It was the first week of my new job at a farm near Hummelstown. On Friday it was a clear sunny day and unusually warm for late February. I was trimming the cherry trees that were in full bloom. What a beautiful day I was thinking. The bees were enjoying the nectar of the flowers. I took off my shirt and undershirt to get my first suntan of the season. Late morning I felt weak and depressed which is not like me at all. I sat down in the pickup and wondered if I was getting sick or something. I later went back to my place on the square in Hummelstown to get lunch. It was at that time that I first heard about the meltdown news. What conflicting and confusing information! Did not know what to do. Ended up going back to work since it was a new job. That weekend was my first in the area, and it seemed most everyone else left the area. Felt kind of abandoned and alone.
I sat down in the pickup and wondered if I was getting sick or something.
The farm was 11 miles from TMI and I often wondered what direction the wind was blowing that first day. I could usually see the steam rising on the horizon from the nuclear plant cooling towers. I ended up staying at my new place and not leaving.
I did see the movie China Syndrome soon after the real event.
Driving by the island was always kind of a spooky and ominous experience, even today.
Daniel