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August 11, 2005
Driving Through a Painting (4)
The drive back from Dalhart was possibly the most incredible I have experienced. Sadly, the drive is usually beautiful solely for its desolation; a wasteland, devoid of trees other than scraggly mesquite trees no taller than bushes.
We started before the sun came up. In the distance, lighting lit towering thunderheads that loomed in our path. I have seen only 2 other light shows that were as impressive-- one of them along the same stretch of highway. There is something about the prairie in the Texas Panhandle. The powerful storms that rumble across the fields will take your breath (or scare the hell out of you if you are a small child). As it turned out, we skirted along the edge of the nasty storm. Even on its edges, rain pounded the windshield, blinding a weary driver.
Once the rain slowed to a patter, the sun began to rise. To the west was a pitch black sky; to the east were water-colored high clouds at the storm's fringe-- dark purples and reds, brilliant orange. We were headed into a dream, and I kicked myself for not stopping sooner to take some photos. By the time I realized that I was missing a chance to capture a beauty that the plains rarely afford, the sun had made its way above the horizon.
The rest of the morning was colored in the soft tones of the sun passing through silk. High clouds refracted its light, bringing out the lush, new green of plants that had been revived by only a day or two of recent rain. That fresh green made the afternoon drive a wonder. Days before, we had passed through a dry, brown countryside. Now the world was filled with vibrant colors and rolling clouds.
Late in the afternoon, the drive ended as it began with a rattling thunderstorm.
Posted by Rich at August 11, 2005 10:51 AM
Comments
Sweet! It's not always you get to enjoy something that good on such a long drive. Isn't that chicken great? (And this coming from the man that HATES chicken!)
Posted by: jeremy at August 11, 2005 3:29 PM
Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon Salt is a great way to bake a whole chicken. Too bad I didn't have time to make the cherry crostata...
Posted by: Rich at August 11, 2005 4:11 PM
Yeah, pittin' cherries is a blast!!
Posted by: jeremy at August 11, 2005 4:51 PM
Nice entry, Rich.
Posted by: J.D. at August 12, 2005 7:53 AM
