There are people who occasionally grill a steak or chop outdoors. There are those who love to grill most meals outdoors, weather permitting.  And then there are a few dedicated enthusiasts who I call “Mailman Grillers” because neither snow nor rain, sleet or hail, darkness of night or — a sudden tornado micro burst –  will keep them from their appointed task of preparing tasty food on the grill for friends and family. This is about two buddies who go by their online screen names of squirtthecat & hal4uk. These fellas love to grill.

Couple of summers ago they were preparing for a backyard party at one of their homes and had set up a cooking area in the backyard. They were meticulous in the organization, menu planning and made contingency plans for the expected hot weather…all in consideration of their guests.

A lovely party set up for a big family party and BBQ.

The beverages were iced in the trailer rig that tows behind a lawn mower and positioned with a large umbrella over it. Martha Stewart would approve.

Organized cooking and serving area - with room for tables and prep.

The cooking area was spacious with plenty of room to set up work and serving tables beneath a large canopy held firmly in place by heavy cinder blocks. Everything was moving along with only an hour or so to go before the first of the guests were to arrive. And then they heard – Storm Sirens.

If you’ve never lived in storm country, you don’t know the adrenaline rush that comes by hearing a storm siren. Especially if you are a parent.  Most folks  who live in these areas of the country have action plans and immediately go into the emergency mode.  These boys were no different. They secured the family and got the cars into the garage just as the massive hail-storm hit. Only seconds before the micro-burst of penetrating sheets of rain and wind hit ground zero – the outdoor cooking set-up in the backyard. It was over in a few terrifying minutes. It happens that fast.

All-clear and they ventured out.  First-things-first – make sure the family and neighbors are OK. Good. Now to venture into the backyard & survey the damage.

Everything is blown about - umbrellas snapped in half, tent and cinder blocks blown up and over a 6' fence into the neighbors yard. Yet, eerily, some things remain undisturbed.

They were amazed at how some heavy things were tossed about by the wind while other items of much less weight were left undisturbed.

The view from the next yard - where the tent had blown. Hey, what's that? Who is that in the right side of the picture?

That's a picture of dedication. Amidst the wreckage of their work area in the aftermath of a storm - at his Char-Broil Commercial Series Quantum infrared grill cooking for soon-to-arrive guests.

That’s Hal4UK at the grill. He’s got guests coming who will be hungry and he’s not about to disappoint them!

squirtthecat said: “Yeah, we cooked up a storm (ha) that weekend… I think we did 20 pounds of wings that night by the light of my cell phone. (in the mud, under an umbrella, as more rain came after that big storm.)”

I salute you dedicated ‘men o’the grill’ – for taking care of your guests with tasty food prepared with love and in spite of the obstacles ‘tossed’ in your way!

Happy Grilling!

NOTE: to see a few more pics and read an account in their words click here.