Dust Devils

We began our trip at 5:30 AM on Friday, July 25th. After an uneventful trip up the Eastern Sierras we approached the little town of Walker, CA on Hwy 395. A nice little town of inconsequential significance. This little town is on the edge of the Sierras and Antelope Valley. Walker is on the north end of the Walker River canyon. I mention these landforms because that will give you an idea of the wind patterns. While driving through the town we were driving behind a semi tanker truck with two trailers.

On the northern edge of town we could see the wind swirling on the side of the road. The wind started kicking up the dust and assorted weeds and small shrubs. It looked like a tornado. (dust devil –noun- a small whirlwind 10–100 ft. (3–30 m) in diameter and from several hundred to 1000 ft. (305 m) high, common in dry regions on hot, calm afternoons and made visible by the dust, debris, and sand it picks up from the ground. From "Dictionary.com") My wife suggested that we pull over and let it pass. I was about four car lengths behind the tanker truck. I was waiting to see what he was going to do. He was going to go right through it. The dust devil crossed the road and hit the second trailer on the tail end. The trailer moved about 1 to 2 feet side to side. It was amazing how much power that little wind storm had.

We made it our destination after a, finally, great trip. It is great to see Mother Nature at work.

David