2023-05-03 – CHASE2023 – Hacking and Packing

The annual exercise of hacking (setting up all the technology) and packing (getting all the clothing, cameras, memory cards, computing, equipment, and related cables and miscellany organized) is nearly complete.

In years past, I have had everything packed and sitting in the van, nearly a week in advance. This year, however, the preparation‘s have been last minute. They set up of the camera system, for the van was much more difficult than I anticipated. It also was a lot of work extricating, the technology transferred from G3 (the 2018 Pacifica) to G4 (the 2022 Chevy Equinox).

I look forward to next year being a lot less work.

Many aspects of the logistics were completed a week ago: hotel, reservations, travel, plans, coordinating a get together in Springfield, Missouri for a friend’s birthday.

A complicating factor was that my attention was split between preparing for the trip and completing migration from my 10 year old network, attached storage systems to new equipment. The old gear has been a little temperamental, and I have been working desperately to get my files safely on the new equipment before the old equipment dies. The split of my attention and time has driven the timeline for the trip preparation up to the last few days before my actual departure. It has been very stressful. I really can’t wait until I actually start enjoying the idea of vacation. So far, all my time and energy has been spent in the preparation. Compared to previous years, this year has been a bit of a nightmare . It will be so nice to finally be on the road.

GALLERY: “What’s in Your Wallet… er… bags?”

2022-05-02 – Awkward Compatibility

In order to keep up with the latest and greatest technology, I do a different equipment set update each year:

1st year: Computer upgrades
2nd year: communication upgrades
3rd year: photography/videography upgrades

This year, I ended up doing mostly communication upgrades, with a focus on cellular technology. The main driver in this process was the acquisition of sprint buy T-Mobile. A short while after that acquisition, T-Mobile started forcing customers to change equipment, whether they were fully ready to do so or not.

So my planned (computer) and unplanned technology updates for 2012 are as following:

  • New laptop (Dell 5515 touch with Windows 11)
  • Mobile hotspot (T-Mobile MiFi)
  • New phone (Apple iPhone 12 pro)
  • New tablet (Samsung 8 inch android tablet)
  • New vehicle tracker/Wi-Fi (T-Mobile Sync Drive, 2 units).

Upside: save the iPhone, none of the T-Mobile gear cost a nickel — effectively a free upgrade over the next 24 months

Downside: lots of reconfiguration and some compatibility issues between the MiFi and my Wyze cameras. The latter is been particularly annoying. I’ve spent hours and hours trying to solve the problems by downgrading the Wi-Fi security, clearing cache, doing factory reset, and a variety of other things to no avail. All the work I did last season getting a five camera mobile security system running has been totally destroyed by the upgrade process. I am miffed.

This evening I will go through the packing list and make sure I have everything packed and ready to go for the trip. I have had some equipment changes lately, so my 2019 daily checklist will have to be updated. I can pack using the marked up edit copy then print the 2022 version at my local Office Depot. This is all just part of a pre-trip ritual, but sometimes it gets old.

20210509 – Sunday, Day of Rest (Oklahoma City, OK)

07:00 -Had a ‘soft’ wake-up (no call or alarm)

09:00 -Atttend my Chicagoland church online

10:00 – Shower, grab a coffee in the lobby

1030 – Finialize the blog entries for the past two days.  Seems like I’m always catching up on blogs

1130 – Return to Golden Palace for lunch. “You’re back early.” said the diminutive hostess, smiling broadly. “It’s never too early for hour sour soup,” I retorted. First joke of the day!

13:00 – Return to Avid. Work with the housekeeper to get my room sprayed for ants. I relish the chance to have a conversation in Spanish, even if ti’s about my hormiga problem.  The crew pays me a compliment on my Spanish: tu hablas muy bien.  The truth is, I’m embarrassed at how rusty I am with the language. When I when sailing out of Chile during my stint with the U.S. Antarctic Program, I reached a certain level of fluency. My Mexican friends at home — Colorado, at that time — paid me a tremendous compliment: they told me I had picked up a Chilean accent. Very flattering, as I worked hard to do so.

