When at obligations, if the sun is out, the temperature is above roughly thirty-five, and the wind's not howling, I tend to eat outside. The bench I sit at is referred to as the veranda. In my direct field of vision, is a tree, which, at this time has begun to leaf out. Even in town, six-hundred vertical up, I see evidence of the deciduous trees getting ready to sprout leaves. Insects dance in the lazy afternoon and early evening light, omens of warmer times.
The part of me that likes to spend late spring through early autumn living in shorts and sandals is excited by everything being flung a month ahead-even meteorological prophets are echoing this. The part of me that watches the state's snow pack and has found enjoyment in snowshoeing in a late-season blizzard through town to check the post knows it's too soon. I wonder about wildfires and worry about the river rafting season.
Over the last few weeks, the pattern has been warmth from the weekend through mid-week, then, weather comes in. At first, it is prophesied to be impressive, but as the storms get closer, they seem to fall apart, leaving just a dusting and a cool, breezy day in the afterglow. Once more, a storm is foretold, and it is supposed to be impressive. Part of me is cynical, but another aspect holds out hope. Whilst I am anxious to be able to go further into the Backcountry without snowshoes or fear of avalanches, I know those deep drifts are our world's water towers.
A few weeks ago, whilst day tripping to Leadville-at ten-thousand two-hundred-we were greeted with a rainy afternoon. I really do enjoy rain, whether it's a gentle shower or a powerful thunderstorm. At that moment, I felt the fear and loathing reserved for the characters in Lovecraft stories, knowing the rain is damaging to the snow pack.
Part of me looks forward to planting at the community garden and soaking my feet in the river after walkabout. Part of me wonders if there'll be enough river water to get my feet wet. Rain keeps the fire danger down, but does not do much for the water table. Whilst part of me is cynical about the coming weather, part of me waits with a glimmer of hope that it will help, rather than hurt.
I've been in Seattle for nigh on a month so don't know exactly what the state of play back in MT is, but the temps I see look a month early. I'll judge by my huge lilac bush/tree back back......it blooms around the 2nd week of June in a normal year. I've never seen it bloom before June.
ReplyDeleteThe snow level in the islolated Pintlar Range of the Rockies that Butte is on the fringe of is around 85% of normal snowpack, so we may not be so impacted as others this year.
Seattle, the population, traffic and general pace is a strain for me, at least this trip. Looking forward to getting back to the quiet and mountains.
Statewide, we're at sixty-some percent. The South Platte drainage, which we're on is around eighty-eight percent. The fact I live at nearly ninety-two hundred feet and am seeing leaves in early April is more than a little strange. I've already recorded sixties up here.
DeleteI can totally empathize about city-pace these days...