Crazy West Texas Dust Storm

Yesterday outside of Abilene, Texas, the sky looked a little dirty at the horizon in front of us.  We were no where near a smog-smothered city.

"Hey kids that looks like a dust storm,"  I said to the carful of kids attached to their iPods.  I get a grunt in return.

I looked at the ultimate traveling companion--my iPad and checked out the weather in Lubbock, Texas.  There was a dust storm warning in effect for the area.

Well outside Lubbock we ran into a wall of dust.  The wind was howling, the dust was blowing, I could only see 25 feet in front of my car.  

First the cars put their flashers on, then we see the cars parked on the side of the road.  What to do?  I pull over for a few minutes and decide I was a sitting duck waiting to get hit.

I decided that 10 mph is better than sitting in a raging dust storm and crawl out of it.  It was lucky that we did because the highway was shut down minutes after we left.  The storm was the worst in that area.  The closer we got to Lubbock the better the conditions got.  

You have to pack your best judgment for your road trip.  

We drove the next four hours in 40 to 50 mph winds and varying levels of visibility.  It was fun for the kids but my hands hurt from holding on to the steering wheel so tight.

We made it through the dust storm and the temperature dropped 40 degrees.  The middle child was cold because he was wearing shorts and flip-flops.  I know, but who listens to Mom anymore.

We made it to Santa Rosa, New Mexico and checked into the Best Western there and called it a day.