Yes, we have survived the Great Alaskan Earthquake, hopefully the only one for this year. Magnitudes have been reported at 7.9 to 8.2, tsunami warning were issued all over south Central Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula coastline communities.
I'm not sure what time it began, but we were in bed reading, as we do every night, when the shaking slowly began. Now our home is encased in rock, so I only estimated the quake at 5.1, having been a lot of quakes in my lifetime from Southern California to Alaska, but the length of the shaker did surprise me some. I estimated about 70-seconds from the time the first noises began as our fan started vibrating and some of the items we have hung from our ceiling began swinging. No power outage. But, this morning we learned it was centered off Kodiak Island, a couple hundred miles south of Seward, which as most of you know is on our coast, 28.5 miles south of Moose Pass.
When the tsunami warning hit Seward, they took it pretty seriously and evacuated the town up into the hillsides. If I recall right, the last time they did that was back when we lived in Seward in our famous Sand-Cassel home (referred to as Sandcastle often enough). We shared a home with Mona's brother - Troy, his wife Leslie and their kids. 4- adults and 8 kids if I recall, for about 18-months. One of 8-times we shared a residence, so the kids grew-up more like brothers and sisters than cousins. Oh, I just heard Anchorage also got 6 inches of snow last night too. But, way back then we had over a dozen families parked on our high ground, as it offered such a great view in the event a tsunami came into our Resurrection Bay. We had all kinds of critters, including a couple horses. The stupidest thing to see that day was all the people down on the beaches hoping to get a photo of the wave coming in, which could have been 3 feet to 200-feet in height. During the 1964 Alaskan Quake, 200-foot tsunamis had hit the Alaskan coastline and pretty much destroyed the old Valdez City. Somehow these people didn't seem to understand that these waves had been clocked at 200 to 700 miles per hour. Sure they might get a couple of photos, but those might have been their last photos-ever.
Thankfully, Seward didn't get hit, but after the 1964 quake, that struck Seward hard, they take things pretty seriously and have tsunami evacuation route signs posted. Tourists take a lot of photos of those signs. We heard this morning some small tsunamis did travel of the Cook Inlet and hit southern Anchorage and flood the streets of that area, but understand this report was over Facebook and Twitter, and I haven't checked the news sources on this. But, Grandson Patrick did stay in Anchorage last night, rather than risk coming home as the highway goes around the Turnagain Arm, which comes right off the Cook Inlet. No need to risk it, when he had a place to stay.
We still haven't heard anything about Kodiak Island, which is the home to the largest U.S. Coastguard Base in the US. They're responsible for the whole Northern Pacific. I've been fortunate to use them in some of my law enforcement cases out of Seward, and I've watched them in a major rescue operation off of Dillingham. These people sincerely have some guts, for the job they do.
My work corner off the living room is a might bit chilly this morning, but I've got my heater running now. Big help. We're a bit of a fix finding dry fire wood, so I would appreciate your prayers in this. Patrick is hoping to find some in Anchorage, while he is up there. I figure a lot of people will have stayed home from work in South Anchorage this morning, those watery streets will become sheer ice and hard to drive upon. Of course the snow will help some. I prefer driving when the temps are minus 40 or below, your tires can get a bit more grip.
We also heard the Fairbanks Community was now seeing some of this minus 40 (F) degree temps last night. It's overdue actually. Are temps are running 0 to 10 plus here in Moose Pass. Makes it tough on the smokers, thankfully I am not one of those. But, family members living here- are. Usually they can start up the truck, but Patrick has it with him up in Anchorage.
I told my granddaughter last night that for a tsunami to reach us here in Moose Pass, it would have to be one like they show in "2012", the movie. Cool film. In 1971, I went through the Southern California earthquake, breaking the large window right beside my bed. I was in bed and I was sincerely impressed. Sadly it dropped and overpass down on Highway 10, crushing two cars if I remember right and it partially destroyed the VA Hospital in Northern Los Angeles. A real shaker to be sure.
