It got 80 degrees out this afternoon, but the day started just above freezing.
It’s a time between lingering winter storms and full on summer heat . . . the shoulder of summer to lean on.
School is still in session, vacationers are at minimal numbers, and the weather is typically sunny, but nearly always dry. This year we’re able to get into the Cascades nearly a month early.
That will likely come back to bite us before summer’s end. For now, we pull on a sweater as we leave the house, knowing it will be shed when the day warms.
The aspen’s leaves have started to obscure the tiny song birds queued up for a turn at the feeder.
Small yellow blossoms cover the rabbit brush, so the wooded lot across the street has a golden carpet for a few weeks.
There are wildflowers coming up on the canyon walls and pretty soon the wild iris will add patches of light purple to the riparian.
Birds are paired and fledglings are starting to join in the swim or take flight.
All too soon we’ll be hunkered under broad brimmed hats and tucked into whatever shade we can capture from the junipers.
But in these few weeks we are at peak outdoor time and intend to enjoy every minute