Carlton Complex Fire, Washington
59% contained 250,514 acres burned
It has been an incredible
couple of days. I was able to arrange a shuttle through the fire area. The
devastation was stunning and ranchers took tremendous losses in livestock and
buildings. Unfortunately, there's a lot of bitterness because firefighters were
limited to certain areas in which they could combat fires. As a result, I'm
told some disobeyed orders and fought the fires anyway while others were not
able to do so. In any event, the destruction is terrible and I'm not really
certain what actually transpired with regards to the politics of firefighting.
It is such a sore topic that I was reluctant to bring it up.
The destructive forces of
the fires are simply amazing. The fire is still only 55% contained, hot embers
remain, this coupled with hot weather and winds places a very high risk of
flareups. Forest Service told me they could not stop me on this portion of the
trip but highly recommended that I avoid it. I did not avoid it but I did catch
a shuttle. Once through the area there
was Washington Pass, Rainy Pass, and high winds once I got
to the other side. I actually had to pedal downhill and stopped to camp at the
very first campground I came to. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking! This
is one of the prettiest areas I've ever visited, whether on bicycle or in an
automobile.
My
trip is coming to a close, and I expect that I only have two days left before I
am in Seattle. Through the kindness and hospitality of so
many, I truly have fallen in love with our country
again. America is alive and well!
Lee and Cheryl |
Nurses from Tucson, AZ, assisting with health needs during the fire. Winthrop, WA
North Cascade Mountains, WA
Continues to be a hard grind but BEAUTIFUL!!!
The wind is blowing so hard that it requires peddling DOWN HILL!! Darn!
Not as high as Sherman but STEEP! |
RAINY PASS ~ the a last one...ON TO THE COAST!! |
Elise |
She keeps the gardens beautiful in Newhalem
Unbounded beauty on the road to Marblemount,WA |
Skagit River |
Now this model has one burner that is so efficient that it burns what is on the bottom and leaves the top cold, giving that cold crunchy effect that still burns your tongue. No amenities up here...it is all freeze dried meals...I'm down to two remaining...gourmet dog food or kibbles...which shall it be? ...hey!!
...is that a juicy chipmunk over by my bike?? "Here little chipmunk, come to daddy..."
The Goggin Family |
My neighbors at Lake Diablo
Omak Rock |
Steady as the Middle East
Here little chipmunk! Come over here and get some shade under Omack Rock [shoves rock over]. Yum! Chipmunk paste! Haha kidding. Good job Dad! You've got this!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Em