Fire season is a thing and it's here about a month early. The Chuweah Fire started during an isolated thunder and lightening storm near our small town of Nespelem. Fire fighting efforts are amazing and most were spared the loss of property. Three occupied homes lost the first night, no human losses, numerous animals succumbed to the blaze or had to be put down due to injury.
We are lucky in that the fire is a bit away (7 -8 miles as the crow flies) and the winds have been keeping the smoke out of our little valley for the most part. A vivid reminder, however, of our very close call six years ago. So, for the next month or two we will keep our eyes on the sky and be attentive to the sound of helicopters and spotter planes. We keep a bag packed with basic necessities and important documents, at the ready.
I had to skip a few days of walking due to the smoke and heat but have been able to get back at it. This past week and a half I enjoyed a couple short bike rides and a swim - first one in a year!
I walked a nice six miler at home yesterday. At mile five I looked up (always a good idea) and spotted a very handsome black bear coming towards me. He was walking right up the middle of the road, about 100 yards ahead, minding his own business until someone very rudely shrieked....oh wait, that was me.
I surprised him as much he surprised me, judging by his abrupt about face and dust-throwing sprint back up the road. I added a few of my best very-large-meanest-dog-ever-barks to make sure he continued north and I did my best about face and headed home.
Total miles: 54.5 (a couple of miles north of Rosalia, WA on my map)
Miles remaining: 405.5
No comments:
Post a Comment