It's Fryin' Time Again.....

(apologies to Ray Charles, may he rest in peace.)

The State of Washington has a definate split personality when it comes to climate. Outsiders know it as "The Evergreen State," which is only partially correct. The nickname fits the west side of the state, which is blessed with copious amounts of rain. (Also the home of Costco and Starbucks, but I digress.) Copious water brings on lots of trees and moderate temperatures. This works until the Cascade Mountains split the state. Rain does not often venture over the mountains. Welcome to the desert of eastern Washington! The dry side. Miles and miles of treeless countryside inhabited by sagebrush, rattlesnakes, jack rabbits and little else. A secret well kept from tourists. (One might argue that there is lots of farming, but that is only possible because of the dammed up waters of the mighty Columbia River and tons of irrigation pipe.) Summer brings hellishly hot temperatures to eastern Washington. Over 100 degrees F. HOT! Burn bare feet on sidewalk HOT! Run from air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air conditioned office HOT. The strangest sound is the lack of sound. No kids playing (unless there is a pool nearby). TOO HOT! Only sound outside is the gentle hum of air conditioners. HOT enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk? Hmmm.....I'll let you know.