“People don’t change. They grow into what they always were.” From “Light of the World” by James Lee Burke
The devastating flooding in Colorado reminds me of my personal experiences with the awesome power of nature.
We lived in Golden, Colorado in 1976 and that was the year of the Big Thompson flood. 143 people lost their lives and the property damage was almost beyond comprehension. While I did not experience the flood first hand, I was familiar with area and a post flood inspection of the scene blew my mind.
I did get up close and personal with one flood and that was enough. In the early 60’s, while I was going to College, I worked for the Forest Service during the summer in Hungry Horse, Montana.
One summer, while I was there, the Flathead River flooded. Standing on the banks while the raging river raced by amazed and terrified me. I could not believe what I was feeling and sensing. Trees as big as railroad cars were being carried by the rising waters downstream. They would smash into bridge embankments and shake the entire structure. Houses and cars flashed by.
I lived in Tornado alley for over 20 years and never saw or experienced one. Thank God for that. I used to live in fear of those things. I saw one tornado in my life and oddly enough, that was in Colorado. It touched down east of Denver in open fields and neither killed anyone or caused any property damage. But what a site it was. Wow.
I know this: it’s one thing to watch reports of natural disasters. It’s quite another to experience one.
I pity those poor people in Colorado. Lyons, Colorado, one of the hardest hit towns, is one of my favorite places on the planet. If you’ve ever passed through it you know why.
“Everyone wants to be resurrected. A lot of us die disappointed.” – From Resurection Express by Stephen Romano
Texas Heat 
So very glad to re-find your blog this morning Bob!! I have a very healthy respect for (maybe more FEAR OF) dear Mother Nature. Most frightening was a tent camping trip I took my 4 kids on to Crow Wing Campground, Brainerd, MN. Kids were very young. Tornado warnings came up only AFTER I had our 6-man tent up. First the winds…I had the kids pushing on the tent wall while I tried to replant the stakes. When the sirens went off, we headed for the old station-wagon…I had to pick up both boys who was so frightened (torrential rain/golf ball size hail/winds) that they wouldn’t budge)..and drove to the parks’ underground ‘bunker’. Afterward…massive flooding, twisted trees down (some on tents), and every single tent was down EXCEPT MINE!!!! Had to move the tent about 10′ up and we stayed the night…but the threats continued the next day…so we packed everything up WET and drove the 90 mins home where everything was sunny and fine!!!
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You were fortunate to escape. Never underestimate the power of nature. So glad you found my blog Bonnie.
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Joan and I were in A TTN campground in Hershey Pa. when a tornado hit. Scary as hell.
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You experienced something most of us never will……………..and thank God for that.
Nuff said.
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I was at a KOA staying in a cabin when the big one hit OK City and Tulsa in the mid 90’s. I had been on a bike, motorcycle trip, and had staked and tied my bike down with tent stakes and some paracord I always carried. I also tied it to a huge tree. Thankfully, for me, the closest it touched down was five miles away.
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When the Big Thompson flood happened husbands daughters were staying over night with us. Their mother and stepfather were at a dinner party up the cayon. They decided to leave the party a little early that night. They made it out of the cayon 20 minutes before the flood came rushing down the cayon. They said that were they were it was not raining that bad and didn’t leave because they were afraid of a flood.
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It really is strange and amazing how the most innocent decision becomes so momentous. Lends credence to the “it just wasn’t my time” claims we hear. You must have lived in Loveland or somewhere in that area.
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No, we were in far east Denver just south of Colfax. I think the street was Trenton. They lived near Cherry Creek.
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I enjoy your writing, my friend. I am fortunate in that I have only had to endure two earthquakes (Japan and California) one tornado (Conroe ) and a few near misses. Lucky so far. (Knock on wood ). Tragic consequences. Some idiots still are blaming it on global warming even though the polar ice cap grew by 60% last year.
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Floods are just as devastating as all other disasters. Had a friend who experienced an earthquake in (guess where) California. She said it scared her to death and moved back to Iowa.
Those idiots blame everything on global warming or George Bush. Go figure.
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