I am planning a trip to the Midwest this Spring when school ends (early May) to do some stormchasing. This trip would probably be about a week long, give or take a few days, and I plan on staying at motels/hotels along the way. For those of you who have done extended stormchasing (being away from home for over 2+ days), what type of things do you bring with you? The obvious stuff (extra clothes, toiletries, money, stormchasing equipment) come to mind, but I was wondering what everyone else brought to help make the trip more easier. Additionally, what kind of meals do you have when you're out and about chasing? Stop at restaurants? Bring lots of snacks? Any specific food to bring or avoid? Also, what kind of hotels/motels should visit/avoid in the Midwest?
I have one last question...for those of you who have chased for about a week or so, about how much does it cost (taking into account food, gas, hotels/motels, ect)? I'm just looking for an approximate value as each case varies.
I appreciate any help or advice you can give me!
As far as the costs, it depends on where you're "stationed" and where you end up chasing. For instance, in 2006 I drove from KC to the bootheel of MO all the way to central ND and then back to KC in less than three days. Not sure how much I spent, but it was over $300 (in a Mustang and with 2006 gas prices) and I was splitting the cost for the hotel rooms. In 2005, I spent over $3000 on chasing (was out for a total of about 6 weeks and generally stationed in Norman) and mind you I stayed with several different chaser friends the vast majority of the time and saved a lot of money on lodging. Gas was also split 2, or even 3-ways on some of my chases that year. In 2006, I spent over $1500 chasing, and once again, I stayed with chaser friends much of time (and was out for a total of ~4 or so weeks). I think I spent about 5 nights in hotels that year. Additionally, I spent a couple nights in my car; partly because I didn't see the need to spend $60, and I was 16 in 2006, and most places will want ID...
If you're staying in hotels, then it depends which ones you stay at. The typical price (i.e. Best Western, Econo Lodge) is usually >$60.00/night wherever you go. There really isn't any hotel chains to avoid, per-se, in my opinion; but whatever you do, don't stay in cheap motels. The $19.95/24.95 places will usually have an abundance of -insert explicit here- and you won't get any sleep.
As far as food, it depends. In my case, I always eat fast food (i.e. $1 menus) on the road (obviously not for everybody) and try to avoid sit-down resteraunts due to the cost. Unless it's after a chase, I have the time, and I'm with other chasers (usually after a successful chase). In six weeks, I don't think I spent more than $200 on food. It's the $1 menu for me over 95% of the time (anybody who knows me can vouch for that).
In 2009, I plan on staying out for a minimum of 5 weeks (leaving in either the last week of April or the first week of May, depending) and will be stationed near KC. It will probably cost me at least $1500 (and I will be splitting gas costs + staying at a chaser friends house).
It boils down to what kind of car you drive (in terms of gas mileage), where you're coming from in the first place and where and how much you chase. Bring at least $1000 with you.
