A little reminder......

Its easy to loose ones head in the face of a looming disaster, to get lost in the what ifs and worries. But there is another way. I am able to go about my day in peace, no matter what may lie ahead because I know someone so much greater than my self, someone far more capable than I, is in control. His name is God and he cares about you.

Looking ahead next week

According to the National Weather Service, we can enjoy the sunny weekend. Isn't it nice to wake up to the sun streaming into the bedroom? But, enjoy it while it lasts- another round of rain and snow on the mountains is to be expected early next week. Although not on the scale of the storms of the past week.... you can anticipate one half to one inch of rainfall. You can also anticipate more runoff to fill our waterways- creeks and riverbeds.

Snow elevations are expected to be higher at 5,500 feet- just dusting the tippy-tops of Modjeska and Santiago Mountains. Rain falling on the snow on the lower elevations could bring greater run off to the riverbeds and creeks below.

Rainfall Totals: Friday 1.22.10

At the writing of this post, Trabuco Canyon's "rain-o-meter" is totalling a rainfall of 5.5 inches. As refreshing as the clean air and lack of dust is for the all to often dry and dusty Trabuco Canyon, I am ready for my pretty sunny and lazy canyon afternoons spent barefoot in the back yard.

Famous in a small town

I was informed by a friend tonight that our blog recieved a mention and link from the OC Register! Check out the article HERE. Just proof positive that everybody dies famous in a small town. Thanks for being great readers!

Another one bites the dust

Friday morning brought yet another one of Trabuco Canyon's Aged Giants crashing to the ground. This time- Mountainview Resident Kelly Robert's watched her massive oaktree fall as a result of the rain. Although no damage was done to the Robert's house, the falling tree almost landed upon the Robert's neighbor's car as they were driving by.

PHOTO: The fallen giant in front of the RObert's home. The Robert's youngest daughter Sierra gazes upon the massive tree in wide eyed wonder.

Falling trees a hazard to Canyon residents

Trabuco Canyon has seen over 5 inches of rain since the start of the storm Tuesday morning. Add wind gusts of up to 35 mph to the already saturated ground and you have the perfect environment to topple large oak and sycamore trees decades, if not centuries old. The root systems are just not deep enough to hold the rain soaked and newly top heavy tree.

Often unnoticed tree rot and disease weakens the aged tree and the stress of the storm causes the trunk to snap, toppling the aged giant to the ground. Falling trees are a destructive force. Their trunks, often weighing hundreds of pounds, destroy houses, fences, and cars lying below.

Fallen trees also create road hazards when their fallen trunks block roads and driveways. Such is the case at Trabuco Elementary school where a large, long standing oak tree snapped in last nights wind, blocking the entrance to the school parking lot. Maintenance workers were able to clear the portion blocking the roadway with chainsaws before parents and staff began to arrive. This is the second tree reported to have fallen in the storm- the first of which being the sycamore tree in front of Alan Schumann's house on Trabuco Oaks Dr.

If you live in the Trabuco Canyon and notice a fallen tree in your neighborhood, you can report it by calling the OC Sheriff's department general information line at 949 770-6011. For trees that may be endangering power poles and electrical lines, you can call Southern California Edison at 1-800-611-1911

Hail in Trabuco Canyon- An icy surpise

Last night brought another round of storms, this time with an electrifying and thunderous surprise. The night time Trabuco Canyon sky was lit up with multiple flashes of lightening and thunderclaps that rumbled through the rural canyon area. Canyon residents looked out their windows, awestruck at the power of nature.

The storm also brought pea and gravel sized hail, raining down in a torrent sounding like thousands of Bebe's falling upon rooftops, cars and the already saturated ground. One person remarked, "Wow. Sounded like a stampede outside with all that hail!" Falling steadily for a little under three minutes, the hail storm blanketed the ground with white pieces of round ice that melted shortly after in puddles of freshly fallen rain.