Weather is a social experiment

By Joel Myhre (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 06:00 a.m., June 21, 2009

So I was involved in a social experiment of sorts on Thursday evening.

Driving back from southern Minnesota on a work-related trip, at about 7 p.m., within 15 miles of Fergus Falls, I encountered the thunderstorm that rocked through our area. Based on the wall of gray I had seen on the way up, I knew it was coming, but had hoped to make it back to town.

The massive rain, wind and lightning, complete with a visual of a semi truck that just about tipped over in the wind (and later, I saw a semi truck that did indeed tip over in the wind), led me to decide that, if I wanted to live to see another day, I should pull over quickly.

I limped to the Dalton rest area, breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the lights on in the sturdy brick building, parked as close to the building as I could, and darted inside.

I wasn’t alone.

Two dozen people were huddled in the rest area, and more poured in over the next 20 minutes. Everyone looked a little scared, yet at the same time, a little relieved that they found a safe place to wait out the storm.

After getting over the shock of being in a massive storm, I noticed who was in the room with me.

Few give much thought to who drives by Fergus Falls on Interstate 94 every day. Why would we? Most don’t even bother to slow down as they pass our fair city.

Sure, there are many travelers who may stop for gas or a quick bite to eat. Even a few may decide to stay the evening if they’re headed for points farther west. But it isn’t often you’d meet those people while you’re out and about.

For that rare 20 minutes, however, Mother Nature forced the majority of Interstate 94 travelers to stand (literally, in this case) and be counted.

Here were a few categories:

Truck drivers. Obviously, there are a lot of semi truck traffic that passes by Fergus Falls. The truck drivers I talked to were, for the most part, laid back about the situation. Sure, they were hoping to make it to Fargo for a bite to eat, but they didnít mind so much.

Vacationing families. I didn’t get to find out where they were going exactly, but on a Thursday evening, clearly, there were many families who managed to get Friday off, and were headed to the lakes area for the weekend. Knowing they were close to their destination, and not wanting to put their children at risk, most families seemed content to wait out the storm.

College students. Being so close to Fargo-Moorhead, even in the summer, there were several younger, single people in the room. Reminding me of my young, carefree days, these types were the last to get into the building, and the first to leave. As a father of a young child, I didn’t feel quite as daring.

Those with connections to our area. Based on their knowledge of our area — and the fact that at least one of them mentioned that their parents lived nearby — there were many who were up to visit relatives. Maybe they were going to the lake as well. I felt like welcoming them home.

And finally, Local residents. A few knew who I was asked me things like “You out covering the storm?” (I wasn’t, but then again, I am now) and I recalled seeing them around town.

Clearly, I’m not the only one who has to leave town for work on occasion. It’s the way of the world.

While the storm chasers were wishing they could have been there, I’m guessing there are sociology experts who wish they could have seen that room as well.

Joel Myhre is The Journal’s general manager. E-mail him at joel.myhre@fergusfallsjournal.com

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