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2007-07-17 05:12:18.000 – Kyle Paddleford,  Meteorologist

Betty catching some early morning rays!

Karen, Betty, and Elena decided that last night may be their only chance to sleep on the observation deck before we head down on Wednesday. Sleeping on the deck is a great experience. If you can’t sleep, you have something to gaze at above you and you can always chat with the night observer. Also, you do not have to set an alarm clock because one rises every morning. I don’t know about you, but I would rather be awoken by warm sunlight rather than a loud buzzing sound that startles you out of bed.

They indeed picked a great night as skies cleared and the stars dotted the night sky with brilliancy. Visibility extended over ninety miles, offering a clear view of the surrounding towns and valleys, as well as glimpses of a distant glow from the bigger cities. I tried my best to be quiet through the night while taking observations, but could not help making a few sounds here and there to try and spook them. Apparently I didn’t succeed. I guess I’ll have to try a little harder next time.

“If you have seen one, you have seen them all,” is a phrase that is sometimes used when talking about a sunrise or sunset. I must admit, occasionally I am guilty of thinking this. This morning I was proved wrong and was surprised by what I witnessed. Intermittent fog rolling over the summit produced a vivid orange that illuminated the inside the building and colored the surrounding landscape. The fog was thin enough to let the color through, but thick enough so that you could look directly at the sun. With that said, I definitely will not be subscribing to that notion anymore.

Kyle Paddleford,  Meteorologist