What Things are you thankful for about being a storm chaser?

[Jeff Miller]

Tomorrow's thanksgiving, so I wanted to make a spinoff of the traditional thanksgiving thread.

We're all sitting around the table, enjoying the thanksgiving buffet with friends, family and fido, and the question is asked:

"Whay are you most thankful for about being a storm chaser?"

For me, it's the opportunity to see something and appreciate something in nature that - though scary for so many in this world - I and everyone here can enjoy with absolute fascination. I'm thankful for those who put up with my obsession - and those who took time to help me when I was very new at it back in the mid to late 90s. I'm thankful for the solitude I get on the plains while chasing, and most of all, all the friends I have come to know and appreciate that have come as a direct result of being a storm chaser and involved with the chasing community. And of course, I'm extremely thankful for the powerful forces of nature I have been able to witness and experience that all passionate thrill that only you all can understand.

I'm also thankful for those who never gave up on me as a chaser when I went through a time of burnout and depression - and had to take a break for a few years due to the burnout, to personal, financial and corporate reasons all intertwined. I was always encouraged with "once a chaser, always a chaser". Now again, I am hoping life and my job will allow me back on the field - time will tell - but that's my hope on hope.

What part of storm chasing would you be most thankful for? This question can go so many ways. It could be thankfulness for being at one with nature or alone by yourself. Thankfulness for catching that one in a million lightning shot or spectacular tornado. Thankfulness for accomplishing and fulfilling the dream you had when you first entertained the idea to chase. Thankfulness to those who mentored you and educated you in one way or another - or thankfulness that you were at the right place at the right time and were able to witness that unforgettable moment.

So then, what are you most thankful for when it comes to storm chasing?

 

[Maggie Kahman]

Not an actual chaser yet, but one thing i loved to do back in my highshool days is when there was a storm, I would get in my car and find a nice back country road where i could just sit and watch it, and listen to it, and smell it. I charished those moments. Every second of every minute, I was totally at peace. It is truly a breath taking experience. That is what i am thankful for.

 

[Shane Adams]

I'm thankful for all of it. I'm thankful my grandpa got transferred from Kansas to Oklahoma in 1966, otherwise I'd be a JayHawk. I'm thankful I grew up in Oklahoma, viewing the world's best television weather coverage since I was old enough to walk, which helped forge my passion. For my first chase, which turned me from "I wanna see a tornado for real" into "I gotta see tornadoes for real the rest of my life." For all the chase partners I've had over the years, without whom I'd not been able to see and do all we've done.

But most of all, I'm thankful for the Passion Twist. That thing inside me that burns constantly, that is with me every fleeting moment of existence, that I cannot turn off. The thing that is who I am.

 

[Mike Ridgeway]

I'm thankful for the technology that is available to me as a weather, and especially storm enthusiast. My first out of the state (Idaho) chase was in 1990 and I had the time of my life, although not really knowing what the heck I was doing driving in the middle of no man's land in SE Colorado. All I had was a map, CB radio and my Isuzu Trooper. Have times ever changed. The data that's available and all of the chaser web sites...I'm very thankful!! And of course Stormtrack. I'm also thankful for the friends I've made in the chasing community, who enjoy sharing their knowledge. There really are some good people out there.
And lastly, I'm thankful to be an Earth Science teacher. I get to talk about weather all of the time!

 

[Bill Hark]

I am thankful to have seen and appreciate the beauty and power of nature through supercells, tornadoes, hail and wind. If one considers the US population or even the world, very few have seen multiple tornadoes and supercells "in the wild." I am thankful to have the means, time and support of my family to continue storm chasing and the knowledge to chase relatively safely. Finally, I am very thankful for the chase community. I have met many friends and have learned much over the years from new and veteran chasers.

Bill Hark

 

[Jason Boggs]

Tornadoes aren't the only reason I chase (I'm really thankful for this one!!!)
Hail has never busted out my window
Air rises if it's warmer than it's environment
Not having to travel very far from home on a high risk day
Keeping my cool when my chase partner spills coke on the laptop
Forecast is right on the money
Upper air dynamics
Lots and lots of CAPE on a potential chase day

GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!

 

[Michael O'Keeffe]

I'm thankful for having parents that support my love for chasing storms. I am very thankful and appreciative for having a dad that goes out chases with me and has to put up with me all of the time. In addition, I'm thankful for having the oppurtunity to witness Mother Nature's most powerful force and its beauty. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Gobble, Gobble!!!!

 

[Maggie Kahman]

Hail has never busted out my window

LOL, You better knock on wood, Jason

 

[Forrest lambert]

im thankful for having a very loving wife, and to get a chance to chase out in south dakota next year. im thankful for meeting some chasers on here that ive always wanted to meet all my life (you guys know who you are) and im hoping to be thankful to chase with anyone thats on this stormtrack

 

[Angie Norris]

I'm thankful for all the friends that I've made in the chase community and all that I've learned from them and with them. I'm thankful for the support and encouragement from family and friends (chasers and non-chasers alike). I'm thankful for all the times that I've been there for all the once in a lifetime moments that Mother Nature offers us, from the quiet gentleness of snowfall to the awesome power of storms and tornadoes.

 

[Craig Maire II]

I'm thankful for cellphones and nowcasters!

 

[Martin North]

I'm grateful for GRL3 and being able to put peoples GPS positions on. This is brilliant for assisting with nowcasting etc.

I'm grateful for Stormtrack and being able to be put in contact with like-minded people.

Most of all I'm just grateful for severe weather. That sounds selfish but I mean...as long as it ain't trashing peoples lives.