Mowed The Yard

Above, after the mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we had a bit of a break the monsoon rains (we've gotten a lot), I took the opportunity to mow Barking Spider Acre yesterday evening.

I usually mow in the morning, but since it was cloudy and cool, it was the perfect conditions to mow. The ground was a little soft, but not muddy. The brush was getting thick on the ground. It is very green in the area from all the monsoon rains we've been getting.

Above, the area in and around Jamestown is green from the monsoon rains. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did have a little problem while mowing the front along the road. The mower got stuck in the soft dirt near the drainage ditch that parallels the road. But I was able to pull it out with the Jeep in short order and I finished the mowing.

Once done, I relaxed over a bottle of Alien Amber Ale on the deck.

Above, it's Alien time.

We'll be celebrating Independence Day at Martin Link's on Thursday. His backyard is on a hilltop and we get great views of fireworks, even some from Window Rock, Arizona miles away.

"Wintry Mix" For Continental Divide?

Above, Barking Spider Road in early November 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Oh-oh! It looks like it is possible that Continental Divide may get a "wintry mix" Monday morning. Continental Divide is roughly eight miles east of Jamestown.

Well, that's what KRQE is reporting.

They posted:

A significant change in our weather begin Saturday evening as a strong backdoor cold front enters northeastern New Mexico. This cold front will bring a sharp drop in temperatures across eastern New Mexico by Sunday morning. The cold front will continue to move west and south through Sunday afternoon. High temperatures will be as much as 40° cooler in eastern New Mexico Sunday, with cooler temperatures statewide. Snow will also develop across the northern mountains Sunday, with a few inches of snow possible. There is a lot of uncertainty for precipitation chances in the lower elevations, but some forecast models predict that a very light wintry mix will be possible from the Continental Divide to the Albuquerque Metro, the upper Rio Grande Valley and northeast New Mexico through Monday morning. No major travel problems are expected though the warm ground temperatures we still have.

Many areas of the state will see their first freeze of the season Monday morning, including the Albuquerque Metro. High temperatures on Monday will be as much as 15° to 20° colder than average. Colder and more freezing temperatures will move in Tuesday morning. A slow warming trend will begin Tuesday afternoon, but temperatures will stay cooler than average for the rest of next week.

It won't be long (perhaps) when we need to get our snow shovels out of our garages.

To read more, go here. 

Big Storm Last Night

Above, the view of the mesas this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night, we had one heck of a thunderstorm.

It began in the evening and went on through to around my bedtime. It came down heavy and I was concerned that it would wash parts of Barking Spider Road into the field, like it did two years ago.

Above, Barking Spider Road weathered the storm just fine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the sun came up this morning, I went outside to inspect Barking Spider Acre and it appeared okay. The field was much greener from all of the rains we've been having. 

Above, Barking Spider Acre is getting greener. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that having crushed asphalt layered over Barking Spider Road was the right decision. It stayed in place. 

Above, the deck was still wet this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The deck and the grounds were still wet from the rains this morning. The trees got a good soaking overnight.

My weather apps said before the storm that we'd get a 15% chance of precipitation. That was one heck of a 15%.

Mowing Done

Above, Alien time after I was done mowing.

Before it got hot yesterday, I mowed Barking Spider Acre in the morning. 

The brush was mainly on the roadway in front of the GOCO Beast Barn (RV garage). It took about an hour and a half before I finished it. That was partly due to the zero-turn mower getting stuck and slid into a drainage ditch in front of the house. Normally, when the mower gets stuck, I use the Jeep to pull it out. But since I am having fuel pump problems with the Jeep that's keeping it from starting, I had to use the Mustang instead. 

Thankfully, it wasn't too far into the ditch and I got it out quickly. 

Before:

After:

Gotta Mow This Morning

Above, the most brush is on Barking Spider Road in from of the Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it is going to be around 96° in Jamestown today, I have to do some mowing this morning before it get hot.

The weather will be hot this week, but we're also supposed to get monsoon thunderstorms coming in.

According to the National Weather Service:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Monday

Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the evening.

Tuesday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the morning.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Wednesday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Friday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Friday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Saturday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Above, the GOCO Beast Barn from the rear. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finished Mowing Before Downpours

Above, the field after mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two days ago, I started mowing Barking Spider Acre. The recent rains have accelerated plant growth. 

I was almost halfway done when I spotted a lightning bolt to the south. It must have been a half mile (or less) away. That was my cue to stop the mowing and to get the mower and Jeep into the garage.

Yesterday, I finished mowing in the morning. It was a good thing I did finish it when I did as we had more lightning and downpours in the afternoon. 

During this, I spent part of the afternoon watching movies, one of which was Clint Eastwood's Mystic River (2003) that starred Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn and Tim Robbins.   

We're supposed to get more thunderstorms in the afternoon today. Many are wondering if we are having an early monsoon season. Last year was dry at this time until the first monsoon rain that arrived on July 18. We've had a lot of precipitation in the area since then. It looks like this will be a wet year.

