Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Wettest September on record

Mt. Shuksan last Thursday - what does it look like now?
That's snow on Mt. Shuksan, which was the first of the season for our hikes. New snow, that is. Just to show you how blessed we were to have such a wonderful hike last Thursday, the road to Artist Point that we traveled to get up there is now closed for the season. They got lots and lots of precipitation, some of which is in the form of snow. We just finished September with a three-day-long storm that pushed many places here in the Pacific Northwest to record rainfalls. I took this information from a website on line:
As of 8 a.m. Monday morning (September 30th) Swift Creek, Oregon (in the Mt. St. Helen’s area) has picked up 15.30” of precipitation since Friday morning. Seattle’s storm total (for Sept. 27-30) has been 2.90” bringing the September total to 6.17”, their all-time wettest such on record besting the 5.95” set in 1978. Olympia also surpassed its monthly record with 9.36” surpassing the former figure of 7.59” also set in 1978.
I know I haven't been able to skydive for several weekends, because the weather has been terrible during Saturdays and Sundays, while we hikers have been able to find a hole in the weather during the middle of the same weeks. Last Thursday was the only really nice day for the entire week, and it's looking like the same thing will happen this Thursday. I don't know who's watching out for us, but I sure appreciate it.

On another note, I've just finished a book I enjoyed tremendously. When I wrote a week ago about a book I enjoyed, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, a couple of my commenters pointed me towards another book, which I got from the library and read in a single day. It's similar to the other one, but it was one I couldn't put down, a novel by Rachel Joyce and her first book: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. That link will take you to a New York Times book review by Janet Maslin. Here's a quote from it:
“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” is not just a book about lost love. It is about all the wonderful everyday things Harold discovers through the mere process of putting one foot in front of the other.  ... Harold finds out that there is fresh air, scenic vistas and an open sky outside the confines of his unhappy home. He finds out that the little things in life matter. 
I know that I am a different person because of my hikes in the wilderness. I related to Harold's journey in many ways, when he finds that he is stronger than he thought he was. Not to mention that Harold and his wife, along with many other people, are completely changed by this pilgrimage he undertook. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did, and I send sincere thanks for the recommendation.
:-)

17 comments:

  1. ok adding that new book to my amazon list right now....sounds intriguing,...closed for the season and you were just there last week...wow...we are changing seasons fast eh?

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  2. It is wonderful you had such a nice hike last Thursday. As for me, I am relieved I was able to tour the Capitol and memorials before the government shut down started. Pity the tourists there now.

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  3. Have just added some more books to my list - thanks to you. have a great week, DJan - and I hope you get enough sun this weekend to get your knees in the breeze before the season is completely over.

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  4. Beautiful view of the mountain...and to know that you already have snow and that much precipitation...wow!
    We just planted our fall garden (greens, cauliflower, etc.)
    Such a difference latitude makes.
    Hugs,
    J.

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  5. So with you, what's to worry about a little snow. You hike all winter and do well.
    I'm going to have to look for your books.
    Right now I'm reading one of the giants(500) pages so I will be busy for a while.
    Enjoy your Thur hike.

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  6. i am glad you've been able to get some hiking in amidst the rains! i had read that headline about seattle getting a record amount in sept.

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  7. That photo of Mr. Shuksan is absolutely stunning, DJan. I'm glad you were able to get that hike in last week. The weather over here has been rainier than usual which is surprising because the rainy season is more into December.

    I finished Dan Brown's Inferno and moving on to the book started by Michael Crichton, Micro before he died. It's set in Hawaii which makes it fun for me. Inferno was OK. It's more like a travelogue of Italy and... (can't tell, it would be a spoiler). Your books sound quite interesting. I'll check on them.

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  8. I am very happy that you have been able to get some hiking done - and also loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. It was a gem wasn't it?

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  9. I am just in the midst of a major book list discussion with a facebook friend in Colorado & her mom back here. She makes a list of books she wants to read for each new year, and is already working on her 2014 list.
    (I'm much more random in my reading!)
    Anyway, I'll add this one to the candidates - it would be fun to read it at the same time as her in Colorado to be able to discuss it.
    Holy Crikey, your photos are gorgeous!! I was just swooning over your Lake Ann photo, and now this! Incredible. I would frame this one if I were you, and look at it every morning when I woke up. :)

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  10. I just went back and looked at the photos again that you took on that last hike and now looking at same area, WOW - the season closed and snowbound - You were most fortunate to get that last hike in DJan. I just emptied the rest of my garden and cleaned up the yard, cleaned out the gutters and good to go. I am in line to borrow "The Hundred Ye Olde Man etc" from the library - looking forward to it. Have a wonderful day :)

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  11. I'm on the list for 100 year old man, I will see if they have "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry”. Sounds like one I would enjoy.
    At least it was a seasonal shut down. I was wondering if the "govt shut down" would effect any of your hiking haunts.

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  12. Thanks for the book reviews and that photo is gorgeous!

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  13. I've been following the weather news about your area. You certainly have been inundated with precipitation. Just wish there was a way to even things out over the country. We are experiencing a drought here. Just convinces me even more of the perils of climate change.

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  14. I will definitely be adding that book to the list.

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  15. Most assuredly I will have to find that book your read...about Harold!!
    Sounds like an excellent read.

    I think, not sure, but we are supposed to get a cold front that will arrive this weekend, and if I recall it's coming from the Northwest. So, your snows/road closures could be what we will get [tho in more tropical form]....no matter, I'm still waiting anxiously for cooler temps.

    LOVED the snowcapped mountain!!

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  16. Gosh! That sounds like a good book, too. I shall add it to my library list. Thanks!
    I hope you get some sunny days yet this year where you can go skydiving. :)

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