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Wed, March 8, 2006 Eastern Kansas 1630z SPC Outlook: SLIGHT Chase Partners Verne Carlson Michael Carlson

Chase Miles: 965 Career Miles: Storm Intercepts: 0 Tornado Count: 0 Largest Hail: None Flooding: None Other Chaser Reports None

Getting the gear ready for another storm chase season.

The first chase of 2006 was loaded with firsts! It was the first chase trip for the new vehicle; it was the first time I had ever been to Arkansas; and it was the first time I have chased this early in the year. The trip began early Tuesday evening when I departed Denver after completing an exam and jumping through a ton of hoops to free myself for the lengthy trip ahead. I drove straight into McPherson, Kansas where I broke in the Chrysler Hotel by sleeping in the back of the van in a Best Western parking lot. I got up in the morning and met with Verne and Michael in El Dorado, KS where we checked out data. My phone vanished at one point before dinner and we later discovered it in a trash bag sitting on the sidewalk awaiting its trip to the dumpster where I'd never see my phone again. Fortunately, I left the ringer on and after repeated calls, we heard the cries from the trash. After reclaiming my phone, we headed up I-35 into Ottawa, KS and north into Leavenworth where we sat and waited... and waited... and waited. We finally stopped waiting; Verne and Michael headed back to Denver and I headed south through Kansas City about half an hour later. I drove down Hwy. 71 into Springdale, Arkansas where I crashed out for the night among the multiple rounds of nocturnal severe storms.

Getting ready in El Dorado, Kansas where I met with Verne and Michael. The jersey and the van debuted today.

After some driving, we found ourselves at a Holiday Inn Express in Leavenworth, Kansas watching data and the skies.

Neither looked promising, and we called off the chase. Verne and Michael heading home to Denver; me darting south to position for a stormy night and the next day.

Man I enjoy having a van again!

I made it to the Arkansas state line after dark and stole a picture off Hwy. 71; I intend to take a better (daytime) shot on the way back through, but this will due for now. It was about here where I felt the first rain drops I'd seen all day.

Bunking down for a long, stormy night in Arkansas. The laptop, weather radio, and cell phone ready to go.

Parked under the hotel's entrance awaiting the squall line. The worst of the action was about 20 miles to my south.

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StormChaserTNL@juno.com

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