Winter is NOT over in central Oregon: heavy snow at the lookout tower tonight.

[DemoTex]

It was a cold day with passing high desert snow squalls, but the thunder-snow is now moving in. Yesterday was cold and foggy, but last night was hot-damn! at the Asleep @ the Wheel concert in Bend (first time I've ever driven in on a "school night&quot . Ray Benson and his crew rocked! Did me good after a week in the wilderness ('course I smelled like a goat, but there were other wilderness hippies there, too).


High desert snow showers today


Yesterday: Cold and foggy


Yesterday: Hot and steamy


Last night's concert: Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel (Photo courtesy of AS@TW press release)


They played in this great venue: Bend's historic Tower Theater (my photo from 2010)


And the played my favorite song: "Git Your Kicks on Route 66!" (my photo 2011)


Last week: Jet contrails in a mountain wave

[MADem]

1. I love these reports! Thanks for the update and the pics!

I almost feel like I'm there--though I don't know how my knees would like hauling my ass up to that tower!

[DemoTex]

5. My 64+ year old knees are holding up

I had a physical exam with my great B/P doc in Dallas on my way out here. Best physical in 10 years! All systems are GO!

[MADem]

22. That's great news--you'll be climbing that stairway for many more years, then!

I really have enjoyed your reports over the years!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear DemoTex!

Wow, your pictures are so awesome! The changing weather when spring is supposed to be here is amazing...

I really enjoy your stories and pics.......keep 'em coming!

[elleng]

3. Like this???

GREAT PICS!
Can't believe you've got SNOW, SNOW! Serious summer here!

[DemoTex]

6. Yeppers!

I've got Nat King Cole's version and Bobby Troup's. I'm a Route-66 freak!

[Suich]

4. Hey, Mac! Good to hear from you!

If it's any consolation, we hit our monthly average rainfall for the month of June yesterday. I figure if we're getting bad weather west of the mountains, it must be even worse for you!

I just noticed the solar panel on the lookout...is that new?

[DemoTex]

9. That is the USFS solar panel

It has been there for years, but the USFS batteries are not charging. Big kettle of rotten fish!

My solar panels are hidden on the east side of the lookout. My batteries crapped out, too (late last season). So I ordered three new 12V 40-amp-hour AGMs. They arrived at the USFS compound in Bend today (three packages @ 64 pounds each). I'll have 12V 120 A-H, while the company system has zero (I'm operating on a hand-held radio right now).

[OffWithTheirHeads]

7. 105 in Tucson today. Another afternoon in the pool.

[astonamous]

8. Cool...

I mean, COOL! My mom is in Baker City, OR. They probably don't have snow, but must be cold.

Love the pics.

Send me a PM if you need anything and I will pass it on to mom.

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. Here's to one of DU's few, true adventurers....

Cheers, Mac.

Keep up the good work and stay safe. Too bad your pup pup isn't there with you this year. I'll bet you miss him so.

[DemoTex]

13. Got your email

Thanks

[Skittles]

11. your pics are absolute treasures!

always look forward to them

[DemoTex]

14. Thanks, Skitt

How are things in Dallas? Actually, I was there on 5/11 to see my B/P doctor. I could not get over how good the Park Cities (Highland and University) looked and how damn bad other sections (W. Dallas past Love Field) looked. The Money.

[Skittles]

20. oh don't get me started

too late - you can really, REALLY see the affect of the class war here - certainly you can see who is winning. Me, I am bemoaning the fact it will be 100 degrees Monday, two weeks before summer starts. Oh wait, that is normal.

[Botany]

12. What did the North Sister tell the South Sister?

See you in the middle ...... that humor has them doubled over in the
Bends.

[DemoTex]

16. Better yet: The alternate names of the Three Sisters (Faith, Hope, & Charity)

Faith (N), Hope (M), and Charity (S): of these, says the Bible, the greatest shall be Charity (Love) .. and indeed she is (South Sister (Charity) is the tallest).

Mac

[Rhiannon12866]

15. K&R! Spectacular photos, as usual, DemoTex!

The first and last ones should be in this month's DU photo contest! Thanks so much for sharing them, and your adventures, with us...

[Left Coast2020]

17. Seeing wonderful pics of Central Oregon and Sisters...

...makes me wish I was there--especially golfing at Tok-A-Tee just past Blue River. Being stuck in Nor-Cal is depressing. Want to be back in Willamette Valley. GO DUCKS!!!

[Odin2005]

18. Snow in June? How high up in the mts are you? LOL!!!

[jobendorfer]

23. Above 5,000ft, you can get snow at any time in Oregon.

It's just *less likely* in June, July, August.
The rim road at Crater Lake, which is not wildly far from DemoTex's tower, doesn't even open until mid-July.

J.

[Heather4]

19. Spam deleted by Morning Dew (MIR Team)

[enough]

21. Hey DemoTex, what is that plant at the bottom of the lookout tower in the fog

in the second picture (looks like red and green leaves mixed)?

Great shots as usual -- thanks!

[classof56]

24. Hey, glad you're back in God's country. As some call it!

Snow's off Black Butte, so the garden's going in up here in Redmond. The cold has been a bit of a surprise, but it is the high desert, after all. Got a book recommendation for you, if you haven't already heard about it. Wild by Portland author Cheryl Strayed. Recounts her solo trek along the Pacific Crest Trail back in the 90s. Wonderful story, great writing, and her book's just been chosen by Oprah as her Book o' the Month or whatever she calls it now. Also, Reese Witherspoon picked up the movie rights so could be on the big screen e'er long. Attended Cheryl's book signing in Redmond awhile back. She's amazing!

Anyway, love your photos and welcome back to the tower. Enjoy!