DALLAS - An idea sprung out of a run-of-the-mill picnic in the city park a couple years ago, and it ultimately grew into a new park feature, the likes of which is not offered elsewhere in all of Polk County.

As thunderstorm storms rumbled across western Oregon Thursday, a bolt of lightning shot down from the sky, through a fir tree and into the roots, sending a massive dose of energy crackling through nearby trees -- and into the home on the secluded forest lot.