5/10/02

Our first day on the plains was met with some pretty exciting
breakthroughs.  We did some experimentation with launching airborne
ballistic storm probes, which proved to be a successful endeavor.  We also
studied a persistent vortex in very close proximity to our hotel, and we
were successful in actually altering the inflow to the point where the
vortex was completely arrested. 

OK, literal translation: We set off a few fireworks in Smithville, MO and
then we played with the hotel's hot tub afterward.  Though storms are
expected in the area later tonight, they will doubtlessly be embedded in
an MCS, and on day one, even WE are not game for chasing rain storms in
the hills at night.  We are looking hopefully at tomorrow, possibly
looking at a move to the southwest.  

To backtrack a bit, Nancy Bose and Chris Howell drove south from Ypsilanti
early Thursday morning intending to hook up with Allan Detrich in Toledo.
One of our core members, John Griswold, had sadly reported that he was not
going to be able to make it this year due to work conflicts, and we were
horribly saddened that he'd have to sit this one out. At the last minute
however, plans had changed and Grizz WAS going... a fact that Nancy was
the only one in the dark about.  When we met up with Allan on Thursday
morning, Grizz was hiding in the back of the van. There were a lot of
laughs, and the team took off to meet Josh Jans and Brian McNoldy in
Kansas City.  The trip to Kansas City from Toledo?  Well, if you were to
take the movie ROAD TRIP, and add to it a bunch of weather weenies and a
van with enough wires and electronic apparatus to stock a Radio Shack, you
would have a pretty accurate idea of how that particular 732 miles went.
Josh arrived in KC later Thursday night, and Brian arrived in KC early
Friday morning after spending a night in Topeka.  So after Nancy, Grizz,
Chris, and Allan drove 14 hours from the east, Josh drove 6 hours from the
north, and Brian drove 10 hours from the west, the annual reunion is
complete for the fifth consecutive year. 

It's nearly dinnertime, and KC wouldn't be complete without hitting a BBQ
joint.

Reporting from near the Kansas City Airport,
Nancy, Brian, Chris, Allan, Grizz, and Josh