A Memorial to Theseus
This page is planned to be a memorial to my old 2000 Toyota Camry, Theseus.
R.I.P. 1999 - 2024
Basic Info:
| name: | The Camry of Theseus |
| year/make/model/trim: | 2000 Toyota Camry LE V6 |
| time in service: | July 7, 2022 - January 4, 2024 |
| parts replaced by a shop: | engine, battery, front left CV seal |
| parts replaced by myself: | alternator, dash lights, left headlight assembly, right headlight assembly, front left turn signal bulb |
| tornadoes zero-metered*: | 1** |
| tornadoes seen: | 3 |
| auroras seen: | 2 |
| deer slain: | 1 |
| original mileage: | ~202,500 (if odometer was never modified) |
| miles driven: | 46,300 |
| nights spent car camping: | 18 |
**This is controversial. Hyacinthe, who was there, thinks we did zero-meter. Reed Timmer, upon hearing a description, said we were probably in the core and mentioned something about a dynamic pipe. However, my former chase partner disagrees and thinks we were only in an inflow jet, and an OU grad student/radar operator agrees.
On July 22, 2024, my friend Marcus and I attempted to restart Theseus for a drive around the block using a jumpstarter box. When using the boost button, the starter motor worked just fine, but the engine
Chase Log
September 14, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Norman, Oklahoma
- Slaughterville, Oklahoma
- Lexington, Oklahoma
Notes: I feel like it takes a very special sort of person to start a chase at 5:30 AM immediately after 12 straight hours of Doordashing.
August 16, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Mustang, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Will Rogers World Airport
Notes: Short and sweet. First chase with the R100. Finding a place to park with good visibility in urban areas is hard.
July 7, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Cole, Oklahoma
- Maysville, Oklahoma
- Elmore City, Oklahoma
- Turner Falls, Oklahoma
Notes: Very pretty hail core and lots of lightning! Road network south of Maysville was difficult.
July 4, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Cole, Oklahoma
- Lindsay, Oklahoma
Notes: Lots of street flooding in Lindsay.
July 1, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Raton, New Mexico
- Clayton, New Mexico
- Dalhart, Texas
Notes: Reminded me a lot of what I think monsoon chasing is like.
June 27, 2024
Locations Visited:
- North Platte, Nebraska
- Thedford, Nebraska
- Valentine, Nebraska
Notes: The blue sky bust hurt, but the northern lights appeared after dusk! They danced all night, and I caught sprites flashing in front of them too!
June 26, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Denton, Texas
- Wichita Falls, Texas
- Amarillo, Texas
- Boise City, Oklahoma
- Lamar, Colorado
- Kanorado, Kansas
Notes: Primarily a transit day, and very exhausting. My AC couldn't keep up with the West Texas heat. A little lightning in the evening and a rainbow.
June 4, 2024
Locations Visited:
- El Reno, Oklahoma
- Sterling, Oklahoma
- Apache, Oklahoma
- Stecker, Oklahoma
Notes: Storms only formed after dark. Still fun, but underperformed.
June 3, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Topeka, Kansas
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Lawton, Oklahoma
- Eldorado, Oklahoma
- Wheeler, Texas
Notes: I drove 968 miles, 14 hours on the road, in a single day all for a blue sky bust. My worst disappointment out of any chase I've ever done.
June 2, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Kearney, Nebraska
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- De Smet, South Dakota
- Brookings, South Dakota
Notes: Brutal drive to SD in the morning, but well worth the effort. I safely got very close to the storm and I think I'm gonna keep doing that!
June 1, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Goodland, Kansas
- Yuma, Colorado
- Sterling, Colorado
- North Platte, Nebraska
Notes: Nice wall cloud and pretty sunset over the Colorado Plains!
May 31, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Amarillo, Texas
- Boise City, Oklahoma
- Lamar, Colorado
- Limon, Colorado
- Kanorado, Kansas
Notes: A relaxed transit day with the eventual goal of getting to the Northern Plains by June 2. Stunning lightning show near Limon!
May 30, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Big Spring, Texas
- Midland, Texas
- Rankin, Texas
- Lubbock, Texas
Notes: My forecast was perfect! Unfortunately, I still missed both tornadoes because of bad positioning.
May 25, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Jacksboro, Texas
- Bowie, Texas
Notes: I was just a little too slow to catch Windthorst, but I had a great time with my friends.
May 23, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Corn, Oklahoma
- Altus, Oklahoma
- Olustee, Oklahoma
- Frederick, Oklahoma
Notes: OK-6 construction zone southwest of Olustee >:( I still just barely got a picture of the tornado, but I missed a good show near Eldorado.
May 19, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Woodward, Oklahoma
- Hammon, Oklahoma
- Hinton, Oklahoma
- Union City, Oklahoma
Notes: My best ever tornado pictures! A clear view on timelapse and deviant motion!
May 10, 2024
Locations Visited:
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Topeka, Kansas
- Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Onawa, Iowa
Notes: The northern lights were directly overhead in Iowa! I drove north immediately after my last final ended at my university.