May 18-19, 2003

As a team, we monitor and chase probabilities. Often, however, in the 
absence of probabilities, one is forced to pursue more remote 
possibilities.  Sunday was such a day.  Realizing early on that the 
Nebraska panhandle was the area of highest possibility (actually, the ONLY 
area of possibility) we made plans to go toward the area of upslope flow.  
This meant traveling a very long way to encounter what would most likely 
be squall line storms, but squall line storms are better than no storms at 
all.  We did a rapid redeployment towards the Nebraska panhandle, stopping 
about half way to our targeted area to lodge in Lexington, NE.  

We were instantly enamored of the hotel proprietor when his opening line 
to us was that his parents were brother and sister and the sign behind the 
counter read "The beatings will continue until morale improves".  We have 
found over the years that those we encounter that have a great sense of 
humor usually have a much easier time dealing with our late night hours, 
endless barrage of electronics, tying up phone lines for hours, and 
occasionally overloading the maximum allowable occupancy per room. 

The next morning, we took off towards North Platte, NE.  Brian was the 
only one of us that had ever chased in that area, which is just east of 
the Cheyenne Ridge (an elevated E-W ridge running from near Cheyenne, WY 
into the western NE panhandle).  Without a doubt, the land there is some 
of the most beautiful we have ever encountered, and the people were warm 
and friendly.  As luck would have it, we found a little gas 
station/restaurant that didn't mind having a bunch of weather weenies set 
up all afternoon in their parking lot waiting for storms to pop.  ECHO had 
quite a few visitors and admirers, and we received everything from local 
history lessons to the offer of fresh killed snake meat.  

Well, we knew what we were getting in to from the start, and sure enough, 
almost before they formed, the cells merged into a squall line.  All we 
got for our efforts, from a chase point of view, was wet.  However, as a 
road trip, it was wonderfully hilarious and party like.  Adding insult to 
injury, though, was the fact that those same storms caught up to us later, 
back at the hotel at about 2am.  And of course, we went "red roadin'" even 
at that hour to catch some lightning shots and just enjoy the weather.

Breakfast on Monday morning in Lexington was entertaining, as the waitress 
felt very at-ease to slap anyone who was "misbehaving", particularly 
Allan.  We spent the day driving south, never escaping the grips of the 
cold front, which raced across the Plains states on Monday (overcast, 
strong north winds, and temps around 50).

Well, not to be thwarted by a non-stormy day, we spent 2 hours playing 
whiffle ball in the hotel parking lot in Medicine Lodge, KS, complete with 
spare roof shingles as bases and duct tape wrapped around the bat and ball 
for added fun.  Thankfully, this new pastime for us was not documented on 
film or video, because our athletic prowess might make some of you ill.

At this time, we're kind of looking at the TX panhandle for later this 
week, but no doubt about it. this ridge which is building in the central 
Plains is going to bring a few down days.  But now that we're in the 
comfort of our unofficial hometown of Medicine Lodge, we'll find things to 
do. we always do.  


Cheers,
The MESO gang

www.mcwar.org