Summer came, and went with only a few short excursions of the muddy variety. This summer's weather was good but vastly spoiled by the smoke from fires in our surrounding forests and territories north of us here. It unfortunately made living conditions down here very unbreathable. On a good day or two we were out riding our bikes up in some beautiful country taking in the ample trails of the area. That camping trip we were planning got canceled due to that campground being red-flagged and closed due to fires in the area.

We did take a road-trip down to Central Oregon to watch the Eclipse. That was AWESOME. I'd really recommend a watch of one of those, I do believe the next one is in a few years and should be visible for the lower states. The darkness mid-day and seeing the stars come out and the sudden temperature drop was quite an odd experience, It was in the upper 80's one minute then the upper 50's just a few minutes later. that was weird! We were in a zone that was in the high desert yet outside the 'party zones' where thousands of people flocked. We were right on the line though so we saw everthing!. I set us up with a beastly telescope with a solar filter, and some of the approved glasses too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroscan

The weather has changed temperatures dropped, the smoke cleared, and the rain has returned. Rain is what makes this part of the world so beautiful, rich and green, what makes Washington pretty. It fills our lakes and makes everything rich (and wonderfully muddy during the summer). For that I am thankful.

I'll be around-ish so note me if ya need me.

CB