In the south we always get thunder storms. Where ever you are you can hear the thunder of the storms coming in your direction. Yes it may take a long time but they are on they're way.

If by chance you are not close to the windows then you just hear the thunder and you do not see the skies lite up from the lightening. Yes I remember someone telling me that once you see the lightening then you count the seconds before you hear the thunder. Every second that goes by equals to one mile in distance that the storm is away from you.

I suppose it can be going away or coming at you it is the same one second per mile.

Ever since the first Jurassic Park movie in 1993 when I hear the thunder I think of dinosaurs walking around. The big foot landing on the ground making a huge sound heard miles and miles away. The lightening crack pops then a minute later another big crack sound from the thunder excites me and I think of a dinosaur is walking towards my house. 

I'm sure that is how it sounded. You would hear them walking miles and miles away. The crushing sounds the ground shaking with each step and as they would getting closer and closer. You'd stop and watch for them. Just as you think you can tell where they will step out from the trees near where you are hiding a large flat bottomed foot would land on you and oops splat like you do with a bug. Then the little shadow monsters would sneak out and carry you away.

Sitting in the woods millions of years ago with your tribe and hearing the loud noise far in the distance then every once in a while the extreme loud scream of a dinosaur. The earth would shake as the huge living creature walked slowed across the country side in serach of food, water or safety. Trees shaking as the dinosaurs walked along the open areas into the deep forests.

Constant tremors as the hundreds of huge animals walked around during the day light hours.

Listening for them as you explored new areas and always watching out for the little flesh eating dinosaurs.

Life would have been always scary knowing that you entire body would have been just a snack to them.