Hello and welcome to part 19 of our journey through North Carolina.
Today’s travels took us through Concord, NC where we enjoyed watching some anglers fishing in the churning waters at the Oxford Hydro Station. It became obvious this was a good fishing spot as one of the fishermen held up a trophy catch displaying what he was having for dinner that night.
From here it was off to enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch at Lake Hickory Scuba and Marina as rain loomed in the background. At one point our smart phones began dinging that there was a tornado warning for the area. Now this certainly got our attention since we hadn’t experienced such a storm warning like this in our travels. I guess the folks in the southern states look at it much like we do snow storms in the north and that is “yup, a storm is coming” and not get shook. We began doing an internet search only to discover that there was a major storm up and down the entire east coast. I guess we should have been paying more attention to the weather but you know how that goes. Half the time you just don’t know whether to believe the weather people or not. None the less the sky was incredible with it’s dark and ominous clouds. We thought for a moment there the rapture was occurring. It’s funny the thoughts that go through your mind at times like this. Here we sit in a huge Walmart parking lot with a potential tornado about to happen and our first thought was, I wonder if Walmart will let us bring Emma inside if the tornado strikes? I mean it’s a legitimate question that dog lovers across the land would ask, right?
Before long it was time to call it a day and Midway Campground in Statesville was the place for us.
Well this is it for today. We hope you come back and see how the trip unfolds as we share more of the USA Through Our Eyes. Until then be safe.
Thank you for your encouragement. We love capturing those moments of time spent. We enjoy nature so much.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll take that piece of fishing for my dinner. A unique experience when you are in contact with nature live and direct. Happy travel and the photos are still testimony of your traveling adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We seem to grow through each new adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos and very brave in how you handle the storm when you’re not use to that type of weather!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The entire region is so beautiful. We covered it from all points as a possible place to live. Glad you liked it.
LikeLike
This place looks wonderful…. Cool, calm and attractive…..
LikeLike
Haha! True that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Weather people try very hard to predict a very unpredictable condition. It seems they are right 50% of the time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
But, I used to think weather forecasts in USA is taken seriously because they are generally correct. I developed this notion because Indians students who lives in US for higher studies tends to portray this to the Indians in India!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like the weather forecast here in the states. When they say rain we plan a picnic because they are usually wrong, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indian weather forecasts suck. Whatever they announce just the opposite happens! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. He was so proud of it. Please be safe also.
LikeLike
Those pictures totally capture the essence of your adventure!! Especially the one where guy is showing off the catch 🙂
Stay Safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. And you also be safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stay safe out there and thank you for sharing your adventures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We haven’t been I awhile either but its fun seeing others doing it because we can relate to the emotions of landing one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was raised on fishing, but haven’t been in so long. It looked and sounded very peaceful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Character building moments, lol.
LikeLike
Beautiful photos and good to hear you made it through the weather threat safely. Those warnings can be scary but they are helpful in so many ways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Anne for this information. We would do like you and stay with our animal as long as we could and then some. There is an attachment that takes place and can’t be taken lightly.
LikeLike
I have not had much experience with horses and impending weather other than thunderstorms and not anything like a hurricane or tornado. Horses are fine in the rain and just turn their backs to the wind and sort of hunker down. For thunderstorms the horses are all brought in as soon as the barn staff see a warning on their cell phones. If I lived year round in FL ( I am only there in the winter) I would evacuate Biasini to somewhere out of the path of a hurricane. If that was impossible then I would stay with him as best I could. Last year friends said that when the hurricane was approaching and everyone was very nervous the horses in the barn were all quite calm. As it turned out the hurricane made landfall quite a bit farther north than expected and missed the town where the barn is located. So maybe the horses knew something!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sharon. We are glad we didn’t have to test the waters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh that would be devastating to have to leave a pet family member behind. I don’t know if I would be able to leave an Emma or Biasini behind. They become family and are family. They give so much. Do you find that the horses sense the bad storms coming? The reason we ask is we experienced the eclipse in TN on the 21 and Emma reacted when the sun was eclipsed. We noticed a change in the ants and in the bugs you generally only hear at night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, yes!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would like to believe Walmart would take Emma in…wow that is a nerve raking situation. I’m glad everyone is safe and sound.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. I know when they were preparing for a hurricane in Florida it was very difficult as sometimes the barn structures get destroyed and the horses get loose. So those who could not evacuate would paint their phone number on the sides of the horse in case they did get loose and could later be rescued. I hope I never have to face that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s seems that sometimes it does work that way. I have had things last so long and I always think, just like the loaves and the fishes :):)
LikeLiked by 1 person
We sure do know what you mean!!!!! We have learned to never say never. The twist and turns of life are what keeps us looking up and growing in character. We must admit however there are times when I don’t want anymore character, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. We are glad it passed but if one happens we’ll hope the locals guide us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I sure didn’t expect to still be hands-on parenting at 49😱😄. Life is full of surprised and never what you expect. Just another journey.🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Margaret. Thankfully we didn’t have to test Walmarts policy of taking in pets, lol. Wasn’t that a huge fish. I wonder if as the days pass that fish will grow in size, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Schedules are good. We know they help us stay on track. You’re a good Grandma!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! For sure!