According to the National Weather Service, today and tonight in Jamestown will look like this:

Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Yard Work

Above, Barking Spider Acre after finishing mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With today's temperatures in the 70s (it is forecast to hit 81° tomorrow), I decided to break out the mower and mow Barking Spider Acre.

The shrubs and grass were starting to get taller from all of the snow and rain we received during the monsoon season and winter snows. I was going to wait another week or two, but I decided to get on it today.

It was a nice day to ride the mower. After I was done, I chatted with my neighbor Mike for awhile. 

After that, I settled on the deck with some Alien Amber Ale. All in all, a good day.

UPDATE (4:30/23):

The temperature forecast has been revised down to 78°.

Took A Little Walk

Above, GOCO Beast Barn and Barking Spider Acre. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that we have clear skies and a (little bit) warmer temperature, I took a little walk over to Barking Spider Acre. 

The snow cover was smooth with only a few animal tracks in places. I liked the lighting and took a few photos.

The general consensus of our group at coffee this morning was that this last storm dumped about five inches of snow. That, on top of what was dumped earlier in the week, left us with about seven or eight inches on the ground. 

Here's the photos:

Yard Mowed

Above, the ol' homestead today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Recent monsoon rains made some ruts on Barking Spider Road. Fortunately, they were not deep and will iron out in a few months.

We've had a lot of monsoon rains and even though I mowed Barking Spider Acre a week before last, the growth of grass and brush is quite noticeable and needed mowing. That's what I did this morning. 

I did part of the acre (about half) and finished up after a shopping trek to Gallup. This is the first time in memory that the mower didn't kick up dust as the ground has been moisturized to near saturation.

Here's the results:

Getting Green

It had been raining off & on for most of the day today.

After dinner, I took a little stroll in Barking Spider Acre to see how much plant growth there is following the monsoon rains we've been getting.

I am happy to report that grass is beginning to push through and making the acre a little more green. It isn't too much, but enough to be noticeable.

It should be even greener in the next two weeks, almost like a golf course (provided we get more rain). Then, I'll have to do more mowing. But that's okay, I find driving the mower to be fun.

Some pictures:

 

Rain and Power Outage

Above, during my check of Barking Spider Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since around 11:00 last night until 9:41 this morning, the Jamestown, New Mexico area had been without power.

According to neighbors who contacted the power company, it was due to some problem at one of the substations. It was possibly caused by the rain we received over the past 12 hours, some of which were downpours (we needed those, anyway). We got about a half an inch of rain, according to friend Victor.

Above, we got a good soaking overnight and this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it was not a good idea to open the refrigerator and I needed to take my meds with food, I headed down to Denny's at the Flying J for breakfast. They are on a different power grid than we are.

Anyway, the power is back on and we got some much needed rainfall. 

I checked Barking Spider Road to see if any of it was washed out and it made it through in fine shape.  

Happy Father's Day, everyone!

First Mexican Hurricane

Above, Barking Spider Road partially washed away last July by a monsoon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first Mexican hurricane of 2022 is now forming over the Pacific Ocean and its track will carry it over the Mexican isthmus and into the Gulf of Mexico. This caught my attention.

According to the Associated Press:

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The first hurricane of the season formed off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast Sunday and rapidly gained power ahead of an expected strike along a stretch of tourist beaches and fishing towns as a major storm.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Agatha was expected to make landfall as a powerful Category 3 hurricane Monday afternoon or evening in the area near Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel in the southern state of Oaxaca — a region that includes the laid-back tourist resorts of Huatulco, Mazunte and Zipolite.

The center warned that the hurricane could deliver a dangerous storm surge.

This hurricane won't affect New Mexico with any monsoon rains. Hurricanes that form further north of the Pacific Ocean and over Baja California do produce monsoon rains in the Southwest. Monsoons usually start around June 15 and go into the end of September. 

Last summer, we had a couple of good ones. One of them partially washed away Barking Spider Road, which left some ruts that I had to repair. 

Second Round of Rain/Snow?

Above, Barking Spider Road snow of November 2020. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Starting tonight, the next round of rain/snow will be hitting the Jamestown, New Mexico area.

Currently, we have cloud cover, which helps keep in the heat (what little there is) and it is now 40° outside.

According to the National Weather Service:

Today

A chance of sprinkles before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. South wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Rain showers likely between 8pm and 2am, then snow showers likely after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Windy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Wednesday

A 40 percent chance of snow showers before 11am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

This Year's Monsoon Rainy Season

Above, the drainage ditch was kept busy this monsoon season. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The monsoon season in the Southwest generally goes from June through September.

Right now, after two dry weeks, we are getting some rains as I am typing this. Every drop is welcome and hopefully we will have a plentiful winter snowfall season.

Agri News posted an article on this year's monsoon season. It was a very wet one here in Jamestown, New Mexico. It even washed away part of Barking Spider Road.

The article starts off with:

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — After two bone-dry years that sank the U.S. Southwest deeper into drought, this summer’s rainy season unleashed with fury.

Monsoon storms have brought spectacular lightning shows, bounties of wildflowers and mushrooms, and record rainfall to the region’s deserts. They’ve also brought destruction, flooding streets and homes, and leading to some swift water rescues and more than a dozen deaths.

