We checked out of our hotel and signed the paperwork for the van, which were both located in Cathedral Junction. Our plan was to spend the night a couple of blocks away at the campground attached to Glouchester hostel. Len wanted to get our shopping done first so we drove about 4 blocks to south city mall and were in the grocery store when the earthquake hit.





First there was a loud noise like a jet and then the most violent shaking up down and sideways, lasting about 15 sec. The store was chaos , screaming, sirens, and bottles popping on the floor. As soon as it stopped we headed out and withing a minute the parking lot looked like a geyser bsin with water and sewer bubbling thru the pavement. We had no idea where to go but figured away from the city there was less to fall on us so we joined the massive traffic jam and headed west finally stopping at Springfield to camp. It felt good to have nothing but a camper over our heads. There were several aftershocks that we felt in the van. We were so fortunate, it is heartbreaking the loss of life and a beautiful city in ruins.