I’m writing this final post while we’re on the road from Plainview, TX back to Oklahoma City- although I won’t be able to post this until we’ve arrived in OKC. Today was our final chase day, and after 3 sweet dates with nature, today ended up being meteorologically unexciting. The highlight of my day was getting up early, eating breakfast, and then going back to bed until 10. Oh, and I finished my second novel in five days- storm chasing is good for bookworms.
---Postscript---
After we struck out in Plainview we stopped in Amarillo to divest ourselves of the larger group and our driver, Ryan (thanks for being so awesome, Ryan!). Caryn (who is also fantastic- thanks for everything, Caryn!) took the wheel, we grabbed sandwiches, and hunkered down for an uneventful ride back to Oklahoma City...but nature had some other ideas, and surprised us with a fabulous parting gift- an unexpected cell popped up and escorted the van towards OKC. Beyond a tripmate's unexpected close encounter of the rattlesnake kind, it was a beautiful drive east:
It’s hard to believe this adventure is over; after so many days of preparation, counting down, analyzing the spring weather patterns to the best of my amateur abilities, and avidly following the professional chasers’ endeavors. We did it- this trip accomplished everything I was hoping for and then some! The storms I saw were so powerful and captivating, they won’t be easily forgotten. It was both exhilarating and exhausting to witness such intensity, but it was so worth it. I think I need a little while to recover from my tempestuous, brief affair with extreme nature.
Much as I wrote about profound changes a couple of posts ago, over the past three days I’ve come to realize that I will return to Chicago a different person after all. Now I’m someone who has finally accomplished my childhood dream- one I’ve sought to realize for most of my life. I try to make consistent, dedicated efforts in terms of maintaining the lifestyle, career, friendships, relationships, and goals I possess, and in this instance, I’ve succeeded...so now what?
Much as I wrote about profound changes a couple of posts ago, over the past three days I’ve come to realize that I will return to Chicago a different person after all. Now I’m someone who has finally accomplished my childhood dream- one I’ve sought to realize for most of my life. I try to make consistent, dedicated efforts in terms of maintaining the lifestyle, career, friendships, relationships, and goals I possess, and in this instance, I’ve succeeded...so now what?
I might go chasing again in a couple of years- as a hobbyist, perhaps, rather than an acolyte. I know I won’t give up my penchant for being a weather geek, that’s for sure! It might take a couple of weeks, several months, or a year or two to conceptualize a new, unique kernel of aspiration to nurture, but in the meantime- I’m in no rush. Life is pretty wonderful, there are always new adventures and opportunities on the horizon- and I finally got my tornado.
An ending, a beginning, or something in between.
Music: Fall Outta Love, Illenium
Mood: Worn out
No comments:
Post a Comment