Rich on the Road

Fort Morgan, Colorado We finally caught a super cell that spawned a series of tornados -- and as predicted in northeast Colorado. We got a dramatic show -- a layered ceiling of black, roiling clouds, lightning and wind -- all nicely illuminated by the setting sun. But, no twister showed itself to our intrepid, international group of chasers and the whole effort left photographer David Tafalla and me a very long way from home -- a verrrryy long way from home.

Thank God for mobile internet service. I got on the computer and found us a hotel in Lamar, Colorado. It's at least a two and a half hour drive from here. That puts us in after midnight with a 9 or 10 hour drive home in the morning. This is one of those road trips that will be remembered as a lot more fun after it's over and a few weeks in the rearview mirror. But, for the Brits and Tank the American there are eight more days to chase and they've departed east for wherever Bill decides tomorrow's prospects are best for intercepting tornadic storms. I must say, I'm not sure I could hold out for another week plus. From early in the morning till late at night. That is the life a storm chaser, as the Tempest Tour group is learning.

 For the Brits it's been a double dose of Americana -- seeing our unique severe weather, along with a good deal of the America they would never see on a standard tour -- the back roads and small towns that the "elite" in the east like to call "fly-over country." Personally, it's the America I'd like the rest of the world to see and experience. But, I'm tired and sick of driving and ready to be home. Unfortunately, that's a long ways a way. Rich