The Lightning and the Tree

Just as we were settling in and un-packing a huge thunder and lightning storm started.  Donnie and UB were out on the porch having a beer when the loudest crash of thunder we've ever heard struck...  

Later we went to investigate and found that the lightning had struck this huge tree about a quarter mile from the house.

The tree had been about 80 feet high.

The force of the strike was so great that it drove this huge piece of wood straight into the ground.

PaPa and Gracie cleared the tree trunk out of the road.

She's getting big, but not too big for her Daddy to carry down the mountain.

Dad and Grace brought back a souvenir... part of the burnt wood from the trunk of the tree.