July 25 dust storm

We had another dandy dust storm Friday that made big news stories on the weather channel, but thankfully, we PC Creekers were spared from any damage.  All of us "house watchers" were up at the crack of dawn to tour our homes and check for damages.  We even talked with Ranger Bob to see if he had information for us. 
 

 
  No damage to report.  It appears we just got "dusted".  As per a typical monsoon storm, the dust was followed by plenty of lightning and thunder but only light rain.  Leaf blowers sounded loud throughout the morning as folks came outside to clean up.

We talked with a rep from Tri-Cor air conditioning repair this morning.  He said their office was inundated with incoming calls begging to get their AC fixed after the storm.  APS (local power company) had to restore electricity to about 10,000 homes.  No problems here though....not even a flicker.
 
Those who left their RVs here need not worry as so far this summer, we've had enough rain to wash off most of the grime and grit.  The rigs that have had a nice wax job look great.
 
The news channel was showing video of the storm as it moved across the area.  I tried to take some pictures from the TV for you.
 

 

 

Where was I at the actual time the storm hit???  I was at a surprise birthday party at Francisco Grande with a group of WONDERFUL friends.  Don promised me a romantic dining experience with just the two of us..........but when we walked through the door......SURPRISE!  It was awesome.  Made me cry happy tears.

 

 

 

It was quite an exciting day as my fellow Pegs players surprised me with lunch and cake in the afternoon too. 

 

 
What a wonderful place to call home and be surrounded with so many friends.  Thank you to everyone.  It was a fantastic birthday.
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Back to business:
 
The photos I posted about the harvesting drew quite an audience and I received some outstanding emails from readers.  Several wrote and asked about exactly what kind of crop it was.  I believe Bob Tasler answered it well.  He wrote:
 
"Hi Sue, thanks for your timely photos of progress at Palm Creek. I believe the field machines you showed are chopping silage as feed for cattle. It's made from chopping the entire plant, usually corn or sorghum. After it's fermented it becomes a "delicious" food for animals. They really like the smelly old stuff.
Bob
 
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My favorite email came from Joyce Curtis (formerly Site 316)
 

I  thought you might  like  to hear from this  gr  gr ma  who  has  been one of  those  truck  drivers.  Our operation  was not  as large  as  that one  but you have not lived until  you have  driven one of  those  trucks  in a  warm  truck  with  a  toddler  who  desperately  needed  a  fresh  diaper.  Can't  roll  down  the  windows but  ordinarily  it  would  not  be  too hot  as most of  our  cutting  would  be  done   when it  was much cooler.   Our kids  grew up  "helping" -a  baby  sitter was not  thought of  or in the budget..  Joyce  Curtis  formerly  from #316

 

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I haven't been taking a lot of photos of the remodel projects because to the camera and the casual observer, it all looks the same.  Ladders, paint buckets, tool boxes, etc.  It's hard to tell what's happening until the room starts getting put back together.  We can see that progress in the new library/computer room.

 

 

 

 Electricians have put in many hours here this summer as they wired the ballroom and installed all those ceiling fans.  They rewired the billiards room so new lighting can be installed....and, of course, this library/computer lab requires LOTS of rewiring.  Many many improvements are coming our way.

 

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