a severe thunderstorm

I was camping in Badlands National Park a few summers ago. I was tucked into my tent, after a beautiful day of exploring a fascinating landscape and watching the sunset all by myself in the silence of rocks. It was magical.

I awoke at some point in the darkness, to the flash of distant lighting and the gentle roll of thunder from far away.

Knowing full well that the Badlands have their name for a reason, I looked at the weather radar on my phone and was met with a giant bright red cloud slowly moving right towards me.

A severe thunderstorm was coming.

I made the decision to abandon my tent and try to wait it out in my car, just out of a precaution.

As I closed my eyes to try and rest, I heard the wind start to pick up, rain began dripping from above, and when I peeked my eyes open, I was met with a incoming wave of cloud.

The wind rushed against my car, shaking it like nothing I had experienced before.
Lighting tore open the sky in every direction.
Thunder boomed underneath the roar of the breeze.

I looked back at my tent, which was now as flat as a pancake.

I shoved the door open and ran out in the storm, watching other people’s tent and tarps go FLYING in the night air. I took the important things into my car, tried hammering down the stakes deeper into the ground, and even cried a little bit.

Then, it all suddenly stopped.

It was one of the most insane experiences of my life, and, to this day, every time there is a harsh breeze, I flash back to that moment.

Sometimes nature interrupts all your plans.

Just like getting sick, and having to take a sick day from work…

The Door Trail in Badlands National Park: