Bellingham Blog: 2009

Saturday, December 19, 2009

City of the Rogue

Shasta from I-5 Vista Point

Stopped in City of the Rogue (Rogue River, OR) on my way to Oakhurst, CA. tonight. Everytime I take the Siskyiou-Shasta passes, I am reminded of what rough, stark and (essentially unpopulated) beautiful country this part of the world really is. The snow levels are predicted to be high tomorrow, so I should make it over in my 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid fine. I did these passes in my 2000 Honda Insight more than a few times, but only once in a sleet/rain/snow storm. There are multiple 6% grades coming through the Roseburg, Canyonville, Grants Pass Area that I came through tonight - not too much problem with the new 2010 Insight (98 HP total). It does rev pretty high when climbing in 2nd gear. But I drive it carefully. I have learned from experience on Mt. Baker highway not to leave in 2nd gear too long when climbing slopes. I special ordered the 175/65 R-15 chains before I left. I hope to not use them at all!! 48.6 mpg for the 515 sometimes rainy miles today from Bellingham to City of the Rogue. That's 11 hours road time for me, I am tired and wishing for advances in holographic communication...

Monday, November 16, 2009

What a wind storm in the Pacific Northwest looks like...

This time of year in Bellingham and the Pacific Northwest, we live with "Chinooks". At ground level, these are relentless windstorms consisting of 30 - 60 mph gusts (occasionally much higher) that blow for hours at a time. They are usually followed by large-scale "Pineapple Express" (this is an ENSO year) weather systems that dump lots of rain at comparatively warm temperatures. This melts the early snow in the mountains and lowlands, creates flooding and havoc all through the county. It also creates a terrifying/exhilirating "acoustic" experience. In Bellingham, this phenomenon happens regularly enough that damage is somewhat limited: the weak trees fall, the dead branches drop, the Nooksack floods enough to discourage building (almost!) and encourage flood prevention. Still, the weather is exceptionally dramatic. I have been in short story buildings downtown and felt them sway from the fourth floor. Note the 150 knot winds below at 300 MB. From satellite, voila ici:

[Pictures credit to www.nrlmry.navy.mil and squall.sfsu.edu]

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Fall Day on Orcas

Beautiful Day to be on the beach on Orcas. Our stunning summer has bled over into a wonderful fall.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Lotus Roadster at the Farmer's Market

Today's Farmer's Market in Bellingham had a line up of electrical cars including this Tesla Roadster.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Spring has arrived to Whatcom County

We have Spring in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Praise the Heavens, El Sol has returned.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Give thanks....

This time of year is the toughest to survive in Western Washington especially if you grew up in sunnier climates. You get one glimpse of the sun every now and again. You know it's weird when a full shot of light glancing of some puddle shocks your senses: "What the hell was that?" you react. I made myself sit in front of ray of sun coming down the mountain from Fragrance Lake today. Just sit and absorb it. There's nothing to do but give thanks you weren't a flood victim, put on the Goretex and prepare for another two solid months of grey days without the big yellow dude in the sky. Sigh... Below are some exellent flood videos from the web. People are suffering this winter here. We give thanks for what we have.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

January Flooding on the NookSack

We had the big snows. Now we have the "Pineapple Express" rains in Western Washington. Problematic combination. This is some grainy Cell Phone video from January 07, 2009 at about 11:00 AM near Deming, WA.

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