Rockets Across America III

It's Ike that I'm worried about. It is heading due west haulin ass and they expect it to be in the Florida Straits by the weekend and then take a northerly hook. Its a long way off but if it even gets to the gulf my neighbors will head for the hills. This is the forecast from Impact Weather . .

There is very good model consensus on Ike's track over the next 5-7 days. Strong high pressure to the north should push Ike nearly due west, perhaps even a little to the south of due west at times. This would take the center of Ike about 150-200 miles to the north of the islands of the northeast Caribbean on Friday morning and about 100-150 miles north of the Dominican Republic on Saturday morning. By Sunday morning, we think that Ike will be located between the southern Bahamas and eastern Cuba. Confidence in the 5-day track is average to a little above average.
As for Ike's long-range forecast, most model guidance is in good agreement in taking Ike westward beyond day 5 and into the southeastern or south-central Gulf of Mexico late on Monday, September 8th or on Tuesday, the 9th. We think that there such a track is likely. What's unclear is if Ike will move over a significant part of Cuba or track through the Florida Straits. Once Ike enters the southeastern Gulf, there are indications that high pressure north of the center will be weakening. This could allow for a northerly turn toward the northeast Gulf Coast by Wednesday or Thursday of next week.


I live about 25 miles inland from Fort Walton Beach . . between Pensacola and Panama City.
 
We get hit with another of these and I'm moving back to Duluth. :D

I'm going to pack the trailer and hook it up to the rock tonight . . . I'm planning on leaving for ES early Thursday unless something changes drastically. Worst case . . I have to leave on Sunday and head home instead of Monday.

I've been online checking availability of cheap motels along the way and seems that everything in northern Louisiana and Northwest Mississippi are booked except the 150.00 per night stuff . . . NOTHING reasonable around Vicksburg or Jackson. Southern Louisiana has moved north for the week. I'm thinking that up through Birmingham, Tupelo and then through Memphis might be the best route. There are at least places between 55 and 80 bucks along that route and weather seems to be a little more on the dry side.
 
Taliban 8...here we come.....

We get hit with another of these and I'm moving back to Duluth. :D

I'm going to pack the trailer and hook it up to the rock tonight . . . I'm planning on leaving for ES early Thursday unless something changes drastically. Worst case . . I have to leave on Sunday and head home instead of Monday.

I've been online checking availability of cheap motels along the way and seems that everything in northern Louisiana and Northwest Mississippi are booked except the 150.00 per night stuff . . . NOTHING reasonable around Vicksburg or Jackson. Southern Louisiana has moved north for the week. I'm thinking that up through Birmingham, Tupelo and then through Memphis might be the best route. There are at least places between 55 and 80 bucks along that route and weather seems to be a little more on the dry side.

Me, I'm a Taliban 8 guy....Super 8 for those of you that didn't make it to Nashville last year. Leave the light on (that is if the bill is paid) and enjoy the turbans at the front desk. Give 'em your AARP card, AMA card, Alcoholics Anonymous card or whatever for a 15% discount. You get peeling wallpaper. sandpaper sheets and a continental breakfast of day old muffins and condensation covered glazed sinkers along with the previous nights coffee. The life of a traveler. I can't wait.

Soon, very soon, I will be departing on my trusty steed (slightly leaky) to embark upon an epic journey south of the Mason-Dixon Line where Michiganders fear to tread. Credit cards, paraphernalia and a few pilfered pairs of my wife's undies in hand in search of truth, justice and the local massage parlor for my aching arse when I get there.:eek:
 
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The rain we're getting right now isn't what I would call "torrential", more like average rain.

The thing is that were going to get a steady stream of water for another day, 100% tomorrow. Thursday is still anyone's guess, weather.com is saying that the chances are 70% - which means that they are being conservative until better information is available.

If you're coming up from the south, do not ride the road that is part of the planned path for Saturday (Hwy 23 / The Pig Trail ). It's a great road, but no fun with water on it.

As for Hotel Availability, I think you'll find places in either Fort Smith or Little Rock. I checked Hampton Inns at both cities for arrival on Thursday the 4th and all Hampton locations had availability. Hampton locations in Clarksville and Russelville (both on I-40) had availability as well. Staying at any of these locations puts you within a casual-riding distance of Eureka Springs.
 
I'm on the Road

This is my last post before turning the key. I am pulling out this am with tentative plans of the first night's stay somewhere between Knoxville and Nashville. Second night in either Memphis or Little Rock depending on the weather. My wife has a sister in Batesville Ark. and spoke with her last night. She confirms Shawn's assessment. They are getting allot of rain, but not gully washers. They hoping for clearing late Thursday or Friday morning. We all are probably going to get a wet ass before it over, but that's ok. It still beats the hell out of working. See you all Friday. God Speed and a safe ride to all.
 
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