The rain begins

Today was greeted by gusts of strong winds and sheets of rain through the night. I walked out the door to a stream cascading down the trail seepening into thick mud. We spent the morning going over some journal writing and tips with the students, according to the strict, anal, humorous rubric of Joseph Grinnel, old school naturalist style. Walking out into the gail high above the ridge top in the afternoon. The wind gusting through the tussock grasses and clouds of misty rain straight from the Amazon blown West by the tradewinds.

We went on a natural history walk of sorts exploring the paramo in this surreal fantasy weatherscape. The paramo is full of moods?I am beginning to learn. Taking refuge in the lee of a hillside amongst low shrubs and tree ferns out of the wind. Collecting many plants for identification and trudging through the tussock grass soaked with rain. Reading by candle light and listening to the wind scream over the rooftop that night. Cozy in our splendid isolation.