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One of the fun parts about writing a blog is that you can write about anything you want!

I keep an on going list of topics as they occur to me. Today, as I drew a blank, I looked at my good old list. Saw the word “Tornado”. OK.

fon3 Selkie

Even safe in our homes we are all vulnerable to the forces of Mother Nature. My experience pales next to those of many others, but it involved a tornado and my travel trailer.

A camping trip turned into a terrifying adventure for my husband and I one night. We had our smallish travel trailer set up at the Delaware Seashore State Park. This is a beautiful place bordered by the Delaware bay and the Atlantic Ocean. At 9:30 PM my restless nature took us out for a walk by the bay. We observed some unusual lightning out over the water. It was red. It was getting closer and more frequent. From years of camping experience we knew to get back to the trailer and batten down the hatches. Folded up the awning, packed the chairs and coolers and rafts into the car, closed the windows and sat down to wait. Sort of a fun part, anticipating a storm.

Most unfortunately, most of the other campers had gone to bed already, and were not prepared for the storm.

The winds picked up, howling louder and louder through the marshes and camp. Hail began to pound the trailer, and the winds began to rock it. We were becoming very fearful sitting in the boxy trailer, which was parked  perpendicular the the wind’s direction. As the wind screamed by I opened the door, thinking the car might be safer to be in, and the door was almost ripped out of my hands. My husband said he thought it was too late to get to the car. So we sat on the floor, violent lightning crashed, hail and rain pounding as the sound of a roaring train approached. Seriously!

Then with a lurch the trailer was knocked off its supportive jacks on one side and we tilted.

fon5 Spirit of the Wind

We looked at each other, our eyes the size of saucers. I was pretty sure that our time had come, to go.

But that was the end of the violent storm. It began to pass. When the winds and rain slowed we emerged from our tilted trailer into about two feet of water. Black- out at the camp. People wading in the dark absolutely mystified and scared. Flag poles had snapped, tents shredded and blown away, coolers and toys floating about. Several trailers were destroyed.

But- no one was hurt, thank God. And people began to gather, to help out those who needed it, to talk with nervous exultation about the experience. Some lit propane lanterns to light the way, and we walked through the receding water with flashlights to see who needed help. People were very kind to each other that night.

Most of the tenters slept the remainder of the night in their cars to leave the next day. We all gathered possessions from wherever we could find them and placed them outside on tables to be claimed in the light. And we  talked and marveled about the tornado that struck.

It was a small one, we were very lucky!!!

For all mankind’s controlling ways, we have yet to harness Nature. We can try to predict it, play in the storms, ride the waves and climb the mountains. Marvel at the canyons and chasms carved by waterfalls, and stand close to their energy.

fon6 Watkins Glen

But we had better watch out because we have no power over these forces.

I love to observe Nature. I love to be in it, photograph it, paint it. This helps make my life complete, brings me excitement and joy. Being in Nature actually keeps me sane.

My great condolences to those of you who have been devastated by a  violent storm or other natural catastrophic; my experience was not devastating. But it sure was Scarey!!!

fon1 Astir

Wishing you a Happy Day and a fulfilling week.