Wednesday, March 11, 2009

WE GOT RAIN!!!

Hallelujah, brothers and sisters! Last evening a miracle happened. I was sitting in the trailer watching Disc 2 of Comanche Moon when the wind kicked up, the air got very fragrant, and the pitter-patter of little rain droplets could be heard pelting the trailer's windows. I dashed outside to find this scene off to the northwest. I did a little dance, gave a couple of whoops, and dashed back inside to get my camera. I wasn't about to miss this.

Then, looking a little further off toward the west, I beheld this sight, where the mountains were completely obscured by a curtain of rain. Hallelujah, indeed! As the wind was coming from that general direction, I knew it was only a matter of time before we got ours. I didn't have long to wait.

In about 20-30 minutes, the wind began to howl, the pelting rain began in earnest, and the windows were cranked shut as the rain was coming in from all of them, no matter what side of the trailer they were on. Woo hoo!!! We're gettin' it now! This picture was taken through the doorknob access panel on the screen door. I'll tell you, after a winter of virtually no precipitation to speak of -- the last measurable amount occurring back in October -- this was truly a blessing. Since they're forecasting a 70% chance of more of this stuff coming our way today (it's raining even as I type), and 60% chance of more coming tonight, we might just have a showing of wildflowers around here this Spring, after all. Stay tuned for further updates as they occur.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Lone Palm Resort

Hey there, everyone. Just thought you'd be interested in seeing the new site my trailer got put into -- right in front of the only palm tree around. Pretty sweet, huh? I'm much more pleased with this setting, especially since they're stringing a phone line to the pole right behind the trailer. Woo hoo!!!


The other day, while driving up to the Visitor Center to get my day started, I saw this huge, dark bird sitting on top of the flagpole. I wasn't sure just what I was looking at right at first, but it was a beautiful creature. In perusing my bird book, I found out it was an Osprey, most likely resting up on his way up from the Gulf toward his new home in the northern climes.


I don't know if he thought he'd be less conspicuous impersonating one of our gold-plated Bald Eagle flagpole ornaments, but he did a pretty good job of it, nonetheless. What a great way to start your day, getting to see such a magnificent specimen showing off.