The Monsoon season is here, officially and unofficially. There is light rain, that is moderately warm, like in the tropics. And there is heavy rain, that is moderately cold, like in the Siberias. The Siberias? Well the tropics are the tropics, so the Siberias must be the Siberias.

And what do I think of this? Sometimes, when inclement rain involves other people, it’s a struggle. Laura and Pat wanted to go horseback riding, so I saddled up Tyra (Laura rode her), Raudi (Pat rode her), and Hrimmi (Pete rode her).

We went around the loop and up Jim’s Road. We didn’t go on the trails because the horses were going for the grass. They are opportunists when they have non-riders aboard. I walked, because I was worried about my hip issue and because we had three horses and three riders.

The only problem was this – Tyra, who wanted to be out front, let Raudi and Hrimmi know this with her ears and teeth. I did not know this until the end of the ride.

Uneventful. No hardship. Boring to read. After, I went to the historic Eagle Hotel and I first unpacked children’s books, about six of 13 boxes. Then I met with a representative from the Palmer Public Library and we brainstormed about our various literacy options. All the while, I was listening to the rain on the roof. Every so often, I looked outside and saw rain, heavy rain, falling.

We have visitors, and Laura, one of the two visitors, wanted to see Beluga whales. So we drove out the Seward Highway to Beluga Point and we parked in the parking lot adjacent to Turnagain Arm, and we put on our raincoats and got out of the car, and we stood around in the rain, and took note of how the wind, blowing one way, and the tide, moving the water the other way, created chop.

There were no whale sightings, so I first climbed back into the car and then the others followed. My feet were wet. We came up with a new plan. We’d get gas halfway to Girdwood, go to Girdwood and get dinner, and then look for whales on the return trip.

This is what we did. On the return trip, it was even more blustery. We pulled into the Beluga Point parking lot again, and Laura, Pat, and Pete put on their raincoats and again got out of the car. It was déjà vu all over again. Me, I stayed in the car. I was happy, looking out the window, at the rain and mist and water. It was all gray. All I lacked was a cup of hot chocolate.

The others returned. They did not see any whales, but they got to experience blustery Turnagain Arm weather. I am sure that Captain Cook took note of this and was rolling in his grave.

Drove home in the rain. For the past hour the crew has been deliberating about their travel plans. I am going to be left behind. And It has been raining, it is raining, it will continue to rain.

Next: 215. 8/8/24: Goodness