Silver Lining Tours Testimonials

Here is what our participants have said about their experiences with us:

Storm chasing with Silver Lining Tours is an absolute must for any weather junkie. Both tours I went on were led by Roger Hill, and I believe he has a true gift in predicting where tornados are going to form. Not only have I seen 15 tornados over the past two years with SLT, I have also seen some of the most gorgeous storms, huge hail, horrendous haboobs and fantastic lighting shows. In addition, I have gained a wealth of knowledge about storm formation, made some great new friends from all around the world and have seen parts of the United States I never would have seen otherwise. The trips are as  comfortable as can be expected, with window seats for everyone in nice vans with state of the art weather monitoring equipment, clean and comfortable rooms every night and all the truck stop food you can eat. Will I be going again? You bet!

 

Jacquie K., Electronics Shop Owner

Yuma, AZ

Tour 4, 2003 and Tour 3, 2004

 

 

Awesome.

 

That word encompasses my experiences with Bill Gargan and David Gold on their Silver Lining Tours' Master Class 2005.The icing on the cake was definitely seeing no less than 16 spectaculor tornadoes!!! But the icing didn't take away from the rest of the cake! The Master Class is structured to be educational and believe me, it most assuredly is. I learned so much from Dave's impeccable teaching and vast oceans of knowledge that I have been actually making my own forecasts! Despite the fact we had very little extra time due to the active weather pattern, Dave and Bill came through for us. They MADE the time to teach and I want to say thanks guys!!! We learned so much and got to see a record number of fabulous tornadoes too! I highly recommend Silver Lining Tours if you are interested in storm chasing, learning, excitement, the time of your life and making new friends you will

never forget. Sign up NOW!!!

 

Melanie H.,

Lewisville, TX

Master Class Tour 2005

 

I just want to say a big thank you to Dave and the gang for the brilliant experience of Tour 3 - words just cannot express how great a holiday this was, and it certainly surpassed all of my wildest expectations. From the first day I expressed an interest, everything about SLT was professional, with Dave patiently and promptly responding to every minor query and problem that I had. Once there - wow - I don't believe there are many sights on this earth that can beat the fantastically-sculptured supercells that Dave led us to, nor the beauty of thunderstorm after thunderstorm rolling in off the mountainsides of Colorado. Roll on next year - I can't wait !!!

Deb H.,

Great Britain,

Tour 3, 2005.

 

 
Do not go storm chasing with Silver Lining Tours. If you want to avoid becoming addicted to seeing Mother Nature at her best (or should that be worst?), join everyone else at the beach instead. Even before the end of my first tour in 2003 I was planning my return for 2004 and in 2005 I returned for a third time. David and Roger are exceptional guides leading you with a combination of years of experience and natural instinct.  What's more they will actually show you how they make their forecasts and provide running updates through the whole chase day. While other tour groups are still en-route Silver Lining Tours are often already there. If seeing dramatic cloud structure, giant hail, tornadoes and lightning displays isn't enough you also gain some great friends with a common interest. With something this enjoyable book now before they ban it. I'll be there in 2006.

 

Andy G.,

Great Britain,

Tour 3 in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

 

 

"Our storm chasing trip with SLT was a very special week for both my friend & I .  Our wives bought us the trip as a joint 40th-birthday present.  In choosing a tour group, we narrowed it down to four, then picked SLT after viewing their excellent videos from years past.  Being storm enthusiasts, but not weather experts, we weren't sure what to expect on this tour.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a diverse and fascinating group of people.  The relationships I made on this trip have continued throughout the summer, and I hope to maintain some of them indefinitely.  The entire week was fun, and although we didn't see any confirmed tornadoes, I witnessed three funnel clouds and several amazing supercell formations--unlike anything that I have ever seen in my years of storm stalking here in the Midwest.
 
Our tour leaders (Roger Hill and Carl Young) were exceptional.  They honestly strived to get us into the best position to see storms each day, and were constantly instructing us on all of the parameters involved in making these critical decisions.  We never felt like we were out of the loop, and they did an excellent job at making everyone feel comfortable throughout the trip.  I was impressed with their level of experience, fascinated by their incredible storm stories, and appreciative of their efforts to give us the best trip possible.
 
