Historically, Seattle has experienced a triple digit high temperature only three times since recording began sometime in the 18th century. One reason we live here is the cool summers. However, beginning on Saturday, June 26th, we surpassed that figure for three straight days, breaking the all-time record on Sunday, June 27th, at a hundred and four degrees, and then obliterating that new record a day later, at a hundred and eight. A Heat Dome was the immediate cause, a little known weather phenomenon so rare it's estimated to occur once in a thousand years. Could it be climate change?
Seattle, Sweltering Under the Heat Dome
News & Notes
After years of trying to 'small' a rhododendron in our garden known as the Alpha Rhodie, a designation referencing its enormity, we got fed up with it and cut it down. It was five rhodie plants that had grown together to such an extent that when we cut one off at the ground nothing fell and no leaves ever wilted. Its corpse was the main supplier of yard waste for our garbageman for a few weeks.
The Alpha Rhodie Succumbs to the Pruning Saw
The Alpha Rhodie's dominance in the garden became clear when it was gone. A whole hillside, formerly hidden in deep shade, now needed landscaping. Our first thought when we realized the consequence of removing the monster was, "That was a dumb idea." But, on reflection we realized that this was the first opportunity we'd had in a decade and a half to make substantial changes to the garden. It would define our summer.
The Alpha Rhodie Left A Neglected Hillside
We flew to New York to visit Dave and Stephanie. It was a delightful week along the Hudson Valley balanced between the frenzy that is Manhattan and the tranquility that is Catskill. Here's a record of some of the fun.
At the end of our NY visit, Dave received a picture from his friend (and ours) Adam Ekberg, an accomplished photographer and bicycle enthusiast, dipping the front wheel of his bike into the Pacific on the Oregon coast as he started his solo ride across America. We were all impressed, though we were disappointed he didn't start in Seattle. Several days later he was rumored to have crossed into Washington, so L drove out to rendezvous with him in Washtucna WA. It's a very small, very remote farming village on the Palouse where you'd likely notice a cyclist coming or going through town. The guys enjoyed lunch in the park, before he continued on east. After 3965.85 miles over 58 days (including 4 rest days of 0 miles), Adam dipped his bike's front wheel into the Atlantic in Maine. Congratulations, Adam!
Resting in (about the only) Shade in Washtucna
We enjoyed a summertime visit to Libby MT to see Jim and Julie. It's always relaxing there when we can enjoy cocktail hour by the Kootenai River in the shade.
Red for Watching Trout Swim By, White When They're Supper
As has become a tradition, J and her friends Lisa and Myong spent an afternoon picking red raspberries and blackberries at a U-Pick farm.
J, L, M
Most days they are out walking a lap of the neighborhood with their dogs. We don't have a dog, but Lisa has two, so J walks Annie. Unless Annie is recovering from an injury, in which case she gets to ride.
Ladies: Myong, Lisa and Suzi
Dogs: Harper, Ace, Annie with sun glasses, and Minnie May
Dan took a new teaching position at the Peosta campus of Northeast Iowa Community College. Peosta, once a rural farming town is now a bedroom community of Dubuque. The transition began with smiles and margaritas in Craig CO, and ended emptying the truck into a lovely new townhouse a short walk from campus. On the drive we stopped for steaks at Dudes, unquestionably the best thing in North Platt NB. The townhouse has a little patio where we could enjoy a beer and watch the fireflies. They are wondrous in the dark! Once Dan was moved in, there was time to look around Dubuque, a Mississippi River Town that dates back to the French explorers of the upper midwest. It has retained many of its historic buildings.
Not Yet Thinking About Loading the Truck!
Oh, yes. One more thing. L sawed up our no longer functioning hot tub and we took it to the dump. For twenty years it had been a delight, a warm, relaxing answer to Seattle's cool temperatures. A chance to be outdoors at night, seeing the stars, watching ships pass in the night, occasionally glimpsing the Northern Lights. It was always good; in snowfall it was best!
A Hot Tub Turned Inside Out
