climbing Higher

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