August 3, 2013
For the past week or so, we have been enjoying light gusty winds along the foothills influenced by monsoonal patterns out of the Southwest with a few light clouds leaking over the Sierra Nevadas. Temperatures still remain close to the century mark, but high temperatures are relatively short in duration as compared to last month when we experienced one of the longest strings of 100-degree days that I can remember. July Temperatures
A carryover from the days that my father raised Emperor Grapes, August is our indicator month for the fall if it is confirmed in September. Though there are but only a few small Emperor vineyards remaining, nearby Exeter advertised itself as the Emperor Capital of the World when I was a boy. Harvested from mid-September through October, it was important to know when and if a rain would spoil the harvest or the crop.
More than a two or three day hiccup, our current weather change seems prolonged. If confirmed, we could have substantial cooling, and hopefully some rain in early October. Current forecasts indicate another week of the same. Consensus among Robbin, Clarence and I is that it feels a little like fall already, despite the heat. Guarded against too much wishful thinking, I must admit it seemed a lot like fall yesterday as I made the rounds in Greasy, gustier and breezier than the lower elevations of the creek. It smelled like fall.
Though the cows look good, our dry feed is short and stockwater dried-up or under pressure in many places. The first calves should begin arriving within thirty days as we look forward to shorter days and another chance for decent rains and a good grass season.
drycrikjournal 
So today, the 7th, is the first it has felt like fall here. The chinese pistachio trees are glowing with their red and yellow autumn colors, the buckeyes are losing leaves, the virginia creeper on my client’s house was all red. All the naked ladies (lilies) bloomed early and are almost over. It drizzled last night, and it just smelled different today. Wow, August 7th.
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It’s all about the weather, it seems, for the past two weeks, the monsoon influence, gusty breezes, especially in the evening up and down the canyon. A welcome volatility to help us endure the hundred degree heat when we can actually find relief in the shade. Fall seems to be coming early or perhaps setting us up for an ‘indian summer’. We have dew on the solar panels, 60 degrees at daylight. ‘Wow’ to you too, Heather. Days shorter, filtered light, time to pack the camera.
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