5 posts tagged “rain”
I've had many intentions of posting my latest cooking experiment, but the millet feta patties never quite 'pattied', and ended up a tasty but ugly mess. And the balsamic reduction over grilled fruit wasn't that pretty. That and we'd finished it before I'd remembered the camera.
With my conference now over and a very slight lull before some other projects (and vacation planning), I'm at a loss for exciting adventures to post. It's settled into a routine again - work, play, eat, sleep - and I'm not inspired enough to make my characteristic cynical observations. Maybe it's the continued rain & clouds? I say I like the change from the incessant sunshine, but maybe the greyness is taking its toll. In any case....
Our weekend was slightly stymied by the early onset of clouds & drizzle on Saturday, so we opted for a hike instead of a mountain bike ride. We headed to the Desolation Wilderness to see how snowy the trail to Lake Aloha was. It was mostly clear to the last half mile, and we would have explored further had the sleet and hail not hit us hard. Since we had the dog with us, and she doesn't have a rain jacket - oh the humanity - we turned back. It was a little under 13 miles, which is a decent hike, but not one that should have wiped the mutt out like it did.
I think this is a sign she's getting older.
It's been a painfully dry summer here, making locals hypersensitive to cigarette butts being thrown out of cars and the threat of gusty winds. That made this weekend's dramatic rainstorms all the more sweet. While heavy rains were forecast all day, here on South Shore we only had the torrential downpour in the early morning. Which made for awesome running/hiking/biking terrain, as it left the formerly dusty trails tacky and smooth.
Due to work obligations, the mutt and I only got a run in on Saturday, but it was enough to enjoy the post-rain scents and feel the invigorating rush that running in un-gawdawful-hot temps provides. And while it's expected to move back to normal early autumn weather (read: super dry and semi-warm) this week, I'm hoping the trails don't return to their dusty state anytime soon.
It's an unusual thing to have a rainy morning in the summer here, but (thanks to climate change?) I woke up to ominous clouds that brought rain about mid-way through our masters workout in our now-outdoor pool (The cover is removed mid-May so we can enjoy the summer sunshine). The feeling of raindrops on my head and arms was fun in its utter novelty. Luckily I didn't get caught in any hail until I arrived at the office. Dunno how fun that would feel.
As much as snow is needed for recreation here in the Sierra, it's also necessary for the water supply. This season has been abysmally lacking in snow for both purposes, so the news of this weekend's storm has made some people very happy, and others a bit less so. The reason for the guarded optimism is the extremely warm temperatures that accompanied this blast, resulting in 7500+ foot snow levels today (apparently today's the warmest day out of the weekend). While it is snowing at the ski resorts, some are getting more snow of the clear variety at the lower elevations.
I decided to not go skiing today, as I just didn't want to spend the day getting really wet. This is worse than PNW wet, it's tropical storm wet, it's needing a second Goretex-jacket-to-get-through-the-day wet. However, it is supposed to get colder tonight, so hopefully it will be snow that we see out our window tomorrow.
It's supposed to rain today. It was supposed to rain yesterday as well, but the National Weather forecasters were a tad enthusiastic, as it was clear and crisp, a prototypical autumn day. Today, however, the mood has changed, and while there are low grey clouds outside, nothing's happening.
It's frustrating for me because I shut off the sprinkler system this week, so the few bits of vegetation that were alive in the backyard are not only freezing to death, but are now dying of thirst as well. Ah well.
