mother nature post or what hell was that

This post was inspired by mother nature.  This morning at 4 AM I got to experience my first earthquake.  

I realize that some readers may have experience a few earthquakes in their life - but I live in northern Illinois.  

 

This farm field on Plank Road in Hampshire was the epicenter of an overnight earthquake in Illinois, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  (Stacey Wescott/Tribune) 

You probably know Illinois as the place shaking things up with our politicians not natural disasters.  Hmm, maybe Blago (former governor awaiting trial) combed his hair this morning.  

My initial reaction to the boom and shake - What the hell was that?

Shortly afterwards I heard my daughter getting ready and then leaving for her opening shift at Starbucks.  She didn't report anything, so I figured the loud boom and window rattling was from a snow plow which have awaken me before.  It wasn't until she returned that I found out it was an earthquake.  I had taken my time before getting on the internet today so I had not seen any news about it.

But it certainly was an unusual event that I wanted to share.  Also, it got me thinking about the many potential and actual disasters I have witnessed in my life.  Now I can add earthquake to my list.

The hurricane while living in Biloxi Mississippi was probably the scariest.  Right up there on the list has been tornadoes here in Illinois.  Funnel clouds are amazing and scary at the same time.  I understand the fascination those tornado hunters have.

Another disaster I found myself and family in while not in Illinois was a forest fire.  This huge blaze added some memories to our vacation to Montana.  The town of West Glacier was evacuated about 15 minutes after we finished dinner there and headed back to the hotel.  Do you prefer your salmon smoked?

In Costa Rica, wife and I watched huge flaming globs of lava being thrown from a volcano - a natural fireworks show.  I guess that had some disaster potential but I felt we were a safe distance away.

And I had detours on a road trip coming back home with one daughter caused by floods and a tornado.

Maybe when you stop and think about it, mother nature can really throw some nasty stuff in your life's path.  Any natural disasters to share?  please comment.