“Water … has the power to move millions of people.
Since the very birth of human civilization,
people have moved to settle close to it.
People move when there is too little of it …
People move when there is too much …
People fight over it.
And all people, everywhere and every day, need it.”
~ Mikhail Gorbachev as president of Green Cross International

Lack of adequate rainfall in the southwest, for two consecutive years now, has created  a drought. These conditions are typical of our Mediterranean-type climate. To date, the 2013-14 rain season has produced around a quarter inch of rain. Though normal for now, many are closely watching, hoping for a more typical precipitation pattern. There is something else to be watching too – One Hundred Mules Walking the Los Angeles Aqueduct, an event created by artist Lauren Bon.
As the Crescenta Valley cools down as fall progresses, the Eastern Sierras have as well. Colder temperatures and a winter-like storm brought the first snow of the season. As skiers headed north up HWY 395 to the newly opened slopes, a long line of mules were walking south. What a sight to behold (not the skiers).

November 5 marks the day, 100 years ago, when the L.A. Aqueduct was opened. At the ceremony water gushed forth, and William Mulholland uttered his famous words, “There it is. Take it.” These five words are perhaps the most noted in the history of L.A.  The controversy surrounding Mulholland’s engineering achievement and the effects of that achievement are far reaching. While the Los Angeles area thrived, the Owens Valley suffered greatly as its water was diverted south.

One hundred years later, on Nov. 11, 2013, 100 mules will be coming into town. They are often overlooked but their hard work contributed greatly to building of the aqueduct. I guess they know where to find the water. The very least we can do is give them a drink and an ear scratching.

“There it is, now take it” and please …. drink as much as you need.

As for rain … A slight chance is interwoven with an onshore/offshore pattern. Saturday looks to be the warmest day with cooler temperatures at the beginning of next week. Overall pleasant weather with days in the 70s and low 80s. Nighttimes dip into the low 50s

I am waiting for the arrival of the mules – and rainy weather.

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

  Sue Kilpatrick