There may be curves ahead.
The gentle winds blow as I drift off to sleep and I am grateful. Grateful for the calm after the storm. Last week there were massive winds here that changed the landscape like a painter changes a canvas.
I was driving home from eastern Kansas. I left at about 12:30 pm. My friend asked me if I wanted to stay during her riding lesson. I need to be home tonight or at least by 10:00 tomorrow morning.
Before I got to Junction City, I had seen signs that I-70 was closed at Hays because of blowing dust. I thought I’ll get as far as I can before I must stop. If I get as far as Hays at least I’m only 90 miles from home.
Before I got to Abilene it had started raining lightly and I almost pulled off there. If the road gets wet, I’ll pull off at Salina, I told myself. Then came the deluge. I couldn’t see, was driving very slowly, and was trying to get on the rumble strips so I knew I was on the road. I’m not sure if it’s true but I’ve been told that it’s more dangerous to stop on the side of the road. I will pull off at the next exit no matter where it is. By the time I got to the next exit, the rain had gotten much lighter. I’ll pull off at Salina, at least I have a friend there, the road was wet and with the wind it felt treacherous. By the time I got to the first Salina exit the road was almost dry, so I plowed on.
A western Kansas sunset.
The signs were now saying that I-70 was closed at Russell, a little farther from home. If I had to spend the night, I should easily be able to get home by 10:00. Like Dory in Finding Nemo, I kept going.
The sky was clearing as I approached Russell. Maybe the road is open I thought. Then there were flashing lights ahead. A truck was blocking the driving lane, part of the passing lane, and the end of the trailer was hanging over the ditch which at that point dropped off sharply.
After passing the truck I thought again, the sky is clearing maybe the road is open ahead. Alas, when I got to the exit there was a state trooper in the middle of the road and the gates were closed. That would be as far as I could go for a while. I pulled off and parked next to a convenience store and went in. They had no power and the woman said it wasn’t expected to be back until morning. They were closing. I got back in my jeep, got my computer out, and waited. Now I was seeing reports. The peak wind gusts had been clocked at 100 mph in Russell and wildfires were starting in many areas. I saw a report that in Goodland, west of Oakley, they were evacuating because of fire. Then I was seeing reports of wildfires near Ellis, between me and home.
The wind seemed to subside. After a little over an hour, they opened the road and I followed the others who were stopped there onto the Interstate at dusk. The rest of my trip was uneventful and still windy. As I pulled off the interstate, I was grateful to be home.
Do the winds of life sometimes feel like they are blowing you off course? Gestalt has helped me get back on track. It can help you too. Connect with me here for more information.
Make a Connection in the comments below.
Onward!
