craigdailypress.com

If Noah were bouncing around Moffat County during these recent weeks of heavy rainfall, he would have thought seriously about building a second ark.

According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, Moffat County has received more than twice its average precipitation in June this year.

While those heavy rains may have dampened the initial outset of summer activities - youth baseball games, adult softball games, backyard barbecues and lazy days at the swimming pool - it hasn't come without its advantages.

Namely, the rain has fueled Moffat County's version of "going green," in that our community, which is normally in or approaching a dry season at this time of year, looks fresh and beautiful instead of dry and dusty.

From backyards to the parks, from trees to flowers to gardens, the city appears crisp, green and bountiful.

And, on the cusp of perhaps the city's biggest and most well-attended event of the season, Whittle the Wood Rendezvous at Craig City Park, the injection of life into our outdoors couldn't come at a better time, the Editorial Board contends.

Organizers of this year's event anticipate Whittle the Wood drawing similar numbers to last year - 3,000 to 5,000 people. Whether this happens depends, logically enough, on the weather.

So, let's cross our fingers that Mother Nature rests for a day from the mischief and provides our community with an atmosphere fitting for a sunny, relaxed, fun-filled day at the park.

On the subject of Whittle the Wood, the Editorial Board would like to reiterate a suggestion it made earlier this year for bolstering the event. That is, organizers designing a brochure that would provide visitors with information to take a self-guided tour of the wood carving sculptures located at various points within the city.

True, Whittle the Wood is about witnessing the artistry of the sculptors up close and watching as their imagination fuels the evolution of simple stumps of wood to, at times, dazzling artistic delights.

But there is more to it than just the works underway at City Park.

Across town - at Alice Pleasant Park, at Craig City Hall, at the Moffat County Courthouse, at Loudy-Simpson Park and other locations - there are pieces from previous events that still can draw the awe of onlookers.

Take note that the self-guided tour criticism is a mild one from the Editorial Board. It's simply a suggestion on one easy way organizers can take better advantage of the event.

For now, it's best for all to enjoy today's event and appreciate that the rain has washed our face rather than ruined our makeup.