15:00 – Upload some images and videos for today’s blog entry. Took a break just long enough for a short walk, a trip to the van (to clean it up a little for guests), and took a quick weather reading on the Kestrel:

(PLEASE accept my apologies for the formatting of the Kestrel data tables.
I am trying to find something better, in vain)

FORMATTED DATE_TIMETemperatureWet Bulb TempRelative HumidityBarometric PressureAltitudeStation PressureWind SpeedDew PointHeat IndexDensity AltitudeCrosswindHeadwindCompass Magnetic DirectionCompass True DirectionWind Chill
MMM d, yyyy HH:mm:ss°F°F%hPafthPakt°F°FftktktDegDeg°FData TypeRecord nameStart timeDuration (H:M:S)Location descriptionLocation addressLocation coordinatesNotes
May 9, 2021 14:07:5387.165.532.0971.51150971.60.053.785.533870.00.032432587.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:07:5787.165.531.9971.51150971.60.053.685.533840.00.032532587.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:0287.065.531.8971.51150971.60.053.485.133810.00.032432586.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:0787.065.531.7971.51151971.60.053.385.133790.00.031331486.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:1286.765.332.1971.51151971.60.053.485.133580.00.030030186.7sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:1786.065.533.7971.51151971.50.054.284.633270.00.0495086.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:2285.265.535.3971.51151971.60.054.783.832760.00.0686885.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:2785.065.736.1971.51151971.60.055.183.832660.00.0313184.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:3284.965.836.9971.71146971.80.055.783.832610.00.0394084.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:3785.066.237.5971.51151971.50.056.284.232790.00.0666784.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:4284.666.238.5971.51151971.50.056.683.832560.00.033833884.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:4784.065.738.4971.51151971.50.056.083.132150.00.031031184.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:5283.264.937.8971.21163971.21.054.881.731700.90.228228383.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:08:5782.564.037.1971.51151971.50.053.780.631090.00.028928982.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:0781.162.636.0971.51151971.60.051.678.630020.00.032532581.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:1380.261.534.9971.51151971.60.050.077.429360.00.034834880.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:1779.961.234.6971.71150971.60.049.577.229160.00.029929979.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:2279.961.234.4971.51151971.60.049.377.029110.00.030931079.7sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:2779.661.034.3971.51150971.60.049.076.828980.00.031431579.5sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:3279.260.434.1971.71150971.70.748.576.528600.10.7101179.2sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:3779.461.034.8971.51150971.60.049.276.628850.00.00079.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:4279.661.535.8971.51150971.60.050.277.029060.00.033133279.5sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:4778.961.236.4971.51150971.60.050.076.328520.00.026726878.8sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:5278.260.837.0971.51150971.60.049.875.728140.00.029829978.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:09:5778.060.837.4971.71150971.70.050.075.627990.00.026626777.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:0779.161.737.8972.01138972.10.051.276.628570.00.024224279.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:1278.361.237.9972.01135972.10.050.675.928040.00.019919978.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:1777.360.237.7972.01135972.10.049.574.727380.00.0131477.2sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:2276.659.537.1972.01135972.10.048.473.926820.00.032432576.5sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:2775.658.636.5972.01138972.10.047.172.926140.00.035435575.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:3275.458.436.1972.01138972.10.646.772.726020.40.532132275.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:3775.858.835.9972.21135972.10.047.073.026320.00.028528675.7sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:4276.459.236.0972.21135972.10.047.573.626670.00.029629776.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:4776.959.536.0972.21135972.10.047.974.127030.00.028728776.8sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:5277.559.935.9972.01138972.10.048.474.727430.00.029029177.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:10:5777.860.135.8972.21135972.20.048.675.027610.00.027928077.7sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:0277.960.135.5972.01135972.10.048.475.227660.00.030330377.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:0778.060.135.3972.21135972.20.048.475.227690.00.029829877.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:1278.460.435.2972.01135972.10.048.775.628020.00.028929078.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:1778.360.235.0972.01135972.10.048.475.427940.00.030130178.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:2278.660.234.7972.01138972.10.048.475.728140.00.029829978.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:2778.560.234.5972.01138972.10.048.275.728040.00.031131178.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:3778.059.734.2972.01135972.10.047.575.027690.00.028228277.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:4278.259.934.2972.01138972.10.047.775.227810.00.028528678.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:4778.359.934.2972.01135972.10.047.875.427860.00.027727778.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:11:5278.559.934.1972.01135972.10.047.975.728020.00.027627678.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:0278.860.133.8972.01135972.11.847.975.728221.51.030330378.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:0778.659.933.6972.21135972.20.047.675.628040.00.027427578.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:1278.659.933.5972.21132972.20.047.575.728020.00.027127278.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:2278.759.933.2972.21135972.20.047.475.728070.00.027727878.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:2778.659.933.1972.01135972.10.047.275.628040.00.030130178.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:3278.459.733.0972.21135972.10.047.075.227940.00.028028078.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:3778.559.733.0972.21135972.20.047.075.427910.00.027827978.