It’s a remarkable reversal from 2019 and 2020, when the annual period known simply as “the monsoon” left the region parched. The seasonal weather pattern that runs from mid-June through September brings high hopes for rain, but the moisture isn’t guaranteed.

To read more, go here. 

Barking Spider Road Came Through The Storm Unscathed

Above, Barking Spider Road after today's rain. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was a rainy day for the most part.

Generally, it was a light, but steady rain. But we did get some downpours lasting several minutes. This was good for the plants outside. But it concerned me as I just got Barking Spider Road resurfaced.

After the rains stopped, I went out to see how well the new surfacing held up.

As it turned out, it was just fine. There was some water collected in the drainage ditches along the road. 

Above, Barking Spider Road came through the storm just fine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a relief to see that Barking Spider Road made it through with flying colors.

The latest from the National Weather Service:

In the Southwest, remnant moisture from [Hurricane] Nora continue to aid in the development of heavy showers and thunderstorms that could lead to flash flooding in spots this evening. A Slight Risk is in place for much of the Four Corners region with Arizona, western New Mexico, and southern Utah most at risk for flash flooding.

Monsoon Thunderstorms This Coming Week

Above, the repaired and resurfaced Barking Spider Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The monsoon season generally lasts in the Four Corners region from June through September.

While the big storms earlier in the season (which washed away some of Barking Spider Road) are over, we're still getting some occasional thunderstorm activity. We had some small thunderstorms come through the past two days (one hit last night).

Next week looks to have more thunderstorm activity with greater chances than last week, with average chances ranging from 20% to 50%.

According to the National Weather Service, this is the forecast for this coming week for my neck of the woods:

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Sunday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Tuesday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Tuesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Wednesday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.

Wednesday Night

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.

Thursday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Friday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

 

Resurfaced Barking Spider Road

Above, Barking Spider Road after completion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I had Barking Spider Road (that leads to the GOCO Beast Barn) resurfaced to fix the rainstorm damage during this monsoon season.

Above, resurfacing getting started. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Previously, it was just gravel, but we resurfaced it with asphalt milling. It should seal better and resist rains during normal years. The rains we had this season were of the kind that hits every 5 to 10 years.

Above, resurfacing almost done. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My gravel guy was able to get a good deal on the asphalt milling from the contractor who is working on the Interstate 40 project in our area. They are set to wrap up work next month.  

Repairing Barking Spider Road

Above, this is what I first saw when I noticed the asphalt milling pile. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The late-July and early-August monsoon rains washed a section of the gravel ramp of Barking Spider Road. I decided to wait until the monsoon tapers off before making the needed repairs.

That time has come and I am having the repairs done tomorrow. My gravel supplier, Russell, delivered a load of asphalt milling to Barking Spider Acre this morning and will spread it out tomorrow.

Above, the asphalt milling in front of the GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I didn't hear him deliver the milling. It was when I stepped outside to put some trash into the trash container when I noticed the pile.

The asphalt milling, mixed with the gravel, will help keep it from washing into the field during the next deluge.

The Arroyo Has Water

Above, the arroyo and the utility road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After yesterday's hour-long deluge in Jamestown, New Mexico, I took a walk through Barking Spider Acre to take a look at the arroyo that borders the back of my and my neighbors' properties. I was curious to see what, if any, water was flowing through it.

Above, a different view of the utility road and the arroyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sure enough, it was like a small river (more like a creek) with water flowing northward in the direction of Interstate 40.  We had a lot of water in a very short period of time.

From what I've been reading from New Mexico Facebook pages, people in and near Continental Divide haven't seen this much rain in a long time. They noted, "we had lots of rain, flash-flooding and lots of thunder & lightning."

Above, the arroyo flowing northward in the direction of Interstate 40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I took some photos of it at the point where the utility service road crosses it. I have driven that road in the Jeep and it eventually leads to the shooting area in Cibola National Forest.

From what I saw, no off-roaders will be driving that for a while. 

Above, Barking Spider Acre from the arroyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although the ground of Barking Spider Acre was very wet and muddy, it was firm enough (maybe due to the clay content of the soil) for me to walk to the arroyo without making a muddy mess of my boots.

This has been quite a monsoon season!

Today's Hour-Long Deluge

Above, water from the drainage ditch washed out more of Barking Spider Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We weren't expected to have much in the way of thunderstorms today, at least according to earlier forecasts. 

Now it is at 50% chance of monsoon rainstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

Above, the drainage ditch at the road in front of my property. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, for about an hour this afternoon, a thunderstorm cell came over Jamestown, New Mexico and dumped about (I'm guessing) 1" to 2" of rain. 

It came down hard for about an hour and after it was done, I walked to Barking Spider Acre and saw that it caused more washout of Barking Spider Road. I definitely have to fix it (probably around the end of August when the storms start tapering off) with more gravel. 

Above, the drainage at Barking Spider Acre. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The ground was pretty dry two weeks ago. Now it is saturated with the rain we've been getting.

Although the repairs to Barking Spider Road will cost me a few hundred, I am not complaining. We really did need the water.