The Break Between Storms

         In the wisdom of the old saying, "every cloud has a silver lining" today's clouds over Cambria are mostly mist and sprinkles, providing the ground and citizens a chance to dry and assess.

         Times of crisis bring out the best in people. Neighbors helping each other, including the emergency crews-fire, safety, utilities and road. During last years repaving of local roads,  gutters and swales were improved and they've made the last two weeks of rain easier. 

    

        We've been blessed by location. Our ridge is a block below the highest elevation between Highway 1 and the Pacific. It's called Top of the World and thus far drainage has been good.

    The pause in the series of storms affords a chance to take a closer look. The back hill garden plantings are holding. Lana's indefatigable work provides more than beauty. It's important because our property is slope with a plateau over more slope. 

    Here's a look around.

        

    The lemon flourishes but work on the new raised bed has been halted.

        The solar panels and battery are invaluable when PG&E service is disrupted.

Energy production is minimal, though not zero, in this kind of overcast. 

The Baby Tears have faired well and the pea gravel has continued to drain and percolate. 

Lana's "garden alley" and potting bench came through the deluge  without harm. 

No damage in her hanging meditation corner.

Most of her succulents and small plants on the deck had to be moved and drained, but no lasting damage. 

The artichoke bed is no worse for the wear.

The rain collection barrels are ready for pumping.

The barrel above is also plumbed to receive water that is used in our reverse osmosis process at the tap.

        Glad we trimmed the bottle brush below the utility lines. These storms have produced high winds. Trees into power lines have been a big problem.

        We've escaped the flooding, mudslides, and evacuations that plague thousands of our fellow Californians. If the forecast holds, tomorrow will allow for more drying and absorption. Friday we head into 4 days of another atmospheric river. 

        Perhaps a future generation will come to realize the value of rain and runoff capture, for those not so wet seasons that are inevitable on the west coast.

        It seems everyone is coping with extreme weather of some form this season. Hang in there and stay safe. 

        BTW, this was written by a person. No ChatGPT working here. 

        See you down the trail. 

    

Storming the New Year

         We've started the new year with an ample baptism on the California central coast. 

        In Cambria and environs 8.5 inches in the last 10 days has washed 2022 away and changed the color scheme from drought brown.

        Rain is forecast for 8 of the next ten days. We've been soaked for 8 of the last 10. We are being warned to expect 5 inches in the next two days.

        Santa Rosa Creek is a water freeway gliding into the Pacific near Moonstone Beach. It's also a zoom-floom. 

        The storm surf is audible from miles away. Its roar and growl thunder the planet's voice. Its power is immense.

        Some are not content to listen and watch.

        Leaks, slides, road closures, lost power and communication, washouts, and localized flooding; California is good at getting things back in operation and  Californians take it in stride, especially on the central coast. We've had a breather between the "atmospheric rivers," and we wait now for the next act. 

        This is a place of "human/nature interface;" mountains, forests, wildlife, the Pacific Ocean. We live here with the knowledge that nature rules. We are cool with that. Still, this rain season is unlike most. 

        See you down the trail.