full moon hike?

I had this brilliant idea on my last walk up Stone Mountain that it would be really fun to climb it on a full moon night.  I checked online for the next full moon and it was July 3.  I posted an invitation on my class and the first year class facebook pages.  I didn't expect a huge response since many people feel the need to go out and party when there's no school the next day, especially with the first year class celebrating finishing their first anatomy exam.

As the time got closer, it looked like there would be a group of five to ten people.  The plan was to drive off toward Stone Mountain around 7:15, giving us plenty of time to get to the top before moonrise (8:48 PM) and sunset (8:51 PM).  Around 5:30 the rain started, and quickly turned to thunderstorms.  Texts and phone calls flew back and forth, and people were still willing to try it.

Six intrepid souls chose to make the trek - one third year, one second year (me), and four first year DPT students.  We started out from Stone Mountain Village in a free parking lot and walked toward Stone Mountain Park.  It was raining, but not too hard - one person had a raincoat, and three umbrellas went up.  The granite was a little slippery, but not bad, and the rain kept the temperature reasonable.  There was still lightning, but it seemed pretty far away.

The sunset was pretty cool when we got close to the top, the sun glowing red through the clouds.  The rain had let up somewhat.

red sunset

arriving at the top with raindrops glowing in the camera flash

The rain started up again as we got to the top and didn't let up again until sometime late that night.  AND the lightning and thunder started up again, closer and closer.

group shot in a gazebo at the top
l-r: katherine, ashley, moire, me, sultan, dan

We made our way back down, slipping and sliding - some more than others.  Right after we left the top, there was an extra-bright flash of lightning and nearly instantaneous thunder.  I happened to glance back at the end of the flash, and I'm pretty sure lightning struck at the top!  Nevertheless, we all made it back to the cars in one piece, and a good time was had by all.  We're hoping to try again some other full moon night, hopefully without the thunderstorms.

A garden update: my plants are doing well except that some bug seems to be eating any new growth on my cherry tomato plant - leaves, flowers, and fruit!

the biggest cucumber i currently have growing

ripening cherry tomatoes

lettuce

Happy Fourth of July, all!!