When I was little, I was so terrified of storms that I would throw up. My mom used to buy me all kinds of books about storms to show me there was nothing to be afraid of, but they had no effect; I would still puke. I was young enough that I only have a vague memory of this. I also remember how, when it stormed at night, my parents would hold my ears for me. And my mom was better at it than my dad.
I don't know when this shifted to fascination, but for years now, I've wanted to go storm chasing. I really really really want to see a tornado. I know Tom Skilling has this trip you can go on, but I think it's in April, so that won't work with my teaching schedule. But I have to find a way to do this. I've been unsuccessful in my solo attempts so far.
Last year I went to Cedar Point with my mom and some extended family. I was alone in the room when the tornado sirens started going off. A quick viewing of the Weather Channel revealed that there were several tornadoes in the area. After hearing the street names where they'd been spotted and the direction they were traveling, I took off running for my car. Looking back, I realize this may not have been the brightest idea since I was unfamiliar with the area and did not have GPS or anything. But from the way I was traveling I should have driven right into it. Sadly, I saw nothing. And on top of that disappointment, I had to listen to my mom freaking out- she was less than thrilled when she called and found out where I was.
Tonight there is a tornado watch, but I don't want to see a tornado in the city; I think that would be pretty scary because, well, by the time you saw it it would be a few blocks away, and I don't want to get that close. But I would like to see some more hail. I threw my coat on and ran to the door in an attempt to go play in it, and by the time I got to the door, it had stopped.
So anyway, I am adding to my list of things to do this summer: Go storm chasing.
I don't know when this shifted to fascination, but for years now, I've wanted to go storm chasing. I really really really want to see a tornado. I know Tom Skilling has this trip you can go on, but I think it's in April, so that won't work with my teaching schedule. But I have to find a way to do this. I've been unsuccessful in my solo attempts so far.
Last year I went to Cedar Point with my mom and some extended family. I was alone in the room when the tornado sirens started going off. A quick viewing of the Weather Channel revealed that there were several tornadoes in the area. After hearing the street names where they'd been spotted and the direction they were traveling, I took off running for my car. Looking back, I realize this may not have been the brightest idea since I was unfamiliar with the area and did not have GPS or anything. But from the way I was traveling I should have driven right into it. Sadly, I saw nothing. And on top of that disappointment, I had to listen to my mom freaking out- she was less than thrilled when she called and found out where I was.
Tonight there is a tornado watch, but I don't want to see a tornado in the city; I think that would be pretty scary because, well, by the time you saw it it would be a few blocks away, and I don't want to get that close. But I would like to see some more hail. I threw my coat on and ran to the door in an attempt to go play in it, and by the time I got to the door, it had stopped.
So anyway, I am adding to my list of things to do this summer: Go storm chasing.
Comments
I would definitely not recommend doing it on your own though, haha. There is always hail around the area a tornado is in so a the very least your car would get some nasty damage. Let it happen to someone else's car.
That, and its easier to look as a passenger.
I remember being really scared of them as a kid too. I'd tie a bandanna around my eyes and put earplugs in or go in the basement when it was just a regular old storm. Cried a lot too, haha.
But I'd love to go on a storm chasing tour too... I was talking to my mom about it earlier, haha. The only problem is that you're not guaranteed to see anything so it could end up being a waste of money..