Personally, I believe our sporadic volcano eruption from Alaska's volcanoes ( we have a lot of them her in South Central and the Aleutian Chain) take a lot of pressure off our ground. Lately though, there has been an increased level of earthquakes and volcano eruption around the world. What does it mean- I have no idea. Though I still suspect all those mid-range quakes in Iran has something to do with Iran testing nuclear weapons. Iran would sincerely love to have nuclear weapons, most likely for defense. for anyone in that area of the Middle East must realize to use weapons of this type on Israel, would first gain them an automatic response by Israel and possibly the US. More importantly, the contamination would eventually cover the Middle East. Unfortunately, I believe that once those little red buttons begin to be pushed, it would start a worldwide nuclear war and there would be no winners, no place to hide. They refer to it as a three-phase result: first- those directly under the bombs effect, secondly- those who die within the first year from all kinds of nasty repercussions- cancer to ground wars and thirdly, those who are left to starve to death because the food is contaminated, medical problems and war. Few people can put away more than 6-months supply of emergency supplies. Such supply is pretty good for natural disasters, long power outages like we had in Fairbanks a couple times.
I may have talked to you about the study I did before writing the first copy of "A Coming A Storm", now the 13-book series to hopefully be published sometime this year. Anyway, I talked with the store managers of Safeway, Fred Meyers and small retail stores in Seward, Soldotna, Kenai and Anchorage and Fairbanks, ( I first began this book while we lived in Fairbanks), concerning their back-up supplies and what I learned was startling. Two-weeks of food supplies on their shelves and what they carried in the back of their stores. Another possible 4-weeks with what the bigger stores had stored in warehouses in town. But, if the highway closed and the trucks stopped coming north from the Lower 48, and the freight boat quit arriving. ^ weeks was the best they could do and this covered the quick installation of food rationing and didn't involve the possibility of food riots. These food riots are added to most of the larger town emergency responses, once the town was closed off. Not a pretty thing to look at, or even think about. IF such a thing ever occurred. BUT THERE IS GOD!!!!
I was born in 1953, listened to my mothers and grandmothers tales of the Great Depression of the early 1930s. They wouldn't have any food to eat if my oldest brother didn't catch any fish at Moro Bay. He became known as the Little Fisherman of Moro Bay by the older fishermen. I would fish at the same place about 20-years later, beautiful spot. Had this huge boulder at the entrance to the Bay, I remember it to be 100-feet high by 150-feet at its base, but I was young. Maybe bigger or maybe smaller, but the rock made the bay famous for photographers. In the 60's the world was going through so many drastic changes and in California, it seemed we played a big part in the country's problems. Race riots one weekend, and then these were followed by anti-Vietnam War protests or riots. The colleges were becoming so loose in their behavior patterns, effecting the high schools. The Vietnam War changed America, and then we had the Cold War. Tensions were even tighter than they are now, we we grow concerned with China, North Korea and Russia. Back when I was in High School it was all about Russia and World War III. I actually believe it was far worse then it is now. We were diving under out desk for atomic bomb drills about every two-weeks. Not that we ever felt our desk were going to protect us from the roof collapsing and the fiery hell descending down upon us. Then I had my time in Vietnam, followed by "Watergate". Seems the US was always diving into one intrigue after another, possibly to keep the American citizens from releasing what exactly they were involved in and now were either near or at $19 Trillion in debt. But, I have tried to show in this journal how the American is spending some of our money on and I'm not even touched 1% of 1% of what is being used stupidly ( in my opinion).
