Colorado part deux or hello cows (Grand Junction, Montrose: areas, distance, places)

[CosmicWizard]

102 officially in Grand Junction, but really not that bad. I went for a 3 mile walk in the hot summer sun at 3PM. Although it was undeniably hot, it was actually rather pleasant. The very dry breeze made it easily tolerable. When I lived in the humidity soup of Virginia Beach I rarely ventured outdoors when the temp was more than 85. During the months of June, July, and August, a 3 mile walk during the daylight hours in 85 degree heat would have wiped me out. Todays walk, while not actually invigorating, was pleasant nonetheless.

[jazzlover]

This summer reminds me more and more of 1977. That was the year that I experienced my all-time unofficial record high in Colorado--108° F. I was working in agriculture then, and spent most of the time outside in that brutal heat. I was driving and unairconditioned pickup, to boot. For weeks, I got up at 4:00 AM, so I could have my hardest work done before the heat of the day. In west central Colorado that year, I think there were over 30-some days (unofficially) that were over 100°. This year, the rivers are already lower than they were in 1977--that is really scary.

[DOUBLE H]

Jazzlover is right, I remember 1977 as well. It was an oven throughout the state.

[jim9251]

jazz I worked day shift patrol in a dark blue uniform wearing a bullet resistant vest in Arkansas in heat in the 100's with 400% humidity. A funny story...I was directing traffic one August. It was 111 degrees and 92% humidity. My boots stuck to the highway asphalt. It was so hot the asphalt was getting soft and the rubber soles of my boots were melting. I wonder if my boot prints are still on AR HWY 133.

And I agree 101 is stupid hot but with 4% humidity its tolerable. The kids were playing tag outside this evening when it cooled down to 96.

[CosmicWizard]

1977 was a brutally dry summer in California where I spent the first part of it, and also very dry in British Columbia where I spent the rest of it. The severity required restrictions on toilet flushing in Marin county. That's when I first came across the old saying: If it brown flush it down. If it's yellow let it mellow.

[jim9251]

Another hot day forecast for Delta. The fam is heading to Confluence Park, I'm staying in where it's cool. Confluence Park on a Saturday? No thanks.

[jim9251]

2pm and it's 101 in Delta. Glad I don't have to work in this heat any longer. Enjoying my central air conditioned house.

[jim9251]

Noticed at sunset a large plume of smoke from the south covering the sky. These fires and this heat is getting scary. I don't like it.

Well getting up at 6am Sunday to smoke a brisket and baby back ribs.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by jim9251

Noticed at sunset a large plume of smoke from the south covering the sky. These fires and this heat is getting scary. I don't like it.

I don't like it either, Jim. It's been a lot of years since Colorado weather and natural cycles have revealed their very vicious side like they have this year. I suspect a lot of people are getting a real unpleasant surprise from it. Colorado nature isn't always wonderful and pleasant--sometimes it slaps you upside the head with a baseball bat--hard and repeatedly.

[CosmicWizard]

jazzlover wrote:

Colorado nature isn't always wonderful and pleasant--sometimes it slaps you upside the head with a baseball bat--hard and repeatedly.

Not to make light of the ravage of nature in Colorado this year, but you could substitute ANY other state for Colorado and this statement would still ring true, and it would paint a broader, more comprehensive picture.