Temperatures are dropping faster than the stock market and we have seen something that some had almost forgotten existed; rain. It is not enough to get us out of this drought we are in, but it is better than what we have been getting. I think this is the most rain we have had since December of 2010. There are actually snow warnings for some higher elevations.
People are complaining about the rain, of course. This is the season of massive tourist influx and those tourist dollars should not be wasted on rain suits and umbrellas that no one has to sell. Those dollars should be spent on balloon shaped knick-knacks and local food.
I am surprised that some local restaurateur has not come up with a seasonal balloon shaped item to turn into a food challenge. Think of a five pound balloon shaped enchilada with beans and rice. If you can eat it all you get your picture on the wall. If you fail, then you have to pay full (inflated) price and clean up after yourself.
I have to admit that the balloon fiesta has become my favorite event to avoid. This is the distracted driving Olympics. Even the parking lot is infested with people looking at the sky and not on where they should be going. I know that things are better planned now than there were back in the day, but I still would rather be nowhere near the grounds at this time of year.
Besides the annual tourist mob scene and driving side show, I do enjoy autumn. The relentless sun is less inclined to burn your skin off within seconds of going outdoors, and the smells of this time of year are unique. There is nothing like the smell of roasting green chili to tell your brain it is time to think about long pants and covering the swamp cooler.
On that note, I think I will go outside and enjoy listening to people scurry about while half asleep trying to get their friends and relatives go to the fiesta before checking the news to see if the weather is going to let them do anything at all.
