PHOTOS TO COME!!!
I was working on getting a computer running, and just happened to glance at SPC's 1 day outlook. It was around 12:30pm. SPC had a moderate risk area from about Lubbock, TX to McCook, NE. From the looks of things, they were expecting initiation along a dryline which extended along this line. A quick glance showed CAPE up to 2000 J/kg in the panhandle of TX. I called Bobby Edmonds and asked what his plan was, and he told me he was already in Dumas, TX. I threw my bags and cameras in the car, and gave the family a few minutes to get ready. By the time we were packed, gassed up and on the road, it was 1:15 or so. We took I-25 to Bernardo (Exit 175) and headed east on 60 to Clovis.
We were mostly under overcast skies due to being behind the warm front, and couldn't see much. I played around on 20 meters, and picked up a few new counties for me: Guadalupe, De Baca, Roosevelt, and Curry.
In Clovis, NM, I started getting text messages from Dad, saying that there was a strong line through most of the panhandle, and there were severe thunderstorm and TVS boxes between Amarillo and Lubbock. From 60, we could head northeast towards Amarillo, towards a cell with a TVS, or head southeast along 84 towards Lubbock. We went northeast to Hereford, and ended up heading towards Dimmitt, TX along 385.
Because we were approaching the line from the west, we basically picked a hole in the line and shot through it. In Dimmitt, we refueled and headed east on 86 towards Tulia. Daylight was escaping, so we were mostly watching the lowered cloud bases through the lightning as we headed towards a place to stay for the night. There was one wall cloud in the mess east of Nazareth, but seeing as it was relatively late at night, we could only see it when the lightning struck. We crept along 86, stopping as the precipitation picked up. Once we found a hole in the line, we headed to Tulia.
We stopped in Tulia at a truck stop west of town. Mostly, we were looking for a wireless signal, which we did not find. I did talk to a few kids from OU who had video of a tornado hitting Tulia a little earlier. I ran inside to check on the internet, and to phone home and ask them. I also got a call from Bobby who said that his WXWorx crapped out when the action started. I ran back outside and it had started hailing hard. It was only pea sized, but I wasn't going to stand around and wait. We headed into the truck stop and watched it hail from inside. The OU crew had already headed north, as they intended to get back to Norman, OK that night. Bobby had missed all the tornadoes, but dodged large hail all day. He was hanging out at a Red Robin in Amarillo for now.
We waited for the line to pass from the southwest. The truck stop was full of truckers and other travelers doing the same thing we were. After 15 or 20 minutes, the precipitation let up and we got back in the car and headed north up I-29 towards Amarillo.
We spent the night in a Travellodge off I-40, off Paramount. Wireless internet, continental breakfast (which we slept through), and with tax and everything it was like $64. Not too bad for being in an urban area.
Today, I checked the SPC website to see if there would be any more panhandle magic. No dice. There was only a slight risk in the Midwest covering IL, IA, MO, WI etc. We packed up, checked out a half hour late and hit up the Big Texan, despite the lack of tornado sightings.
After a good steak, we headed out to the Cadillac Ranch. I took a few photos, spray-painted VT 4/16/07 on a driver's side tire of one of the cars, and then continued west on I-40. Other stops included Tucumcari and Clines Corners. I picked up Potter, TX, and Quay, NM on 20 meters. As I write this, we are coming up on Albuquerque, and we will probably stop there for dinner.
Gas-wise, we did well. I think we have filled up two-and-a-half times. We'll probably stop for gas in Isleta, just because it is cheaper than anywhere else. I think the first tank might have broke 30 mpg, which isn't bad for Chevy's least efficient car in 2002.
Overall, for a first real chase with the family, I think it turned out well. We were always in exceptionally safe places, we had a pretty good view of what was going on, even if we did not see the tornadoes, and I think everyone had fun. The little one was sad when we crossed back into New Mexico.