LikeLike
For sure!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doggies and horses all should be let in from storms. We couldn’t imagine leaving them outside. We can only be hopeful they’ll make room.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, character building moments, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Theresa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankfully we’re going to focus on always being safe Liz and Max. Its our goal too. This way we can keep sharing our journeys.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet. How is one supposed to know what to do during a tornado if you’ve never experienced it before? I’d be scared.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You bet Emma’s going to have a spot in that store if a storm is coming 😉 lol about the storms. That was a nice fish!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ben is having good days and bad days. The first couple weeks are transitional. I think he’s happy to be back on schedule though
LikeLiked by 1 person
Were they red sandals? LOL. If by some strain of strange magic you’d been carried off either to Kansas or Oz, think of the exciting new fodder for blog posts. Lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, I’m so glad they are very accurate when it comes to THOSE kind of things
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whaaaat? No offence to Emma but….. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must have been quite interesting, and a bit scary!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely the clicking-heels. !! Glad all were safe. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, once in a trailer and that was pretty scary to say the least! Emma is equally luck to have y’all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankfully both those experiences left you okay! Its interesting to know that they do hit in upstate NY. We’ve seen the swath of destruction they can leave and it ain’t pretty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You always have nuggets for us to hold on too so please keep sharing. We can understand what you said about the locals because as we watched they were just going about their routines with such casualness. All the time we’re clicking our heals together, lol. We know what you mean about running out of day to keep up on blogs and its nice knowing you’re out there and with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankfully it blew over us but did hear it hit a few towns over. Maybe it was our clicking of our heals together chanting “there is no place like home” that caused it to blow over, lol. Glad we didn’t have to test Walmart’s policy on stowing away.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is interesting to note! We hadn’t heard that before. It was interesting to be there at the moment especially not having encountered things like that. We were about to click our sandals together and start chanting “there is no place like home”, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its great having you along with us Karen. We know what you mean about sometimes not being able to catch all the post. Sometimes there just isn’t enough day left, lol. We understand and are appreciative when you stop in to talk!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL. So true about not being carried off to “Oz”. Its funny how that story came to mind as we were watching the moment unfold. How’s King Ben doing in school?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The two times I’ve been closest to a tornado…upstate New York and Duluth, Minnesota. The one in Schoharie, New York went down the main street and did a lot of damage to some historical homes. Very old trees were sheared off. Here in Kansas, we’ve had some around us, but haven’t touched down near us. So very thankful for that! And yes, I always think of Dorothy and red slippers when I think of Kansas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, thankfully weather people get it wrong especially when its in our favor. We kinda are the type that just look up and let what is happening dictate what the weather is but in tornado situations forewarning is always good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Heide. Its funny but Emma is our baby and you never know how they would rank letting us all get inside. Thankfully we didn’t have to test the storms (pun intended), lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so sweet of you to say….I am so grateful that anything I could share would have that effect on you!!
Yes…I can’t believe my sister moved to KANSAS!!! They have a shelter in the ground. When she first moved there she panicked every time the sirens went off! Now she seems to be what I would call…a “little complacent”…just like your locals!
So happy you are having such wonderful experiences during your travels…I hope to be more present and follow along.
