2024, Family, Travel, Uncategorized, work

Big Wind

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Monday we drove to Bismarck to meet with the State Retirement people. That went well. My official last day of work is 01/31/2025. I had lots of questions answered and was very relieved when we left the office.

The day was utterly stressful and overwhelming, however, because of the wind. I drove. We travelled east to Bismarck with a full tank of gas and a steady 36 mph northwest wind with 49 mph gusts at our back. We used very little gas on the 90 miles to Bismarck. The indicator was still on full when we arrived. We ran several errands after the Retirement appointment, always making sure the wind didn’t take the vehicle doors and rip them off, and struggling in and out of stores. The air was full of dust that was being blown around. It was a cold wind. Sunday the temperature was 95. Monday it barely reached 61. When those big temperature swings happen, the wind always starts up.

The drive back home was the worst. Passing on the interstate was really tricky because the northwest wind blew vehicles toward me in the passing lane as I tried to get around them. There seemed to be a large contingent of rackety campers and motor homes, all high profile vehicles, traveling west, all going way too slow and needing to be passed, all swerving into the passing lane. The wind was so loud we couldn’t hear the radio playing, I was so tense when I got home I could hardly move. We used half a tank of gas going west into the wind. I know there is wind in Minnesota, but I don’t think it ever gets as bad as we had here on Monday.

What is your favorite music, poems, or literature about the wind? Favorite wind band music? What is the worst wind you have had to travel in? Ever had to drive a “High Profile” vehicle in the wind?

25 thoughts on “Big Wind”

  1. Rise and Shine Baboons,

    Here is an old, old treasure from “Bonanza” and my own heartthrob, Pernell Roberts (Adam Cartwright). I can’t say it is a favorite but I loved Bonanza.

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        2. I named my kitten Mariah (years ago) because she ran around the house shrieking and wailing. She stayed insane as she grew older.

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  2. “They Call the Wind Mariah.” Such a haunting melody and lyrics.

    Wind band music: “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” performed by the Baylor University Wind Ensemble. Far and away the best interpretation I’ve ever heard. (Listen on YouTube)

    Traveling wind: Any wind was tough when I rode my motorcycle wayyyyy back in the day. I remember having to lean almost sideways against a crosswind to keep the bike stable. I drove an empty travel trailer against a strong crosswind in New Mexico about 8 years ago. My first time hauling a big trailer. Sheesh. I thought the trailer was going to be snapped off the hitch because it was swaying so much. Much better once we loaded it with gear. But still nerve-wracking.

    I always get nervous when the wind hits 40+ mph on the freeways because you never know when a big rig is going to topple.

    Chris in Owatonna

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  3. My sympathy to you for the wind on the Prairie. I grew up with the Santa Ana winds in Los Angeles, and lived with typhoons for over 30 years in Taiwan, but I doubt I ever experienced what you just went through in ND.

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  5. This is mine. This song came out during my freshman year – and right after my roommate had gotten a new stereo. I remember laying on the floor with my head between the two speakers while this song played.

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  8. Some of your wind has arrived here, Renee. Says it’s only 13 mph, but I was just on my bike and it sure seems like more…

    I remember traveling across Nebraska in the Blue Dart (’53 Chevy) pulling our 16-foot trailer, getting buffeted by the wind sometimes. Even the VW van was scary.

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  10. We drove down to Mississippi in 2012. Coming back, somewhere in Kansas and stopping at a rest stop and it was 100 degree’s and the wind was really blowing and I’d never felt such a hot wind. I remember seeing the guys on motorcycles and wondering how they could stand it. It just exhausted you being in it.

    Having the pleasure of living in a valley, we know if it’s windy at our place, it’s REALLY windy up on top of the hill.

    I always view wind as the weather front moving through and the change coming. Monday night my sister was out to help freeze sweetcorn. We sat out on the deck. The wind was calm at 7:30 PM. Around 8:00 the wind started to pick up, and was out of the North and the temp dropped.

    By 10:00 I had to close the windows because it was so cool.

    I don’t recall driving any tall profile vehicles.

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