A Jaunt In Six Mile Canyon

Above, the Jeep in Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After having my usual Sunday breakfast at the Silver Screen Restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel and doing some grocery shopping this morning, I relaxed on the deck with a beer (Alien Amber Ale, of course!).

When I was done with that, I decided to take a drive into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. 

I saw only one vehicle there and he was leaving the canyon. I headed in. 

After a little while, I noticed a big black cloud coming in from the Southwest. We're nearing Monsoon Season and I know they can (and do) produce heavy downpours. It was getting windy and some rain drops started falling as it approached.

I decided to make a u-turn near where the windmill is located and head out. I don't need to get drenched and possibly have the road washed out.

Other than that, I enjoyed the drive, even though I had to cut it a little short.

Some photos:

Memorial Day Rain

Well, it did rain yesterday, which we needed. 

I ended up grilling hamburgers inside instead of barbecuing. I used one of my mom's cast iron frying pans that she had ever since I could remember. They came out good (with some original Stubb's barbecue sauce).

Since Denny's at the Flying J has been closed for two weeks due to a fire, out coffee group will be heading to Lil's Cafe in Thoreau today. I haven't seen any activity at Denny's to get it reopened yet. Wonder what's keeping them?

As for yesterday's rain, we did have some evening lightning and thunder. I guess the monsoon season is starting early this year. That would be nice. 

There may be some more rain coming today.

Rainy Day

Above, no driving, Jeep or otherwise, today due to rain. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It doesn't look like I'll be doing much, or any, driving today. Jeep or otherwise.

Right now, it is raining here in Jamestown, New Mexico.

I do have to go into Gallup this week to pick up my prescription refills. But I won't be doing so today. 

According to the National Weather Service, the weather here this week is looking like this:

Today

Showers likely before noon, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Sunny, with a high near 77.

Thursday Night

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday

A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Rainbow

 

After getting home from dinner at Jerry's Café in Gallup, I flipped on the television to watch the news.

While watching the news, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted this rainbow through the window. I grabbed my phone and took the above photo from my front porch.

It had been a dry monsoon season until about three weeks ago. Now we're getting the badly needed rain.

More Monsoon Thunderstorms This Week

Above, the below weather coverage area.

It was a good thing that I got the Jeep to the mechanic's yesterday morning. In the afternoon after 3:00, we received some more monsoon rains in the Jamestown area.

I'm not complaining, it had been a dry monsoon season for the most part. But that changed a bit over the past two weeks.

According to the National Weather Service, more thunderstorms are expected during the next few days.

 Today

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday

A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Finally, Some Monsoon Activity

Above, a normal monsoon season. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finally, we're getting some more monsoon season thunderstorm activity in the Gallup-Jamestown area.

For the past two days (and last night), we've been getting some rain in the area including a few downpours with accompanying lightning. This is welcome as it has been a relatively dry monsoon season. 

According to the National Weather Service, the week is shaping up as follows:

Overnight

A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday

Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night

Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then isolated showers between 9pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday

Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Friday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.

First Mow Of The Year

Above, having a brew after mowing yesterday.

Since we came off a relatively dry winter and spring, it was only yesterday that Barking Spider Acre got its first mow. Grass and brush were not so plentiful or high this season.

After getting a new battery for the mower, I took the mower out and started mowing. I only did about half when I saw lightning and heard thunder to the south over the Zuni Mountains. That's when I decided to stop. I will likely finish mowing either today or tomorrow. Monsoon season has arrived.

The mower worked fine yesterday. It started immediately after I installed the new battery. The last battery lasted six years, so I figure I got my money's worth out of it.

Early Monsoon Rain

Above, this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Monsoon season officially begins on June 15 and runs to September 30 in New Mexico.

It appears to have arrived early this year (no complaints) as we had some sprinkles with thunder in the Jamestown/Gallup area in the afternoon.

Overnight, it rained even harder. I read that this is the first of two storms expected to hit this week. This was the weaker one. It was strong enough for me to hear it hitting the roof and roof vents.

We can definitely use the water as winter was relatively dry compared to past years. 

Rain Squall In Gallup

Above, the El Rancho Hotel after the rain squall clouds passed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little while ago, I returned home from a trek to Gallup for some grocery shopping.

On the way there, I noticed a big black cloud with rain downpouring from it towards the southwest. I figured that it would hit Gallup within the hour.

