What is left of Faye has finally made it here. I looked down into the Forks of The French Broad two weeks ago and I asked God for rain. Here in Western North Carolina we've been feeling like Egypt in the Bible, with famines and plagues from our own demise. The Asheville Airport, loser to Arden than Asheville, is behind 11 inches and there is still a deficit from the last year. Down the river, at Marshal, it's said people can walk across the French Broad. That is the lowest it's been since the late 1800's. The last that I saw the Tuckaseegee and the Pigeon, they both were hurting as well.
But, rain is now falling, slowly getting back to our average annual rain fall of 80 inches. I'd fail if I lamented on how bad it is, so let me lament on the fact that it's raining. I know I'm nt the only to ask God fo rain, with a litte grace, he'll send us some more.
It's raining...
The Appalachianist
11 Comments:
there's nothing like a steady rain after a long dry spell to lift the spirits and settle the dust. Make the most of it, go out and play in the puddles!
Sage, I've got too much work to do, but, I did wor on teaching one of the dogs to heel in the rain last night. That ought to count.
I just read that the mountains of NC were getting the last bit of Faye and thought of you. Shouldn't you be careful what you wish for though?
How thoughtful, Murf.
No, it doesn't bother me or anyone else at this time. Like I said, we're used to 80" a year. We've been in "exceptional drought" with towns having water restrictions.
Oh, Faye's a pretty lass.
When Faye was coming, the television news seemed to want to make it so much more than it was. If it is not more than a Category II, such a storm is usually just a big rain maker, and I wanted the rain to come straight up Florida across Geogia and into the Carolinas . . . the upcountry and the mountains really needed it. Well, Faye sat on Florida a lot longer than those people wanted it to or needed even though they too needed to replenish their aquifer, but finally, Faye got here, and thank God it did. I hope the rain was a long, gentle, and soaking rain. Here, after a dry spell, in a fierce storm the water runs off over the hard ground and in the heat of Columbia, it seems as if it hasn't rained at all. Murf has a point . . . a few years ago there were flash floods in the mountains that did a lot of damage even drowning some folks caught in the flooding in the narrow valleys and coves, but this rain is going to be a blessing and God sent. We'll pray that it is, and accept it and thank God for it . . . those oaks need 80 inches of rain to grow so big and tall and make the Smokies what they are. Talked to Ray Presnell and Bruce Bailey last night . . . two retired soldiers. Bill
I think you will get more rain. Tropical Storm Gustav is on his way to the Gulf of Mexico. So, with luck, you should get even more rain in a few days.
Stephanie, keep your fingers crossed for us. You don't know how much we need it.
Bill, I remember them both well. I hope they are doing great. I believe oak trees drink 200 gallons a day.
Oak trees? Chestnuts were better.
I will pass it on to Ray and Bruce. I mentioned your blog. I should have said chestnuts . . . the mist and rain make the Smokies. The last time I was at Cades Cove it was drizzling . . . and the "smoke" was rising in the distance. It was absoultely beautiful as we wondered down the circular route around the Cove . . . what a gift. Bill
Well, at least you don't have too many mosquitos with the rain. Columbia, aka Fort Jackson is full of them now. Bill
It even got up here into northeast Kentucky. We aren't as bad off rainwise as y'all, but we were starting to get a bit parched.
Of course, now I've got to fire up the mower again. :-\
I've got to cut my grass too, but, I assure both of you, the river is looking allot better.
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