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By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged
STILLWATER, Okla. — I planned to drive 400 miles to south-central Nebraska last weekend for a story on rural churches.
But about 75 miles up Interstate 35 from my home in Oklahoma City, my engine light came on. Fortunately, I was close to an exit and pulled into a gas station parking lot.
The shaking and loud noise under my hood were not a positive sign. A tow truck came to take my 2013 Kia Sorento with 169,957 miles on it to an auto repair shop. My wife, Tamie, made the 150-mile round trip to pick me up.
Since I canceled the Nebraska trip, I was available Sunday when The Washington Post called and asked me to help with its national coverage of the weekend monster storm system that left a trail of destruction in the Plains and the Deep South. The tornadoes, dust storms and wildfires claimed at least 40 lives in seven states.
Related: Survivors pick through ruins after monster storm
For unexplained reasons — I mean, I’ve avoided way more wrecks than I’ve caused — my wife usually frowns on me driving her 2013 Toyota Highlander. But with my Sorento temporarily out of commission, she let me borrow her vehicle.
I headed to Stillwater, Oklahoma, about 65 miles east of Oklahoma City. Chris Rettman, a professional photographer, joined me.
This column appears in the online magazine Religion Unplugged.
Featured photo by Chris Rettman
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 