Hey Kids,

It’s said that lightning doesn’t strike twice. I’m not really concerned with that. I’m really more concern with the first time.

Last night riding home, it seemed that all was well. The skies were a bit gray but not bad. I could see all the way across the valley so it wasn’t raining anywhere close.

Instead of rushing home like I should have, I stopped at the store and did some shopping for dinner. I took my time. Made some good purchases including a killer deal on some pork chops. Yum!

When I exited the store, the weather had changed dramatically. The sky had darkened to a black and the rain had begun to fall. No, more like tumble. In buckets, mind you. It’s ok I can take wet. I packed the saddle bags with my groceries and headed off for the short 8 mile ride home. It turned out to be a long 8 miles.

I took the route that wraps through a residential area, past the mouth of a canyon along a forested road, past the Utah State Capitol Building, and thru the Industrial section of North Salt Lake City. My home lies in just the next town, just inside of city limits. There really isn’t any cover to dodge under along this route.

The Lightening began as soon as I venture out of the store’s parking lot.

At first it was still a ways out. I was able to count a few counts before the thunder. That changed. By the time I got to the capitol, the delay had vanished and the crack of the thunder would nearly shake me off the bike. The flash became like spotlights and I thought it only a matter of time before one hit me. I guess it was good to be a moving target.

Similar storm, next day; and watching it from the inside.

I don’t have a death wish and had I thought of a really good place to stop, I might have, But I had another thought run through my head. If I got struck by lightning, it would be immediate and I wouldn’t know it happened. I would either be gone for good or wake up in a hospital some time later. If it wanted me, it would have me. It was just complete random; there was nothing I could do to stop or alter it. Riding in a serpentine would only leave me on the road longer.

I rode through and stopped thinking about it and enjoyed the ride, as miserable as it was. And I lived to tell about it.

If you’re in a lightning storm it’s probably best to stop. But if you don’t- you made your decision, accept it.

Harsh? Maybe. But it’s my harsh and I’m sticking to it.

Don’t ever ride scared.

On a bike or through Life.

There’s not a whole lot of difference.

Day 85