» Tribute to David Hoadley and “a mere cottonwood seed”

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Tribute to David Hoadley and “a mere cottonwood seed”

Published on 13 Mar 2006 at 12:23 am. 20 Comments.
Filed under Storm Chasing.

Last night after the 2006 TESSA conference in Colleyville Texas I felt very fortunate to have taken part in a rather intimate tribute dinner for the “Gentlemans chaser”, the one that epitomizes ethical behavior and responsibility, the one I truly aspire to, the one and only David Hoadley, “the first interstate chaser -before there were interstates!”

I must say that it was a truly special evening, one filled with open thoughts of appreciation and respect …. and most importantly, expressive honesty from deep within the soul. Tim Marshall was the first to speak shortly after we all loaded our plates from the buffet down on the first floor of Wilhoitte’s in Grapevine. Tim gave a detailed background of Dave Hoadley’s early years and the founding of the Stormtrack newsletter …all the while showing some of Dave’s best cartoons from the past.

David Hoadley shakes hands with Al Moller just after receiving the TESSA award at the conference during the afternoon. Photo ©C. Doswell -used by permission

Others spoke including Al Moller,Don Burgess, Roger Edwards (who awarded Dave with the highest accolade in storm chasing ….the Meat Wagon Award), Greg Guise, and Chuck Doswell. Chuck’s speech was particularly moving as he spoke of what Dave had accomplished and given to the chasing community.

Being nearly brought to tears, Chuck made mention of a particular story that Dave wrote about in Stormtrack. It was a rather simple story but nontheless a story that couldn’t help but dig deep into a stormchaser’s soul. I say this story was “simple”….in outward appearance that is, but contemplate it for a bit and not only will you find an enjoyable tale, one that as a stormchaser you can perhaps relate to, but you may even discover an important life lesson contained within. The story was about some tiny cottonwood seeds …you know, those little fury seeds that float effortlessly from the familiar riparian friends of the plains that offer an often appreciated oasis of shade when you seem to need it the most.

I now offer you this ”simple” little story, the one that Chuck so graciously and emotionally recalled ….from the master prose writer himself …David Hoadley… and all from just a few little cottonwood seeds:

“Driving across west Texas on I-20 between Forth Worth and Abilene one clear, sunny day, I was returning from a fruitless Arkansas chase of a passing front –the day before. The approaching high pressure cell was elongated north to south and extended from Canada almost to the Gulf. It’s massive influence had cleared all but the lingering low clouds on the eastern horizon, as I moved through northerly winds across Texas –from Fort Smith that morning. There would be no more severe weather that day, and I’d be lucky even to pick up a thundershower in the western panhandle tomorrow. Thus, I was relaxed and simply taking in that great Texas landscape –so open and vast, recalling the rich history of the early west. While driving, I idly regarded a few –apparent- cottonwood seeds floating across the highway from the north. By this time, the wind had become light –not more than 3-5 MPH. Except for a few high cirrus, the sky was clear that afternoon, as the center of the high approached. A corner of my mind contemplated how to tell it’s passing, as I eagerly anticipated the return of southerly winds with their moisture, heat and the promise of a new cycle of storms. I again saw cottonwood seeds floating from the north and was fascinated. There were no windmills or smoke tails curling up anywhere on the horizon to otherwise betray that moment. The traffic was strangely absent and I was alone, the tires humming steadily across the pavement and the gently rolling hills.

Then –there- within 10 miles of the last northerly drifting seed, I saw another –gently floating from the south. An invisible wall had been passed –almost a continent wide. No clouds, no blowing dust, no other sensible sign –other than the smallest fragment of life, gently riding, tumbling on the merest current of air. The wind did not change again that day except to grow. The break was clean and complete: southerly winds the rest of the afternoon, picking up that night to a steady 15-20 MPH from the southeast –and the quickening pulse of anticipation. Yet how profound and subtle the transition. However many more tornadoes I am fortunate to see, I will never forget that clear, quiet day in west Texas, when a great air mass passed over, and a tired, dispirited man was changed by the least of nature’s signs –a mere cottonwood seed drifting on the wind.”

-David Hoadley

(reprinted from Stormtrack Vol. 7, No. 6)

20 Comments to ‘Tribute to David Hoadley and “a mere cottonwood seed”’:

David Hoadley: Fine Gentleman and Father of Storm Observing : Weather or Not on 23 Oct 2008 at 5:12 pm: 1

[…] MORE INFO: Gene Rhoden has more details on the Hoadley tribute in his new BLOG. Here is a bio of Dave written nearly 20 years ago by Tim Marshall. Here is a group photo of those of us at the dinner tribute and roast, provided by Sam Barricklow (Dave is seated). And yes, I gave Dave his long-overdue Meatwagon Award! […]
Infolider on 23 May 2010 at 3:50 am: 2

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Tribute to David Hoadley and “a mere cottonwood seed”

20 Comments to ‘Tribute to David Hoadley and “a mere cottonwood seed”’:

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