Before the trip, I never knew how popular SLT was with The Weather Channel.  After returning and seeing them pop up on various episodes of Storm Stories, as well as the live phone interview with Roger Hill during the June 24 tornado breakout, I realized how important their storm chasing roles are.  I consider it a privilege to have been able to spend a week with them, and plan on doing it again next year.  I won't pursue trips with any other tour companies, because SLT proved they are the best."
 
Harry O.
Software Consultant
Brownsburg, IN
Tour 6 (June 15-20)

 

"Although I expected to learn quite a bit, I had no idea how useful the knowledge gained on your intensive tour would become in both school and in the summer internship I had. Since I hadn't had a forecasting class before the internship I didn't expect to contribute much to the forecasting portion of the company. However, with the forecasting techniques I learned on the tour I was actually giving suggestions to the forecasters on the first day--suggestions that lead to the accurate forecast ;) By the end of the internship I was making forecasts on my own and really enjoyed it. I also have a couple Meteorology classes this quarter where I have used the knowledge I gained on the tour more than once. So I've got to say thanks for such a valuable experience David and Bill!"

-Shane M., Student, California

"I cannot sing the praises of Silver Lining Tours enough to the people here in North Carolina. They are amazed at the pictures of those beautiful supercells. In my presentation to the Board of Trustees, they were in awe, and felt like their money was well spent. And the time you took to explain to me different weather phenomena as well as forecasting techniques has proved to be a great tool in teaching the course."

-Doug B., Teacher, Charlotte, NC

"What an expedition!  David Gold's Master Class Tour satisfied a craving in me that no Ohio storm experience could.  David has the great gift of making people 'see,' not just with their eyes and minds, but also with their hearts.  I left this trip with a love and respect for weather that I didn't know was possible.  The educational value of this trip is worth every penny, but listening to the wind growl and watching the clouds churn is priceless."

Lisa L.., Teacher, Ohio

"As a hard-core birder I know what it means to jump in the car at a moment's notice and drive lots of miles and long hours to chase that rarity, so I felt as though I fit right into place with SLT!  That's why I so appreciated David and Bill's knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm: I learned so much about these storms and what makes them tick, and how to enjoy them (from a reasonably safe distance), rather than be afraid of them! It was just another aspect of God's creation that I fell in love with, and while we didn't see any tornados this trip (several "near nados", though, as we called them), what we DID see was spectacular and exciting!  I'll be back, guys!  Thanks so much for making it such a fun and exciting time together!"
 

Mary B., Avid birder, California

For anyone who enjoys anything but a vacation, hear me out. No, this isn't complaining, this is testimonial from one happy participant. I have to say that when I signed on to this tour, I thought it would be great, it was better than great, IT WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. David Gold knows what he is doing, believe me. Teamed with Roger Hill and Alister Chapman, they gave myself and my father the best times, tornadoes and fun. If I had one word to describe this tour, i would be in trouble, because this was beyond words. Anyway, I had a great time and WILL be back!!

-Mike G. Winnipeg, Manitoba

"Hello, my storm-lovers. It is hard to put into words how THRILLING Silver Lining Tours was for me on the 2000 #3Tour even though I did not see a tornado. However, even though I did not officially see a tornado, I witnessed the BEST AWESOME POWERFUL storms of my life!! Since I am from Southern California, it means that I forget what lightning

looks like and what thunder sounds like, and the word "supercell" is foreign here. So, when I saw a "mothership" Supercell on June 3 over the beautiful Plains, I felt like I died and went to heaven. This beast of a storm provided lightning every second for four hours straight while we chased it in two states.

I want to thank Dave Gold and guides for their hard work on the tour. Friends, I can give you my word that Dave is a fearless hard   working storm chaser that won’t sleep if he has to, just to be able to gather the most correct data, so that he can get you in the best position to show you the most AWESOME POWERFUL storms the Plains have to offer! I can’t wait to go again!"

