Rock you like a hurricane
It happened 2 days ago. We’d just begun our 3rd run of the day. I’d just finished asking Steph and Simon if they thought we’d ever run through Tornado-like weather. We’d run through pretty much everything else and still hadn’t had that kind of action. Well folks, let me tell you, it was about to show up as we ran towards the long 3 mile bridge separating Beaufort County – Forest Gump filming area – towards Savannah Georgia – our finish point for the day.
The bridge came complete with a warning sign saying, “Strong winds may occur”. Even a passing fellow runner (under the bridge safely below) said, “don’t get blown from the bridge”. Steph thought he was saying it for me because I am the clumsy one.
Before we knew what hit us, the skies turned black, rain came in sideways and the wind tried to knock off a couple of Canadians (plus Simon in the RV ahead) with the strength of what creates tornados. Simon was literally pleading with God “please don’t kill me!” as he steered the swerving RV across, unable to keep it in one lane due to the sheer strength of the winds.
Steph and I felt like we were climbing the last 100 feet to the summit of Everest in blinding snow, but in our case, it was brain denting rain and wind which literally lifted Steph off her feet several times, forcing me to grab her before it took her legs out. Without a cap on to protect her face from the driving wind and rain pounding into us, she couldn’t even keep her eyes open more than a sliver.
The adrenaline that rushed through us was amazing at first. Then we realized we were getting more than just a heavy blow. I was about to get us on our knees to crawl the rest of the way when a car stopped right in front of us with the driver (a sweet lil’ southern lady) yelling for us to, “GET IN NOW, THERE’S A TORNADO WARNING”!
Yes folks, OUR 1ST TORNADO WARNING and getting rescued by a lady no bigger than Steph. It was an incredible way to enter into Savannah!
So here we are, settled for 2 days at the Azalea Inn and Gardens, a 17th century Inn set among old Oak trees here in Savannah’s historic district. Inn Keeper, Teresa offered us a beautiful carriage house to dry out and rest while doing more school events here in this incredible southern city! Teresa and her husband Jake and staff Jeff, as well as, their historic Inn (complete with resident dogs), are the types you hear about when someone describes, “that southern hospitality and warmth”. Thank you Teresa, for welcoming us in and for setting up all the interviews and the trolley tour too! We even saw the spot where Forest Gump told his life story to all those people on that famous park bench in the square.
Yesterday brought over 800 kids at Coastal Middle School and a very enthusiastic group of students from the Eco Club, welcoming us in for another presentation for Action to make our Planet healthier!
In the afternoon, we were with over 200 more kids at Thunder Bolt Marine Academy too. Congratulations to all the “Girls On The Run Club” for completing your 1st (hopefully of many) 5 mile race!
Like the saying goes, we got to “Run Forest Run” now.
Hey guys – glad you’re safe – sounds like flying was not much fun after all! It’s good to hear there are good samaritans around in time of need. You may not be getting incredible funding at this time; but all the education with the young people will be far more effective in the future. So from now on beware of high winds too. Any tornado pictures?
Comment by maureen sasges — Sunday, December 21, 2008 @ 11:55 am
So it sounds like it turned into the Crawl For One Planet tour that day in Georgia!
Run Steph and Matt Run!
Comment by Shaunah — Sunday, December 21, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
Steph and Matt, It was a pleasure working behind the scenes with Jessica for your Savannah stay at Azalea Inn and Gardens (http://www.azaleainn.com ), plus making the right media introductions for your great WTOC segment with anchor Sonny Dixon on the popular “Mid-Morning Live with Sonny & Jody” — (http://www.wtoc.com/global/category.asp?c=153752&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15094&topVideoCatNoB=135069&topVideoCatNoC=132881&topVideoCatNoD=133146&topVideoCatNoE=153742&clipId=3229654&topVideoCatNo=135069&autoStart=true&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv ).
You found true southern enthusiasm with Sonny — one of Savannah’s most popular and best liked folks — as he closed the talk segment with “Bless your heart!” Best wishes on your journey and your goals! Sandy Traub, Savannah GA USA
Comment by Sandy Traub — Monday, December 22, 2008 @ 1:36 am
Hi guys. Glad your on schedule. As I recall, you said you’d be in warm Florida by Christmas. I’m from medicine Hat and I ran you in to our city;
I’m a member of the e medicine Hat running club. I am suprised you did not bump into any tornados while in Canada. We got a few tornado warnings in
October. I was following the weather on the internet and preying too.
It sounds like you guys, besides the hard work, know how to play too.
Meeting people, going to talk to kids and setan example of saving the planet, going to BBQs like the one in NEwfoundland sounds great.
You must be learn al= lot about culture, geography, challenges in your quest, methods of running in different weather condition, health, nutrition,
etc. What an adventure. Believe me, I had a mission to cycle thru B.C.
from Victoria thtru B.C. when I was 20. I made it and saw beatuful people and landscape. and what a rush as I had my “emotoinal highs” and lows –
obstacles and overtiredness, lack of $ etc. But, I learnt: where there’s a
will there’s a way – you guys are proving that right now. Keep on running
and I might bump in to you two in Victoria, my home city. Buy for now and,
may the wind always be at your back.
Comment by Keith — Monday, December 22, 2008 @ 7:32 pm