Smoke

Washington hasn't been immune to the Canadian wildfire smoke.  Nowhere near as bad as the Midwest or the East Coast, but the air quality has deteriorated this week.  It's definitely been hazier when I go out for a hike.  And I could really smell the smoke last night after what was the hottest day of the year.  All the illegal fireworks and the smoke they created has not helped.  In fact, we had some of the worst air quality in the US (and probably the world) on the morning of July 5th:

Fortunately the smoky air has cleared out and we are forecast to have slightly cooler weather here (which hopefully translates to better sleeping weather!).   

More Trail Cam

I need to check my trail cam more regularly, there were way too many photos to go through.  Here are some (many) of the highlights from the last month.

Paranoia

A little bit disconcerting to be greeted by this sign at one of my regular hiking trails.  It wasn't there a few days ago.

Now whenever I hear a branch breaking or a sound louder than the birdsong that normally accompanies me on this trail, I'm instantly on high alert.  Made for quite a stressful hike!

TV Theme Tunes #37

I'm not sure this was a childhood favorite that I watched regularly, but I remember it being on.  And I definitely remember that one of the main characters loves mashed potatoes.

History

Ah history - the subject that I wish I hadn't dropped at A-level after 2 weeks.  My interest in history is definitely something I inherited from my Dad - and in many ways I wish I had pursued it academically.  And I've been watching a lot of history videos on YouTube recently, and it has rekindled my love for the subject.  Makes me want to go see more historical sites around the world.  And this is where I regret being in the US and not the UK - the US may have some great geological and natural history, but the kind of history I like is political and military, and that is where Europe excels.  It would be nice to visit a few more historical sites the next time I'm back in the UK - meanwhile here in Washington State, I should try to make it out to the San Juan Islands again with the aim of checking out the location of the Pig War (a US-UK confrontation in the mid-1800's where the only casualty was a pig!). 

A Preview

It's not 4th July yet, but I've already heard lots of fireworks going off over the weekend.  Despite the fact that it's illegal.  But what is utterly ridiculous is that you still see fireworks on sale.  If you don't want people to set off fireworks, then don't tempt them by selling them here.  It's a total lack of common sense.  As are the idiots who set off fireworks when it's still light outside.  What is the point of that.  But what annoys me most is the total lack of enforcement by police on people setting off fireworks.  If you don't bother to enforce the rules, then people will keep on breaking them.  I see that some road signs have gone up mentioning the illegality of setting off fireworks, but I doubt it's going to make much difference.  Nor is the fact that I've just been looking at the Snohomish County Interactive Fireworks Discharge Information Map (I live in Snohomish County), and I see fireworks are illegal all year round where I live but Bothell, which is nearby, actually has limited fireworks discharge allowed on 4th July.  Which was unexpected to find out.  I'm definitely going to hear that from where I live, so it's going to be another noisy 4th July.  I should just go up to Canada to avoid all this nonsense!       

Tired

I've got nothing.  Sorry.  It's too late, and I'm too tired to come up with something.  Did compose a more substantial post earlier this evening, but decided not to post as I think I was oversharing.