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Monsoon increases negative ions

trees Bradshaw Mts sunset clouds Skull Valley AZMonsoon magic brings delightful clouds, rainbows, crepuscular rays, and plays of light and shadows.  All the activity increases *negative ions and that’s not a bad thing.

yard tree crescent moon Skull Valley AZClear skies are usually full of positive energy, and that might sound good and happy under clear blue sky.  However, our bodies tend toward negative energy that is drawn from the Earth and stormy skies.  It’s all about balance.

grass trees mammatus clouds Skull Valley AZBoy, I needed me some of that energy as much as the parched soil needs water.  Been feeling lazy with no ambition.  It’s been hot.  Even without rain, monsoon causes an increase in humidity.  Anything over 30% feels muggy to me.  I know that’s still dry heat to many.  It’s all relevant to what we grow accustomed to.  That means, running the AC, which I’m not fond of plus shudder at the electric consumption.  Mammatus clouds hung heavy with water yet barely gave a drop.

grass bush Brushy Mt Skull Valley AZ

Years ago while working at Grand Canyon, I described the science behind monsoon here.  The summer weather predictions are repetitive to the point of boredom.  Likely rain and thunderstorm activity typically begins after 11am, comes and goes intermittently, and ends by 11pm.  Sometimes, it rains.

trees Brushy Mt storm clouds crepuscular rays Skull Valley AZThe cloud show captivates as cumulus clouds (fluffy and white with flat bottoms) gather into cumulonimbus clouds with darker bottoms that may produce thunderstorms.

grass bush Brushy Mt mushroom storm cloud Skull Valley AZMost dramatic is the isolated mushroom cloud formed from water vapor forced upward by powerful upper-air currents.

Brushy Mt sunset mammatus clouds Skull Valley AZMammatus clouds at sunset

Clouds continued to gather all around filled with distant rumbles.  Then wind dropped the temperature and gentle female rain fell for 30 minutes.  I felt the increase in negative ions and smiled.

electric poles storm clouds Skull Valley AZBy mid-week I figured the monsoon pattern had truly arrived.  I turned on the AC at 8am, already 80° and 43% humidity.  I turned it back off around noon when it started to rain.  For an hour the rain teased with light sporadic fall.  Suddenly the wind increased and lightning occurred close enough to make me jump.  Storm energy feels awesome, even when it rocks the house. The smell was intoxicating.  As the wind and rain increased in intensity I ran around closing windows to a sideways downpour.  Thank goodness for some jalousie windows to let in air and no water.  I felt exhilarated, high without drugs.  The negative ions were palpable.  The tantalizing high didn’t last long, but the feel good stuck around.  I continued to almost run in small circles from window to window.  I could only make photos with my eyes through the sheeting of water on glass.  I took a small piece of video.  For almost two hours the storm rocked and boomed, and then it moved on leaving soft rumbles and a cool breeze with barely dampened ground.  I went outside and took more video.

double rainbow Skull Valley AZWhat an incredible Wowzer day! And it ended with a touch more rain and a huge, full double rainbow.  I felt the alive of summer monsoon.

side-blotched lizard on log Skull Valley AZAfter that, the skies have mostly cleared and I haven’t felt a drop since.  I went back to my mundane ways, working on videos.  You should check out the video from 4th of July that includes so much more of this week filled with monsoon and negative ions, and maybe just a little of negative me (but no fireworks).  Plus check my Geogypsy YouTube channel later this week for a hint of what’s to come.

Gray squirrel Skull Valley AZRoadrunner bird Skull Valley AZ

Window Wildlife- gray squirrel and roadrunner (bee-beep)

*Negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase our levels of serotonin, which improves our mood and helps to alleviate depression, relieve stress and boost our energy.  This energy is absorbed through skin and comes from water, air, and all of nature.  You probably already knew that.

Sierra cat on camper bed Congress AZWANTED: house/cat sitter, or StayCATion for you, in my 36′ 5th-wheel for one week in Skull Valley Arizona only 30 minutes from Prescott.  This shot is in the small camper.

