Lowtide @ the Ogunquit footbridge, Maine

The surf must be flat (it is), because when I had a window open up last evening, I grabbed the bike and headed out to Wilder State Park.  With a paved bike path starting on the northern edge of town connecting the one mile to the park, it is all about easy access.  The weather is just about perfect for a bike ride in the late afternoon.  With the heavy marine layer sticking around until early afternoon, the air temperatures are staying mild.  Perfect for climbing.  I took a quick run, and only stayed on one set up trails, but things are looking great up there.  A lot of trail work has been completed since I last got on my bike in spring.  A bunch of grooming, and some much needed minor rerouting has really smoothed out the single track.  Actually, to call the rerouting minor is a little mild.  Some sections have had significant changes, making it feel almost like completely new trails.  And the fire road I was on was the fastest and smoothest I have seen it since four or five seasons ago.  If you like to mountain bike, get on down to Santa Cruz and over to Wilder.  It is riding excellently right now.  I know I am going to go out and explore some more this week.  And that should give you the surf forecast - pretty minor.

As for the weather, more gloom here on the coast.  We are not seeing much of a change to the current pattern, that is now going into its sixth week.  If only we could have some of that last April/ early May gloriousness.  Mid 50s at night and about 70F for a daytime high.  Fog lingering through the morning.  Clearing sometime between 11am and 1pm - if at all.  Tuesday looks to be the highlight of the week, with slightly warmer temps and the fog burning off a tad bit earlier.  If we are lucky.  The marine layer is not going to be quite so invasive this week, so areas just off the water might be spared.  That is good news for the Santa Cruz mountains, as well as areas like Palo Alto.  As usual, Los Gatos should have great weather this week.  And the inland valleys continue to see hot days in the 90s and mild evenings in the mid 60s.  If any of you folk need to cool off, just jet on over to Santa Cruz.  The air conditioner is always on this season.

Thunderstorms rolling into Cape Porpoise Harbor.

Diffuse low pressure continues in the Gulf of Alaska this week.  Most storms will be forces northward by ridging before impacting the coast of British Columbia.  Only chance of rain we see around the bay will be drizzle from this fog layer.  Still, it is interesting to see the summer high pressure suppressed for an extended period of time in August.  Small chance for minimal wind swell starting some time tomorrow from these storms.  Minimal is the operative word.  Perhaps of more pressing interest os Hurricane Irene in the Atlantic.  Currently located just northeast of Hispaniola, Irene has sustained winds of 70 knots.  And she is broad.  Irene is forecast to intensify to a Class 3 storm and run over the Bahamas late Wednesday, into Thursday morning.  Currently, models have her tracking east of Florida on Friday and running into the South Carolina coast line on Saturday morning with winds sustained at 100 knots.  It should be mentioned that the forecast track for Friday and Saturday is a bit suspect, as the 5 year average error at those forecast times are over 200 miles.  This storm could run a ground much early, or be way out to sea.  Still, for any who have interest on the south east coast, this is something to monitor.  As a note, this track does not do a great job for producing swell either.  The Outer Banks, though, should be over powered with swell.

Southern Maine estuary.

This weather is having its effect on produce.  Apples are in early this season.  That I do not mind.  Typical hot weather crops are not having a great year, but then again, not as bad as last year.  Tomatoes are very slow to ripen, and many are starting to see some molds.  One of your best organic defenses against mold is copper spray, as well as the removal of effected plant parts.  Still, it is a battle between the slow ripening and the pest.  Lettuces are doing great, as well as other typical cold weather plants.  Peas are having a better than average summer season, especially if they were planted in the sunnier parts of the yard.  Our purple Brussles sprouts are doing decently, but even they could handle a bit more heat. On the other hand, cucumbers, beans and tomatillos that were started in May or June, have never really took hold, and are quite stunted.  But there is still time, and summer does not really come around here until mid September.  Hold on one more month.  It should be glorious again.

For now, cool and foggy.  Bring a hoody to the beach.  Ride a bike.  Go for a run or a hike.  If you are still looking for an outdoor activity, try berry picking.  Dress warm, pick away and you will be rewarded.