accidental storm chasers, always promise seekers 162/366

7:15 AM this morning found six of us up, dressed

and on the road for an epic, one of a kind adventure 

destination: Grayson to Akron (300 miles) and back again
basic route: 64E to 77N, then 77S to 64W

mission: surprise visits

operatives:

Elizabeth, Sarah, me

Korah, Willow, Addyston

vehicle: Beth's Toyota Sequoia

ETA: noon(ish) with stops

we pulled it off!

first stop: Grandma Bondurant's

second stop:

Grandma Mary's

our goal was to head home by 4

that would put us in Grayson well before dark

we left about 3:45

Google Maps, based on our departing location,

routed us home through Columbus with an ETA a few minutes after 8

we were making good time

we stopped at Krispy Kreme to cash in my birthday gift (free dozen glazed)

and grabbed Chik Fil A for supper

great choice, 

Korah and I needed our super masks for protection from the unknown ahead of us

we made it to 23 south and stopped for a quick potty break

we received our first alert there and while doing research,

a second one was issued 

our "quick" stop ended up extended to almost an hour

hanging out in the trucker lobby staking claim to the family bathroom

the storm passed and we began again...7:36 pm

westward sky

eastward sky

we were heading south,

and based on the speed of the storm cells it looked like our way was clear

but before all was said and done we received 8 or 9 tornado alerts

due to heavy rain and radar images we made two more safety stops

a trip that should have taken four and a half hours was stretched to almost 6 

one of the most amazing things was the rainbow- 

believe it or not,

after each warning we saw a beautiful, vibrant rainbow

Chasing storms will never be our first choice.

But travelling with a visible reminder that God keeps His promises would be!

And pulling into Grayson at 9:19 Wednesday was accompanied by lots of thanksgiving.