Sweet blessings ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Anne. Walmart has some great staff and we’re sure there would have to be a dog lover there that would have let her in. After all Emma is a tad bit smaller then Biasini, lol.
LikeLike
Thanks Kathrin for being with us on our adventures. It was an interesting moment for sure. We laughed as we saw the clouds whirling around thinking we were about to have a Wizard of Oz experience, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ann. It was such a neat experience seeing this man fishing like this. He was so proud of his catch. Those clouds were ominous to see.
LikeLike
You make us smile Liz. Your sense of humor is priceless. So you have experienced these Wizard of Oz experiences of tornados. It was a first for us and its funny you mention the “freight train” sound because we found ourselves really listening for it too. So you’ve been in 2!!!!! Wow that had to be a memorable moment!!!!!! So glad you survived!!!! Max is blessed having you care for him like you do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, being from Kansas Deborah Ann we would think you would see these. Its funny because amongst the many thoughts going through our minds at that time were, oh my God this is what Dorothy experienced, lol. Yes, who could resist Emma girl or at least we were hopeful they wouldn’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wasn’t that a whopper. He was very proud of it and we could see why. We could see from afar that he had a huge one on the line but by the time we got closer he had it reeled in. We hope for that moment to capture the beginning to end catch. So glad having you along with us and keeping our dreams fueled.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so great to hear from you Lorrie. So you can understand our wonder. This was all new to us and as we watched the locals carrying on like it was just another day was puzzling, lol. This was new to us and we had some funny thoughts of the Wizard of Oz happening before our very eyes. Sounds like you’ve been there done that, lol. We love these new experiences we are discovering from being on the road. We love your blog and are always uplifted by it!!!!
LikeLike
For sure Stewie. We were looking around and for the locals they knew what to do but for us passing through it was a moment of mixed emotions. Thanks for stopping by and making time to talk with us!!!
LikeLike
So exciting! What happened with the storm? Did you get to take Emma inside Walmart? Did the weather event blow over? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are now those meteorologists claiming tornadoes may not actually exist as the phenomena portrayed in the past-that in truth, they are merely the rapid movement of major storm fronts and do not manifest from the atmosphere in spiraling funnels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi. Thanks for sharing. I think I missed a couple of posts. But this post and pictures were great as usual.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those tornado warnings are scary when you’re not expecting it! I’m glad you weren’t carried off to Oz!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ive never thought about that! They probably would (: Wethermen are wrong a lot; they once said a 95% chance of rain and there was not a cloud in the sky! Its never 100% because they are afraid of being wrong/sued for bad weather but we all know it happens. SO happy to read from you again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your question about the tornado and Emma at the Walmart is TOTALLY justified. I’m glad you didn’t need to find out the answer, but am betting (hoping?!) it would have been yes. Take care of yourselves, ya hear? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure Walmart would have let Emma come in for shelter. Walmart does make some poor decisions as a corporation but I think the staff in that location would have let her in. Safe travels going forward!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How interesting, I’ve never been caught in a tornado before. Curious to hear about your experience – be safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos from the fishing on Oxford Hydro Station, the man has a very big fish. Maybe the clouds where frightning to see, and it was a good plan to stay by Walmart, and I think it was oké for Emma. Warm greetings, Ann.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You better believe if a tornado hit that Emma IS going inside! Ha! Don’t make me call a Walmart and get crazy! ha! I know I am lucky that my Max is so small he doesn’t get noticed as easily but trust me that he would be safe right along with me 🙂 Yes, I think I’m the same and don’t pay attention much to tornado warnings as I’ve been in 2 and know to listen for the freight train!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our particular area of Kansas doesn’t have as many tornado warnings as other parts, but they still get my attention. The locals, not so much. And I would like to think that Emma would be more than welcome in Walmart in such a situation. If not, one more reason for me to shop elsewhere! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
He caught a nice fish! We often visit dams and although I see fisherman at every one of them I never have seen anyone catch anything!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! A tornado warning!! I remember before we had cellphones and we were traveling in a car and there was a warning on the radio for a tornado in a specific county…and we had no idea what county we were in!
Thank you for sharing your journey…and thank you for sharing your kindness at my blog. Hope you have a day filled with light and love ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be so scary to be caught in a tornado. And of course, anyone would be concerned about their dog.
LikeLiked by 1 person