A brilliant, almost blinding, flash of fractured lightning dances across the darkened mountain valley. Vance always enjoyed watching Mother Nature's light shows, they are more like huge fireworks displays. Always wonderful explosions of color and light that could never be duplicated by man.
A few seconds later the distant sound of thunder reaches his ears. He was always enthralled as the lightning flashed across ridge lines and hill tops, briefly illuminating everything around it in mystical silver blue-light. Vance knew of a few spots that provided for the best view of these light shows. Most of them, of course, were on high scenic overlooks from the many mountain passes. There was no rain, and would not be; just the breath taking and dangerous thunderstorm. The air felt heavy and fresh, saturated with electricity. He was amazed at the fierceness of the storm, knowing the dangers that could follow. It was not uncommon for these "dry" storms to strike the mountain park. It was considered a semi-arid region, and had below average rainfall every year. Of course, the snow and cold in winter made up for it.
A mountain park is a high mountain plateau surrounded on all sides by continuous mountain ranges. This particular mountain park, South Park, has elevations ranging from 9,000 feet to around 10,400 feet, and encompasses 2,200 square miles. It is surrounded by The Continental Divide on the north and east, the Mosquito Range with it's "14'ers" on the West, Kenosha Pass, Tarryall Mountains, and Puma Hills to the South and East. No matter which direction you went, to get out of South Park you had to cross a mountain pass. Being on the southern side of the Continental Divide, it seldom rained, and could be bitter cold in the winter with nearly hurricane force winds.
Vance never did like rain, he knew it was necessary and helpful, but didn't like it. He would rather work in below-freezing weather and snow than rain. There was something about being soaked throuh that brought his spirits down and left him in a frustrated mood. It seemed to him that the rain hampered every effort he made to complete his projects. Snow, on the other hand, was an insulator and left a clean fresh slate every time. During rain storms Vance regularly found himself longing for winter to arrive, and quickly.
Vance was concerned for the potential of fires caused by the storm. He dreaded the possibility of many acres of forested land that could be laid to waste, or someones home destroyed. But still he watched, waited and wondered where it would strike next. The anticipation of the event keeping him frozen in place like a child waiting to open that first gift on Christmas Day. Then the lightning would strike again, fracturing and sending rivulets of light bounding from unseen object to unseen object. Never the same, always a slightly different shade or intensity and color, expressing Mother Nature's creativity for all to see and appreciate. Moving closer, always closer.
The thunder came a little quicker, louder, and seemed to roll along the hills, forcing its way through his consciousness. Time between spectacular visual display and the ever-increasing auditory response became shorter and shorter, like a countdown to some profound happening. The air became charged with a intensive feel of electricity that sent chills up his spine, and left Vance with goose bumps. As the storm moved ever closer, and became more and more violent and dangerous. Vance sought the safety of his truck where he could watch as the storm encompassed his sanctuary and then passed.
Once the storm moved on, leaving Vance feeling sated and refreshed, he could return home for a tranquil and absolute sleep.
Just a bit of fiction, Vance is not a real person and not intended to reflect any real person except perhaps me. Based on my own favorite pass time of watching lightning storms in the mountains of South Park.
I thought I might "test the waters" and see what every body thought of some of my stuff. I have quite a few things like this, but no real stories to go with them yet. Maybe I'll come up with some ideas for a running chapter book. I need a plot!
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