Now I see what is happening with the spread of radical Islam, even going so far as to now be entering Mainland China, and causing changes there. I hate to see what is happening in Eastern Canada because this country shares a border with us. If you follow Canadian politics, it is frightening to see the change in the Canadian political structure because of "Radical Islam". Fear can do so many things. But, just as the German people learned in the latter parts of World War II, the German citizens could not believe what they had lost by following Uncle Adolph, all due to fear. Had there been a revolution, a stand against Hitler, maybe there would not have been a war and all those millions of soldiers, civilians of various countries, the Jews massacred, as well as the Gypsies and political prisoners/ homosexuals, would have died. Over 200 million, the last estimate I read, would have gone on to possibly bring forth great discoveries, but we will never know. It is happening again. Who will ever know that the Jew knifed in the darkness would not grow up to have found a cure for cancer or another worldwide sickness. Maybe even a Palestinian, who is shot down after he killed a soldier with a knife, who might have grown up to be a great political leader to bring for peace between Palestine and Israel.
There used to be such a man, An Egyptian officer who fought in the 6-Day War against Israel, where Egypt and two other invading countries had faced total defeat in 6-days at the hands of the Israeli Army, far outnumbered and out-equipped. Some of you younger one might not recall this if it wasn't taught in school. But that officer, would become a world leader as President- President Sadat was his name if I spelled it right. Will, he made peace with Israel, while in Washington D.C. and our President and of course God was very instrumental in that process. But, not to long afterward Sadat was assassinated by his own officer's corps. Yet, now it appears Egypt is making overtures to now once again, make peace with Israel. If it is real or not, I'm really sure our Lord is once again involved in this.
Mainly, I just wanted to say that we have survived the night, no house damage and I truly believe the tensions of the late 1950's and the decade of the 60's had much more tension in it. In the 1970's we lost our trust in our politicians and I'm not sure we, who have lived through this time period, have ever gotten it back. But, our belief in our Lord is there and we continue to pray for Washington D.C.. We pray against corruption, which I saw and investigated at the state level. Possibly one of my children will handle it at the federal level.
I wish you all a very nice day, may the Lord's blessing be upon you. And I would appreciate you prayer support over my next book to be soon released, "Legend of Silene". This is my first attempt at Young Adult sci-fi , with a Christian message. Please, also pray for "Blake's War", my Arizona Western. I've been advised by several good friends to work harder at my covers, because if they don't like the covers they don't even look at the book's summary or back cover. I was always one to look deeper into the book before buying it.
ALSO: Please, if you haven't already done it, put together a "Go suitcase or back-pack". Have emergency supplies for the trunk of your car to last you 3-days to a week. Design your own or buy one. They will not fail you in the event of earthquakes or whatever. GOD BLESS, BILL
When the tsunami warning hit Seward, they took it pretty seriously and evacuated the town up into the hillsides. If I recall right, the last time they did that was back when we lived in Seward in our famous Sand-Cassel home (referred to as Sandcastle often enough). We shared a home with Mona's brother - Troy, his wife Leslie and their kids. 4- adults and 8 kids if I recall, for about 18-months. One of 8-times we shared a residence, so the kids grew-up more like brothers and sisters than cousins. Oh, I just heard Anchorage also got 6 inches of snow last night too. But, way back then we had over a dozen families parked on our high ground, as it offered such a great view in the event a tsunami came into our Resurrection Bay. We had all kinds of critters, including a couple horses. The stupidest thing to see that day was all the people down on the beaches hoping to get a photo of the wave coming in, which could have been 3 feet to 200-feet in height. During the 1964 Alaskan Quake, 200-foot tsunamis had hit the Alaskan coastline and pretty much destroyed the old Valdez City. Somehow these people didn't seem to understand that these waves had been clocked at 200 to 700 miles per hour. Sure they might get a couple of photos, but those might have been their last photos-ever.
Thankfully, Seward didn't get hit, but after the 1964 quake, that struck Seward hard, they take things pretty seriously and have tsunami evacuation route signs posted. Tourists take a lot of photos of those signs. We heard this morning some small tsunamis did travel of the Cook Inlet and hit southern Anchorage and flood the streets of that area, but understand this report was over Facebook and Twitter, and I haven't checked the news sources on this. But, Grandson Patrick did stay in Anchorage last night, rather than risk coming home as the highway goes around the Turnagain Arm, which comes right off the Cook Inlet. No need to risk it, when he had a place to stay.
