NOON UPDATE

THANKFULLY TODAY & TOMORROW ARE SCHEDULED DAYS OFF SO WE CAN STAY CLOSE TO HOME TO MONITOR THE FIRE. THE WEATHER IS LIKE A THICK FOG ROLLING WITH SNOW FAKES FLOATING THROUGH THE AIR, ONLY IT'S ACTUALLY SMOKE AND ASHES FROM THE FIRE. IT'S EERIE, SMOKEY, AND SCARY.

WE DECIDED TO HIKE DOWN TOWARD THE FIRE TO CHECK THINGS OUT FOR OURSELVES. THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FIVE BLOCKS DOWN FROM THE CAMPER AT THE "Y" INTERSECTION.

SIGN AT THE "Y" INTERSECTION.

WE HIKED ON DOWN TO BROTHER'S TAVERN TO GET A FEEL FOR THE LOCALS. IT WAS A VERY SOMBER PLACE. ONE GUY THAT HAD ALREADY LOST HIS HOUSE, MANY HUGS AND TEARS AS PEOPLE STOPPED IN, EVERYONE HAD A CELL PHONE ATTACHED TO THEIR EAR. BROTHER'S IS ON THE EDGE OF THE EVACUATION AREA, AND WAS OFFERING LIMITED FOOD IN CASE THEY HAD TO CLOSE AND EVACUATE. THE FIRE SEEMS TO BE MOVING UP GARDENER MOUNTAIN AND AWAY FROM US TOWARD THE WEST, BUT THAT COULD ALL CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE WIND.

FROM THE OUTDOOR SMOKING PATIO AT BROTHER'S, OF COURSE WE'RE ALL SMOKING TODAY, WE WATCHED THIS GUY CLEAN THE PINE NEEDLES OFF HIS ROOF AND GIVE IT A GOOD HOSING.

WE REMAIN IN "BE PREPARED" MODE.