Monday, April 14, 2014

Day 250. April 13, 2024. Frightening windstorm!


LOCATION:  Lubbock, TX in noth panhandle part of the state
WEATHER:  Hot, high around 88 and WINDY

We packed up from the Airstream rally and got an early start.  We are heading north, first to see a famous canyon, and then to start our trek back to MN.

We started in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.  The wildflowers, especially the a Texas bluebonnets are at their peak.  Then we drove through thousands of acres of cotton fields.  We didn't know Texas grows so much cotton.  

Then about noon, it was my turn to drive.  Suddenly, high winds started up from the west.  For a short period, I had to go straight west into the wind on the Interstate.  I had the gas pedal floored, but couldn't get up to even 50 mph.  Then we turned north, and the winds blew us all over the road.  I was holding the steering wheel so tightly that my arms ached later.  Tumbleweeds blew across the road.  There was so much dust that you could not see the wind generators in the fields.  There was road construction, so nowhere to turn off.  It was so scary.  Finally, we saw this abandoned cotton gin, and I pulled over.

We tried to open the car door, but the wind was too strong.  This building was very rickety and we thought a piece of metal might fly off.  We parked for about 30 minutes hoping the gusts would due down.  It did improve a bit, and George took the wheel.

The wind was so hot and piercing...about 88.  Tonight, it is supposed to get down to 29, and possibly snow Monday AM.  With the wind and weather forecast, we decided to stay in Lubbock in a motel.

It was a long day on the road...more than 8 hours.  George happily watched the final hour of the Master's Golf Tournament in the motel.  We didn't want to unhook the camper, and there are no restaurants nearby, so we ate leftovers in the room.   



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