![Nebraska mammatus and storm chasers Nebraska mammatus and storm chasers](http://www.chriskridler.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/053011chasers550.jpg)
Chasers Daniel Shaw and Dave Lewison shoot mammatus clouds in Nebraska on May 30, 2011. Photo by Chris Kridler, chriskridler.com
With several friends, I chased a line of severe storms in Nebraska on May 30 that offered much in the way of photo opportunities, even if they cut off our northern route in a beautiful landscape with almost no roads. What are you gonna do? Every trip is a mix of hits and misses (for instance, four tornadoes, but none on the high risk day), but it’s always educational and frequently fun – when it’s not frustrating. Like anything worthwhile, it takes a lot of work and, in this case, a lot of miles. To be precise: 11,865.
It’s always surreal returning home. Home is Florida, where it’s soupy and hot and summerlike, a big contrast to the breezy and cool spring of the Plains. Our rainy season hasn’t kicked in yet, so we’re not getting much in the way of thunderstorms. The dull drum of domesticity is met by the pleasure of being home. I’m watering the tomatoes, petting the dogs and catching up on sleep. I’m trying to find my rhythm as I get into a new career of self-employment. And I’m hoping for more adventure.
![Chasers on May 30, 2011 Chasers on May 30, 2011](http://www.chriskridler.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/053011-03-300x200.jpg)
The chase crew on May 30: Dave Lewison and Mark Robinson (front), Brad Rousseau (on dino), Dayna Vettese, Chris Kridler, Meghan Yeo, Heather Reynolds, Daniel Shaw, Scott McPartland, Bill Hark. Photo by Chris Kridler, chriskridler.com
As for that lurker who followed Bill H. and I one day, what the hell was he thinking? Storm chasing isn’t like what you see on TV. It’s no Disney ride. It would be a lot simpler if it were.
Keeping it brief: again, too much driving after busting in Colorado yesterday. I’m waking up in Salina, Kansas, after that very long round trip. I kind of knew I was in trouble when all the cloud cover manifested over my target area yesterday, but I figured, I was halfway there, so why not go for it? The thing is, “halfway” when you’re talking about driving to the front range is pretty dang far. The scenery in eastern Colorado is lovely, though, spare and ascetic. Today, the target is central Oklahoma, though this won’t be one of those crazy outbreak days. This is kind of a “maybe” day. I can feel my trip beginning to wind to a close. I still haven’t decided whether to chase marginal chances this weekend or begin heading home for Florida’s lightning season. There’s no place like home! Click, click, click …
The potent tornado machine is slowly moving east, losing a little of its punch, though my friends in Pennsylvania should watch the weather today. Florida might get storms, too. I hope we get rain at home to keep the plants happy!
![Oklahoma tarantula Oklahoma tarantula](http://www.chriskridler.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/052211-07-300x208.jpg)
This was the second tarantula I saw crossing the road in southeast Oklahoma on May 22. Photo by Chris Kridler, chriskridler.com
I’m slowly catching up on my chase reports. Check out all the 2011 photo logs. The latest addition is the day of the Joplin, Missouri, tornado, which I did not chase, instead choosing to go after a promising area in southern Oklahoma. Again, it meant fewer hills and trees, and that’s a factor in the decisions that chasers make sometimes. Visibility is important. That day I also saw the TIV and the Dominator on the road, which you may have seen in Discovery’s “Storm Chasers” show. I saw storms that day and, of all things, a couple of tarantulas! See the May 22 photos.
![Kingfisher, Oklahoma, May 23, 2011 Aftermath of storm in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, May 23, 2011](http://www.chriskridler.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/052311-31-300x198.jpg)
Aftermath of storm with mammatus in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, May 23, 2011. Photo by Chris Kridler, chriskridler.com
On a better note, I had a fantastic day May 23, when I saw a slim tornado, a beautiful low-precipitation supercell, hail, flooding and lightning. All without worrying about tornado-geddon! I’ve posted pictures of the May 23 chase.