Beauty in our Midst

Sometimes we can become so pre-occupied with the distractions of life that we fail to recognize the beauty in our midst. And Mount Diablo is definitely one of them, affecting the climate for miles around. I got up extra early this morning to take some pictures of a Mount Diablo Sunrise from Martinez. Not spectacular as far as sunrises go maybe, but still awe inspiring and beautiful.

I never get tired of this mountain. As mentioned many times in Patch, we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Day to day stresses and troubles seem to be put in perspective when we go out in nature and just look. Yet it doesn't make me feel small, or insignificant, only replenishes my spirit.

We also have one of the most unusual climates of anywhere on Earth. You can sometimes just drive the short distance through the Caldecott Tunnel and go from 100 degrees to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I am not sure where else on earth you can do that? Maybe Chili. When it gets to hot we can go to the ocean and cool down, but don't forget your coat.

Also we have extreme micro-climates all over the Bay Area. Even in Martinez, from downtown to the Nob Hill Shopping Center, there can be a 10 degrees difference. This affects growing. Hills affect how much sun you get as well, and also a valley can effect the weather greatly. So know your area. It is a process of trial and error sometimes growing a garden in your paticular micro climate.

You can throw out most of those maps and numbers they show you as to what you can grow and when to plant when it comes to the Bay Area. They do help though, but we can swing three numbers in 10 miles, so be careful not to rely  on them too much here. They are very general, and not specific as to each area, especially where we live. Mount Diablo and the Delta are two of the biggest factors effecting our local weather, and in turn, what you can grow and where.

But all this aside, like Mount Shasta affects the whole of Northern California and its weather, our mountain affects its share of land. When you look at a Doppler Radar next time it rains, notice how Mount Diablo affects the rain and how much falls in any one area around it. It is a spectacular mountain to say the least.