CHASE SUMMARY Please forgive the spotty updates, but there was virtually nothing to report, weather wise. Around Wednesday, after looking at the prognosis for the rest of the week, we determined that severe weather was not in the cards for us this year and we split off and headed to our respective homes. Our last outing found us back in Colorado where we at last tagged an upslope storm that for one brief shining moment dropped a little tornado that lasted about 30 seconds before disappearing back into the storm that spawned it. Far from being a bust, though, we set out our basic objectives for the trip, which was to fully field test ECHO. There were a few minor mechanical bugs that had our hearts in our throats for a few moments (overdrive, ignition, and power steering hose) but they were repaired on the spot as they occured by John Griswold and Jason Sebastian... and a little help from friends made along the way. ECHO stood up to just about everything we threw at her... from highway speeds to marginal wet "red road" conditions, at her full capabilities. Our data retrieval problems of years past were nearly non-existant, and at full peak, ECHO was running data retrieval, GPS, Capricorn 2000, Weather Alert, NOAA WX Radio, radio communications, and always, RearView Systems to cover our back door. Not only were we humming going after the elusive storms of late May in the combined states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado, but the staff was able to kick back and watch DVDs on the television screen on the way back to where ever we were based. The last day of "active" chasing, we met up with Steve Marshall from StormNet, as we beat a rather rapid redployment North, then South, then North again. Towers started popping up in the late afternoon, but couldn't really get going due to what Brian felt was probably dry air entrainment. ON a rather funny note, Allan and Chris intercepted an Illinois storm on the way home, Brian was treated to storms back in Ft. Collins, and Nancy, Grizz and Jason tagged some severe wx in southern Indiana on THEIR way home. Thanks to all for the letters of support and interest, and to our remote data assistant and new member Chris Rozoff! We had a ball, and reconfirmed for ourselves that America is alive and well and beautiful, and wide open spaces exist in abundance. Wonder and awe and the freedom to pursue it is a treasure we were able to truly come to reappreciate, and we are always mindful of all who have paid the ultimate price to insure that freedom. Cheers, MESO www.mcwar.org