Hays has it!

Hey all, Byron Fever here. We have a couple down days in the lovely town of Hays, KS. It has been a rough week to say the least, but first here’s some reader comments.

“I have a huge crush on Ronan. Is he straight? lol.

Can't wait to watch this season unfold.

Kristopher”

Sorry to disappoint Kristopher, Ronan lives with his girlfriend in NY. He is pretty handsome, though. Thanks for reading!

“yummy Bryon! Just love a computer genius.

Am loving the updates. Keep em coming thick and fast! Which brings me to a vital question, do you have some arrangement for net access while on the road? Cos, that would be real bad if ya didnt.

Dani“

Oh hello there. We may have internet in our vehicles, not sure about that yet, but our hotels usually have internet. So I will update as often as possible, so keep checking in!

BTW my name is spelled “Byron”.

“Ok how is the TIV compared to the old one is it more comfortable? How Many cup holders does it have and does it have a xmas tree airfreshner?

I cant believe josh left his helmet behind that is such poor form.

Be safe. What tunes are you playing on your Ipods to break the boredom?

Rich”

Well, there are a few things more comfortable about the new TIV. Stock Dodge seats in the front are a great improvement over the race seats that I could not fit into from TIV1. Overall, the seats are more comfortable because there is appropriate leg room and head room. However, the number 4 seat in the back gets the roughest ride even though it is my preferred sleeping spot. No cup holders unfortunately, but plenty of spilt drinks around the sides of the front seats. As for music, I just broke my shuffle (bought while chasing in the 05 season). This is the second ipod casualty while storm chasing for me.  I usually listen to Green Day, some Foo Fighters, and my friends' AutoMatique mixed in with the occasional Tom Waits or a few other LA based bands I am friends with.

HOWEVER, we just got a stereo installed from Kicker in Stillwater, OK. The main purpose (especially since Sean does not listen to music while driving) is the get our radio loud and clear through out the whole TIV. Mission accomplished. Our first transmission almost blew the ears out of the whole Kicker crew. Whoops! That being said, we now have the sweetest sound system out there in the storm chaser community. At least to the best of my knowledge. If it weren’t for the Discovery crew filming us, we would be blasting Thunderstruck on repeat as we race into the tornadoes.

I got my camera charger and should give a visual tour of the TIV. Even though it is new and “more comfortable”, there have been plenty of head bumps and random knicks and bruises and it is definitely NOT a vacation on wheels.

So the past week has been rough. Real rough. Many repairs, Heath working until 2 in the morning and then a 2 hour drive to our hotel after that on consecutive nights, have put us on high stress levels. We are out here to chase storms not to check out the sides of roads, and the pressure is building.

Here’s a few pictures from our sound guy, Rob, of TIV2 in all its side of the road glory. Rob and our Tech/AC Jade have been along for the ride in our support vehicle Doghouse. I have had the pleasure of riding with them and Paul Robinson a few times. Good people.

Many thanks to the Woodward Fire Department for helping us out. You guys rule.

Augh, I’m tired. I’ll blog again soon.

Hays has it!

Byron

Comments

[Ryan]

It is a fact that Byron Turk is one of the sexiest men on television. Those piercing eyes, those sweet, soft lips. The things I would do to him are considered illegal in most states. If not the Tornadoes, then someday I would like to sweep him off his feet. Bravo Byron. Bravo.

[Khristopher]

Woohoo! I got quoted lol. I think I'll survive.
Maybe we'll get some Tornadoes in Southern Ontario this year and I'll run into you guys. Which brings me to this: Would you be allowed across the border with the TIV? Have you ever gone across the border before with it?

[Khristopher]

Oh and Byron you are cute too! Didn't wanna leave you out!

[Richard]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I used to work on armoured vehicles and my seargent major used to say if you didnt get tank rash that you werent working hard enough. Tank rash as you probaly guessed is bumping,grazing and dinging oneself inside an armoured vehicle. Been told I am going to Iraq during the next storm season. However I will saving up to go storm chasing afterwards.

I am checking out thunderstruck at the moment, my tune of choice is an oldie from dire straits Telegraph Road. Awesome roadtrip tune.

As always stay safe, thanks for replying

Rich

PS I definately do not fancy Byron, just to let you know LOL

[Dani]

oh Byron, Im sorry. I blame English and American differences in spelling. I blame my synapses in my brain.

so who were the guys playing ball on the feed yesterday? It made for interesting, if tornado free viewing. :) Not that I'm complaining, it was a very good display.

[meeks]

TIV2 sounds RAD! How are the navigation tools? Did TIV 2 get an upgrade?

[Rav]

Keep it up Byron!
Just know that I help support the cause by getting drunk everytime you blog.

Don't disappoint.

Catch it!

[Caroline]

Can't wait for the series to come from all of this!

And sorry Byron... it is Team Sean all the way for me. Please let him know there is a sweet Aussie girl with a liiiiiiiiiiitttle crush on him. My husband just shakes his head at me.

Keep up the good work and keep safe!

[Byron]

Dani-What feed are you talking about? What did you see? I am not aware of a live feed and would like to know if there is one I do not know about.

B

[Dani]

ummm, the guys from Tornado Videos.net stream video. And since some of your crew are listed as from TVN, and I saw the TIV race through frame the other day, I just assumed your were all together.

http://www.tornadovideos.net/index.cfm/do/s.livetracker

But if ya know nothing about it, then my bad (again). Sorry