Monday, September 14, 2015

Fire Update

Hello Everyone,
 
Against our better judgment, we drove up to the cabin yesterday to get out the quilts  I couldn't take the anxiety any longer.  Our neighbor John knew something was up at our house since he had never seen me move so fast as I ran to the car!  You were right John. I wanted to get the quilts and 14 years of cabin journals......and say goodbye to the cabin.  We were expecting the worst and luckily we were wrong!  Our area is only under an Advisory Evacuation and hopefully that will be lifted soon.
 

As we made the two-hour trip to the mountains, all we could see was a huge blanket of smoke across the Sacramento Valley which completely covered the mountains.  As we got closer to the fire area, most of the cars coming down from the mountains had their lights on since the smoke was as thick as fog.

We saw many fire trucks and bulldozers along our way.  We were so glad for their presence.  We were expecting roadblocks so we had our property tax bill with us and our Homeowners Association membership cards so we could enter the area.  None of this were necessary as we saw only one roadblock along our journey.

As we drove into our little town, the smell of smoke was replaced by the smell of rain.  Not a lot of rain, but it was sprinkling!  Answered prayers maybe?

We didn't tell our three kids we were leaving until we were well out of town since we knew what would happen.  They were ready to start a caravan of utility vehicles and a moving van to take everything out of the cabin. It took some talking on the cell phone to keep them home and discourage them from coming with us.  We left Mazey home and told them someone needed to take care of her.  We felt it was okay for us old folks to breathe the smoke, but we didn't want Mazey to breathe it through her long snout.  We had masks.  If we put a mask on her she would eat it!

I knew what I wanted, the quilts and the journals.....that was all.....and that is what we took out.


Last night I sat and read through the journals. This is my favorite page and this is a good example of what the pages contain.


I remember this day in 2008 very well when I went for a walk in the woods with my granddaughter Harleigh.  This is also the day we heard her little brother laugh out loud for the first time.


I should have started counting the number of people who have written in the journals.  Many, many friends and family members have experienced happy times at the cabin and wrote down their thoughts, along with weather information, special hikes, and animal activities.  My oldest son wrote he would neither confirm nor deny what happened at the cabin during a bachelor party. The same son also wrote that the depth of the snow was equal to the height of a bottle of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.....and this wasn't during the bachelor party.


When we left the cabin, I didn't say goodbye to it.  I just patted a few of the logs and walked away.  I have every faith in our firefighters are going to put an end to this horrible beast.  The fire is tough, but our firefighters are tougher!


Soon,
Lynn

 

21 comments:

  1. I knew in my heart you would go to pick up those items. I pray for heavier rains.

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  2. I'm so glad you're back safely, I've been worrying about you. Glad too that you got out the things that really matter to you. xx

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  3. Hi Lynn! I'm so glad you got these things! You guys are VERY brave to go up there and yes, it's really a good thing you didn't let your kids know ahead of time ;o)
    I'm with 'Vroomans' Quilts' praying for rain!!!

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  4. My eyes are leaking...again. The last thing I did last night and the first thing I did this morning were to check for updates from you. Shame on you for putting yourself in harms way, and Bless You for going after those unreplaceable treasures. Those journals that I know mean the world to you, and those quilts which represent many countless hours of work from your heart and hands. I am relieved as I know you are. Rain...precious rain..answered prayers? Yes...

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  5. Thank God! I bet that was the longest trip EVER! So glad that you went and that things are going better. It's just astonishing to see these fires on the news. I can not imagine being in your shoes. Hugs and prayers to everyone! Oh, and Mazey is just adorable!

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  6. So glad you were able to get to the cabin. Nothing can replace those precious memories.

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  7. What an update. it sounds a bit better and the important things are safe with you now. that had to be a very tough trip emotionally all the way around. I bought your new scrappy star pattern at the store on Sat. can't wait to get going on it!
    best Wishes, Mary

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  8. You brought a tear to my eye when I read you left Mazey home because of the smoke. I know how much she probably wanted to go along, and you're the best doggy parents for knowing how hard it would be for her! Glad all is well at the cabin and your precious quilts and books are safe and sound with you and Mr. Joe!

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  9. Glad you made a safe trip to the cabin to retrieve those beautiful quilts and the priceless journals! Continuing to hope and pray that the fire stays away and is contained soon!

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  10. When I heard that they changed to advisory evacuation last night I was doing the happy dance for you. I probably would have done the same thing going up there to get your quilts & journals. Keeping positive thoughts that they will get this fire under control very soon Sending very big hugs !

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  11. Why am I not surprised... Angels were on your shoulders, I think. So glad that you got your treasures - especially your irreplaceable journals. I keep praying that the infernos (Butte and Valley) will be caged as quickly and safely as possible.

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  12. Every time I check the news the evacuation numbers are upped...so glad that you were able to get your treasures out..I came over to see if you had an update :)

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  13. Oh Lynn, what a chance you took, I would have done the same. You can replace "things", but you can never replace those "memory " items. Glad you're back safe.

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  14. Oh Lynn, what a chance you took, I would have done the same. You can replace "things", but you can never replace those "memory " items. Glad you're back safe.

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  15. Thank goodness you were able to complete the trip safely and soundly. Have been thinking of you constantly, and now I know your treasures and memories are now with you.

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  16. For other readers, Lynn and I are neighbors in the mountain neighborhood. Lynn: I did the same thing. I even went so far as to put them into three stacks.... and in the end, could leave none. They're like children, aren't they? I too couldn't stand the anxiety. I also go my big Pfaff.......left all the other little machines behind. Here's to all the continued prayers. oxox

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  17. Thank you for keeping us updated on what's happening. I am so sorry you and your friends and neighbors are going through this. Hopefully the firefighters will be able to save Arnold and other communities. Your in our prayers.

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  18. So happy To hear you have safely arrived him after your trip to the cabin . Glad too that you have retrieved your precious possessions . Praying for rain and an end to the fires . Take care.

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  19. Praying for rain for your area. I'm happy to know you got the quilts and journals to safety.

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  20. Hugs! Thankful for our change in weather and that you are safe along with all of those wonderful memories.

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  21. Crazy scary - glad for the good stories and my heart goes out to all those who are suffering through this terrible fire storm!

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