September 5, 2009

We left on Friday night for an overnight trip up to Prescott, AZ to escape the heat in the valley and make the most of the long weekend. The town itself was really cute - quaint Main Street, arts festival, lots of local people - but we were in for another surprise as far as the weather was concerned.

On Saturday morning we woke up and headed into the town. We checked out the festival booths and then decided to head to the outskirts to see a couple lakes. They have beautiful granite formations all around them - very picturesque. As we were there, it started drizzling, so we decided to head to the Olive Garden for lunch.

While we were eating, the heavens opened! It was probably the hardest rain I have ever seen, which turned to hail (yes, in Arizona!) and the worst (yet coolest!) lightening and thunder we've ever experienced. There was a 30 second break in the rain when we ran to the car, but as we were driving, the lightening was so close that it wasn't even white anymore. One that we thought was exceptionally close was actually pink! But that was nothing! We were driving (very slowly and cautiously) around a roundabout when lightening struck the utility pole not 100 feet behind us! There was a very bright white light and then a blinding blue flash as it stuck, followed by sparks falling from the hit. It was intense!!

All that to say, we cut the day short and headed home. It was fun while it lasted.