We still haven't heard anything about Kodiak Island, which is the home to the largest U.S. Coastguard Base in the US. They're responsible for the whole Northern Pacific. I've been fortunate to use them in some of my law enforcement cases out of Seward, and I've watched them in a major rescue operation off of Dillingham. These people sincerely have some guts, for the job they do.
My work corner off the living room is a might bit chilly this morning, but I've got my heater running now. Big help. We're a bit of a fix finding dry fire wood, so I would appreciate your prayers in this. Patrick is hoping to find some in Anchorage, while he is up there. I figure a lot of people will have stayed home from work in South Anchorage this morning, those watery streets will become sheer ice and hard to drive upon. Of course the snow will help some. I prefer driving when the temps are minus 40 or below, your tires can get a bit more grip.
We also heard the Fairbanks Community was now seeing some of this minus 40 (F) degree temps last night. It's overdue actually. Are temps are running 0 to 10 plus here in Moose Pass. Makes it tough on the smokers, thankfully I am not one of those. But, family members living here- are. Usually they can start up the truck, but Patrick has it with him up in Anchorage.
I told my granddaughter last night that for a tsunami to reach us here in Moose Pass, it would have to be one like they show in "2012", the movie. Cool film. In 1971, I went through the Southern California earthquake, breaking the large window right beside my bed. I was in bed and I was sincerely impressed. Sadly it dropped and overpass down on Highway 10, crushing two cars if I remember right and it partially destroyed the VA Hospital in Northern Los Angeles. A real shaker to be sure.
Personally, I believe our sporadic volcano eruption from Alaska's volcanoes ( we have a lot of them her in South Central and the Aleutian Chain) take a lot of pressure off our ground. Lately though, there has been an increased level of earthquakes and volcano eruption around the world. What does it mean- I have no idea. Though I still suspect all those mid-range quakes in Iran has something to do with Iran testing nuclear weapons. Iran would sincerely love to have nuclear weapons, most likely for defense. for anyone in that area of the Middle East must realize to use weapons of this type on Israel, would first gain them an automatic response by Israel and possibly the US. More importantly, the contamination would eventually cover the Middle East. Unfortunately, I believe that once those little red buttons begin to be pushed, it would start a worldwide nuclear war and there would be no winners, no place to hide. They refer to it as a three-phase result: first- those directly under the bombs effect, secondly- those who die within the first year from all kinds of nasty repercussions- cancer to ground wars and thirdly, those who are left to starve to death because the food is contaminated, medical problems and war. Few people can put away more than 6-months supply of emergency supplies. Such supply is pretty good for natural disasters, long power outages like we had in Fairbanks a couple times.
I may have talked to you about the study I did before writing the first copy of "A Coming A Storm", now the 13-book series to hopefully be published sometime this year. Anyway, I talked with the store managers of Safeway, Fred Meyers and small retail stores in Seward, Soldotna, Kenai and Anchorage and Fairbanks, ( I first began this book while we lived in Fairbanks), concerning their back-up supplies and what I learned was startling. Two-weeks of food supplies on their shelves and what they carried in the back of their stores. Another possible 4-weeks with what the bigger stores had stored in warehouses in town. But, if the highway closed and the trucks stopped coming north from the Lower 48, and the freight boat quit arriving. ^ weeks was the best they could do and this covered the quick installation of food rationing and didn't involve the possibility of food riots. These food riots are added to most of the larger town emergency responses, once the town was closed off. Not a pretty thing to look at, or even think about. IF such a thing ever occurred. BUT THERE IS GOD!!!!
