I'm Back!

Oh, its been busy here!  Remember Noah?  Well, not quite 40 days and 40 nights--but somewhere between 6 and 8 inches have fallen in the last week.  I snapped this picture from the Visitor Center lawn (same place I took the header picture) as storms rolled in.  The sun was shining on me, but a few miles west the rain was coming. 

It's not raining at the moment, but may start again in a few days.

Although I live where it's very FLAT, the water was running over some streets here in town, and many many roads closed.  When I drove home from volunteering, I had to take a different route because the roads I usually take were closed.  

This is where I crossed the James River, it's spread out about 3 miles at this point.  The lake behind Gavin's Point Dam has risen 3 feet to within 6 inches of the top of the spillway gates.  They haven't had to open them for flood control since 1997, but they may due so soon.  The next Dam and Lake up--Lake Francis Case--is almost full, the campgrounds there are under water, and are expected to be flooded until after the 4th of July.  

Rain does have a benefit, everything is green.  My clematis like that.  The Jackmani is covered with blossoms and the dwarf one is now about 11 foot high.  

Jackmani

Dwarf Clematis

I'm not sure what variety the dwarf clematis is, but the flowers are about 3 inches across, with 4 petals that hang down like bells.  They have spread out onto the handrails of my steps and deck.