Arizona, monsoon, Places I've been, United States , , , 18 Comments

Summer Monsoon Sunset and wheelestate repairs

grass bush sunset clouds crepuscular rays Skull Valley AZWith summer officially begun, it’s a time to enjoy cotton candy clouds and famous Arizona monsoon sunset.  A perfect time to stay home and watch the skies while RV and truck repairs are going on.

Roadrunner bird Skull Valley AZRoadrunner

Although I still feel a longing to travel I am getting into a pattern staying home.  No I’m not up before the sun to get out and walk.  When the daytime highs get over 96° I usually have the AC on.  Otherwise door and all windows open plus several fans seems to be OK so far.  If I’m working playing on the computer I move from one side of the RV to the other to stay on the shady side.  Otherwise, I frequently go outside to chair hop in the shade and watch the world, with a little bit of reading thrown in.

berm trees mammatus clouds Skull Valley AZThe weekend highs actually cooled down to the low 80s and with plenty of breeze and clouds felt delightful.  Mammatus clouds looked almost heavy enough to release some precious drops but quickly retracted and moved on.  I can almost smell rain.  Only a few drops fell.  I am feeling the alive of summer, all senses receiving. Some visual greens with dancing in the breeze branches send off whiffs of summer and a tickle to the skin and nose.  Achoo! Come on monsoon!

caged yellow headlight bulldozer Skull Valley AZEven a short walk on the ranch can provide interesting objects and sometimes I find just a piece of, say a bulldozer, more intriguing than the whole machine.  Think it would fit on the hood of my truck?

grass bush Brushy Mt clouds sun rays Skull Valley AZCrepuscular rays before monsoon sunset

I actually did some yard work. Moved two Cottonwood stumps for chair hopping tables.  Plus working on placing winter rock collection on the berm below the metate.  (Photo ahead.)

grass bush Brushy Mt sunset clouds crepuscular rays Skull Valley AZMy Saturday night included a pep talk from Bob about making videos for YouTube.  We’re both learning and sharing ideas.  He encourages my “branding” in the funny black hat I wear in my profile picture.  I have lots of hats so may trade them around depending on, my mood.  I remind him to introduce himself at the beginning of his fun videos going kayaking, dirt biking, and 4x4ing.

Gaelyn intro Penguin videoA little warm for this outfit

African Jackass Penguin Boulders Table Mt NP Simon's Town Cape Peninsula South AfricaThe next day I was inspired to make a video about Jackass penguins that I saw in South Africa, and thankfully took video and still shots.  Took all afternoon to figure out each video clip had to be first trimmed and saved removing the background noise, then reopened and add softened wave sounds and saved, and then reopened again to add a recorded narration clip, and saved, before putting all the pieces together.  There’s probably an easier way.  I might have video of lions and elephants for the future.

At one point, I heard the quail fussing and looked out in time to see them chasing a coyote.  Yea!  Funniest thing ever.  I WANT a trail cam!

Raven bird against sunset clouds Skull Valley AZRaven soars

It actually felt cold that night, or at least cool enough to close the windows and sleep under a blanket.

tree hole in camper BLM Stanton Rd Congress AZcamper patch

That didn’t last and I rushed to finish and load the penguin video before the temperature reached 90°, inside.  That afternoon, the ranch handyman, worked on lots of little projects at my place and I hung around to mostly get in the way I’m sure.  He’d already patched the camper where I backed into a tree.  (Don’t ask, just read.)

solar controller repairsmounted Solar controller

12v socket repairsmounted 12v socket

He firmly mounted the solar controller and 12v socket that I jerry-rigged last winter.

door latchAnd replaced a door latch for the 5th-wheel as the old plastic one had broken and wouldn’t hold the door open in a light breeze.  The new one is metal.

trees cliffs Bradshaw Mts clouds Skull Valley AZI had overheated the previous day outside and not drinking enough water or eating so, Happy Solstice, I spent most of the day inside with the AC on.

grass trees clouds Skull Valley AZMornings offer clear blue sky but by afternoon the clouds build and threaten to drop rain, a sure sign of monsoon.

