“I can feel the wind go by when I run. It feels good. It feels fast.”
~Evelyn Ashford
In 1992, the oldest American woman to win gold in track & field
(four gold in her career)

The sun shined brightly upon the Crescenta Valley High School track and field on Saturday. With accompaniment from the marching band, Special Olympic athletes declared the games “open.” As a mom of a CV alumni and long distant runner, I was more than eager to volunteer at these games. After years and years of track and cross-country meets, you become kind of addicted. Once again the energy, excitement and dedication of the athletes took hold and did not let me go.

No Crescenta Valley High School T&F or CC meet would be complete without our local “memory keeper” and photographer Leonard Coutin. What did he capture at this very special event?

Pictures tell a story. The weather added details, hard to miss in the photos. To begin with, it was a “picture perfect” day. Clear blue skies set the background. As the athletes gathered to warm up before and after their events, bottles and cups of water were here, there and everywhere. Coming in a close second were cans of sunscreen. At the event organizing table where I was stationed, both were plentiful.

As temperatures climbed toward the 90 degree mark, these items were much needed. In spite of the heat, a cool breeze could be felt in the shade. After all, it is still spring. A good time was had by all …just look at the pictures of the day (see  www.cvweekly.com).

Now weather-wise, get ready for a rollercoaster ride with a sun hat in one hand and an umbrella in the other. Here we go…

Gusty N.E. winds blow through the foothills on Thursday and Friday.

Temperatures may reach 100 degrees! These combined with low humidity make  fire conditions serious. The first Red Flag warning of the season has been issued.     Then…

Late Sunday the marine layer has returned dropping temperatures by 30 or more degrees. A developing cutoff low is expected to bring isolated and brief light showers our way.

This year, as we count the very few drops, we welcome with open umbrellas any rain that may fall.

Sue Kilpatrick is a
Crescenta Valley resident and
Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  Sue Kilpatrick