Let’s set the wayback machine to July 4, 1998. My (now ex) husband, my daughters (9yrs & 3yrs), my in-laws, our nephew (12yrs) and I were on a two week road trip. We were packed into a Dodge Grand Caravan and we were camping much of the time.
We had started out on June 30, 1998 with our first stop being the Grand Canyon. I may do other posts on some of the other places we went and what we saw. It was a trip to remember.
Anyway, July 4 we woke up at a campsite right on a lake in Boysen State Park. This was near Shoshoni, Wyoming. Our plan for the day was to head towards Montana. We were looking for “the spot” in the mountains of Wyoming along the way. “The spot” is a place my (ex)husband had stopped at on a previous trip and he swore it was the most beautiful place on Earth.
We did actually find it near Ten Sleep, Wyoming. There was a little turn out on the highway so we stopped. There was a river and lots of trees and it was very pretty but at 9700ft elevation the air was too thin for me to want to do much exploring.
Onward to Montana. We we’re headed to Greasy Grass aka Custer Battlefield. We got to the general vacinity around dusk and the big debate was whether to camp or drive 15-20 miles further on and look for a motel. There were 7 of us so finding rooms wasn’t always easy.
We decided to camp at this place that was basically a wide strip of grass next to the railroad tracks with a store/office at the entrance. We got out of the van and we’re immediately attacked by swarms of mosquitos. Eyes, ears, nose….nothing was safe. A quick run to the store for a can of Off and we were ready to set up the tents.
I was thinking about the fact that it was the 4th and there were no fireworks and looking at the sky. There was lightning flashing all along the horizon so I figured Mother Nature was giving us a little show. It was windy but we didn’t expect rain.
I was tired so I went to sleep early with my younger daughter. It didn’t seem like I’d been asleep very long when I heard shouting outside the tent. My (ex) husband poked his head in and told me to get our daughter and our stuff and get in the van, NOW! Half asleep I asked what was going on.
What was going on was a tornado warning. Now I’m from Southern California. I’ve lived there my whole life. I’ve never seen or been anywhere near a tornado and I was scared to death!
We all piled back into the van to wait. I don’t remember why just sitting in the van was the plan but that’s what we did. I was freaking out but I had to “be brave” for my daughters.
Some hours(felt like years) later we were told it was okay to get back into our tents. The tornado had touched down in the town we were going to look for a motel in.
So, that was my most memorable 4th of July. Mother Nature provided the show.
King Ben's Grandma 
Wow! Very memorable indeed! Coming from a place where tornados are scarce, I bet that was scary for you! They are kind of old hat here in Kansas, but I still get spooked. Thanks for sharing your memories, friend. Enjoyed reading! 😘😘😘
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That was my first and only brush with a tornado. I hope never to encounter one again.
Earthquakes, I’m used to. I don’t even bat an eye but I know other people are terrified by the thought of them. I guess it’s all in what you’re used to.
My bio father family is from Kansas. I spent a miserable month in St Francis, Kansas when I was 8.
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Yes, I imagine it’s all about what you’re used to. I have heard of St. Francis, but never been that way. Sorry to hear it has bad memories for you. 💜💜💜
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Wowza! Sounded beautiful and like a really nice trip (until the tornado came along!) How scary! No fireworks needed – just Mother Nature!
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It was a great trip overall. We stayed off the interstates and saw some beautiful parts of the country. I’m not a huge fan of fireworks but I’ll take them over a tornado any day. 😉🎆🎇🌪
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Oh wow, that’s got to be memorable. Funny, isn’t it, how you really want to freak out, but if there is someone you have to protect or whatever, somehow you find the resources to stay calm.
I’ve never been near a tornado, but I remember the descriptions from “Little House on the Prairie” – frightening!
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It was terrifying to me. Holding myself together for my daughters is the only thing that kept me from losing it completely. I’m really glad there aren’t tornados where I live.
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Now that was a 4th to remember. That was a high altitude of 9000 feet plus. In itself it would take the energy out of us. Nice trip down memory lane. Thank you for letting us be a part of it.
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We traveled through some beautiful country on that trip. Staying off the interstates is the way to *really* see the country. I really enjoy your trips, I’m glad you liked mine😀
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Isn’t it great to have such awesome memories of places we have visited. You are so right about getting off the main roads to really see the countryside. Our best moments are when we go into small towns or back roads only to find that gem of a site or person to talk with.
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Reblogged this on King Ben's Grandma and commented:
With Independence Day just around the corner, I wanted to share my favorite July 4th with all my wonderful WordPress family. Yes, this is a re-blog. Some of you will remember the story, but some of you joined me after this was written.
Think of the Griswold’s Vacations when you read this. Our family vacations we’re often similar to the Griswold’s.
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Wow! That does sound like a memorable 4th! A tornado is a very scary thing. I was out running one time when a man on his porch told me there was a tornado approaching. I ran into a nearby convenience store to wait it out. I thought the glass in the store’s windows was going to break, but it held. All of the customers were huddled in one corner of the store with the employees. Thank goodness the tornado didn’t hit the store!
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Yikes! All that glass would be scary. I’ve lived in Southern California my whole life and think nothing of earthquakes but tornados are still scary to me. 🚫🌪
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Our plan was to go into the walk-in refrigerator if we needed to!
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Good plan👍
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I can see why that would be memorable for sure. I love camping, and that would have freaked me out too. Thank God you at least heard the warnings, it could have been much worse.
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Definitely could have been worse. We almost went to the town where it touched down😧
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