Within a week we have experienced some 1400 aftershocks, but nothing greater than the 7.0 that started things off. According to the federal people, Alaska has felt over 43,000 quakes of all sizes since Jan 1, 2018. But, Alaska is a very seismic state with multiple volcanos. We have three such volcanoes that are visible once we leave our Chugach Mountain Range. Mt. Redoubt is right now being watched closely and this is our nearest one. Supposedly there were reports that Redoubt began smoking just before the quake and is now listed among the top five volcanoes in the Ring of Fire. But if it were to erupt, the worst we would see is the effects of the erupt- ash clouds. Redoubt is across the Cook Inlet from Soldotna and the ocean water would collect any lava, but ash clouds could be a problem. The last big one to go off nearly 20 yrs ago left 3 inches of ash over the Soldotna-Kenai region.
The most miraculous thing about the recent quake was the total lack of serious injury and no reported deaths. BUT- our highway system did suffer a lot of damage. This happened mostly north of Anchorage, where the highway was seriously cracked and broken at maybe a dozen locations, closing down traffic for a while. South of Anchorage on the Seward Highway, north of Girdwood, the cliffs gave way and numerous boulders in the vehicle size and smaller came down to block the roadway, but only a couple of cars were damaged- but again- no injuries other than minor and some nerves.
We had another after shock early Thursday and sent some of my cop cars flying again, but that was it. For a lengthy period the seismic experts were fearful of an 8 point or better to be expected, but it didn't happen.
Canaan was on the road on the way to Seward, when she thought she had blown a tire when the 7.0 hit, but when she pulled off the highway she saw the sign posts moving an new it was a quake. John Leroy and his daughter Kira were on the way home- to Girdwood, from Anchorage and the torn up roadway and large rocks blocked them off for a while- however they were fine, if not rattled some. Only one school, north of Anchorage is still closed, but due to open soon. Only thing to report for us is how nervous our dogs remain and we think they're picking up aftershocks to small for us to feel.
I went through the 1971 Southern California Earthquake, which tossed me out of my bed. We were roughly 30-miles from the epicenter, which did cause the death and major injury of quite a few people. I know it was in the high 7's or low 8's, but I'm unable to recall what it was exactly. But by 1972 I was experiencing rocket attacks in Vietnam and I found them a bit more frightening.
So, as it stands, we were made quite nervous, but unhurt and no house damage. Unfortunately, with all the rain we've been blessed with, our basement has over an inch of water in it. Poor John Alex, for this is also his bedroom. We do have a drain, but it will take time. It has been a few years since the basement flooded, but it is not uncommon.
About 1,000 feet above us the rain turns into snow, so the mountains remain white.
Book Report: I am currently working on "Fire & Ice", almost to the point of wrapping up Volume One. I transformed Books 1 & 2 into Volume One. Once I've finished it, I'll edit it once more and then send it off to the Publisher. I am hoping to have "Homeland Security" Book # 1 of 2 books, published soon. I've also sent "Arizona Rangers- Book # 2- Indian Wars" to the publisher. I'll finish up Book 2 of Homeland Security once I finish up Volume 1 of "Fire & Ice". I am also making notes on two new books that have come to me in my dreams, but it will be sometime before they'll grow beyond the note stage. I appreciate all of your prayers. It is my prayer that my writing endeavors will help draw an unbeliever to the Lord, to pick his interest so that they will look into the true Word of God.
I don't recall if I told you about a missing toy, but somehow between boxing up my robot collect for the move into my office, I had somehow misplaced my 30-inch tall Iron Giant. I had come across it at a Value Village thrift store and pain very little for it. Then I found out the toy was valued at over $300. I also have the 6-inch one. Well, I looked close to everywhere and couldn't find it, though I did find some other items I forgot I even had while looking. But, my Dear Mona found it down in the basement and how it had wandered down there is anyone's guess. He now stands behind my computer monitor, when not being knocked about by tremors. I do note that the items we collect can often be a bit on the strange side. However, I am now going through my stuff and figuring out who in my family might receive some of my collectibles when the time comes for me to go home. I doubt the Good Lord will let me bring my cop stuff along with me, not to mention my firearms, robots, artwork and whatever else we've acquired.
So, you all now know we have weathered the quake(s) in really good shape. I'm still losing weight, but only a bit at a time. I wish I could've been this thin in high school. In my senior year at high school I weighed 194- 210, now I am quite a bit lighter. I wrestled at 194, but put on weight for football. I never could beat Norman Thomas, who wrestled heavy weight at 238 lbs and weighed over 250 for football. But we both had to lose it after football season. My coach once made me wrestle in the unlimited weight class and I found myself up against this brute who tipped the scales at over 400 pounds and not all of it was fat. He beat me, but he never pinned me, which I felt good about. My coach thought I would learn something from the experience and I did, I learned how to say "NO" to my coach. My mom really wanted a piece of my head coach when she saw all my bruises, but she was being a mother and I loved her for it. Norman was at another tournament and laughed his head off when he learned what had happened to me. I wanted to choke him, but didn't. Afterall ,he was a team captain. His favorite practice move was to pick me up over his shoulders and do a windmill, then slam me down on the mat. I started putting a wet finger into his ear and he finally quite that.
I think that's it for now and send my best wishes to family and friends. God Bless you all and remember, if you like to write then please endeavor to do so. I've recently read about Samuel Clemens/ Mark Twain and about what he went through before becoming a writer for a gold field newspaper, He had come to the gold fields to strike it rich, but failed like so many others, only to become one of America's most favorite writers. Now I may never achieve that status, but I do enjoy writing.
Signing-off. BILL