The rain, rain, rain came down, down, down...and washed right over Maryn

Yes. Today I was very, very wet. I went to work today just like usual, I worked on the computer, made e-mail lists and looked through filing cabinets like I always do and then when I was stuffing envelopes something happened. There was a crack of thunder and the rain started coming down in sheets. It was kind of cool and I was admiring it through the window, all safe and dry. But then Joan told me a volunteer needed help measuring stream flow at our site on Millers creek. So I ended up going with an older guy to this tiny little creek in the rain. No biggie, it was so shallow we just walked up the creek in our tennis shoes and barely got wet. However, this didn't last long. By the time we got the equipment set up and the tape measure across the creek, the water was up to Gary's (the volunteer's) knees and still rising. So we started measuring. The water kept coming. After 15 minutes, it was starting to flow really fast and was up to three feet. Another 15 minutes and it was at 3.5 and going by at 3 ft/sec or so. It was about this time that Gary noticed our bucket of spare pencils and other small things floating downstream. Fortunately, he splashed after it and caught it. Unfortunately, in another 15 minutes, the "safe place" we'd put it was under water and we lost the bucket for good 'cause i reached the end of my cord. So no more bucket, oh well. The more serious probelm at this point was that the water was up to our waists and coming at about 5 ft/sec and measuring was becoming dangerous and impossible. So we decided to call it quits. But we were on the wrong side of the creek and could no longer just follow it back to the road. SO we had to cross it, but the water was so deep and fast, it was looking pretty grim. So Gary started across with the measuring stick for support in about 4 feet of rushing water...and then he suddenly drops down and is in up to his neck and losing his grip! Ahh! Fortunately, he managed to get to the other side before I dropped a 4,000 dollar instrument to come try and rescue him (which I probably wouldn't have been able to do anyways). Then we passed the equipment over the raging waters without dropping any of it (phew!) and I started across. Pretty soon I found out exactly where the sheer drop off was and went in up to my neck! Thankfully, Gary stretched out the measuring stick and I grabbed on and he pulled me in and out. So I was very wet in my normal niceish work clothes and drenched jacket with big, nasty spiders all over me. They must have thought I made a good raft and since I mostly managed to keep my shoulders and head dry, they had a relatively safe passage...AHHH!!! I HATE SPIDERS!!!!! So yeah, it was exciting and I was very wet and very dirty. I had a nice hot shower when I got home and have now mostly recovered except for all my clothes down in the basement which I don't really want to deal with until Friday. So that was my day.