Hello, everyone! Well, we got the mother of all ice storms in SD! It's still raging in fact. Hundreds of trees are down in the streets, some of 'em three feet in diameter. I don't remember ever seeing it quite this bad. We're supposed to get a foot or two of snow tonite, too.

Power is out over many areas. Mine is back on but the 'net is out, tree took out the cable line. On the bright side, it landed on my garage instead of my house.

I'm checking in from a local coffee shop/cafe. Sucks not having internet!

Glad you're okay and that you have power at home.

Sorry to hear that Phaedrus. Hope you and yours are doing well. South Dakota can be harsh indeed. I write a western series based there.

On the bright side, I had lamps, a butane stove, candles, dozens of flashlights and stored water! Being prepared makes it less of a struggle.

Next time, though, I gotta make sure my Kindle is charged!

One nice thing about so many rechargeable devices using USB is that I don't have to maintain a large selection of wall warts to keep things going. Each BOB has a small LiPo battery for recharging our phones, and my laptop bag has a larger one that I can use for my phone or my iPad. I backed Waka Waka Power on Kickstarter, so the small batteries in the BOBs will be replaced with those.

Other options for us include running a car, running the generator, or using one of the jumpstarters we keep in each car. One of those will run a smartphone or a Kindle for at least a week of heavy usage.

Pssstttt! Yeah you! Over here! Got this newfangled invention we call books and magazines. Shhh! Don't tell anyone, they'll want 'em too. LMAO. Glad to hear you made it through okay. Are you far from the Black Hills?

One day it could be gone forever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wtmG-FH8eY

yep it could, Am-Fear. Just like that new series Revolution. They walk almost as much as the people in the Lord of the Rings LOL

WOW! Glad to hear you are OK,sorry about the tree.

Stay safe, Phaedrus. Would love to hear the full after-action report once the snow melts.