OUTSIDE: Sometimes, NO

As I write this, Helene is barreling North. Hundreds of thousands are without power. A few deaths have been reported. Most of the Blue Ridge Parkway has been closed due to flooding.

I have survived hurricanes, drive-in few (stupid, I know), and assisted in the aftermath of a couple. The place I served in Louisiana was a shelter spot about 100 miles north of NOLA.

I have stood and watched a tornadoe jump over my residence. In another twister, I was driving through the path when I watched a tornado pick up a semi-truck and throw it back down on the apex of the James River Bridge – fortunate it remained on the bridge and not cast off it (Stupid to be out there, I know.)

I’ve been outside in a hail storm where I pulled under cover to deter hail from hitting me.

I descended Old Rag in a lightning storm that deluged the mountain side and left the trail a steady flow of water I plodded through. All rather quickly after lighting hit mere feet from our location on the rocks at the top. We cam e down, and we came down fast. I but I covered three miles at a steady run, slowing just to make sure we could see the blazes and that we were going the right way – vision was greatly hindered in the storm. Outside during that, stupid, I know. (but the storm was not on the forecast that time!)

I walked to work in a blizzard once, for the roads were impassible except to the extreme vehicles. (I have an FJ now, that would’ve made it – but still stupid, I know). I hiked Zion NPS in a freak late snow storm dumping 2 inches in mere minutes.

I’ve hiked in ice storms (again, not in the forecast, but still, quite an adventure – and stupid, I know.)

Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Blizzards. Hail. Ice. Oh MY!

Bottom line – sometimes inside is the safe path. But sometimes, you can’t prevent being outside in dreadful conditions …

• Be Smart
• Check the Forecast
• Be Prepared for the Worst – food, water, blanket, extra batteries/power
• Let Some Know Where You are Going
• Check In Once its Over or Once Back Inside

As far as Helene … I am safe and it looks like it is headed more west of me. But of the last day of this week’s topic – If you go OUTSIDE, don’t be stupid.