A glorious rainbow arcs over the town of Tropic, Utah, with Powell’s Point in Escalante National Monument as its backdrop, after an afternoon rainstorm.
Photo credit: Rose Muenker
The monsoon season, as the locals call it, has arrived in southern Utah. While heavy afternoon rains may dampen the spirits of tourists in Bryce Canyon National Park, I relish them.
Dark, brooding clouds gather in the sky and then drop buckets of water on the parched earth below. The temperature drops at least 10 degrees. Thunder growls; lightning flashes. The rain plays on our RV rooftop like a passionate percussionist.
Then the storm suddenly stops. Sun peeks around the clouds. And a glorious rainbow arcs across the sky.
Shortly, any sign of rain has disappeared—no puddles, no water gushing down washes. But the colors of the rocks and trees look fresh and crisp. The world looks brighter.
Ah, afternoon rain storms in the desert—how lovely they are!