 D.A., Huntington Beach, CA

"As a long-time participant in the Silver Lining "Experience" I can honestly say that you can't ask for a better troupe to chase with!  In the years that I have chased with them, I have seen things that I couldn't possibly have imagined seeing; large (VERY large) hail, gustnadoes galore, close-striking lightning, winds in excess of 70 miles per hour, exploding transformers, several tornadoes (yes, they DO exist...no matter how much driving is entailed to get one), rotating mesocyclones, intense updraft towers, and have come the closest I have ever dreamed of getting to a developing tornado without actually being sucked up by one.  I have also snapped some of the most dramatic and beautiful "nature" photographs that I have ever taken.  Perhaps the best thing, though, is that the information that Dave and his crew use to get info on the weather is made totally accessible to the participants. Be it from numerical models to up-to-the-minute radar images; it's all readily available for viewing.  The knowledge that I have gotten from them has allowed me to do some storm chasing on my own, and for a New York-based woman who began chasing without really realizing how intense, exhilarating and complicated it can be, I'd say that's a testament to the tours' ability to fully involve, engage and inform the participant. It's an action-packed adventure that definitely rates a 5 on the Fun-jita scale."

 Rachel H., Albany, NY

"Wow, wow, wow, what a super adrenaline rollercoaster storm chasing holiday it was.  I joined David and the rest of his team on Tour 3, 1st June 2000. Want to see supercells, mesocyclones,  golfball hail etc,  you will in no doubt do so.  With David's expertise and knowledge in forecasting where and when these majestic storms will most likely develop is incredibly accurate, 10 out of 10 for perfection and brilliance.  The hotels were top quality and I got to meet a great group of friends. I am returning again this year for the next exciting rollercoaster ride adventure, can't wait!"

Sean E., Great Britain

"I chased with Silver Lining Tours in 1999 and quickly realized they will travel wherever necessary to see picturesque and beastly storms.  Returning in 2000 as a "tour veteran," they again did not disappoint.  Eight states and 5,000 miles later, we had seen tornadoes on three different nights.  No other chase tour offers so many seasoned, experience chasers.  And what's more - they do all the work!  You just sit back, ride and enjoy the show...and what a spectacular show it was!"

Jeff B., Lincoln, Nebraska

"I can’t imagine any other vacation adventure that would leave me with the kind of memories and knowledge as did my tour with Silver Lining in June of 99. David and Bill were consistently accurate, professional, and responsive to the needs and interests of all group members, as well as a lot of fun! They made us feel much more like active participants in the chases than tourists along for the ride. In addition to the two simultaneous tornadoes we enjoyed and photographed, our group saw a great variety of storms: major hail, lightning and gust front producers, and of course the numerous classic supercell formations that produced them. Sight-seeing on our few but inevitable down days brought us to Devil’s Tower and Mount Rushmore. The opportunity to view striking scenery, enjoy knowledgeable and entertaining company, and learn about severe storms while pursuing them was priceless, and effortlessly delivered."

Christina M., New York, NY

"I attended tour number 4, on 13th June 1999. Our guides were David Gold, Bill Gargan and Bruce Sherbon was doing the photography/video. Being from England, my expectations were high but I was not disappointed. I felt totally safe at all times, the guys really know their stuff. I feel that I have learnt so much more from going on the tour. Not only did they find us some fabulous storm structures, cool lightning and a classic stovepipe tornado, but they were also very good to get on with, friendly, and relaxed. In addition their knowledge and experience was of a very high standard, they knew exactly what they were looking for and how to find the best storms. I would definitely recommend Silver Lining Tours to anyone, and I will be definitely returning next year. There are no words to describe how I felt when I saw my first tornado, a big thanks guys for making my lifetime dream a reality."

Sarah G., Great Britain  

"I would like to thank David and Sean for a very exciting, adrenaline loaded learning experience on tour 2 of 1998. Your ability to forecast, predict and place us on location before a storm arrived was uncanny. Also, your willingness to share your knowledge and experiences, along with your concern for the safety of the tour members was exemplary. The horseback ride in Palo Duro Canyon and your sense of humor were added bonuses."

