Alex T writes, “Summer is chaos in Buena Vista.  Wonderful, beautiful chaos.  Warm weather and long days conspire to extend hike and bike and kayak time well into the late evening.  Folks are passing through on vacation which means barbecues, Whipple trail walks, extra visits to the hot springs and busy times for local business’.  Don’t think I’m complaining, I’m not.  But recently, I found myself, not overwhelmed exactly, just wishing for a bit of the relaxed pace of late fall and early spring.  And then on Monday, I found it.

Plans upon plans were stacking up to dominate my day with activities. Friends in town, time to go paddling, which means early breakfast, a little work, out to the river, back to work, a full evening and on and on.  The day raced forward until, the rains came to own the afternoon.

For my money, afternoon showers are some of the best parts of summer in BV.  The clouds start forming at lunch and fill the sky by two.  The rain falls, maybe with a little thunder, dropping the temperature 15 degrees in ten minutes.  And all you can do is sit back on the porch or under a tree or put on the rainjacket, keep hiking and watch it roll through.  They never last long, just long enough to take the heat-edge off the day.  I found myself gladly trading in my pm plans for conversation and a cup of tea at the kitchen table.  Eventually, even the talk was unnecessary.  The pattern of raindrops on the railing was all that the afternoon required.  Everyone agreed, it didn’t ruin the day.  It made the day.”

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