Winter Storms

28 January 2008: After a record drought season in 2007, Southern California started the new year by exceeding last year's entire rainfall amount (with the help of three consecutive rain storms). As you may have guessed, MCAS El Toro is thoroughly drenched from the constant pounding of rain. The above picture gives you an idea of nearby weather conditions as you approach the main gate.

As you pass the gentry shack and reach the stop sign, you can immediately notice just how soaked the streets are. The continual storms did not allow for much of the water from the early storms to evaporate. Below you can take a look at the storm's dark rain clouds brewing above the base Child Development Center (left hand side), the Marine Exchange (straight ahead), and the barracks (right hand side). The raindrop down the middle of the photo attests to ongoing downpour.

The Grass is Greener

2 January 2008: It's a brand new year and the landscape is beginning to look very alive. For most of 2007, MCAS El Toro was surrounded by yellowish-brown grass, shrubs, weeds, and dirt, due in part to the Southern California drought. Since the Marines turned off the sprinklers in 1999, the grounds on the base have been badly neglected. However today for the first time in a long time, the ground wasn't such an eye sore as vivid green grass peppered the area. Winter rainstorms over the Holidays brought the area much needed water in what was one of the worst droughts in recent time.




These pictures of the base attest to the recent wet weather. You can see a nice view of the brick 1950's-era barracks, and just behind it, the new and modern looking "Castle" barracks. In the other picture, you can see a view of E Street with the base chapel in the background, and in the right side of foreground, two columns from the base gas station stand alone.