rocks berm grass trees Brushy Mt sunset clouds crepuscular rays Skull Valley AZTwo winters of rock collecting

sunset clouds Skull Valley AZBy late afternoon the windows are open once again and I am outside to enjoy a beautiful Solstice sunset on a perfect summer evening.

whiptail lizard on metate Skull Valley AZWhiptail lizard

The rest of the week’s weather forecast called for 30-40% chance of thunderstorms.  How I wish!

grass trees clouds Skull Valley AZAnother day of cloud building and racing across the sky, but no rain.

old Chevy truck Prescott AZWent to town on Thursday, an almost all day affair.  Rained just a little as I exited the store in Prescott and I danced in the parking lot as it fell.  I’m sure nobody noticed or even cared, I was at a Walmart.

grass trees boulders sunset clouds Skull Valley AZAnother night of monsoon sunset and after dark thunder and lightning followed, but very little rain.

trees mammatus clouds Skull Valley AZThe next morning felt still, and quiet, clouds skirting around the little valley where I live.  I sat outside most of the day watching the ever teasing cloud show.

grass brush Brushy Mt storm clouds Skull Valley AZ

rain drops metate Skull Valley AZJust before sunset a breeze carried the scent of rain and still only a few drops fell.

trees rainbow clouds Skull Valley AZBut to the east there must have been more rain because when the setting sun broke through clouds a rainbow gift occurred.

sunset clouds Skull Valley AZThunder rolled all evening and finally about 9pm it began to rain and kept it up most of the night.  A soft female rain, just like this parched land needs.

grass trees anticrepuscular rays storm clouds Skull Valley AZ

brush trees boulders anticrepuscular rays storm clouds Skull Valley AZIn the morning the ground was damp, not more than 1/4 inch deep and didn’t last very long.  But still.

grass trees storm clouds virga Skull Valley AZAnother day of clouds, sometimes looking as tortured as I felt after word from the Supreme Court.  I don’t want to talk politics.  But I also don’t want to go back in time 50 years.  I shall say no more.

grass trees Brushy Mt sunset clouds virga Skull Valley AZBut along with rain and summer monsoon sunset, I shall shed tears.

Sierra cat through screen door Skull Valley AZWANTED: house/cat sitter, a StayCATion for you, in my 5th-wheel for one week mid-September in Skull Valley AZ only 30 minutes from Prescott.  Mom wants to fly to Chicago for her 50th High School reunion, and says I can’t go.  Meow!

Arizona, monsoon, Places I've been, Skull Valley, solstice, United States , , , 22 Comments

Work, company, and exploring the Grand Staircase

desert varnish sandstone walls Burr Trail Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument UtahMore rain followed by increased temperatures and sunshine with a variety of smoke diminished views over the Grand Staircase geology and national monument.

July ended still supporting monsoon storms at Bryce Canyon.  Rained hard on my day off spent at home including hail, lightning, and thunder.  Sierra stays close by when it’s booming.  Wonder if the storm spooked the horse that galloped past followed by a cowboy-wrangler on horseback that herded it back to the corral below where I live.  Puddles in the road grew larger.

Golden Eagle rain from RV window Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMotion caught my eye and a Golden Eagle stood soaked in a puddle.  It was there for measurable minutes while I took terrible photos through a rain streaked window.  Only the second time I’ve positively identified a Golden at Bryce.  Lightning crashed less than a mile away and the RV shook.  Made me glad to be grounded with rubber tires.  The storm cell hung overhead for quite a while.

Back to work Sunday with a 10am start, no programs, and way too many hours at the visitor center.  By CDC rules we are back to requiring masks worn inside the building, staff and visitors, and limited entry to 80 people.  A most boring job, other than people watching, sitting at the door with a counter app on the ipad.  Gets especially difficult with lightning filled storms intermittently causing Rangers to move in and out of the building.

