The weather is beautiful…for aging cheese!

Ideal weather for aging cheese

Temperature: Optimal range of temperature is between 45º and 55º F. and should remain as constant as possible. To obtain this consider: • Location of cave … On the North side will exclude solar gain problems • Frost line … Building below grade will use cooler earth temps for cooling • Insulation of walls and ceiling … To isolate from other heated space • Opening of doors … How much traffic in and out of the cave • Heat generated from motors, lights, etc. • Heat is released from cheese as it ages … The more cheese you are ripening the greater this consideration becomes • Use of artificial heating and cooling units • Artificial heating and cooling back-ups   Relative Humidity (RH%): Optimal range of humidity is between 85% and 95%. To obtain the above consider: • Permeability of walls • Humidifiers that do not produce steam as well as a proper hygrometer to monitor this • Availability of clean cold water … A source for increasing humidity Cannibal Island Creamery – Capt. Crottin

Weather for Cannibal Island

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Avg. High

55°

57°

57°

58°

62°

65°

68°

68°

70°

66°

58°

54°

Avg. Low

38°

40°

41°

44°

46°

50°

52°

52°

50°

47°

44°

38°

Mean

47°

48°

50°

51°

54°

58°

60°

61°

60°

57°

52°

47°

Avg. Precip.

8.3 in

6.7 in

7.1 in

3.5 in

1.3 in

0.4 in

0.1 in

0.4 in

0.9 in

3.1 in

7.7 in

8.5 in

This is exciting as our proximity to the ocean and the constant on-shore breeze the temps could easily be two degrees lower on Island meaning very little artificial cooling (smaller carbon footprint) will be needed for aging in the cave.  We will have it covered and located to maximize the sunlight conditions for the warmest months of the year.  Humidity will need to be closely controlled.  We are fortunate to get on average 8.5″ of rainfall per year.  Add the river and ocean and we are very humid.  Ventilation and circulation will be required to maintain optimal conditions for aging.

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Table Bluff fun…

Crazy flying man!

     Went to table bluff down the road from the creamery to take some sunset beach pictures and found a bunch of thrill seekers having fun in the thermals.  Both motorized and free fall versions were in attendance.  Did not get a chance to meet the motorized bunch but hopefully today.  The motor heads were ah well, crazy!  Watched one guy buzz me at full speed bank hard right into the bluff and skim the trees, and tall grass before hurling himself at mach 5 right over my head!  The other motor head took his to 1000 feet and cut the motor off and did what they call a death fall backwards in a downward reverse spiral.  He started the engine and sailed by me with a grin!  The motorless group enjoy the peace and quiet of gently manuvering the bluff and wind sailing their kite wings effortlessly back and forth.  The good ones can come back to the same spot as the launch.  The beginners land on the south ghetty sand below the bluff.  This is an unregulated site that requires no certifications to fly or fall.  I will be back!  Maybe arial photography?  Curious about the conditions right now?  http://www.soarcast.com./conditions.php?recordid=25&timespandropdown=all  Thanks Don!

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***Tsunami Warning***

Living below sea level next to the Pacific Ocean and the Eel River during heavy rains and high tides is one problem.  Now take all that and add a Tsunami?  Water is already in most of the fields and the rain is heavy here and in the mountains.  High tides for the next few days means tons of surface water and flooding.  At the end of the driveway the State of California has place a sign that warns of Tsunami Danger.  It is standing in a huge puddle of water.  Our “Tax Dollars” at work.

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Ping Pong Geese

Today marks opening season for the Aleutian geese.  It starts like this, 4:30 a.m. Humboldt county sheriff comes done to lay out 200 goose decoys in the dark and very muddy field.  Second, you lay motionless for four hours while 20,000 geese fly over you in favor of the neighbors field just 300 yards away.  Frustrated you collect your decoys, and head home.  30 minutes later the flock is spooked from the neighbor back to where the hunters had just left.  60 minutes later they are off and looking for the next grazing land to devore.  One thing is certain, they will be back.  But for the next three weeks, its a bad time to be a goose in Humboldt county.

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Water from the Eel River, the 10″ of rain and high tides bring new challenges to goat dairy…

Last week it was the 7. something earthquake with after shocks, this week its 10″ of rain forecasted, Eel river hitting flood stage by Thursday and high tides.  All of this means too much water on Cannibal Island road.

yes those are waves out the back door…hmmm

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