If you've been following the news (and who around here doesn't), you know that a large portion of the country is being affected by severe winter weather. Starting last night around 6:30, we in West-Central Illinois were hit by an ice storm that lasted throughout the evening. We lost power around 10:30 last night and didn't get our power back on until twenty-two hours later at 8:30 this evening. As time passed, I was in awe of the power of Mother Nature. Follow me over the jump for the pictures.
First, the Beauty.
We awoke to some amazing sights.
Now, the Fury.
As we awoke, we were greeted by the sounds of tree's groaning, straining, and eventually succumbing to the weight of the ice.
As my wife said, it was both beautiful and tragic at the same time.
All in all it was twenty-two hours without electricity (except for those three or four trips to the Wi-Fi cafes so I could check DailyKos). We're calling it our "Little House on the Prairie Experience." (I know, not really.)
Here's hoping everyone weathers the storm as successfully as we did. Stay safe out there!