Home»Portola Valley Ranch, Windy Hill, Etc.»10/25/2021 After the Rain

An atmospheric river pours down on the Peninsula for a couple of days, giving Portola Valley more rainfall in one storm than in the whole drought-stricken season last year. There are widespread, lasting power outages. As the storm abates, Helen and I walk up Corte Madera Creek along Eagle Trail. As we cross the bridge into the Windy Hill Open Space District, the creek is in full flow beneath us -- just a few days earlier, the creek was dry here, for only the second or third time in our 44 years here. No more.

It is wonderful to walk along Eagle Trail with water dripping off the leaves and the creek running full. A welcome change from our crispy dry summer. Is it time to take down the signs, "Extreme Fire Danger"?

Returning home, I watch crows dabbling in the just-filled Frog Pond. The froggy chorus will soon begin!