Maclean, That was the sort of lightning. No sound at all. The area covered by the electrical storm went from the east side of Yosemite to the Bay Area, so was at least 250 miles wide. The temperature in Mocassin (tiny town at 1000' before major grade uphill) was 98 degrees in the morning and 81 degrees at 1:30 a.m. when returning. I shudder to think of what the daytime temperatures were like in the Central Valley!!! That had to be a contributor. August thunderstorms in the domelands are an incredible experience. I was somewhere above 10,000' one afternoon a few years back, singing "I've seen fire and I've seen rain" at the top of my voice. The air was pinkish with all of the strikes, but the neck hairs weren't tingling. I wasn't too concerned about standing in flowing water over granite, since they weren't going to strike my dome. Just a great day to be alive. :) Speaking of which... how was your birthday? Carolly