Chasing – NE – May 24, 2010

Posted on by Ericka Gray
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may 24 ne wind tornado VID00079

may 24 ne wind tornado VID00079

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We were lucky to come out of this day alive!  Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration but it was fast, furious, and wild.  In Nebraska, headed north to Lake McConaughy to watch a storm cross the lake…but it didn’t.  However, saw a lot of whitecaps on the lake.  The wind was howling.  Headed further north on Rt. 61/92 trying to stay ahead of the storms, which were moving at 60ish mph.  We stayed on Rt. 92 at Arthur, heading east.  Before reaching Rt. 97, we got ahead of one of the north tracking fast moving storms and captured a brief tornado on camera while almost being blown away by 70mph winds.  Shirts were being held on by hand.   The tornado was near Tryon, NE and we were looking NW.

We continued east on 92 through hail and suddenly, out of nowhere, a fast moving shed roof passed in front of our eyes.  This thing was close! Debris.  At that point, we decided to head on to Oconto to let the storm roll over us and ended up sitting under the whale’s mouth.  What a day.

   

brief tornado   60-70 mph winds sustained!

  whale’ mouth

Chasing – NW of Scotts Bluff, NE – May 21, 2010

Posted on by Ericka Gray
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Fist “real” chase of the chasecation (translation – intended chase), we targeted just northwest of Scotts Bluff and found ourselves on a lonely (no other chasers in sight after passing Vortex 2 at the turnoff) and beautiful dirt road with a gorgeous tornado warned storm just NW of us that produced a couple of very brief tornadoes in Goshen Co, WY.  A delightful way to start with a bonus sunset. 

    

Pre-chasecation – Wind River Canyon, WY – May 19, 2010

Posted on by Ericka Gray
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Wyoming!  Well, let’s just say, we didn’t get arrested but….our encounter with the authorities in Wy left a lot to be desired.  Driving through Wind River Canyon (wow!), I began to be tailgated by a white pickup truck.  Ian was hanging out the window taking video and I was driving under the speed limit, obeying all the laws, bitching about the *&%$* on my tail.  Finally, at the end of the Canyon, we came to the resevoir and I decided to pull over to let the guy pass, while Ian took a photo.  Well, the *&%$* pulled in behind me.  I parked and Ian got out.  Next thing we know, the pickup has lights flashing and this voice says, “Get back in the vehicle.”  So, the tailgater turned out to be a Park Ranger and I had pulled past a little, teeny weeny, miniscule sign that said “fee area.”  This guy was looking for something to stop us for.  After the 3rd degree, including issues about not carrying our proof of insurance cards (no such thing in MA) but thankfully the rental car place had stuff in the glove compartment, we found out that we could pay $6 on the spot and be done with the nonsense.  Suddenly, Mr. 3rd degree squad goober became Mr. nice guy travel agent, telling us all the sights to see as we headed to NE.

Pre-chasecation – Chasing on foot May 18, 2010 Little Big Horn

Posted on by Ericka Gray
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Pre-chasecation, we flew into Omaha, drove across SD into Montana to see Little Big Horn.  While Ian continued to explore on foot, I went back to the car to grade papers. A storm developed and I ended up chasing on foot!  Ian found me at the top of a hill with cameras and he was LOL knowing that I wouldn’t be doing anything so pedestrian as grading papers with a storm around.