May 17 MESO Update


We did a quick, however long, jog down to the dry line yesterday, and 
managed to be right at the action when it started... for what it was.  We 
got some great storms, great footage... but saw nothing tornadic.  There 
were warnings out to the cells to our north, but we opted for the juicier 
looking ones a bit further south... around the Ness, KS to Dodge City 
area.  They blew up like crazy, but just couldn't seem to get much going.     

Some wet, cold chasers ended up very hungry at about 8:30, and decided to hit 
Dodge City for consumables.  We had a perfectly DREADFUL meal at some 
steak house in Dodge, and were proceeding to find lodging when a kid in a 
minivan blasted out in front of ECHO, literally rocking our world.  We 
handled it a bit better than the truck in the left lane, who proceeded to 
block the offender with his pick up, jump out and assault the driver of 
the van.  It was over before we could intervene, but decided that it was 
time to "get outta Dodge" and are currently situated at the juncture of 
Route 83 and 70 in WaKeeney, KS.

Our new chaser, Matt Neilsen, is getting a real education...and has 
become proficient in operating ThreatNet and GPS in the few short days 
he's been with us.  We were also delighted to have Randy Denzer rejoin 
us.  Randy had to go back to Ohio on family business on Saturday morning, 
but once there found himself inexplicably drawn to gazing longingly at 
the weather channel and wishing he was back. He did an Iron man haul back 
to Kansas, and rejoined us around Jetmore. So we're back at 8, with 4 vehicles.

We had planned to watch the NW corner of KS today, but we want to 
conserve money and energy for tomorrow....which is looking unbearably 
fine.  At this writing, spc has a moderate risk for day two.  Even if it 
is downgraded, its something we are compelled to position for. 

N. Bose and the gang at MESO
www.mcwar.org