What the hail?!

Saturday - April 12 - Salem, Oregon 75 degrees.

Saturday - April 19 - Salem, Oregon 43 degrees, snow and hail.

What a difference a week makes. During the winter months, I got pretty good at judging the rain the clouds on the horizon. I could look out my west facing window at home and determine if Gracie and I had time to get to the dog park and back without getting soaked. I was pretty darn accurate in my assessments. This April has been completely different though. Yesterday, a patch of blue sky finally burst through the gray clouds. I scanned the horizon and it looked like the next ban of rain/snow was stuck on the coast range. So Gracie and I headed for the park. As soon as I pulled into the lot. The dark clouds descended. Uh oh...I said to Gracie. But being the dog park troopers that we are, we went forth. About half way around the path, the hail started. Gracie didn't seem to mind though. She had her ball and plenty of P-Mail to check. I wouldn't have minded as much if the wind hadn't been blowing those tiny missles into my face. On the back side of the loop, the sun once again emerged and shone with so fierceness that steam began to float up from the bark trail. Suddenly my black parka that had been so toasty warm a few minutes ago was unbearably hot. By the time we got back to the car, another ban of ominous clouds was covering the park. New arrivals were trying to guage their chances. But for the most part, I think we dog park goers are a hardy bunch. What's a little hail when your best pal is romping with joy through the spring grass!