We’re still waiting for rain, even though it has been in the forecast nearly every day. We were in Blairsville on Thursday, and they had a wonderful thunderstorm that lowered the temperature in the Ingles parking lot from an indicated 100 to 72. Almost thirty degrees in twenty minutes, at least as measured by the truck.
It’s no secret that it’s hot. Not only is the temperature high – we’ve been seeing 85 on the porch in the afternoon – but it has been oppressively humid. I was going to barbecue today as I usually do, but I may talk myself out of it because it’s so hot. After being in Tucson for an academic semester, I swore I’d never call anything else hot. I guess I’ve forgotten that, because it’s hot. I talked to a friend in the Berkshires the other day, and he said it was 95 and no one had air conditioning because you never needed it in the past. I guess we’re better off than they are, as long as the power stays on. By the way, if you’re still skeptical about global warming, Pittsfield is 970 miles north of Blue Ridge.
We heard the Katydids for the first time last night. I don’t think we missed them earlier, because we’ve been out on the porch at the right time looking for the Blue Ghost lightening bug. I’m afraid we missed the Blue Ghost – they come earlier – but I love to hear the Katydids. Once you understand that only the males sing, you can probably figure out why.
If you’re new to the area, the best place to watch the fireworks is probably at Morganton Point. I believe they are also going to close the road over the dam for viewing, and that would be a good spot. Or of course, if you have a boat, the lake itself.