Monday

I wake up this morning to moderate rain and very strong winds. The tent is making quite a ruckus as it flaps furiously back and forth.

As I walk to the showers plopping through soggy grass, I notice that a few more campers have set up last night. We are now five or six in total. Back at the tent, I notice that some water has seeped in during the night. I'll keep an eye on that.

Juice, some fruits, nuts, an energy bar, and breakfast is done.

By temperament, I'd rather be on the move than sitting out waiting for weather to play out, even if that means riding in bad weather. But rain, strong winds, and twisty mountain roads make for a bad cocktail.

As I walk into the main building, several campers are sitting around the common area. Some are riders that attended the rally. We exchange a few words and I settle in a quiet corner. I've always enjoyed reading while it rains.

As the day wears on, things are looking bleak on the weather channel. A whole section of the US is in the grips of severe weather warnings. According to reports, Missouri is experiencing some of its worst weather ever.

Our area is slated for severe thunderstorms and on alert for probable Tornado development. In many areas, winds are forecast to gust to 100mph. That settles it. It's no longer a question of choosing to wait it out, but of having no choice.

In the meantime, it's warm, peaceful, and dry in the main building. I get comfortable. Boots off, feet up on a chair, as I quietly enjoy some reading.

By mid afternoon, there is a temporary break in the weather. It’s been dark all day, but now the sun is out and things get quiet (in the eye of the storm?). The chap I met from Florida (I don't have his name) seizes this apparent window of opportunity. He needs to be somewhere by a certain day and so decides to make a break for it. An hour later, the rain and wind are back with a vengeance. I hope his journey was safe.

It's 5pm and the main building is closing down for the night. I walk back to the tent for a little check and am disappointed to find significantly more water. Being on a slight incline, water is entering the uphill edge, streaming down across the floor, and puddling along the bottom edge.

Though all my gear is safe and dry in plastic garbage bags, which I always carry for such occasions, this is not going to do. Camping in wind and rain is fine, but it'd be nice to have a dry shelter.

Looking more closely, it turns out that I forgot to refresh the seam sealer along the floor seams and water is seeping in. I spend a couple of minutes bailing water out with a small cup and realize that I need to do something since the worst weather is yet to come.

My sleeping bag is wet but there's nothing much I can do now. Later tonight, I'll go over to the annex campsite and use the commercial laundromat to dry things off.

Meanwhile, the temperature is cool and comfortable. Back on the main gallery, I'm sitting in a rocking chair while listening to the nearby waterfall compete for attention with the wind and rain. It's actually quite peaceful.

Bruno
Montreal, Canada