I can't remember a time dog days extended into the first of October. Meat says he can't either.
He and Tater were through my door early this morning with coffee and biscuits. I've seen them a lot lately. They've been laying up Rat Hole in the river this last hot week. Tater's sporting a July tan.
Hot and dry isn't the usual state of things this time of year...at least not the hot part. Records are made to be broken but I don't want to see a hotter October 1 than this year's.
"Weather's changing Friday SJ, cooling down just in time for your boater buds to hit town."
He's right. The temperature is going to drop but that is just fine. Release season is here and this year we're blessed with a rare Friday release to kick it off. A three day Russell Fork weekend will bring a crowd.
"I bet they'll love the signs," Tater observed. I bet they will too. There wouldn't be any Vote Nos in that crowd. A lot of them would love to buy a beer in Elkhorn City one day. They want the town to have the revenue. Not a single one of them want to lay drunk in the street.
Most of them aren't as jaded as yours truly. Whitewater paddlers tend to be optimists. You've got to have a positive attitude if you're going to hurl yourself over El Horrendo.
"You've been at the river more than me lately, I'll swear. I can't wait to finally have some water."
"There's been plenty to swim in," Tater pointed out.
"I see that, you're tanner than the big orange."
Tater laughed. "I'm not orange, I'm peach!" she choked.
Meat hooted. "I believe I'm smelling a little treason in here. Better nip it right there you commies or I'll report you to Rudy Lugosi." He snorted on that one.
"You are so out of touch Meat! Commies are on our side now, Rudy would be the first to tell you. They're funding the NRA!"
Tater laughed. I laughed. Meat laughed loudest. That's about all you can do these days.
Elkhorn isn't the only place that's been scorching. The Oval Office is smoking like a '74 Plymouth that burned it's last drop of oil a hundred miles back.
Cadet Bonespurs has implicated himself, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General and Rudy in trying to get a foreign nation involved in our politics. The sad thing is Trumpets would take Russia and other former Soviet states over American Democrats anyday. Governor Granite concurs, of course.
"Well speaking of that river," Meat said, "Smallies been biting down at ledges. I'm going to hit it one more time before we turn it over for the weekend. You in Tater?"
"I vote wet" she jumped onto her feet. I stood up to follow them out. The hillside in front of our houses was bathed in morning sun. October colors dapple the trees.
It's that month again and I'm feeling the usual rush of emotions. It's great to be alive! Think I'll vote wet, too.