Yeah, I'm getting closer to the 75% likelihood of chasing now that some folks are interested in partnering up on this one and sharing in on the gas funds. :wink:
I'm thinking Jonesboro as the initial target, then modify from there south, north, or on east.
Having been born and raised in Paducah, I'm VERY familiar with the terrain and the area road networks. And you're all right, there are only a few bridges that'll get you east of the MS River, but the nice thing is, the roads really aren't that bad. A lot more curves, and a few hills (more than what we're obviously used to here on the plains) but there are also many good "viewing" spots as we used to call them.
For those of us who use Sprint for data connection, there's some pretty good coverage all over NE Arkansas and SE Missouri, as I'm sure there's good data coverage for Cingular, etc. as well.
One thing I'd recommend to everyone, if the storms get close to the MS River and it required crossing over, to consider the following options as good crossings and road networks...
1. At Caruthersville, MO, there's the 155 bridge that winds south for a bit but then takes you on into west TN. The roads are very good through there and actually, Hwy 45 will take you on a good NNE trek up into west Kentucky and it's a "parkway" as we call it back home, or interstate-like road with good visibility along the way.
2. You can also cross at Cairo, IL then Wickliffe, KY. That one's a little more "tricky" since you have to cross two bridges, you'll actually cross both the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers, then get into western Kentucky. The roads are a little more "hilly" as you get into west Kentucky, at least for a bit, then it flattens out some more around Ballard County and close to Paducah.
3. Crossing at Cape is a nightmare! You get into some really steep hills and a ton of forest-like tree coverage for a while until you get up to around Marion, IL. I wouldn't recommend it, but at the same time, if something's going on, there are some high spots to get up on and observe, but the southern-most portion of southern Illinois is not condusive to chasing at all... just an FYI.
Finally... no matter what state you're in, if we happen to cross the MS River, once you get about 50 miles east of it, you start getting into some really tricky countryside. The roads are hilly and narrow, there are a lot of hills, trees, etc. to deal with, and by then, you're probably looking at nightfall (unless the storm system blasts on east and initiation is further east than currently expected).
I'm hoping for initiation around Poplar Bluff ~ Jonesboro ~ Lonoke where it will remain discrete for a while. Then perhaps I may chase on towards back home (Paducah) and stop by to visit my folks. Haven't seen them since Christmas.
How's 'bout a chase party in good ole' Paducah, KY ??? We can unwind at my folks there! :wink: Boy, I'm sure anxious to see the look on all the folks' faces back home when we all show up in these strange looking vehicles! They'll think Armageddon has fallen !! :lol:
