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Hello Everyone,
What a whirlwind of activity accompanied by an epic windstorm in our area and our state of California.....just in time for my Sew'n Wild Oaks October retreat. Many warnings are sent from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and the State Office of Emergency Services telling you the power will be turned off due to high winds. I received multiple texts, phone calls and emails three days prior to the wind event. The warnings kept coming even though we had no power, no Internet, no phone......no nothing. I patted our generator on the head every time I turned it on.
Three days before the retreat, quilter Deborah from Michigan, and I met with the manager of Snowflake Lodge, the site for the retreat. He assured me the retreat was a "go" and the staff was committed to making the retreat happen....no matter what.
Deborah and I went down to the Bistro in the center of Arnold to use their Internet. I sent out a blanket email to the 34 retreaters to let them know the retreat was still going to take place. I wouldn't have been at all surprised if the girls decided not to come.......I definitely underestimated my girls. They ALL made the trek to the mountains.
Let me tell you what life is like when the power is shut off for an indeterminate length of time. Only one gas station is open, and two restaurants are open with limited hours. The bank, (notice it is singular), the grocery store, pharmacy, all businesses with the exception of ACE hardware are closed. There is an emergency center open where you can get a bag of ice if they haven't run out for the day. Tanks of propane to run generators are worth their weight in gold. Oh, I forgot to mention the temperatures were plummeting to the low 30's every night and morning.
In the blanket email that I sent out to the girls, I told them they were welcome to come to Wilder's Last Resort for dinner on Sunday night. Deborah and I turned the cabin into a soup kitchen, where the quilters could come for a cup of soup, a warm fire, good companionship, and a glass of wine.
Seventeen quilters showed up for dinner on Sunday night prior to the retreat. Some of the girls drove up Monday morning for the start of the retreat.
Deborah and I worked tirelessly preparing food for everyone. My friend Karen also brought a huge pot of soup from home. We were very well fed.
The kitchen is always the gathering place.
Sitting by the wood-burning stove was also a coveted spot.
Quilt admirers.
My sister Gail, is sitting at the head of the table. It was her birthday week, so what a memorable celebration she had!
Our dessert table before we dug in.
Needless to say I didn't get a wink of sleep the nights before the retreat. The wind howled around the cabin. I was so glad the power was off to reduce the chance of fire in our mountain community. Since we hadn't had power for days prior to the retreat, we only received an occasional text informing us the state was on fire fanned by the horrible winds. Roads were closing down as the fires were jumping the freeways. Thousands of people were being evacuated. It was the largest evacuation ever in our state. 2.8 million residents were plunged into darkness.
I turned my great room into a dormitory of air beds, as six of the girls stayed with me. They had a big slumber party and were warmed by the fire.
How, and was this retreat going to happen?? Details tomorrow.
Soon,
Lynn
It looks wonderful, in spite of it all. I'm glad you are safe.
ReplyDeletePerfect beginning to this fabulous and epic retreat!!
ReplyDeleteGlad the power was turned out for you: better safe than sorry! We were evacuated and about3 miles from the fire, but the Cal Fire staging area was between us and the fire, and I figured that there was no way that they would allow the fire to burn them out, and I was right!! We made it through, camping in our little trailer up at Paul's shop. Gas was just turned on today at our house: oh the wonders and glory of hot water!!! :-) I hope all went well for your all at the retreat!! Hugs, H
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that California no longer cleans out the under brush! Makes it so dangerous for its citizens.
ReplyDeleteLooks like all had a great time even without the PG&E no electricity!
Oh Nanette the Forest Service does clean out the underbrush. Crews from the Conservation Corps, and low-risk prisoners are out in the forests constantly clearing and doing controlled burns when it is safe. As residents, we have to keep our lots cleared within 100 feet of our homes or else we are faced with huge fines from Cal Fire. The 5-year drought, and the fact that we haven't received any significant rains add to the problem. When the horrific winds hit our state, combined with the dry conditions, no amount of clearing can stop the fires from spreading. I'm a native Californian and can testify to the change in climate over the past six, almost seven decades. It is a no win situation.
DeleteGood morning Chopin! I love your music and would love to see your quilts!!
DeleteWe all did have a great time and made the best lemonade out of the lemons we were given, thanks to Lynn and the staff at Snowflake Lodge. :D
As a 5th generation Californian (my daughter is 6th), I cannot agree with Lynn more! We have never seen weather like the weather we're experiencing now and, combined with our drought years, it's both frightening and heartbreaking. The winds (at times clocked at hurricane level) blow the embers (regardless of the fire source) through the air from tree to tree and yes, building to building!! The embers take advantage of but do not need the ground and its underbrush. Pictures from Northern and Southern California show this...trees burned to a crisp at the top while the lower trunks on those SAME trees, fallen leaves, needles and dry grass at their bases remain untouched. No amount of "raking" could prevent the spread of these fires when the wind and drought are against us. And ironically, although the blame is pointed at California management, the majority of California forests are controlled and maintained by the Federal Government, not the state. We're in this together, no matter where we live.