I was born in 1953, listened to my mothers and grandmothers tales of the Great Depression of the early 1930s. They wouldn't have any food to eat if my oldest brother didn't catch any fish at Moro Bay. He became known as the Little Fisherman of Moro Bay by the older fishermen. I would fish at the same place about 20-years later, beautiful spot. Had this huge boulder at the entrance to the Bay, I remember it to be 100-feet high by 150-feet at its base, but I was young. Maybe bigger or maybe smaller, but the rock made the bay famous for photographers. In the 60's the world was going through so many drastic changes and in California, it seemed we played a big part in the country's problems. Race riots one weekend, and then these were followed by anti-Vietnam War protests or riots. The colleges were becoming so loose in their behavior patterns, effecting the high schools. The Vietnam War changed America, and then we had the Cold War. Tensions were even tighter than they are now, we we grow concerned with China, North Korea and Russia. Back when I was in High School it was all about Russia and World War III. I actually believe it was far worse then it is now. We were diving under out desk for atomic bomb drills about every two-weeks. Not that we ever felt our desk were going to protect us from the roof collapsing and the fiery hell descending down upon us. Then I had my time in Vietnam, followed by "Watergate". Seems the US was always diving into one intrigue after another, possibly to keep the American citizens from releasing what exactly they were involved in and now were either near or at $19 Trillion in debt. But, I have tried to show in this journal how the American is spending some of our money on and I'm not even touched 1% of 1% of what is being used stupidly ( in my opinion).
Now I see what is happening with the spread of radical Islam, even going so far as to now be entering Mainland China, and causing changes there. I hate to see what is happening in Eastern Canada because this country shares a border with us. If you follow Canadian politics, it is frightening to see the change in the Canadian political structure because of "Radical Islam". Fear can do so many things. But, just as the German people learned in the latter parts of World War II, the German citizens could not believe what they had lost by following Uncle Adolph, all due to fear. Had there been a revolution, a stand against Hitler, maybe there would not have been a war and all those millions of soldiers, civilians of various countries, the Jews massacred, as well as the Gypsies and political prisoners/ homosexuals, would have died. Over 200 million, the last estimate I read, would have gone on to possibly bring forth great discoveries, but we will never know. It is happening again. Who will ever know that the Jew knifed in the darkness would not grow up to have found a cure for cancer or another worldwide sickness. Maybe even a Palestinian, who is shot down after he killed a soldier with a knife, who might have grown up to be a great political leader to bring for peace between Palestine and Israel.
There used to be such a man, An Egyptian officer who fought in the 6-Day War against Israel, where Egypt and two other invading countries had faced total defeat in 6-days at the hands of the Israeli Army, far outnumbered and out-equipped. Some of you younger one might not recall this if it wasn't taught in school. But that officer, would become a world leader as President- President Sadat was his name if I spelled it right. Will, he made peace with Israel, while in Washington D.C. and our President and of course God was very instrumental in that process. But, not to long afterward Sadat was assassinated by his own officer's corps. Yet, now it appears Egypt is making overtures to now once again, make peace with Israel. If it is real or not, I'm really sure our Lord is once again involved in this.
Mainly, I just wanted to say that we have survived the night, no house damage and I truly believe the tensions of the late 1950's and the decade of the 60's had much more tension in it. In the 1970's we lost our trust in our politicians and I'm not sure we, who have lived through this time period, have ever gotten it back. But, our belief in our Lord is there and we continue to pray for Washington D.C.. We pray against corruption, which I saw and investigated at the state level. Possibly one of my children will handle it at the federal level.
I wish you all a very nice day, may the Lord's blessing be upon you. And I would appreciate you prayer support over my next book to be soon released, "Legend of Silene". This is my first attempt at Young Adult sci-fi , with a Christian message. Please, also pray for "Blake's War", my Arizona Western. I've been advised by several good friends to work harder at my covers, because if they don't like the covers they don't even look at the book's summary or back cover. I was always one to look deeper into the book before buying it.
ALSO: Please, if you haven't already done it, put together a "Go suitcase or back-pack". Have emergency supplies for the trunk of your car to last you 3-days to a week. Design your own or buy one. They will not fail you in the event of earthquakes or whatever. GOD BLESS, BILL
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