Friday, June 14, 2013

Storm's a Comin'

My trip to Iowa earlier this week was not without some drama. I prefer my trips without it. The good early part was that everyone in Iowa really seemed to like me and gave me their undivided attention, even more than my family does at times, LOL.

 
Another fantastic group of sweet quilter ladies, as my daughter calls them.
 
The next day, we headed for home and decided to stop at the Amana Colonies for lunch and a quick look at a few antiques shops (of course) and the local quilt shop.  We'd been there before on another trip to Iowa last year.
 
 
 
 
 
The day was slightly overcast and I really hadn't paid much attention to the weather but noticed that the sky seemed to be getting a little dark as we were walking around shopping.
 
 
 
Such a cute little area!
 
 
 
 
 
The Painted Cupboard. I wanted to buy everything in the store!
 
 
 
Back in the car, the wind picked up and the sky became even darker. We were still hours away from home. The radio said significant storms were expected in the area we were headed into. There were no alternate routes other than the main highway going back to Chicago.
 
 
I got a text message from my son:  Storm's a Comin' he said. He was talking about the weather in Chicago but we were moving right along with it and I'm not sure if he even knew exactly where we were. Yes, I know, we're in the middle of it right now, I replied.  Stay safe. Love you.
 
 
We were on the road in the middle of nowhere and the next exit was miles away. Right about this time it started to rain - with lightning and  heavy hail. We couldn't see the road very well and my hand started shaking so I put the camera down. The weatherman on the radio then said my least favorite word during a storm - Tornadoes.
 
 
Look at those clouds!
 
The open road did not seem safe at all so we did the smart thing and decided to get off the road and hunkered down for over an hour at an oasis at the next exit until the worst part sort of passed and there was a break in the storms. At one point a storm was chasing us. My husband assured me we were driving faster than it was coming at us but it became stronger than we thought and eventually I convinced him to pull over again until it passed and we could see the road once more. We arrived home a little later than expected that evening and still  a bit shaky but you can imagine how glad we were to be safe and sound. I can't remember the last time driving was so stressful and was glad my husband came along on the trip this time. The next day I copied an emergency list of storm safety tips while on the road and stashed it in the car for the next time, just in case.  
 
 

23 comments:

Heartsdesire said...

Wow, that must have been really scary. The pictures of those dark clouds would make anyone nervous. Glad you made it home safely and those storms pasted by.

Beverley said...

So glad you are OK. Bev.

moosecraft said...

Wowie! Those are some awesome pics of the storm! So glad you got home ok! "Sweet quilter ladies"... love it! :-)

terriquilts said...

So glad you made it through safely. Those storms can be so frightening! We had a thunderstorm with some wind and no damage, but not far from us had a lot more damage from the wind.
Terri in Southwest Michigan

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

WOW! That was some trip home--thankful you and yours are safe

Noela said...

Sounds like a very worrying trip home for you. Glad you made it safely. Hugs....

Anonymous said...

Good to have a plan for safety, but always follow your gut in these situations. Sometimes, it's good to be the back-seat driver! So, Kathy, where are the tornado pictures?? Mary in AZ

The Civil War Quilter said...

Sooo glad you made it home safely! You took some incredible photos. That's one trip you won't forget anytime soon!

Nancy said...

So glad you are safe. Your storm cloud photographs are amazing! Thanks for sharing them.

Barbara J said...

Must have been a stressful trip back home. Glad that you're back safe. The tornadoes in the US was really scarry. But goodness the pics of those dark clouds are beautiful.

Pam in IL said...

I've driven in some nasty storms like that and you're right, it's stressful! Glad you got home safely.

Purl Buttons said...

I am so glad you arrived home without incident. Storms are scary but some of those photos you got are quite beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Glad you made it through your trip safely, some of those storms can be so scary! My sister and I were at the Amana Colonies last year for the first time and I loved it! So many darling shops to go through. We stopped at Galena, IL on the way home too. I'm ready to go again!
Christine in WI

Ellie said...

Great storm cloud photos but best part is you made it home safely! We had lots of wind in central Indiana but not much damage fortunately. Having a travel plan for the car is a good idea.

quiltgrannie said...

I'm so sorry your return trip was so stressful!
I'm glad you convinced hubby to stop driving, they can be so stubborn sometimes. Karen/IL.

Maxine said...

I'm so glad you made it home safely.

PWiggs said...

Happy to read you completed the trip without any major event -- smart idea for the emergency tips in the vehicle. Storms are getting so brutal -- stay safe.

Beth said...

I would have been shaking too! That was some wild weather. I am glad you were not alone and that you and the hubs made it home safely. Even if it was later than you planned.

Sue SA said...

Yikes, glad you made it home safe and sound. Good idea to keep the safety tips in the car, as it is hard to think in a time like that, especially when you are in unfamiliar territory.

pandchintz said...

How scary!! So pleased to hear you're home safe and sound. Loved the painted cupboard - do you think they ship to Australia?!

Linda Coleman said...

glad you made it home safely kathy

veerle said...

Hello,
My name is Veerle and I live in Belgium. I just found your blog and will be following you as of now. What a nice place but so scary!!! Have a nice sunday

Carmen y Prady said...

Que viaje tan bonito y que tienda más preciosa.
El tiempo no os acompaño, que miedo esas nubes tan negras.
Un beso.