Saturday, September 1, 2007

Lightning Strike

I spent most of the last week at my son's, staying with my GKs while he was on assignment. Had a great time, always fun to be with my GKs, played games, watched sports, etc.
Kay had a very exciting event Thursday during a thunderstorm. Lightning struck a tall pine tree about 40 feet behind the RV. Took some chunks out of the tree as there are small chunks of pine wood scattered around the lot on both sides of the RV. She didn't hear any of them hit the RV or the satellite. She did lose electrical power. She called and we got most of it going. Later found out she was the only one who lost power. The breaker at the connection was not tripped, and none of the breakers inside the RV were tripped, but she lost electric. The fan which when shut off at the wall switch comes back on when the wall switch is turned back on. This time it didn't, she had to pull the chain to get it started. She did find circuit breaker button on the kitchen outlet with the voltage meter was tripped.
Then Friday morning she did not have hot water. The water heater breaker was tripped and when she would reset it, it would trip again. Did same when I got here. Turned off and got the propane going so have hot water again. Then later when I tried to connect to the Internet from my PC, could not get a connection. Pc could not find the modem. After switching with the cable for her laptop and nothing changed, assume the network card in my PC is on the fritz. I have a wireless USB device which I am using now.
I suspect that the water heater and the network card without anything else seeming to be affected, wonder if it wasn't EMF (Electromagnetic Force) that got just those two.
We are still here at Abita Springs. They allowed us to stay couple extra days. Could not find a park with vacancy for today. Did find one west of Lake Charles for Sunday night and then I have reservation at Lake Conroe in Texas for three weeks starting this Monday. Then we will move around to the other side of the lake for two weeks. Not sure, but may start movement west after that. Depending upon how the weather is misbehaving. :-)
Going back over the causeway (worlds longest bridge at about 26 miles) could see thunderstorm over New Orleans so took picture with phone. Feel a little itchy every time I go across. Bridge that long and was hit by Katrina two years ago and the bridge in Minneapolis collapsing??????
Ed

No comments: