12th June 2013: The Real Trip Begins

Hi there from rainy (today) Cornwall. Guzzi HQ for the next few weeks.

MGM and I have just been looking at his route and the weather situation. There’s a large low over the midwest which may scupper Jan’s original plan to head south to I-80 and then keep heading west to Kanab in Utah.

He is packed and almost ready to set off but not sure if he will head further south to avoid the area of the depression; but that is not the ideal situation as it will add a lot of miles onto the trip and also take him into our least favourite places traffic and road-wise – including the very busy St Louis.

This is Jan’s route of choice

But here is the outlook from the Weather Channel

– A strong upper level disturbance rides southeastward along a stalled front from the Plains to the Midwest sparking showers and thunderstorms.

– Severe thunderstorms are possible from Iowa to Ohio through Wednesday night.

– Damaging wind gusts and hail are the primary severe threats, although some tornadoes cannot be ruled out, especially in east Iowa and north Illinois.

– There is the potential for very strong winds in thunderstorms later Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night from northern Illinois through Ohio.

I am not happy about him setting off today. But I also realise, the weather is very changeable in the USA, the systems are huge and there are problems of one sort or another right through the year.

I will keep you posted – as soon as I hear from Jan.

On a more relaxed note, what has he been up to over the past week? Well, mostly playing – target shooting and getting together with good friends. Here’s some photos he has emailed to me.