35 mile-an-hour winds out of the south, southwest pushed us through New Mexico to Santa Rosa on Friday afternoon & evening. It is always windy in New Mexico. It was just nice to have it to our advantage on Friday.
For seven years we have seen the signs "Watch for Wildlife"
and "Elk Crossing", but in the two trips each year, only once have
elk been spotted. That was by the driver, Curt, while I napped.
I didn't see them. It doesn't count. That changed on Friday
afternoon as this small herd of 5 crossed the highway west of
Socorro NM as I was driving. Curt was in charge of the camera.
Our New Mexico excitement!
We also knew about the rain, thunderstorms and possible tornadoes on Saturday. The probable path ran from eastern South Dakota south through eastern Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma & Texas. Snow was predicted in Colorado. The solution: travel through western OK, KS & as far west through NE as was feasible since our destination is eastern SD.
As we drove north we watched the clouds build to the east through KS. As we reached NE, we watched the clouds develop to the west. There were a few sprinkles on the windshield, but no rain.
We stopped in North Platte to refuel and potty stop before our final destination, Valentine. As we stepped out of the van, the town's weather alert sirens were sounding. A tornado was heading to town. We completed our business and took cover under the awning of a Sonic to wait out the storm.
At the gas station we learned 4 tornadoes had been spotted near North Platte. The area had also received 4 inches of rain in a very short time period, and large marble size hail had fallen, all prior to our arrival.
Most of this was on the ground prior to our stop.
More pea size and some marble size hail fell while
we were parked at Sonic.
The sirens quit. The hail ended.
The rain slowed to sprinkles.
AND...the sun made its appearance.
We got back on the road once the threat was passed.
As we headed north we were blessed with this sight.
I loved seeing the clouds move across the rainbow.
The promise of a new day.
Glad you made it through the bad weather in one piece. Love the pictures especially the rainbow pictures, the sky is so blue.
ReplyDeleteWow was the first word that came out of my mouth when I saw the rainbow.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, that sounded a bit frightening to me with clouds moving all over the place,sirans blasting and hail. You are brave! What is Sonic? Did you think it was coming your way?????