Storm Evaders

With a 100% chance of rain, high winds and possible hail in the forecast, we decided to drive west until we passed through the cold front bearing down on East Texas and Louisiana. This was our first modification of the trip because we had originally planned to go south but the weather for the week looks bad in that direction. Even though we knew it meant a day of driving in the rain, the forecast calls for clear skies for the week at Lake Mineral Wells State Park, eighty miles west of Dallas. We are ready to settle down in one place for 5 or 6 days, and explore an area, so west seems a better bet. 

Rainy driving days are difficult for a number of reasons. Obviously, the driving is more nerve racking but it’s also difficult to picnic for lunch in a thunderstorm. Because we travel with our dog, we try to picnic at rest areas along the way to give us and her a break from the truck. It probably comes as no surprise that all interstate rest areas are not created equal. From previous travels, we’ve been impressed with Texas and New Mexico’s tile murals in the rest area buildings that usually relate to the history or persona of the state. 

Timing is everything and we arrived at our first Texas state park, of the trip, to a welcomed lull in the thunderstorms and were able to unhitch and set up before the next line of storms hit. Today has been a literal “wash”, but we are cozy inside hoping for clear skies tomorrow.