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:4278.359.532.9972.21135972.20.046.875.227840.00.028228278.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:4778.259.332.8972.21132972.20.046.675.027760.00.028128178.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:5278.159.232.8972.21132972.30.046.574.827610.00.029729877.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:12:5778.259.332.8972.21132972.30.046.675.027710.00.030130178.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:0278.559.732.8972.21132972.20.046.975.427940.00.029429578.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:0778.759.732.8972.21132972.20.047.075.628040.00.033633678.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:1278.459.733.2972.21135972.20.047.175.227890.00.030030178.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:1778.761.236.5972.21132972.20.049.976.128240.00.030430478.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:2279.062.139.1972.21132972.20.052.076.828520.00.029329378.8sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:2779.263.141.9972.21135972.20.054.077.528800.00.030130179.2sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:3279.464.044.2972.21132972.20.055.778.129030.00.030230279.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:3779.464.946.1972.21135972.20.056.978.429180.00.0313179.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:4278.864.647.4972.21135972.20.057.177.728750.00.033033078.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:4778.664.246.8972.21135972.20.056.677.428600.00.031331378.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:5278.764.446.9972.21135972.20.056.877.728730.00.031531678.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:13:5778.564.647.6972.21135972.20.057.077.528630.00.032032078.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:0278.663.945.7972.21132972.20.055.977.228570.00.032632778.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:0778.863.142.8972.21132972.20.054.377.228570.00.032132178.8sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:1279.162.640.3972.21132972.20.052.977.228650.00.032032179.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:1779.161.938.1972.21132972.20.051.576.828600.00.031531579.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:2278.961.337.1972.21132972.20.050.676.528420.00.032632678.8sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:2778.861.036.2972.21135972.20.049.876.128270.00.032332378.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:3278.860.835.7972.21132972.20.049.476.128240.00.029429478.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:3778.460.635.9972.21135972.20.049.175.627990.00.034634678.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:4277.960.135.3972.21132972.20.048.375.227630.00.031931977.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:4777.259.234.6972.21132972.20.047.274.327180.00.030430477.2sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:5276.658.633.9972.21135972.20.046.173.626700.00.034134176.5sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:14:5774.857.233.9972.21132972.20.044.572.025490.00.033833974.7sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:0271.354.834.6972.21132972.20.041.969.323140.00.032832971.2sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:0768.653.235.6972.21132972.30.040.365.721360.00.031331368.5sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:1766.552.338.3972.01138972.13.640.362.620062.42.8404066.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:2266.052.339.9972.21135972.25.540.962.119723.24.531831965.8sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:2765.052.141.5972.21132972.37.441.161.019085.35.231331464.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:3264.952.343.1972.21132972.26.042.061.019082.75.333233364.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:3765.553.244.4972.21132972.24.243.361.919551.73.933633765.5sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:4264.952.945.5972.21129972.35.443.461.219102.64.833133264.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:4764.552.946.5972.41129972.36.543.660.818863.46.133033063.7sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:5264.753.247.4972.21132972.34.744.261.218962.34.533133264.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:15:5764.553.448.3972.41129972.46.544.661.018883.45.532832963.7sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:0264.553.648.9972.41129972.44.544.961.218902.33.932933064.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:0264.553.649.0972.21132972.24.944.961.218962.64.132832864.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:0764.653.649.7972.21132972.24.545.461.319052.33.832732864.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:1264.453.850.5972.21132972.25.545.661.018882.94.633033063.9sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:1764.253.651.0972.21135972.22.845.761.018811.32.533233364.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:2264.253.851.4972.21132972.25.145.961.018812.24.633433463.7sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:2764.153.651.6972.21129972.34.245.961.018731.83.733333464.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:3264.053.651.8972.21132972.35.745.960.818632.84.933033063.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:3762.252.352.4972.21129972.38.744.559.217404.57.432832960.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:4261.151.652.9972.41127972.49.243.858.316665.27.632532558.6sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:4761.151.853.9972.41129972.48.344.358.316694.57.032732858.8sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:5261.152.054.9972.41129972.410.244.758.516696.28.032132158.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:16:5761.452.555.6972.41127972.42.845.458.816930.52.734935061.3sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:17:0262.153.056.2972.41129972.40.946.459.517450.10.935535562.1sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:17:0763.054.157.3972.21132972.20.047.760.418140.00.031731863.0sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:17:1262.353.657.3972.21132972.30.047.159.917650.00.030931062.2sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:17:1762.653.857.1972.21132972.30.047.260.117800.00.028528662.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36
May 9, 2021 14:17:2264.555.657.9972.21135972.20.049.361.919180.00.026126164.4sessionSession - May 9, 2021 14:07:505PM2021 9, 2021 14:07:5000:09:36

