Timing (again)...

We had been planning to make a run to the storage unit - we discussed the impending rain.  Well, it wasn't "impending" - it rained and the wind howled last night.  I don't remember anything in the weather weasel forecasts about strong wind.  On the local news/weather this morning, they were saying the wind had been gusting above 40 mph.

Today was supposed to be the least chance of rain for the next three to four days - we decided to get our running done.  I put on a rain jacket to get Joan's rain boots out of the cargo trailer... the warm humid air was like being slapped with a hot wet towel.  On the bright side, we didn't need the rain jackets, boots, or umbrella when we went to the truck a short time later - the rain had let up to barely a sprinkle.

It picked up again on the way to the storage unit; lots of standing water on the roads.  Then, let up again.  By the time we got to the storage unit, no rain.  Good timing.

We picked up a few things, left off a few things, and got back in the truck.  I had to use windshield wipers on the way to our next stop: Sam's Club.  I topped off the truck at their gas station and parked reasonably close to the entrance... the rain had stopped.

Shopping in Sam's, we heard a couple claps of thunder, then the pounding rain on the roof.  Thinking that we will be hunkering down the next couple days, we bought some "comfort food."  By the time we headed to the truck, the rain had, once again, stopped.

Next few stops, more of the same.  I'm thinking we must be living right.  We stopped for a late lunch, and the rain started up again as we went from the truck to the restaurant; Joan grabbed her umbrella, but didn't need it.  Pounding rain while we ate - people coming in were soaked.  As we got ready to leave, we could see it was letting up again.  A few sprinkles on the way to the truck.  For most of the way home, I had the wipers on constant; for a while, even putting the wipers on High couldn't keep up with the downpour - I had to slow down.  Coming back into town, it was down to a sprinkle... close to home, the roads were mostly dry.

I shoulda stopped to get a lottery ticket.  ;-)

The predicted high tides are showing up - the canals in our resort are touching or covering the steps on many of the docks.  The swing bridge (floating) is definitely higher than typical.  And the really high tides aren't supposed to happen until Sunday.  Joan asked about the bridge: "You said when the water gets to a certain height, the bridge will come open, whether it is planned or not."

"Yep."

"Good thing we stocked up on food."

"Yep."

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The local news is calling for flooding in low-lying areas due to the rain.  One of the flood warning "boxes" is where our storage unit is.  The continuing east winds are bringing 9+ foot waves onto the beach on South Padre Island.  No doubt, some of that surge is why our canals and swing bridge are seeing such high water.  Warnings to NOT bring a vehicle onto the beach (that is allowed north of town), saying that the Gulf water will be at or beyond the dunes along the shoreline.