Boy, am I behind!

I have to be in the mood to write sometimes, and these last several weeks I haven’t been there. Don’t know why, it’s hard to explain, so I won’t try. Anyway my last entry was my trip to Speedway and cousin Larry. It seems like months ago. So let’s see if I can get caught up.

After my visit to Crown Hill cemetery May 7th, I headed Southeast in a slight drizzle towards a small town called Brookville, Indiana. I had found a state park near there that was on Brookville Lake at Mounds state recreation area. It was a nice drive once I got off of the 74 , and traveled the back roads on the 44 through Rushville, Indiana for one. The irony of this small city was very apparent as you pull in, is that it is anything but a Rush, the speed limit is 25 MPH! Yes, Rushville is in no rush. Looked like a nice place, I was able to browse obviously. I finally was able to make it through town and on my way. There where other cool places like Homer, Manila, Mauzy, Bunker Hill, can’t forget Connersville and on to Liberty. From Liberty I took the 101 south to the campground, which will be my place for a couple nights if all goes as planned.

The park and campgrounds very empty, at least where I was staying. There were hills and lots of trees. There was a boat ramp near by also. I was on a loop and across the road the shower and bathroom building were conveniently located. These buildings were also designated storm shelters which are nice to have, as I found out later that night.

I had been keeping an eye on the weather the whole drive to this campground and saw there were storms possibly heading my way. Even though the weather was beautiful when I arrived I decided to hold off setting up my tent until I could see if things were going to explode in the western sky. The loop I was in was empty, at least 30+ sites and I was it! I did notice someone was camping in a tent behind me about 30 yards or so away. I was glad it wasn’t me. I saw a strange dude walking by the bathrooms when I arrived, he seemed out of place I guess one could say. He walked by and I was taking my bike off the rack when I looked up and saw him walking back from the bathrooms wearing nothing but what appeared to be woman’s T-back panties. I didn’t see where he went as my eyes were burning, but I hoped he wasn’t the guy staying in the tent next door. I rode my bike to another loop and there were a couple tents and a van back there, far enough away for me. Still wasn’t sure who was staying in the tent near me.

The sky’s were getting darker and the wind was picking up, I was feeling good about not setting up my tent and began to set up the command module. The interior of my truck is not spacious by any means, but I had weathered a storm at the beginning of my trip in April in there, how much worse can it be. So I named it the command module due to the cramped space, stocked with everything one needs to survive. I snaked an electric cord through the rear window to power my computer, hotspot for Wifi, and a fan. I had snacks, drinks, candy, a blanket, and pillows. I only had the drivers side to live in as the passenger side was already packed with stuff for the trip. I felt Like John Glenn. Most importantly I had computer access which was vital, like being in space! I watched radar views as this storm roared at me. I knew that this front was the one that had just gone through Oklahoma spawning 5 or so tornado’s the day before. As it got darker outside and the rain harder I climbed aboard my lifeboat. I had been inside for an hour or so and the wind picked up. I thought I saw a jeep go over towards the tent behind me but still couldn’t see who it could be, is it that strange dude or what?

The area was under a Tornado warnings and I could see why. I saw a truck driving through the loop (oh yea, the loop is just the road that goes through the camping area which is sometimes a mix of RV, camper trailers, tents and me.) He slowed in front of me and I rolled down my window, he said there had been reports of rotating winds in the area. He said the bathrooms aka storm shelters now, were open and use them if needed. I thanked him and after a little bit of thinking I went over to the shelter. I opened the door and propped it open and was able to stand under the over hang and out of the rain and the wall was protection from the wind. Not long after I walked over there I saw a Jeep drive over and park , boy was I hoping this wasn’t the guy I saw earlier. It wasn’t! Turns out he was a great guy staying in the tent on a fishing getaway by himself. He too thought it was a good idea to hang out at the shelter, even if we were standing outside. It was about 7pm when I went to the shelter, we were under Tornado warnings until 11pm, we stood out there and watched the wind and I hoped my truck wouldn’t fly away. We hung out there until midnight and things improved enough to return to the command module for the night. While my new friend went back to his tent.

The next morning was wet, but the rain had stopped and the placed looked great. But I of course had been watching the weather and the report was the storms would be returning tonight. As I had mentioned I was planning on staying two nights and were paid for, but I wasn’t sure if I should stay. What should I do?

I needed to look at my options, the storms that were coming later that evening were more of the same from last night, did I want to spend another night in the command module? I reviewed the radar and it’s track, it was coming this way for sure. Should I stay or should I go now played in my head, I had already paid and they wouldn’t refund because of weather. I thought that maybe If I head farther East and a little North into Ohio I could dodge this storm, I looked for state parks in Ohio. Why would I want to go back to Ohio, well a cousin of mine lived there and she was on my “Martha’s to do list”. I didn’t have a chance to see her when I was in Ohio the first time, so if I go over there and camp I can hopefully see her on the weekend. And avoid the storms.

I found the perfect place, Kiser Lake State park in Conover, Ohio. It’s not far from my cousins place and the best part it’s my mother’s maiden name and my cousins also. It’s even spelled the same, Kiser. I decided to leave, take a loss, but hope to out run the storm. I am on my way!

Next up, heading back to Ohio and hopefully a drier couple days, at least I hope…..