15:44 – Checked the SPC convective outlooks.

Murphy’s Law of Chase Tours: The day between tours is often the best chance for storms, the then chances thereafter approach zero:

TODAY: Tour 2 returns to OKC and cannot chase (in the jungles of the ArLaTex region)

TOMORROW: Tour 3 will leave early and may only see marginal storm (then NOTHING for several days following). We will like be stuck in the Big Bend region sans Internet for 2-3 days!

15:55 – Waited in the lobby to see if anybody needed a ride to Walmart for supplies for the trip. No takers seen, though our fearless team lead, Bill Reid, happened by. On to WalMart for handle my list (and a few odd-n-ends for Bill).

1701 – returned to Avid. Delivered items from Bill’s shopping list.

20210508 – Travel Day 2 (Springfield,MO – Oklahoma City,OK)

ROUTE: Springfield, MO – Oklahoma City, OK:

0700 – wake-up call

0825 – Arrive Cracker Barrel, for Lisa M’s (and granddaughter Angelina’s) birthday breakfast

1000 (approx) – Depart Springfield on I-44W
But goof around with a harmonica first!

(insert video later)

1100ish- Enter Oklahoma. Sing the state song (an old ritual of mine).
Pull out a $20 bill for tolls (about $10 between the MO-OK state line and OKC).

 

1430ish- Refuel at Tulsa

 

xxxx – Arrive at Avid Hotel, OKC. So glad they have an elevator, as this makes dragging bags much less work.

1730 – Grab dinner at Golden Palace, an excellent Chinese buffet on the Meridian strip.  Unlike Zio’s, the Italian restaurant several blocks south, the Palace had no waiting line (but lots of people dining, just the same). Given that COVID-19 has driven so many restaurants out of business, I’m delight to see that pretty much every restaurant on Meridian (between the airport and I-40) seems to be thriving.

1800 – Do  a little computer and battery maintenance. Charge up the AX53 camcorder batteries that arrived the day before I left of this trip.  Adding these batteries gives me nearly 8 hours camcorder running time between recharges!

2000 – Watched Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2 on the room TV. Still a fun flick after a number of viewings. Our generation is very fortunate to enjoy the genius of Stan Lee, creator of the Marvel universe.

2200 – Charge the Fitbit, listen to my bible podcast, and drift off to sleep.

20210507 – Travel Day 1 (Bolingbrook,IL-Springfield,MO)

ROUTE: Bolingbrook, IL – Springfield, MO:

06:00 – wake-up, shower, etc.

07:00-11:00 – work from home, online, that is. (Don’t lots of folks do that now?)

11:00 – Lunch at Charlie’s (Bolingbrook Clow International Airport).
(They have scheduled flights to Canada, so ‘International” is quite real.)

12:12 – Depart Bolingbrook Airport, traveling southwest on I-55S.

14:09 – A brief pit stop in Atlanta, IL. Still good on fuel!

14:22 – Resume southwesterly course on I-55S

15:25 – Oh no. traffic jam!

