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Earl and Pearl and the Great Rainy Road Adventure · Travel With A Purpose

• 0:05
  SPEAKER_00: Hello, hello, Sojourners.
• 0:07
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Dave Light, and welcome to Travel with a Purpose, a podcast designed to keep Sojourners and friends informed, entertained, and inspired.
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: In today's episode, Earl and Pearl Traveler were headed toward a sojourn assignment in their trusty RV.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Their plans were to overnight at Camp Bee along the way.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: The weather forecast had mentioned a chance of rain, but Earl interpreted that the same way he interpreted campground check-in times and serving sizes on ice cream cartons.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: A chance of rain means it might rain somewhere, Earl confidently explained as they pulled onto the interstate.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: Within an hour, the sky turned the color of an old cast iron skillet.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_00: The rain began as a drizzle, then quickly graduated into what Pearl called NOAA level precipitation.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: The windshield wipers were working overtime.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: The rain pounded the RV roof so hard that Miles the Poodle crawled under the dinette table, and Miss Gypsy the orange tabby cat sat in the passenger seat staring accusingly at Earl as though he had personally scheduled the storm.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_00: Earl, said Pearl, gripping her armrest, maybe we should slow down.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: I am slowing down, Earl replied.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: Earl glanced at the speedometer.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: You slowed from sixty five to sixty three.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: Well, that reduction is nearly three percent, Earl said proudly.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: A passing semi truck blasted through a puddle, sending a wave of water across the windshield.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: For two terrifying seconds, all they could see was liquid gray.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Earl gasped.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: Miles barked, and Miss Gypsy puffed up like a Halloween decoration.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: Earl blinked and said, Well, that certainly improved our windshield washing system.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: And after several miles, visibility became even worse.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: Earl finally pulled into a rest area to wait out the storm.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_00: Inside the RV, Earl made coffee while the rain hammered the roof.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: Earl stared at the window thoughtfully.
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_00: You know, he said, sometimes wisdom is knowing when to keep driving.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: Earl raised an eyebrow.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: And sometimes, Earl continued, wisdom is knowing when to park a forty foot land yacht and drink coffee.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: Now you're learning A little later, another sojourner couple pulled in beside them.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: They waved through the rain, and soon everyone was standing under the neighboring RV awning, sharing stories and laughter while waiting for the weather to pass.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: As the storm began to clear, sunshine broke through the clouds and painted a bright rainbow across the horizon.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: Earl smiled.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: Looks like the Lord brought us safely through.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: Earl nodded.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: Yep.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: Besides, if we kept driving, I might have become the first sojourner to hydroplane an RV into next Tuesday.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: And later that evening it can't be.
• 3:54
  SPEAKER_00: Some storms teach you how strong your windshield wipers are.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: The really important storms teach you when to stop and wait.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_00: Well seriously, folks, before we leave Earl and Pearl safely parked at Camp B, here are a few things worth remembering when you are traveling in an RV and bad weather is headed your way.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_00: First, keep an eye on the weather.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_00: Check the forecast before you leave and continue watching conditions along the route.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: Weather can change quickly, especially when you're traveling several hundred miles in a day.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: Second, slow down before conditions force you to.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_00: Rain reduces visibility and increases stopping distance.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_00: An RV is a big heavy vehicle, and it takes more time and distance to stop safely.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_00: Third, watch the wind as well as the rain.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: High profile vehicles like RVs can be especially affected by strong crosswinds and sudden gusts.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes the wind is the greater danger even when the rain doesn't look particularly severe.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_00: Fourth, know when to get off the road.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_00: If visibility becomes poor, water begins collecting on the roadway, or you simply don't feel comfortable continuing.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_00: Find a safe place to stop.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: There is no prize for being the first one at the campground.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: And finally, if severe weather is approaching, know where you can take shelter.
• 5:31
  SPEAKER_00: Your RV may be a home on wheels, but it is not a place you want to ride out a tornado or other dangerous storms.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_00: Pay attention to warnings and know where a sturdy shelter is located.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: Earl may have said it best.
• 5:47
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes wisdom really is knowing when to park the land yacht and wait for the storm to pass.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: Now, one last thing before we close.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: I'm reminded of the wisdom from Proverbs chapter three verse twenty three and twenty four.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: It says Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_00: If you lie down you will not be afraid.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: When you lie down your sleep will be sweet.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_00: God's wisdom often guides us towards safe paths and good decisions.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: Earl discovered that trusting wise judgment during the storm brought peace, safety, and eventually a good night's sleep.
• 6:29
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes the wisest road is the one we travel carefully, trusting God each mile of the way.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_00: Well, thank you for listening to this podcast.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_00: I invite you to subscribe and share it with others.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Dave Leighton, and remember we glorify God as together we travel with a purpose.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: Happy sojourning!