What IS a typical spring any more?

Out of 117 years of record keeping, Oregon's spring ranked 116th, which means only one year in all that time was wetter, according to the statistics gathered by the National Climatic Data Center. Snowpacks that usually peak by April first, kept growing into May. Heavy spring rains and snowmelt sent the Columbia River near Vancouver at and over flood stage for weeks. 

The temperature statistics were crazy too. Portland's latest first-60 degree day didn't even happen until March 31st, which as one can imagine, brought on lots of weather talk and complaints. Even in puddle town the city parks bureau had to shut down playing fields because they were just too muddy. My daughter and her husband play kickball and they were amazed at the cancellation of games. And while we were having dozens of cloudy, cool days, the rest of the country suffered.

The south and midwest, and even Massachusetts saw killer tornadoes. There was unprecedented flooding in the midwest, and extreme drought in Texas. People wilted and some even died during a heat wave in the southeast, and a half a million acres of Arizona went up in flames during the worst spring wildfire season in history.

Where typically, La Nina, the abnormal cooling of the equatorial Pacific Ocean water, fades away with the spring equinox this year it did not. The jet stream stayed farther south, and according to some meteoroligists the winds blew stronger and speeds were more typical of winter than spring. According to the National Climatic Date Center, Washington state-along with 8 other states had their wettest springs (March to May) in 117 years. Oregon and Montana, had their wettest spring in 116 years. 

Because we had such cool and wet weather, our gardens got a very slow start. We didn't have any frost after May 15th, which is usually a good time to start planting vegetable gardens, the ground wasn't warm enough to handle the seeds. Many just rotted in the ground. Lots of people had to plant twice and three times before things started growing. Even my perennials started blooming late. Our red hot pokers have usually bloomed, gone to seed and are dead by the summer solstice, but not this year. They were blooming profusely at the end of June.

cedar waxwing on pokers

When I heard my brother, Mike was driving out from Florida I wondered if he was going to be disappointed with all the rain he might experience, once here.  Although he had grown up in Portland, it had been 18 years since he had been in Oregon and he had been missing the mountains and lush green forests that we so often take for granted. He was thrilled to get away from the heat and humidity of Florida and be in a place that was tranquil compared to the rest of the country.

Once Mike arrived he met up with his 17 year old grandson, Jesse who flew out from Florida to drive back with his Grandpa. I thought this was such an excellent plan. Jesse had never see mountains, waterfalls or even snow! He said the highest elevation in Florida is 134 feet and sits on top of a garbage landfill. Mike was excited to see all the sites once more and to show off his native state to Jesse. After suffering from a bit of cabin fever I decided I best go along on some of this 'scenic cruisin'.

The first day we headed up to Johnston Ridge Observatory to see Mt St Helens. It was a first for me, as well and even though it was a cloudy day, they were high clouds and we had a great view. Jesse was thrilled to see the mountain and to learn the history of her.

Our next day was to be cloudy with a possibility of showers so what better place to visit than the Columbia Gorge. 

Vista House from the Women's Forum viewpoint

I've never seen a 17 year old so excited about being out in nature. It was so nice to see Jesse enjoy himself so much. We hit every waterfall along the old highway. Although many complained about the wet spring just look what it gave us. Lush green forests with bulging rivers. We would have no drought this summer, plenty of water to keep our vegetable gardens watered and no fear of power outages. In my mind, we truly do live in one of the most gorgeous places on earth.

Jesse and Mike at Bridalveil falls.

Latourell falls

maidenhair ferns

After visiting all the waterfalls we continued east to Hood River where we sat outside in the warm sun at the Full Sail Brewery eating lunch and watching the windsurfers and kite boarders. From Hood River we made the loop up and around Mt Hood. We took Jesse up to Timberline Lodge where it was foggy but Jesse was able to walk around in the snow and get a feel for what it's like. Mike and I sat in the bar at the Lodge watching Jesse outside the window.  At the end of the day I'd say Jesse had a lot of memories to store away for future reference.

Jesse loved Oregon so much that he wants to come back next summer with a bunch of his buddies after high school graduation. After he was back home in Florida I sent him the Moon Travel Book on Oregon. I thought that would give him something to study up for and look forward to.

June also wrapped up another term at the Damascus Fiber Arts School. Several students finished up projects.

Susan D finished her semi-wedge

Pat T finished a lovely small piece.
Love the colors!

I brought my mud rug home from school to try to finish it before the September show at Timberline. Once I got all my flower pots filled and on the deck, there were actually a few dry days where I could weave outside. Having the elevated deck makes it very easy to roll my big loom out. Perfect!