Sierra cat looking for Meowie Jane in RV Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Meowie Jane catnip replacementRanger R, a botanist who has a love of galls, gave me a Japanese gall called Meowie Jane, Actinidia polygama, Silvervine, a catnip replacement and asked for a quote how Sierra reacted to it.  I don’t feed her catnip very often and she mostly ignores toys filled with it.  However, when I held the gall towards her she quickly responded with a sniff.  When I put it on the floor she rubbed all over it then started batting it around like a soccer ball.  Scored three goals under furniture and as goalie I dutifully retrieved them.  Hope we don’t get in trouble and wonder if Meowie Jane is legal in Utah, or the USA. 😉

Ranger Gaelyn recommended and endorsed book Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe next morning started at the information desk for an hour then off to present the 11am hoodoo geology talk.  Because I had to cover an hour as door counter at 2pm I roved after the presentation and before lunch, which is basically hanging out at Sunset Point and answering questions.  Day ended with two hours back at the information desk.  Way too much time at the desk, IMHO.

White & Pink members Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahHowever, I looked forward to the next two days going to Rainbow Point and my happy place with the huge view from Yovimpa Point.  Also meant getting up early to open the visitor center and staff the door for two hours.  Morning coffee at 5:30am requires a heater by my side and a warm lap cat.  Temperatures range from low 50s to low 80s throughout the day at 8000-9100 feet in elevation.

smoky view SE Pink Cliffs & beyond Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahYovimpa rises just over 9100 feet at the southern tip of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.  The 100 mile view makes me feel on a mountain summit but I let a vehicle do the climb.  Sadly a smoky haze from hard to say where diminished the view to about half.  Yet could still see the typical four out of five cliff steps of the geologic Grand Staircase, the story I share of what can be seen.

hoodoos Pink Cliffs view South Black Birch overlook Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

trees White & Pink Members Black Birch overlook Bryce Canyon National Park UtahOn the return drive I stopped at a couple overlooks.  Not sure I’d ever had space to park at Black Birch overlook.  Every place offers a different view.

Peregrine Falcon bird Natural Bridge overlook Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Peregrine Falcon bird Natural Bridge overlook Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAt Natural Bridge, where many stop yet don’t stay long, I saw a Peregrine Falcon and took some lousy yet identifiable photos.

Ranger Gaelyn Yovimpa Pointt Bryce Canyon National Park Utah by TimSame schedule on Wednesday—my Friday—and between home and work my NPS keys disappeared off my pant loop.  I retraced my steps several times and looked between the seats.  Maybe my eyes just aren’t too open at that early hour.  After opening and two hours of door counting I took off to Yovimpa with hotdog lunch on the way. Was very quiet out there, and once again smoky with diminished view.  Ranger T came out for a while on project time.

empty view truckcamper Natural Bridge overlook Bryce Canyon National Park UtahStopped at Natural Bridge and had the entire place to myself, briefly.

Torch hoodoo Natural Bridge overlook Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSo I enjoyed the view of what I call the torch hoodoo.  I was able to leave a little early knowing with Lynda’s short visit she’d probably beat me home.  That’s what happened and was of course just fine especially as she brought home-made lasagna for dinner.  I searched again for the missing keys and found them almost gone between the truck seats.

NE to SE view from Head of the Rocks SR12 Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument UtahMy first day off I don’t like to be rushed yet we did leave the park before noon.  With Lynda as my driver and guide we explored east on SR12 past where I’d been before.  Such a treat being behind the camera instead of the wheel.  OK, so I do shoot while driving but not with the big camera.  Distant views were obscured by the smoky haze that settled on the horizon.  Temperatures rose into the 90s so our stops where short yet sweet.

  Calf Creek sandstone cliffs SR12 Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument UtahCalf Creek Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Wow, was my word of the day as we traveled across this sandstone landscape of benches and canyons where sometimes flowing water created brilliant green strips through the mostly soft white and warm pillows of rock.

  Deer Creek trees cliffs Burr Trail Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument UtahDeer Creek Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

trees Escalante River cliffs Burr Trail Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument UtahEscalante River Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

At Boulder we turned onto the Burr Trail and continued through the dramatic and contrasting landscape of the Grand Staircase National Monument.

