not all those who wander are lost

"NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST."
J.R.R. TOLKIEN

KAPAPAMAHCHAKWEW
Cree leader, Wandering Spirit

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

DROUGHT AND A WISE PASSIVENESS

POST # 177

An unusual event happened this past week here on Orcas Island.  IT RAINED!!!!  Normally, rain wouldn't be unusual here in the Pacific Northwest, however,  the drought seems to have a firm grip on the entire west coast, from California right through to British Columbia, and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight, at least for now.  You know it has to be dry, when even Vancouver is under water restrictions.
Here is a photo looking outside from the back deck of the house I am currently at.  This blue sky has become the normal view this summer.


There is no telling how long the drought will last, and of course most people think that it's great weather for their summer vacation, without giving a thought to the larger picture.  It will be interesting to see how the rest of the year goes, what with a super El Nino brewing off the coast.  It appears that the Pacific is going to be pumping out plenty of heat later this year, and that should have some interesting effects, none of which can be considered good at this point.


el-nino-noaa-photo-july-2015
(A NOAA comparison shows the 1997-1998 El Nino at peak heat during November of 1997 [left frame]. The right frame image shows the 2014-2016 El Nino during its mid July ramp-up. Note the hot blob of water off the US West Coast in the July 2015 image. Heat in this region tends to drive an atmospheric feedback that continues to push more warm water into the Eastern and Central Equatorial Pacific. Note that, due to this and other factors, the 2014-2016 will likely also hit a peak intensity during October or November. An intensity that could exceed the monster 1997-1998 El Nino event. Image source: NOAA Environmental Visualization Laboratory.)

  In fact, all that extra heat might just be the thing that tips the balance in the Arctic, and causes the sea ice to disappear this September.  We'll see.

TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015


Storms Over Arctic Ocean

The image below shows sea surface temperature anomalies over the Arctic on July 27, 2015.







The extra sunshine has had an impact on the local fruit as well.  I picked this apple a couple of days ago, and I'm no expert on apples, however, July seems to be somewhat early for apples to be ripening on the trees.  In addition to the apples, I've been eating blackberries for quite some time now, and I seem to recall that they are usually ripe in late August or early September.


My first time house sitting here on Orcas was in the month of October, back in 2011. I was picking apples like this off of the trees then, which is the month that one might expect to be apple picking, not July.  Nothing is normal any longer.

Even the furballs seem to be struggling with the heat.  Here we see the youngest of the tribe, trying to stay cool in the bedroom window.

ZIGGY AT REST

Not to be outdone by his older brother.

OSCAR CHILLING OUT

In fact, all of the animals at this house (including the author) have been feeling pretty relaxed of late.  I think I'll blame it on the heat.


And finally, I came across some words written a long time ago by none other than William Wordsworth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wordsworth

The eye it cannot chose but see;
We cannot bid the ear be still;
Our bodies feel where'er they be,
Against or with our will.

Nor less I deem that there are powers,
Which of themselves our minds impress;
That we can feed this mind of ours,
In a wise passiveness.

Perhaps in this world of texts, tweets, Facebook and Smart phones, it might be beneficial to go sit on a beach, or under a tree, and spend some precious time in wise passiveness.  
I'm just sayin'.

Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer



Tuesday, July 21, 2015

FURBALLS, FOREST AND BEACH

POST # 176

I've had a week of relaxation here on Orcas.  No need to write about it, when I can post a few photos instead.


ZIGGY, OSCAR AND FELIX RELAXING AFTER THE EVENING MEAL


ON MY DAILY RIDE THROUGH THE VERY DRY FOREST


THE BEACH AT THE NORTH END OF ORCAS WITH MT. BAKER IN THE DISTANCE


A DAILY RITUAL-HANGING OUT AT THE BEACH IN EARLY EVENING


Perhaps by this time next week, I will have a few more words to write.

Happy trails,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

HEADING BACK TO ORCAS AGAIN

POST # 175

Exactly a year ago yesterday, I was driving from Bend Oregon to Washington State.  And yesterday I was doing the same thing once more.  What are the odds??

The journey was via a new route on the east side of the mountains, and via Yakima, a place I had been too only once before, and a very long time ago indeed.  I think I was probably 19 at the time.

This year, instead of being enroute to my regular housesit in Vancouver, I am returning to Orcas island for a fifth time, to take care of the three furballs, Felix, Oscar, and Ziggy.
Orcas is becoming somewhat of a second home to me.

Not sure what I will be doing after the Orcas sit, but I'm pretty confident that things will work out one way or the other.

Also, something unique happened the other day while out for a walk with my friend Mary, in Bend.  We came across this deer, and it was happy to let me walk right up to it. It was a precious moment indeed.







Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

THINGS ARE HEATING UP, AND MY JOURNEY FROM THE MUD HUT BACK TO BEND

POST # 174

Well, things are really heating up now.  It seems like everywhere is on fire from California, right on through to Alaska.  British Columbia and Alberta are no exceptions, and the summer has only just begun.  In Europe there is another heat wave, and the Arctic is continuing to get hotter by the week.
I for one will be surprised if the Arctic ice cap DOESN'T melt this summer/fall.  Things seem to be pointing in that direction at least. ( in one 24 hr period last month, the Arctic ice extent declined a whopping 340,000 sq. km)  And once the ice is gone, then the methane which is already escaping in copious quantities, will probably be off to the races.  Looks like we're all in for a long hot summer.

Last Friday I had to say so long to my  friends Guy and Sheila, after spending a delightful week at the Mud Hut in New Mexico.  We were up early for the drive to Tucson, and I made sure to take a photo of them prior to a final hug goodbye.



From Tucson, it was a short 21 minute flight to Phoenix where I had to hang out for a few hours waiting for my next flight to Portland.


Arriving in the early evening in Portland, I was greeted by my dear friend Mary, and from there we drove back to Bend, arriving quite late.  It had been a very long day and I was ready for some sleep.

And on a final note, here is a recent article from my friend Dahr Jamail after he recently interviewed Guy.


I think the title pretty much sums it up.

Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer