"The current from a lightning strike will easily travel a long distance"

Ah, yes! Many years ago, i was repairing a back country telephone line at Saguaro Nat'l Monument (now Park). I paid no attention whatsoever to a lightning storm playing over a peak a bit over five miles distant; that is, until I got a warning tingle over the line - nothing big, but definitely a shock. i put away my tools until another day.

I have been caught is several lightning storms and "assumed the position - balanced on my toes, making as rounded a profile as possible, with my fingers crossed, hoping I will get through the storm...