A close call with a fallen tree

I enjoyed a weekend camping with my son and his cub scout pack in Northeast Jersey (alright, I'll let it out; I'm a cub master). On Saturday at around 7:30 PM, it started to pour, and then the winds kicked up.

The rain sounded like exploding popcorn kernels pelting the tent. My fitful sleep in the tent was interrupted by a the terrifying sound of a big tree splitting, falling, then crashing. The ground shook. And then it hit me.. Judging by the sound and location of the impact, the tree HAD to have fallen close to the tent inhabited by a man and his two young sounds. I listened for the sound of people in pain, praying that I wouldn't have to lift a tree off gravely wounded or mangled people.

I shined my flashlight out towards the direction of the fallen tree. WHEW. Their orange tent was still standing!

In the morning I surveyed the scene and saw that the dead tree had missed my fellow campers by about 15 feet.

You never know... You never know...