A Family Reunion Not Soon to be Forgotten by Iceshark39
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Description
Well, today was supposed to be our annual family reunion at a really lovely campground called Thousand Trails.
I noticed odd clouds on the drive to the campgrounds...ones that were normally associated with what you see when it rains. As if some artist had been painting the clouds and carelessly let their fan brush slip from their hand at the base of the clouds. But I paid it little mind.
Now, despite the fact that it was hotter than...well, let's just leave it at it was HOT!!! Things started to get kind of weird when thunder started rolling with a fairly clear sky (and did I mention it was HOT??). Then came a lightning flash.
Again, oddities were that, while still hot (not really muggy) there was a random rain shower. And while a welcome reprieve, it was still weird.
We were in a location that we could see three workers tending to replacing some coils on the towers on the hills behind the campgrounds, and the chopper that was bringing them the new and hauling away the old equipment.
They high tailed it out of there when the thunder started.
The heat had been getting to me so I went to cool off in a trailer my Uncle and Aunt had rented and were staying in to cool off for a while and talk on the phone. The thunder continued while I was cooling off and I checked outside occasionally to see if there was any further lightning.
Then, shock of shocks, on one check, I chanced to see a vivid flare of red at the base of one of the power towers that had been being worked on earlier in the day. I booked it back to our group and was calling 911 to report the fire. As I was on the phone to Emergency operators I experienced a sky bound lightning strike (I apologize for not knowing the 'official' meteorological name for this, but it's the first time I've ever seen it in person in my life and it scared the heck outta me!)
While we were, at the time, not in immediate danger, the Rangers of the park advised us to 'do what we felt we needed to feel safe." While we all watched this fire grow.
This shot was taken after reporting the fire to the authorities and being told by the park Rangers that we did, indeed, need to evacuate the park, from the over the top of our car before we got the heck out of Dodge.
I will try to post other images -- if not of the fire, at least of the odd cloud formations that I managed to capture during the day.
This shot was just as a large tree was consumed. As we were leaving I turned to look at the fire and noticed that the larger tower (right) had sections that seemed to be burning).
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This image is NOT retouched or postworked other than to studio stamp.
Photo (c) 2008 Twilight Productions
Comments (21)
Richardphotos
too bad about your ruined day in the park.I just seen on the news that many CA firefighters are battling fires.excellent capture
SWard80
Looks like Thor got a little carried away (bad joke, sorry) I'm just glad you're safe, hun. Great job on the capture, that's really amazing you were at the right place at the right time to get it. Hope that they manage to contain this one before it gets too out of hand.
tennesseecowgirl
Oh how I remember the fires out West... never ending it seems.. were you able to move the party elsewhere?
bluedarkmoon
WOW... !!!! Great shot you made, really breath taking....
johnny_damnit
nice picture glad your ok.
DarkStormCrow
Nice shot!
zaqxsw
Stunning picture Stacey! Every once in a while mother nature reminds us whoes boss!
durleybeachbum
What a story!
RubyT
OMG, I know it's bad there for the fires! Awesome capture!!
drace68
Glad you're safe. Close, too close.
rainbows
So glad you are all safe. Impressive capture and write up. Thank you for sharing. Diane.
myquad
Incredible capture and I'm so glad you made it out safe. Thank you for the most interesting write-up!
junge1
Sorry about your ruined get together, but what a shot. Looks dangerous!
Darkwish
I so sorry about it! But cool shot!
Bebe160
Jolie photo.
deemarie
Great color, balance and composition. I especially like how you juxtaposed the deadly flames nestled within the serenity of the countryside. Dee-Marie
frankie96
This will no doubt be a family legend in the years to come..:) sorry the reunion was shortlived...
Mad-Mike
Very nice capture...and ahh yes these crazy fires are still going! have a great day!
dbyrd
Forces out of control! Great bio with the image.Luckily you can always have another get together with the family.
cordisco
Great write-up,and very nice image,at the right time.
robintemplar
All I can say is....WOW!! Thank God that you're safe!! Great photo capture and compelling story!! Hugz, Robin