Lynda & Bailey Monks Alcove Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Utah

trees cliffs Monks Alcove Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Utah

Monks Alcove Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument UtahOne place cool enough to walk with Bailey, a small slot canyon.  Waited only briefly for a mom and lots of noisy kids to leave and allow their echo to disappear as we soaked up the rock cooled and shaded air.

Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm Boulder UtahOur return route was via the famous Hell’s Backbone Grill and Farm in Boulder.  More Wow!

Orchard Zinger Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm Boulder UtahWe both started out with an Orchard Zinger cocktail that went down sweet with a zing.  Dinner was served on the patio, with Bailey in his bed just over the low rail.

Jenchilladas Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm Boulder UtahLemony Cluck Backbone Bar & Grill Boulder Utah

Lynda ordered her favorite Jenchilladas and I the Lemony Cluck.  Hard to describe how delicious.

Apricot Smash recipe from Hell's Backbone Grill and Farm Boulder UtahTheir apricot harvest is almost over so I bought a bottle of Apricot Smash.  I will most certainly return to this area in the fall when cooler and eat here again.

hoodoos valley smoke Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSecond day off was boring catchup and chores then back to work Saturday starting with two hours as the door counter again followed by the 11am hoodoo talk.  I realized it was smoky when I left the building but was still taken back by the diminished view and hazy amphitheater full off hoodoos.  The Aquarius Plateau only 14 miles east was totally obscured along with the valley below.

Great Basin Rattlesnake Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAfter the talk I once again roved in the area and good thing as a couple came to tell me the lady had sat on a tree root up the trail and a rattlesnake struck her boot.  Somehow I didn’t hear her scream but she was fine.  I called it in and they lead us to the tree.  Sure enough, a Great Basin Rattlesnake still hanging around.  Ranger R got the snake catching kit and quickly caught, bucketed, and relocated it.

Sunday was my late day and began at noon, yes once again as the door counter.  At our current visitation it’s not hard to maintain 80 people in the building with some being reminded to mask up, and we have masks to give away.  But when two tour buses traveling together arrived a little chaos ensued.  Especially when one of their guides asked public to leave the building so the group could all get in at once and overflow the theater with a current 25 seat capacity.  Once the dust settled and they were all outside again I asked to speak to the person in charge and told her they needed to plan better while traveling during a pandemic and suggested they break the group up, especially if going into federal buildings.  She apologized and told me they’d called ahead, sorry no record of that or we would have more people to deal with this.  I can only hope the same didn’t occur at their next stop.  After dinner I covered the information desk a couple hours then helped closed the visitor center.  When I arrived at 8:25pm to set up for my 9pm slide presentation about Wildlife there were already people sitting in the outdoor amphitheater.  Had a crowd of about 50 including two obnoxious, not precocious, kids that I nipped in the bud after three interrupting comments about volcanoes.  I have to keep on time, and subject.

light on hoodoos Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe next day I started 10am at the information desk and two hours later was informed our tap water is possibly contaminated, all public water access is closed, we are on a “boil tap water” order.  Turns out one of three wells tested positive for E coli before it hit the chlorination process.  That well was closed and the water being retested.  I presented the 2pm hoodoo talk and roved until 5:30 when I called it a day.

Peregrine Falcon Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahTuesday was my Friday and back out to Yovimpa Point after two hours of door counting.  Most of the smoky haze was gone but clouds danced overhead with an increasing chance of rain through the afternoon.  I hung out from 11:30-3 talking to many visitors about the Grand Staircase geology and national monument seen below this awe inspiring view.  Then it started to sprinkle and as I was walking away I saw a Peregrine Falcon and snapped a few lousy shots.

clouds Natural Bridge Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe rain didn’t last long so I stopped at Natural Bridge to rove about an hour watching the clouds continue to build.

Cottonwood tree Monks Alcove Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument UtahEnd of work week with ten days off.  How did I manage that?  Well the first is a paid project day I took off for mental health.  Then it’s my three day weekend.  I have the first four days of next week off to drive to St George and get help taking the camper off the truck for future repairs when the temperatures drop there.  Then I’m back to two normal days off.  I could get used to this.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Places I've been, United States, Utah , , 20 Comments

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