How many times have I denied myself things that I’ve wanted in life? And I’m not talking about expensive and unattainable things, like a brand new yellow Dodge Viper or having Clive Owen wrap his big manly arms around me, but I’m talking about the little things. How many times has something popped in my head, where I just wanted to do a spur of the moment type thing, but then I sigh and say forget it, it probably isn’t worth it anyways? Well on this particular day, I decided ‘what’s the harm, let’s go do it no matter how ridiculous or stupid it may sound.’ That’s when I decided to go storm chasing…

The dark clouds rolled in behind the Superstition Mountains and for a split second I thought, ‘this is it… Satan has come to collect his debt.’ I pondered what’d I say to him if he did appear in my midst… hopefully he at least looks like Clive Owen. (Oh and by the way I am a very heterosexual male but who doesn’t melt at the sound of Clive’s deep hypnotic voice.) My nervousness turned to joy as I saw curtains of rain scattered throughout the mountain valley underneath the satanic clouds. It was a storm! And not one of those annoying Arizona storms that are simply dark clouds rolling by, as if to tease us, but an actual storm with rain! One of the most amazing feelings to me in this world is being outside when it rains. I wanted to feel the rain so bad!

As the clouds drifted deeper into the Superstition Mountains, I finished my duties with Shadow (my black gelding quarterhorse) and then got ready to head back home. I sighed as I pulled my car out to route 88 and adoringly looked back at the sky in the distance. I wish I could be in it… wait a second… why don’t I just drive over there? Seriously, what is stopping me? So I did. I turned my car around and headed back to the mountainous horizon. My blood began pumping as I weaved in and out the curves of the roads, hot on the tail of the storm. I felt so alive… and even though the radio was not on, I began to sing at the top of my lungs. I can’t remember all the songs… but I know for a fact I was singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”

And every window, including my sunroof, was rolled open. I could literally smell the rain! And eventually I got close enough to where a few rain droplets painted my windshield, but the storm continued to elude me. It was moving fast and in a direction that I could not get to by the only road that went through these parts.

So I did what any rational person would do… I drove back to the city and then ventured down the highway towards Globe, which for the unfamiliar is completely on the other side of the mountain range. This story is getting long so I will just cut to the chase and say my actions weren’t in vain as I reached a downpour miles and miles from the Mesa valley. It was worth it… but to tell you the truth, it would have been worth it even if I hadn’t reached the rain. I’m starting to realize that things are all about the journey… that’s where the fun, adventure, and life’s special moments are… in the actual journey. That’s why I need to start going for things I want, even if it is bleak and I don’t see any possible way that I could achieve it or reach that pinnacle… because at least then I will know that I tried and maybe I just need to find a different route to finally get to where I’ve always wanted to be.

But yes, the rain was amazing, and as I frolicked around on the side of the road in the rain, I was oblivious to the cars rushing by. As the drivers pictured themselves home safe and sound in their dry homes, I imagined myself dancing around in a tall grassy meadow, with rain beating against my face… and as I danced, I was holding hands with Clive Owen.