Soccertese, I HAVE practiced avoiding the tornados and storms. Don't park your van under a doubtful tree when there is a tornado warning. Once the whole PFP group moved from tents to a funeral home because of a tornado warning. One year we rode 4.5 hours in a torrential rainstorm, couldn't see with the glasses on and without them the rain hurt my eyes. But we from Seattle know rain. It was the heat in 2012 that nearly did me in. Thunderstorms are predicted for this trip. We'll see. Thanks for your "encouraging" words!