5/18  UPDATE

AM update
	Shortly after we sent out our update last night, we got hit with a
really unexpected thunderstorm.  Then about 6am, we got hit with another.
For most of us, it's been quite a while since we have heard the deafening
crack of nearby thunder.  It was grand.
	Yesterday, after our somewhat disappointing experience in
Blackwell, we found lodging in Ponca City.  Our first choice of lodging in
Ponca has always been the Super 8.  First off, the people are great and
the entire facility is built like a storm shelter.  However, the people at
the Ponca City EconoLodge really rolled out the welcome mat for us.  The
rooms were spacious, and though there wasn't a local access number for
AOL, we found that the phone lines were great and the office space
available for our data communications to be above average.  The rooms were
spacious and reasonable.  What we really appreciated was the fact that the
proprietor took a hands on approach to getting us settled in, and finding
parking for our vehicles that was safe and easily accessible.
	Last night's storms changed the atmosphere quite a bit.  Late last
night, we had sort of counted this as a down day. Now, however, there
exists a slight chance that we may see some action later today.  After a
terrific breakfast at the Connestoga Diner in Ponca City (one of those
classic places where the food is good and hot and cheap and the waitress
never lets your coffee cup run dry) we are running a course for northern
Texas.  

PM Update
	Well, we knew it was a slight risk at best, and we wanted to be in
this position for the slight risk here on Saturday.  We're in Witchita
Falls, TX under painfully clear skies.  

	One of our readers in Oklahoma brought to light the fact that as
we have such a broad base of subscribers, we should really tap on the
resources of the "locals" to avoid horrible instances like the one we had
in Blackwell.  First, let me dispel a misconception I may have fostered
about the sovereign state of Oklahoma and its wonderful, warm people.  We
have found over the years that the folks in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma,
and Texas to be the finest people on the face of the planet.  The service
and ambiance we receive when traveling here are beyond compare, and the
soul of the people is a treasure we feel privileged to tap in on for a few
weeks every year.  This is what made the Blackwell incident so outrageous.
However, the gentleman's suggestion was a great one.  We are, as a result,
working on a database that may be accessible from our web site that will
list the positive and negative experiences people have had at various
establishments throughout Tornado Alley.  We will ask that people email us
their list of good spots (OK, I know we ALL have a few places we'd like to
keep secret, but please share the OTHER good spots).  I imagine we'll have
it up and running shortly after we all get back home. 

	Though we busted on storms today, we did happen upon a wonderful
slice of local color when we met a sexy senior citizen in a Subway shop
near the hotel.  He offered advice from everything from low fat diets to
viagra, as well as pointing out members of the team that he thought might
be beneficiaries of either or both.  It was just one of those glorious
moments that you realize that you will remember forever and a day.  

	I will add that we have found, especially as we near the weekends
and holidays, that waiting till the last minute to make reservations at
hotels may result in some avoidable stress.  When possible, make plans for
a place to stay early, but be conscientious in canceling those
reservations if your plans change, but only after you have found alternate
lodging.  

	Tomorrow (Saturday) will take us a bit more to the south...
further into the heart of Texas.  Parameters look pretty promising, but
full details of the exact location will not be known until the latest
model runs are in.