Around 4 p.m. MDT today an elm at the outside corner of our backyard took a hit. Fortunately the tree grounded the bolt, but it blew bark and wood off -- I haven't been out to see all the damage. A few minutes later a I saw a bolt come down and I could not count one second before the thunder sounded -- it must have been about 500 feet away.

I will flat out TELL you that having a tree hit by lightning just outside your backyard is NOT the best way to awaken from a nap. I'm lucky I didn't have to change the sheets!