I know that’s not exactly how the saying goes, but at this moment, it’s the truth. It must and it should. We need rain, and there is none in sight.
I don’t think I have ever experienced such a long, hot, dry spell of weather here. Of course, there are always heatwaves, but in the past, they haven’t been this hot or this long. A couple days in the high 30s or low 40s… sure, but week after week of high 30s is quite unusual, even here. While I am getting used to it, the land around here is not faring as well.
I’ve been looking around at the grapes, and while there are a few that seem to be doing OK, there are a lot of tiny little grapes, small bunches, often already dried up. It’s not looking good. Though this is only based on my observations, I need to check in with my wine-making friends to see how everyone is doing. I hope better than what I’ve seen.
On Friday we woke up to dark clouds and everyone was hoping for a reprieve. I got out for an early morning ride with my friend, and we got soaked right through from the rain. It rained most of our ride, but when we looked at the ground and out into the fields, it looked just as dry. Around here we only received around 3mm. Not nearly enough. Fires are breaking out and the forests are closed to people. No hiking, climbing or mountain biking on trails.
Now I love summer, and I know I will look back in September and wish for the +36-degree days to return, but for the sake of the plants and the entire planet, I hope we find some better balance. It’s still stunningly beautiful and surprisingly green partout, donc I am soaking up every bit of the summer brilliance as I can.
