Tornado Alley Experiences - Dodging Storms

Hi all!

I'm writing from the Town & Country Motel in Osage Beach, Missouri as we're waiting-out a storm that is supposed to roll through this area. We've been lucky thus far, but being that we're planning to head North through all of the tornados & flooding area is a tad bit scary. Especially now that we live in a trailer. We've been watching the news and keeping up on the storms so we're planning out carefully. By next week, we hope to be with family with basements.


AMARILLO - TEXAS:

Since we left New Mexico, we stayed just outside of Amarillo, Texas at a boon-docking (free camping) area where Matt was able to ride his bike. We were going to stay on Meredith Lake, but from the looks of it much of the lake has receded due to drought in Texas. We've gone from severe drought areas to where we are now, with severe flooding. It was hot there and somewhat uncomfortable being in the desert area with bushes around us and rattling in the close brush (we saw too many rattle snakes along the road), so we only stayed one night. Matt did get some good JUMPS in though (refer to first pictures of his jump and wipe out!) We weren't very impressed with Northern Texas and know that the Southern section probably has more to offer. We'll have to check that out during a different season other than summer as it's too hot this time of year.

BERNICE STATE PARK - OKLAHOMA:

From there, we knew storms were ripping through Oklahoma, so we drove ALL DAY to Bernice, Oklahoma, located in the upper Northeast corner of the state. The State Park was located right on Lake O' The Cherokees - beautiful lake and our site was right on the shore. Matt, Bailey and I all went swimming in the lake and it was perfect because the water was really warm. We stayed there 3 nights, including the last night through a pretty ugly thunderstorm and the morning after, the lake had risen up to the road about 20 feet from our camper (see picture of trees under water). We decided to head out after the storm which brings us to Osage Beach, Missouri.

LAKE OF THE OZARKS - MISSOURI:

Until today, we were staying at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park here in Osage Beach and the park was wonderful. Right on the lake with lots of trees. Reminds us of Minnesota. Even the heat, humidity and bugs - but those parts, not so wonderful. WOW! Hot tamales here. We rented a boat for a day and that was a blast. The lake is HUGE and it was so much fun to be able to enjoy a beautiful day out driving around and swimming. Today, we got up and moved to a motel here in town since a storm is suppose to hit tonight. It may not be a big one, but thought we'd be more comfortable here watching some T.V. and eating Figaro's Pizza from a nearby store. Very delicious!!!


Tomorrow, we'll head north somehow after checking the weather. The next state "up" is Iowa and we do not want to get caught in any tornados, so we'll be careful. Our hope is for all of our family and friends in these states getting hit hard with storms is that you're all safe and keeping an eye on the weather. The tragedies this season with people losing their lives and homes has been horrible and we wish that the rest of the summer is less eventful and calm.