Secretly, (well it’s not really a secret) I have always desired to pursue “STORM CHASING”. I grew up near Houston, and in the early 90s there just happened to be several tornadoes touch down in our area. Kids were coming to school with casts on their arms as a result of the shards of glass kicked up from a tornado, our school tornado drills were no longer “drills”- the whole West side of our elementary (very large glass windows) were blown out while us kids were assuming the duck & cover position, etc… So, naturally I developed a love and fear for storms (especially involving tornadoes.) My step dad and I even used to order the video taped storm chaser series from The Weather Channel and watch them hours at a time.

One day I will capture a crazy storm/tornado in a photo or on film!

Discovery Channel Storm Chasers

http://www.stormchaser.com/

http://www.stormtrack.org/

The other night we had the mother of all storms hit the DFW metroplex. Somewhere around 3:30 AM there were said to be 6 funnel clouds simultaneously around the metroplex. Too bad I wasn’t coherent at the time, because I probably would have run to get my camera. Instead I sat up in bed in response to the loud “war-like” noises with what I imagined to be a strobe light outside my bedroom windows quickly thought “wow” and fell back down on my pillow for a great night’s sleep. Shoot.

On my way into work traffic was crazy b/c of all the stop lights that were blinking red, uprooted trees, and radio stations that were down and unable to inform drivers of alternate routs. When I arrived at my office building, the parking lot was cover in tree branches, leaves, and other foliage. My thought was ” My gosh, did it rain tree here?” Needless to say, the crazy tornado alley storm carried in beautiful weather for the remainder of the week! This seems to be a recurring pattern in Dallas. Crazy storm, great weather. Crazy storm, great weather. Cold front, warm front, cold front, etc…. I’ve learned to dress for all weather occasions each day now. I start with a nice spring outfit and layer on a sweater or jacket, followed by rain gear, which includes an umbrella and possibly the rain boots- just in case.

So it’s true… April shower bring May flowers!