17:28 – Refuel at St. Clair, MO, just west of Six Flags enough to avoid paying a premium price for gasoline.

2100 – Arrive at Red Roof Inn, Springfield. Check in then eat dinner at Jimm’s Steakhouse and Pub. Had the monstrously generous prime rib dip (like a classic French dip, but using prime rib). Too much food!

2315 – bed time.

 

 

20210502 – 2021 Shakedown Cruise #2

After building a fairly long list on shakedown cruise number one, it just makes good sense to do a second shake down and see what remains that list.

1145 – Lunch with Joe and Barb

1400 – Depart for Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Wolcott, Iowa. It was, at one time, the world’s largest truck stop. Supposedly a larger one was being built in Russia, but I’m not sure that ever happened. Needless to say, the place is huge, and technically qualifies as a national landmark.  It also happens to be reasonable distance from home. Depending on conditions such as weather, construction, traffic, the drive can be anything from 2 to 3 hours. (And on this occasion, it was just barely two.)

1559 – Cross the Mississippi river on the interstate 80, entering Iowa. (Upon inspecting my video after returning home, I find out that the crossing was captured on the starboard wyzecam. A nice surprise: the camera system delivered on its promise)

(insert link to crossing video later)

1615 – Arrive at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop. As it turns out, the shakedown cruise is also a test of the driver. I make a hasty run to the bathroom, and discover I am in real need of some Imodium AD. Given that I had a recent battle with “full on” diarrhea, I don’t mess around: I take a large adult dose of this medicine immediately (and do not have a problem with “digestive distress” for the rest of the trip, thankfully). I take a quick moment for some photos at the truckstop. To paraphrase Peewee Herman, “It’ll last longer if you’ll take a picture!”

1645 – Make a brief stop at the National Weather Service, located at Davenport airport. Grab a quick picture of myself in front of Weather radar

1655 – head back across the Mississippi and onward to home

1915 – Arrive at home. Goodness, I made good time driving back. The WyzeCams seem to be dropping out every once in a while, perhaps because the laptop is running low on space on the way back, but I do not stop to investigate. I just want to get home given the delicate state of my digestive tract.

2030 – Time to call it a day. And a good day it was. It seems the afjustments that I made in response to the to do list from the first shakedown cruise have been effective. I did not test the camera mounts but have a pretty good idea that I need to adjust the friction on the I pistol grip for the DSLR camera.

20210406 – Murphy’s Law of Central air-conditioning

There seems to be an old established rule about central air conditioning: if there is a three day heat spell in April, the air conditioning will break down on the next to the last day and then not be needed until the month of May.

There seems to be an old established rule about central air conditioning: if there is a three day heat spell in April, the air conditioning will break down on the next to the last day and then not be needed until the month of May.

20180511 – CHASE2018- Day 1

11:02 AM – depart office promptly

11:45 AM – Depart from I-355, entering I-55 southbound. Drove through a brief call shower.

12:28 PM – Passed by Dwight, Illinois. Just saw a northbound Amtrak train heading to Chicago. Feels very like in my childhood memory of travel between Rockford and Monmouth, Illinois. The family used to travel US 34. We used to see many trains along that route. (Sorry, no picture, as I am in traffic.)

Traffic has slowed to a crawl. Seems there is some roadwork or a police action of a head up ahead.
“Work zone speed limit 55 mph.” (Actual speed 24, but it has been 10 mph for the last 10 minutes. Do the math!)  And there they are: those people who see the merge signs for the last 2 miles and wait to the last minute to join traffic because they think that the rest of us are stupid and will let them in. And it only takes one generous person to make them right. Now four lanes have become two lanes, one northbound one southbound. The southbound lanes of I-55 or being revealed re-built. (76.3 miles into the trip)

12:49 PM – Left the construction zone at exit 201, Continuing south on I 55. Detour signs indicating the delay was about 13 minutes with results. That feels about right. (Around Pontiac, Illinois)

1:03 PM – South of Pontiac, Illinois. It is wonderfully flat and open near here. This is prime central Illinois chase country. You can see all the way to the Verizon in almost every direction. And the landscape is almost completely free of distractions, except for the occasional microwave, cellular, or radio tower. There are power lines in the distance. A few scattered trees, I’m really not much here. Basically a blank canvas on which to paint a memory. (Tried to take a picture here, it was cut in half the long horizontal. What’s up with that?)  I have moved far enough south that I have left the 60°F weather in Chicago and I’m surrounded by 80°F temperatures.

