Fresh Perspectives

Rain isn't always bad, right? I can certainly think of several instances in which rain is actually preferred to clear skies.  A light shower to clear out some of the harsh pollen during allergy season.  An afternoon thunderstorm to cool off some of that Carolina humidity. Or even just a steady rain during a much needed nap?  Some people even pay money, for cryin' out loud, simply to have the sounds of rain playing on a machine while they sleep at night.

So...how can you be sick of rain, you ask?  Well....you've obviously never been to Hilo.  Two weeks ago I experienced a Hawaiian flood.  It rained 48 inches in 3 days.  Roads were completely washed away.  Grassy areas turned into ponds and streets became rushing rivers.  The serene waterfalls (like the one shown above - Rainbow Falls) were no longer calming to the onlooker.  The vast amounts of rain Hilo received turned them into deathly torrents.  (You can see how the mist rose as high as the falls.) 

School was canceled due to impassable roadways, but even a day off couldn't be enjoyed.  I watched the waters rise and rise, thinking, "Wow....I'm going to have to start building an ark if this rain keeps up." Finally, it stopped...after nearly 2 weeks of steady rain.  Not intermittent showers...steady, hard, downpours...for hours on end.

As for now, we're back to sunny skies and warm temperatures.  I woke early this morning and reminded myself how lucky I am to be living in Hawaii where my surroundings are undoubtably beautiful. B-E-A-utiful.

Until next time....Aloha!