Bob H.   Guilford, CT  

"I started Chasing with Silver Lining tours in 2000, booking a tour as a 'one-off' holiday. Two years and 4 tours later I'm still coming back after getting hooked on the thrilling experiences. Not only the viewing of supercells, tornadoes, lightning and large hail, but also learning so much from the guides about meteorology and what is involved in the forecasting before/while chasing. I've learnt much more from them in the past couple of years than I'd ever expect to absorb from a classroom environment. Tour 6, June 2002 was my 4th and most definitely my best tour so far. With the combined effort and knowledge of guides Roger Hill and Scott Landolt, I felt completely awed as I witnessed 9 beautiful tornadoes in South Dakota on the first day. (At the target area predicted by Roger that morning!) All the time feeling that I was safe in and out of the van, with the knowledge I could trust Roger's judgment of the approaching tornadoes and Scott's driving skills to keep us at distance, while still providing us with the best view point. This also gave me the opportunity to shoot some amazing video and photographs! Certainly an experience I wish to relive again, so I have no doubt that you will be seeing me back on the high plains next year!"

  Claire B., United Kingdom

"Well, I just cant say enough about SLT and the experiences that I have had.  I have been on 2 tours so far with a 3rd planned for this spring!!!  I absolutely love everything that this tour offers.  The planning, the forecasting by Dave and his team, the chase, and then finally the catch---a real tornado forming before your eyes.  No guarantees, but when you do get one, what a rush!!!!!!!!  I cant say enough about Silver Lining Tours!!!"

   Kathy A., Miami, FL

"Quality and professionalism are two terms that come to mind when I reflect on my two tours with Silver Lining Tours, the first on Tour 3, 2000 and the second on Tour 3 of 2002. As an educator, I have taught many students, many of them gifted. Dave is a "gifted" meteorologist. His educational preparation is superb! He is very detailed and persistent in his forecasts with rewarding results. His enthusiasm for storm chasing is contagious. Dave's morning briefings would make the Storm Prediction Center and the National Weather Service envious. I am always amazed that wherever there is severe weather on the Great Plains, we are always at the best location for supercells and tornadic action, many times prior to their initial development. This professionalism and dedication are also carried over to Dave's terrific tour staff. They have all been super each time I have traveled with them, always willing and able to answer questions and driving us safely into our target area. They all work as a team to take you down the Yellow Brick Road for an adventure of a lifetime. They ARE the best!!"

 

Duane, Evansville, IN

The Master Class 2004 was my first storm chasing experience, and I am extremely glad that I chose to do this with Silver Lining Tours. I chose the Master Class and Silver Lining because I wanted to understand the awesome storms that roam across the heartland of America, as well as experience them firsthand. The 2004 Master Class gave me both the most extreme weather I've ever experienced, and the knowledge to interpret, (and even predict), the intense storms that we saw.

David Gold was extremely helpful in answering all my questions before the Tour (and dealing with the vagaries of the British postal system), and also sent out high quality training material that would form the syllabus of the tour well ahead of time, so there was a chance to come forearmed with some of the information necessary to forecast tornadic storms.

On the tour, both David and Bill Gargan (fastest manual analyst in the West and driver extraordinaire), were always available to answer any questions we had and went out of their way to ensure we all had a good understanding of the process that led them to choose one area over another to chase in. Coupled with this we had David's excellent morning lessons which took us from the physical principles underlying severe weather, through hand analysis of data, interpreting sounding diagrams, computer models and when to ignore them ;-), what to look for in satellite images, the principles of vorticity, and hodographs. All this in the morning then the rest of the day out in the field to see if theory matched fact.

The Master Class chases as hard as any other tour, the difference is that you, the participant, gets up earlier and are actively involved in choosing the target area for the day. If you choose this tour, be prepared for long days, lots of information and an intellectually as well as emotionally rewarding experience.

For me, the culmination of the tour was the 20th of June where David and Bill handed over the choice of target area to the Master Class participants, and we collectively chose an area which led to us seeing the first tornado of the tour (as well as a very thrilling time in La Junta - but that's another story), clearly David's excellent tuition paid off.

Gavin C.

Software Consultant

2004 Master Class Tour (June 14 - 23)