I was awoken last night by the rain. It was early morning, still dark. I heard the rain falling on the pavement; I smiled and fell back asleep.
What a welcome sound.
Stepping outside this morning, the air was so fresh, I wish I could have captured the smell and used it as an air freshener for the rest of my life. It turned out to be a good day in the office as well – the rain was falling outside, at some points, a torrential downpour. When it first started to rain, I ran outside with my morning coffee and pointed my head to the sky, feeling the rain hit my face. What a wonderful feeling.
I have always loved the rain, and I believe this has something to do with me being raised on the west coast. Rain days are the best days.
As well as myself, I think that most people in the area were thankful to see the rain. It’s been a long, hot, dry and unnerving summer.
Speaking of wildfires, and comparing us to the majority of the province, we have been very fortunate.
Knock on wood.
The past few weeks have been more stressful than any other this summer, having the fires creep in close to Elko, Elkford, and most recently on the highway close to Dicken Road.
A good example of perfect timing came on the night of the evacuation alert meeting in Elkford. On that night, the fires were estimated to be around 15 kilometres away from the town. Just before the meeting started, it began to rain. Steady streams of rain poured from the eavestroughs of the gutters, edged around the meeting centre.
On that night I think that everyone in the valley breathed a big sigh of relief.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local fire departments as well as the BC Fire Service workers that kept our communities safe here in the Elk Valley. We cannot thank you enough.
On Monday I noticed a large deposit of fluffy snow on the Three Sisters.
I wonder if this coming winter will be just as intense as the summer. If so, I suppose it’s time for me to learn how to ski.