Day 2 in Sheboygan

Well, hello again. I want to tell you about day 2 in Sheboygan, WI. I mentioned the fact that we went to a big ceremony. It was really impressive. They really went all out for this event, and I enjoyed the festivities... for the most part. One part that really impressed me was the High School band that came out with tons of enthusiasm, and that's all I have to say about them... terrific enthusiasm.

The most impressive part of the ceremony was this gigantic American flag they brought out for the ceremony. This flag was HUGE, and it took roughly 40 men and women, all serving in some way, law enforcement or military... to display it over the field. It was easily the largest flag I have ever seen.The really cool part of the day occurred after dusk, so my camera became obsolete without a tripod (which I don't have, not that I would have carried it into the restaurant...) We went to this really impressive restaurant called Majerle's Black River Grill. We drove through all sorts of residential areas into this completely secluded, wood covered area, apparently in the middle of nowhere, when we drove up to this gem. Cars parked everywhere at 8PM on a Wednesday night. IMPRESSIVE. We got the most incredible seat, next to a picture window, facing a wooded area, where they leave feed out for the area wildlife. While we were sitting enjoying our curds (no whey, the curds were yummy though), a raccoon came creeping up, which was incredibly cool. As we were finishing our meals, a deer walked up to enjoy a late night snack. While the doe ate, a raccoon came over and shared the snack. I was thrilled. As we left, we spotted a little fox in the road, exploring, scavenging. It was complete awesomeness. We then found a nice secluded spot where we could put our toes in Lake Michigan on a private beachy area. That's all I could do... that water was FREEZING!!! Cool stuff. Great trip so far. Today, we are headed to Sheboygan Falls and Green Bay and to see whatever else comes up.

Once again, our plans are just outside te slight risk. There is a moderate risk to our southwest... Hmm... how badly do I want to go to Green Bay??? I would load a pic of that, but it's not cooperating... You can see it here...

Have a great day!!!
~Dewdrop

Hello from Sheboygan

Howdy Dew from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Well, I have had a terrific time watching the towers go up to my northwest during this afternoon's ceremonies. I was, however, amused (frustrated would be a better word) when I got a text from Storm Chasing Mikey (please see link in the sidebar list...) saying that things were getting active in my neck of the woods... since he hadn't seen my blog, he didn't realize the classic Dewv@#d set-up he had just shared... 1" hail... wind damage reports right near my house...

10 N VALDOSTA LOWNDES GA PEA SIZE HAIL WITH ONE TRAFFIC LIGHT BLOWN DOWN. 5 REPORTS OF TREES DOWN WITH ONE TREE ON HOUSE. IN VICINITY OF SKIPPER BRIDGE ROAD. (TAE)

I wish I were kidding, but of course I am not, see for yourself by clicking here. Insanity. I am, of course, still just barely outside of the slight risk... So, in light of Ma Nature's sense of humor, let me cover the finer points of day one from this trip.

Bf was very sweet to offer me the window seat on both legs of the flight, and I, of course, too full advantage of that as we zigzagged through some powerful thunderstorm towers... very cool. At one point, just outside of Memphis, I had the rare opportunity to see a fire-induced convective tower. Of course, I got pics, and then, we arrived at Lake Michigan just as the sun was setting. How amazing! I could never grasp the size of the Great Lakes until I saw them. Enormous. Anyways, without further a-dew...Isn't that cool... who would think in Memphis???This is the fire tower from the ground in Memphis....and the view from the air. If you click on the image, you can see the base where the fire is and the smoke rising up forming the tower. Coolness, huh?Amazing, huh?

Things in Wisconsin are slightly different than I am used to... where I am used to Hurricane Evacuation Route signs, here they have Snow Routes... weird. All I have to say is that I am glad to be here in the summertime. The weather has been incredible!

Anyhow, it's time for us to find some place cool to eat.

Have a lovely night.
~Dewdrop

Tornado outbreak in... January????

I knew when I saw this yesterday afternoon that it was going to be an eventful day. I was talking with Mike and Matt on Dick and Darin's online chat, and we were watching as the storm intensified right before our very eyes. I watched as Dick and Darin got set in position, until I had to run to an appointment, and I couldn't even arm chair chase. I am sure that with as many tornadoes as there were that broke out in Missouri, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Illinois yesterday (37 reports thus far, and sadly two reported fatalities), that those guys encountered something. They were in it. They weren't too far from the one above actually. A tornado outbreak... in January...??? I thought this was SDS season. Anyways, I was watching TWC this morning, as they were showing the storm damage, and while I was watching, they flashed a picture that one of the "Weather Warriors" sent in. It was a picture of some of the hail that fell yesterday in the severe weather outbreak compared to a can of Mountain Dew. Dew sized hail!!! I love it! I know Mike (not Meso Mike, Alabama Mike, Tennessee Mike, Nebraska Mike, Oklahoma Mike, or Storm Chasing Mikey.., this was Texas Mike) was getting readings of up to 4.13" hail potential off his GR2ae. Now, it looks like round two has begun:

835 AM CST TUE JAN 8 2008

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

MUCH OF EASTERN AND SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
PARTS OF WESTERN KENTUCKY
PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
PARTS OF NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI
PARTS OF WESTERN TENNESSEE

Just a little further east, and it looks like Tennessee and Alabama Mikes would be contending with this one. Locally, we've got nothing, except some more of that exceptionally dense fog (not as dense as yesterday, but still pretty thick). That makes three days in a row now, that the fog was so dense and low that it left the concrete damp. It almost looked like it had rained... but no such luck. I even caught the fog drops... eh, let's call them dewdrops ;-) ... dangling from the branches of my little tree. I love the way the sun spotlights my anemometer. A true weather geek lives here is what that picture tells me.Well, tonight is the big night... the "Twister Sisters" show on WEtv, will be Dew-ified. I have a couple of members of the chase team stopping by for the big show, and I am certain that I will be teased heartily regardless... I am ready. I will be offering a full review of the show tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Have a lovely day!
~Dewdrop