The last three days were a figurative and literal whirlwind. An inauspicious start when a flat tire just west of Lincoln had me changing a drivers front tire on one of the busiest highways in the U.S. The buffeting winds of the passing semis were only a glimpse of what we were to encounter on 81/35 South.
Just north of Salina, KS we spotted Jim Cantore pulled over keeping an eye on a massive wall cloud. He was just the first storm chaser we would encounter.
We saw this tank between Oklahoma City and Guthrie.
We approached a monster storm cloud as we pulled into Lawton, OK around 5 pm. After 560 miles of driving the worst weather of the trip would be the final 10 miles. Driving rain and high winds (80+ mph) brought traffic to a standstill, 3 cars in the opposite lane were blown off the road into the ditch.
People in Oklahoma are stoic about this. As I mentioned last week, hardly any have basements, and very few have “Fraidy Holes.”
My dad does have a storm cellar.
A concrete bunker really. Sparse provisions and no creature comforts.
Simple and life saving, I just can’t imagine living in Oklahoma without one.
We watched this thunderhead blow up in just moments. It would spawn several tornadoes.
This has been one of the most active tornado seasons in memory. An eye to the sky and an ear for the emergency sirens a must.
The beneficial rains did bring a rare glimpse of the natural wildflowers.
A single Buckley Penstemon amidst the coreopsis offers contrast to the rugged natural beauty of the Wichita Mountains.
Coneflowers.
Sedum growing on the rocks.
Indian Paintbrush.
Mexican Sombreros.
Cactus blossoms. Hard lesson learned, don’t pick one of these beauties for your girlfriend, ouch!
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