It's cooler here!

Up here in the woods by the brook, we've got a nice breeze and we just hit 77 degrees at 1 pm!

The barometer is at 29.15 inches of mercury and steady.

Bright and sunny, but not too hot, especially in the shade by the brook!
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Note that RIGHT NOW we have signage going up on the Meadow Ridge Trail due to incoming logging work. The trail is being relocated. PLEASE FOLLOW THE NEW TRAIL, as we will have equipment coming in to get our open meadow back for the birds and critters very, very soon. Thank you!

Mailbox being reclaimed by the forest

We have an enthusiastic grapevine trying to take over the mailbox.

I also realized today that we have chipmunks living under the front steps. Periodically, one stops on the porch and squeaks at us.

Effects of Rain...

Saturday saw over 2" of rainfall, a large amount by any standard.

But it is what happens because of the rain that is most interesting!

The Cascades Brook was up to 7.2" of flow with both channels open and a lot of noise. Less than 48 hours later the brook is down to 3.6" and while both channels have water things are sedate.

In the glen in front of the Lodge the Hawthorne trees are leaning over as they are thin and young and all of the leaves are weighted with rain drops.

At Nick's Woods a big old tree, encouraged by the wet soils loosening their grip on the roots, began a long slow arc towards the ground that continues to proceed with each day. (The area around it was dutifully marked off with flagging CAUTION tape by a volunteer. Thanks!)

And the plants are all green and growing with enthusiasm! It may be a confused time for outdoor recreation with the ever present chance of passing showers but the woods are soaking it up and thriving.

And more rain is predicted...