1:36PM – stopped at rest area south of Bloomington-Normal, to stretch my legs, visit the restroom, and grab a light snack. Leving the Illinois pollination exhibit behind, By-bye busy little bee!

1:48 PM – Departed rest stop. Continuing south to St. Louis

2:02 PM – Passing the NWS weather radar at Lincoln Illinois (KILX).  It is approximately the midpoint between Chicago and St. Louis along interstate 55.

2:24 PM – travel note: 555 mile post 104 is the location of a rest area on the southbound traffic. This is a little closer to the midpoint of the Chicago St. Louis leg of the journey.

3:24 PM – Just outside St. Louis. Traffic has crawled to a near halt due to construction. We are
grinding along and about 20 miles an hour. Looks like the right lane is closed ahead. We are just south of Worden.

3:37 PM – Exited the construction zone. Very lucky to only have two delays in Illinois. On certain past trips I had 50 miles of construction; this time wasn’t so bad.

4:10 PM – Welcome to Missouri. Took I-255 across to I_44 and beyond. Definitely better than going downtown during rush hour. Temperature here is 91°F. It is like summer! I am loving every minute of it.

5:40 PM- fuel/bathroom/food stop at Roll, Missouri.

8:08 PM – Arrived at Motel 6 North, Springfield, Missouri. Feeling tired but very happy. So THIS is what vacation feels like, I had almost forgotten! Unpacked the van then went to sleep (gently). Zzzzzzz.

TODAY’S ROUTE: 499.3 miles as shown below (map courtesy of DeLorme Street Atlas 2014):

 

20180510 – Nebraska, You’re calling my name!

Today, I’m working my last full day before vacation.

The good news: the atmosphere is NOT stalled out, but storms are happening.
The bad news: I’m hundreds of mile away, and can only admire them from afar.

That beautiful tight ENHANCED blob will provide entertain for somebody. Just not me.

#GoodHunting to those of you who can get there. Take good pictures, please!

A brief seasonal introduction

Howdy!

My name is Lisa Beal. I’ll be touring with Tempest for my 15th trip this year. Where has the time gone!

I’m nearing retirement, but still have plenty of energy for storm days. I’ll need it: I usually carry a hefty assortment of gadgets, earning the name Gadget Girl on tours past.

I live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and I work as an IT middleware engineer (that means I make big servers go, go, go). Like my buddy, Owen, I’m tied to a keyboard most of my waking hours — and sometimes those hours run really long. To maintain my sanity, I will NOT be answering calls from work on vacation. Would you?

My typical chase-cation starts with a drive to Oklahoma city, usually with a stopover near friends on the way. And I take about 3 days to get home afterwards, if severe weather is around for chasing. I have a dedicated chase vehicle (“Gadgetmobile II“, as the first one was gracefully retired in 2007), and like chase in groups, with a friend or two, or solo. “Gadgetmobile III” is coming soon, probably at the end of the model year (and, yes, I’m leaning toward SUV for the next one).

I’ll be arriving in Oklahoma City on the Saturday evening before the trip so if anyone is wanting to explore locally, let me know!Usually, I make a trip to WalMart on the Sunday before departure, and it is pretty usual to have 2-3 others with me for that store run. let me know if you need to do that.
Text me … to connect for that store run, a lunch or dinner on Sunday, etc. I welcome the company.

II cannot say enough good things about the Tempest crew, especially Bill Reid. He is the storm whisperer, and has put me in front of at least 30 of the tornadoes I’ve seen, among the 50 total I’ve seen. Bill is also an excellent photographer. Don’t be shy if you need camera advice. His his very solid advice.

I will be blogging each evening (or early the next morning) after each chase day. Look for updates at
http://www.underthethunder.org/blog/2018/05/
(once I set it up, in the next few days) . I’ll also be posting (after the fact) to Facebook &/or Twitter. I’m user polarpal99 on both.

See you soon!
lisaB