Upon reaching Gallup, I stopped at the El Rancho Hotel for some breakfast (Monument Valley Enchiladas). While there, the storm arrived and we had some claps of thunder overhead along with downpour rain squall.

After finishing my breakfast, sure enough, the storm dumped some rain on Gallup and proceeded to head towards the east. (There was no evidence of any rain in Jamestown when I got home.) After the storm clouds passed, it got nice and warm outside.

This is probably one of the "last hurrahs" of the monsoon season which ends this month. 

Monsoon Thunderstorm

Above, the Jeep on Saturday after I mowed the inner yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The monsoon continues.

Yesterday, while watching the news coverage of Joe Biden's dropping out of the presidential campaign, I saw that we were suddenly getting a downpour of rain.

I had to scoot outside to put the Jeep into the garage as I removed the window from the driver side door. I don't exactly relish sitting in a soaked seat. 

The storm progressed into a full-blown thunderstorm with lightning and thunder throughout the evening. One of my neighbors posted that we received about 1/2 inch of rain. 

We're expected to more rain this afternoon, about a 30% chance. 

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.

More Rain Coming

Above, tire tracks around the GOCO Beast Barn from the motorhome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The past week and weekend saw New Mexico get lots of monsoon rain. This was helpful in putting out wildfires that raged in some areas of the state.

Some areas got too much rain and suffered with flooding. The hills over Grants had some waterfalls form.

In Jamestown (were I live), we got around an inch of rain (maybe more). The ground is currently saturated.

When I drove the motorhome in Barking Spider Acre to put it into the garage, I noticed the ground being soft and muddy. At times, I thought it would get stuck. Luckily it didn't. 

We're to get more rain this week. 

According to the National Weather Service:

 Today

Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then isolated showers between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday

Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Wednesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Monsoon Thunderstorm

Above, outside a few minutes ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I was in Fort Sumner during the last few days, it was forecast to have thundershowers. Well, we did get rain, but no lightning and thunder. It even rained during my drive home yesterday.

That wasn't the case in Jamestown. Overnight, we had some thunder and lightning. According to friends here, it affected the power and Internet. My power is on except for the bathrooms. Internet is working. 

We had some good downpours, enough so that they woke me up. The National Weather Service noted that "strong storms will also be possible Saturday in the Four Corners region." That's us.

According to the National Weather Service:

Overnight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday

Isolated showers before 9am, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 60. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday

Isolated showers, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Rainy Morning

Above, the deck this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I was going to water the trees, but the good Lord decided to send over another monsoon storm, so I won't have to.

About an hour ago, I heard heavy rain hitting the roof. I took a look and, sure enough, we were getting some good rain. It is currently sprinkling. 

The Lions Club Rodeo will be held this weekend. It looks like we'll have a hot Saturday.

According to the National Weather service, the weekend looks like this:

 Today

Showers likely before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast 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

Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night

Clear, with a low around 54.

First Monsoon Rain

Above, yesterday before the rains started. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday afternoon, we received our first rain of this year's monsoon season (June through September).

It lasted for about a half hour, but it came down hard during most of it. That relieves me from having to water the trees outside (at least for a few days).

According to the National Weather Service, more is expected to hit Jamestown, New Mexico during the next few days. Even with that, it is warm outside.

The forecast:

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Monday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 88.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 91.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 91.

Thursday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 89. Breezy. 

Monsoon Season Coming

Above, the front yard on the first day of June. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that Jamestown, New Mexico is heading into monsoon season.

Later this week, we may be getting some thunderstorms (20% chance) through the area. On top of that, temperatures will be in the upper 80s with one day reaching 90°. After a long winter, this is most welcome. But I'll have to hook up the swamp cooler.

According to the National Weather Service, the week's forecast:

Today

Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the morning.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Thursday

A chance of sprinkles after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Friday

A chance of sprinkles after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.

Friday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 89.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Sunday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84.

Sunday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Monday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

Early Monsoon Season?

Above, rain clouds over the mesas in May 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After enjoying 80-90° temperatures at the clampout and in Lake Havasu, I am back in Jamestown, New Mexico and 60-70° temperatures.

It looks like monsoon might be creeping in early this year if the forecast below comes to pass. Normally, we get thunderstorms from June to September. 

According to the National Weather Service:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 66. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening.

Sunday

Isolated showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

Monday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the morning.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Wednesday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.