It is unfortunate that the first evening of Folk on the Rocks was cut short, but with lightning it is better to be safe than sorry.
If a lightning bolt landed amid a crowd, it can kill and injure several people. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, two to three people each year are killed by lightning and 180 people are injured. But I suspect those numbers may be under-reporting things.
Years ago, when I first starting working in mineral exploration, I was way out on the barrens helping to put in a geophysical grid. I was working alone at the far end of the grid when a rather noisy mid-afternoon storm suddenly rolled in. I decided it was time to head back to camp SA国际影视传媒� a two hour walk.
Squalls of rain and wind soon hit with a lot of lightning and thunder all around me.
The experts say when a storm like this occurs, one should take shelter in a vehicle or building. I looked around. Nope, no vehicles nor buildings in sight. No caves or anywhere to shelter in place, out of the rain. So, no alternative but to hike back to camp. I was also the tallest thing around and I was surrounded by a spectacular light and sound show. Nothing like a good powerful storm to make you feel alive, assuming, of course, you survive it.
As I was walking, playing in my head was a song by Roger Miller, slightly altered to fit the situation, of course:
Thunder rolling, lightning flashing,
Right through the middle of it,
I go dashing,
Goes to show donSA国际影视传媒檛 you know,
Just how silly I am.
I threw the word silly into the song because as I walked, I realized I was carrying my metal prospector's pick, which might be considered a lightning rod. I debated leaving it behind but that seemed silly. A true prospector never leaves his or her rock hammer behind. I did toy with the idea of putting it in my day pack, but that would put the hammer right square in the middle of my back. That seemed like a rather tempting target.
I thought about it some more. I had various metal objects all over and I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 about to leave any of them behind. I would just have to take my chances and hope that the god of lightening wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 out to get me.
So, to feel better I changed the word silly to dedicated.
I know the experts say walking through a storm is not the best idea, but I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 see how I had any choice, and they recommend crouching down, which didnSA国际影视传媒檛 seem feasible either.
I was getting soaked and I wanted to go back to camp and put on some dry clothes. Sometimes when working in the wild you just got to do what you got to do.
So, I switched to singing Roger Miller's most famous song: 'Trailers for sale or rent.' Singing a happy little song helps in situations like this.
One thing I did learn about lightning when I was reading up on it is that the clouds carry an electric charge and as they move along. Underneath the clouds, another electric charge moves along through the ground. When those two charges get big enough, SA国际影视传媒淲HAM! BANG!SA国际影视传媒� A bolt of lightning connects the two.
So, if you happen to feel a tingling sensation as the hairs on the back of your neck pick up the charge and stand on end, you better get down because the charges are about to unite.
Electrical storms are one of natureSA国际影视传媒檚 most impressive phenomena. As mark Twain said: SA国际影视传媒淭hunder is good, thunder is impressive, but it is lightning that does all the work.SA国际影视传媒�
So, if humans ever figure out how to harness the power of lightning, that will be a whole new clean energy source.
