Day 16 - Rain, Wind, Thunder, Lightening, Hail and Tornado Warnings

After enduring Sunday night's storms we had hoped we could get to the Emerald Coast and enjoy walking on the beach in the sun....well that was not to be.

We drove thru more rain getting to Okaloosa Island and when we drove across the bridge to Mirimar Beach, the fog was so thick you could not see anything. None the less, we pressed on..when we arrived at Okaloosa Island, the rain was coming in sporadic down pours. 

We decided to have lunch and hope the weather would pass, and chose a place on the boardwalk called, Angler's Beachside Grill.  We pretty much had the place to ourselves, but the food and beer was satisfying. 

The weather did not improve, but I did walk the beach for a bit but June stayed on the board walk. 

I have never seen better sand, it is absolutely white, without rocks, shells or anything else..just perfect.

We will comeback sometime when the weather is better. 

From Okaloosa Island, we headed north towards Alabama...well that was pretty stupid.  June and I listen to podcasts when we drive, had we had the radio tuned in, we might not have driven into the path of a Tornado. 

We had picked Cullman, Alabama as a stopping point, a Cracker Barrel restaurant. It had started to rain before we got to the CB, but we had barely parked when the town Tornado sirens started.  It was pretty much Mayhem, it turned dark, the wind rocked us, rain came in sheets, our cell phones were blowing up with tornado alerts, etc...we are in an RV..what do you do.  We decided to make a run for the CB.  We got in the CB and they hustled us into the kitchen with about 50 of our new friends. What was funny is the staff never stopped cooking, I can't say I always wanted to see a CB kitchen in action..but I did. 

In all honestly, it was not fun, but we learned a few things...like new words.. Tornadic and that you really don't want to be in the Polygon...we were. 

Eventually, it was declared that that Tornadic part of the storm passed, there was still rain, wind and hail, but no danger of Tornado.  June and I made a run for the RV, we might as well jumped in a lake we were so wet when we got in the RV.  The storm was not over, and the hail came, I think we were lucky, no sky lights broke and I think it was generally pea sized. It was deafening and June retreated to the bathroom, but I don't think there was any damage, I will verify tomorrow in the daylight. 

We finally got to cook our dinner about 9PM and have a drink!  Glad it was over.

We will drive to Tennessee tomorrow, maybe look in on Jack Daniels and a few others.