!!!!!!!!!!!!

I decided to ride my bike to Mt. Pleasant to catch a matinee movie, and when I got out, I could barely see the end of the parking lot! It was raining SOOOOO hard...I weighed my options: wait it out or enjoy the moment. Any guesses what I picked? I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes: "some people walk in the rain, and others just get wet." I mean how often do you get to ride your bike through a wall of water? Carpe diem...

As I raced up the bridge back downtown, the rain slowed to a spit, and I could see a break between storms. To the north, an orange hue blanketed the horizon and overhead the dark clouds swirled, threatening another deluge. The next wall of rain was just west of downtown, and as I feverishly pedaled to get off the highest structure in Charleston, I could literally watch it move to the east directly towards me. Lightning was striking all around, and it was one of those moments where you ask yourself, "Is this it?" I know I'm a little dramatic here, but it's amazing how raw nature can make you feel vulnerable enough to question your own permanence. I think I set a record for crossing the bridge East to West because I convinced my body that nothing was more important than getting to street level on East Bay. With only 400 yards left, the rain hit me like a ton of bees stinging my exposed skin...it was one of my most intense moments in recent memory. Then the hail started. That hurt even more, but I kept my legs pumping thinking of only the lightning overhead. Finally, I hit East Bay and rode north to Huger...the outside seating at Taco Boy was abandoned. Ahead, I saw police lights at the intersection of Huger and King where the water was literally 2 1/2 feet deep! I threw my bike into granny gear and pedaled through the newly formed lake...when I finally got home, my cheeks were hurting because I had been smiling since I left the movie theater! I was and am still completely high...probably why this post is a little intense. So much for a 4.8 inch rain deficit, I hope my veggies weren't damaged in the storm.

The pic is the front of my house...notice my recently landscaped plants swimming for air. Glad I moved my car earlier :P