Perseid OR Windy Hill

James Adams

Lost the coastal fog at the inversion layer at the Red Barn on Hwy. 84 coming out of La Honda at 4 AM. Skyline was clear, and fog killed the light from the Flats to the East.

There was a light breeze but the temps were comfortable; in an hour I saw three or four very fast, short, and bright meteors and several minor ones. Not a great a display as I've seen from the Perseids.

Sitting on the tailgate of my pickup truck I heard some padding sounds from in front of the truck and dimly saw two large shapes. The only thing I could think of was to stand up and raise my arms and growl loudly [and not wet my pants!] Been reading too many stories about mountain lions, I guess.

It was a pair of German Shepherd dogs who'd come to investigate. They barked and moved away.

Seeing was good early on, with the Andromeda Galaxy plainly visible to my 61 year-old eyes.

I'm glad I went. A clear, dark sky is therapeutic.

James Adams