OK, it’s not really. But when I first saw this cloud, a few minutes before this was taken and before it began to dissipate, that’s exactly what it looked like. A mushroom cloud.
I’m not sure what it is. It looks exactly like a volcano erupting, and indeed, we have those around here. But there isn’t a mountain where this cloud is. On the horizon, it’s between Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams, cozied up to Mount Adams (that’s Mount Adams right to the left of it).
Mars thinks it’s a forest fire. He says they release a lot of water vapor in the afternoon.
Regardless, here’s my point: it’s a beautiful summer day. About 78 degrees, blue sky with only a few, scattered clouds, bright sunshine. These days are why we live here! But driving home from church, I saw the mushroom cloud in the sky, and it occurred to me how illusionary these idyllic days are. Things could change at any second, without warning — just as they at 8:46 a.m. on a momentous Tuesday in September, seven years ago.
It’s a good reminder to enjoy and appreciate these halycon days while they last.
ETA: Mars was right. It’s a forest fire, burning near Mount Adams.
July 14, 2008 at 5:36 pm |
Oh, It does look like a mushroom cloud. It would make me stop and stare for a bit.