Hazardous Weather Preparedness Institute

I have been a part of the weather broadcast and forecast community for the better part of 30 years now.  During that time I have covered hurricanes, watched tornadoes drop from the sky, helped fill sandbags during extreme flood conditions and trudged through what appeared to be mountains of snow.  Too many of those high profile, often tragic events turn into the images we store in our minds.  In one sense I have been fortunate to witness the power that nature can unleash in such a short time.  Some of those sad but real images that remain stored in my mind have helped me help others while operating the Hazardous Weather Preparedness Institute.

Mother Nature certainly has a  Jekyll and Hyde personality; mean and ugly on one side while calm and beautiful on the other.  It is the latter that I have focused on lately.  I consider my self quite lucky to be able to visit the scenic mountains of North Carolina at least once a week.  While those gorgeous mountains can offer challenges of their own, they also offer some of the most breathtaking and majestic sights one could image.  How lucky I am to see them regularly; they seem to allow me to slow my rapid pace and enjoy the calming sense they offer.  I want to share two of my favorites with you.

Kidd Brewer Stadium on the campus of Appalachian State University is nestled in the beautiful northern mountains of North Carolina and is home to the Appalachian State Mountaineers.  From high atop the stadium, the panoramic  view of the campus rolling through the hills is incredible.  On a sunny day, with the leaves turning to their fall colors, you feel as though you are staring at a well detailed model village. The scene below is breathtaking to me on a sunny day; but imagine the beauty that covers the landscape when snow is falling.  If you have visited Kidd Brewer Stadium, you know exactly what I mean.  If you have not, it is one of the greatest place to stop and smell the roses. It is a pretty good place to watch a football game too.

Not far from Kidd Brewer Stadium is another of my favorites that offers my mind great sanctuary.  The slopes of Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock. On a day when the sun and blue sky highlight the bright white snow covered slopes, the world just seems like a better place.  I like to stop at the top of the mountain and put my skiing on hold for a few minutes. I can feel my heart slow and my thoughts turn more positive as the sun, clouds, snow and beauty of the distant mountains overtakes me.  So much beauty to enjoy.

I hope you have some favorites places that highlight the beautiful side of nature.  I have seen many in other states and other countries, but sometime we don’t have to wander very far from home to find some of the best.  Feel free to share your thoughts: I would love to hear them.

Sunshine to you,

Randy Jackson