Flood Gates

Thursday, June 30th

Miami to Orlando.  An easy 258 mile drive.  My step-sister Jenny lives in Orlando and graciously offered her apartment as my resting place for the night.  It was an overcast day, and for most of the day I was lucky with the weather.  With just 50 miles to my destination, dark, evil clouds hurried their way to where I was, and sat teasing for a moment.  Then the flood gates opened.  I stopped and quickly put my rain gear on, with thunder as the soundtrack for this minute long event.  Torrential downpour ensued and my rain gear was no match.  I knew I was five miles from a service plaza, and blindly rode with my hazard lights on hoping not to get pummeled from behind by a big rig.  It rained so hard that I could not see five feet in front of me, and just as I got to the service plaza, it lightened up a bit.  I parked, and took off my rain gear.  I was soaking wet and while disappointed I wasn't able to stay dry, happy I was safe.  After hours of sitting, and watching the lightning, hoping each flash would be the last, the weather finally broke.  I finished the 50 miles, dampened both physically and mentally.  Thanks for the place to (lightning) crash Jenny!