Daughter and I headed to Smyrna about 6:20, thinking we'd catch a quick bite at Sonic, then head to Highland Heights for the Summer Bible Vacation open house. As we headed north, the sky looked really dark...even though it was clear and sunny no less than half an hour before that, when I came FROM Smyrna, after spending a day putting the finishing touches on things.
But we are plucky girls and we plowed ahead. Before our exit, the wind kicked up..a sign of things to come. Just as we exited I-24, the rain began pelting us. Big drops. Bad sign. But still, forward we went. I decided we wouldn't stop at the Sonic off the interstate, but go around to the on the other side of town, hoping to beat the rain. Bad idea.
A mile down the road, the rain was so heavy that it became difficult to see the road. A minute later, it was literally impossible to see the road. It was like being in a demon-possessed car-wash with hail thrown in for good measure. Cars slowed to a crawl, then stopped. On the road. In their tracks. We crept to the side of the road, hoping we wouldn't run off said road in the process, flipped on the emergency blinkers and waited it out. I called my husband to let him know where we were. (You know, just in case we pulled a "Wizard of Oz" meets "Twister" move or something.) I could barely hear him over the rain beating the car. In all my years of driving, I've pulled over a few times, because of heavy rain, but I'd have to say I've never had to pull over because I absolutely could not see the road for the rain. It's a scary thing to drive blindly and hope you don't hit anything.
Five minutes later, it was still raining hard, but at least there was enough visibility to make out the lines on the road as the wipers cleared the windshield.
We slowly made our way to the other Sonic, placed our order and then listened to the second wave of the storm pound the roof overhead. Wow. By the time we woofed down our food and made our way to the church building, the rain had almost stopped. Several people mentioned another front was approaching but we never heard it inside, if it did rain again.
What was I saying earlier this week about spring rains being a thing of the past? Apparently my prognostication skills are as accurate as ever. Four out of the last five days have brought showers - or storms. Tomorrow has a 40% chance of precip. I don't think I'll take up meteorology as a new avocation.
But the open house went smashingly well. People were overheard arguing over which room is their favorite. Teens and adults were bemoaning the fact they are no longer age-eligible to participate in VBS. Our teachers were glowing with pride, and our guides were grinning like possums, because they know they're in for a real treat this summer. I'm hoping that doesn't mean we'll have too many volunteers next year...but it might. (Then again, my prognostication skills are...well, sketchy at best.)
