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fire report
Jul. 11th, 2003 02:49 pmMore than 2000 acres now. They've started actively fighting it.
arrr, mateys
Jul. 10th, 2003 11:46 amWell, since Durango doesn't get Pirates of the Caribbean for another few weeks, I have to content myself with Slashers of the Caribbean until then.
Um, I guess I should say that although we never, in fact, encountered actual pirates in the Caribbean, we did meet six gay couples on cruising sailboats. And not a one wore eyeliner, so take that, Johnny.
Um, I guess I should say that although we never, in fact, encountered actual pirates in the Caribbean, we did meet six gay couples on cruising sailboats. And not a one wore eyeliner, so take that, Johnny.
fire on the mountain redux
Jul. 10th, 2003 11:25 amTwo days ago there was a little article in the local paper about a little 4-acre lightning-caused fire in the Vallecito area that was being mangaged as a wildland fire, rather than being fought, because it was bounded by last year's burn on one side and old clearcuts on the other, and not considered a threat.
Yesterday evening, Britt commented on the odd color of the sky. "Looks like a fire," he said.
Last night Britt's brother, who is caretaker for a ranch right next to the wilderness area where the fire's burning, phoned us to tell us that the fire had jumped the clearcut and was heading his way. (He was supposed to help Britt's folks bale hay today -- Britt had to go up instead, since his brother had to stay up in the mountains and keep an eye on things.)
This morning, the paper reports that the fire's up to 225 acres. They're still not actively fighting it, though, just watching it.
It hasn't rained here since early June. No rain is in the forecast. We're in the 5th year of a drought.
Britt's brother says that the tourists are leaving Vallecito in droves. After last year's Missionary Ridge fire closed down tourism there, the businesses were counting on this summer to make up for those losses.
I'm of mixed feelings on this. I think that we should strive for being able to allow natural wildland fires to burn; fire suppression is bad for the land, and allows underbrush and density to build up such that any fire will be devastating. But considering the drought and the high level of available dry fuel, not to mention the case of nerves everyone has because of last year's huge fire, letting this one burn might not be a good idea. I really hope the people being paid to manage this sort of situation know more than I do. (Anyone who read John McLean's Fire on the Mountain knows that this is not automatically the case.)
Yesterday evening, Britt commented on the odd color of the sky. "Looks like a fire," he said.
Last night Britt's brother, who is caretaker for a ranch right next to the wilderness area where the fire's burning, phoned us to tell us that the fire had jumped the clearcut and was heading his way. (He was supposed to help Britt's folks bale hay today -- Britt had to go up instead, since his brother had to stay up in the mountains and keep an eye on things.)
This morning, the paper reports that the fire's up to 225 acres. They're still not actively fighting it, though, just watching it.
It hasn't rained here since early June. No rain is in the forecast. We're in the 5th year of a drought.
Britt's brother says that the tourists are leaving Vallecito in droves. After last year's Missionary Ridge fire closed down tourism there, the businesses were counting on this summer to make up for those losses.
I'm of mixed feelings on this. I think that we should strive for being able to allow natural wildland fires to burn; fire suppression is bad for the land, and allows underbrush and density to build up such that any fire will be devastating. But considering the drought and the high level of available dry fuel, not to mention the case of nerves everyone has because of last year's huge fire, letting this one burn might not be a good idea. I really hope the people being paid to manage this sort of situation know more than I do. (Anyone who read John McLean's Fire on the Mountain knows that this is not automatically the case.)
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where's wmdo?
Jul. 8th, 2003 02:13 pmGo to Google, type in: weapons of mass destruction, and hit "I'm feeling lucky".
I just about busted a gut laughing.
I just about busted a gut laughing.
wilderness ho
Jul. 7th, 2003 07:41 pmA short write-up, photos, and maps of our leetle backpacking adventure last week are
here.
here.
too much life for living
Jul. 7th, 2003 11:56 amWell. Last two weeks have been hectic. Conference in Breckenridge, which consisted mostly of socializing with all my NCAR friends I haven't seen in years, mountain biking, and drinking free beer and eating free food. Then a backpack in the Weminuche, pictures to come soon. In between, performances of Taming of the Shrew (we ROCKED!).
Whew. Now I can get back to whatever it was I was doing before.
Whew. Now I can get back to whatever it was I was doing before.
another hikie
Jun. 22nd, 2003 12:04 pmLast week we did another hike, this one in the LaPlatas. We climbed Parrott Peak and Madden Peak, both of which are just under 12,000 feet. A page with pictures -- this time, with captions! -- is linked from my hiking page.
I am slowly reading the latest Harry Potter book, which I picked up at the midnight release party at our local indie bookstore, Maria's. I'd be ensconced on the couch with my nose in it full-time, were it not for the production of Taming of the Shrew I'm involved in, the conference in Breckenridge I've got next week that I'm preparing for, and the beautiful weather here which lures me outside for hiking and yard work.
I am slowly reading the latest Harry Potter book, which I picked up at the midnight release party at our local indie bookstore, Maria's. I'd be ensconced on the couch with my nose in it full-time, were it not for the production of Taming of the Shrew I'm involved in, the conference in Breckenridge I've got next week that I'm preparing for, and the beautiful weather here which lures me outside for hiking and yard work.
husband points
Jun. 20th, 2003 06:48 pmHe knows when to tell the truth and when to smile with a straight face and say, "yes, it's quite a bit shorter, but it looks really good, all nice and curly, and the highlights are very pretty."
Whew.
Still not as bold as![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
zadcat or caitlinburke, but, um. It's short now.
Whew.
Still not as bold as
zadcat or caitlinburke, but, um. It's short now.attack of the killer moths
Jun. 9th, 2003 08:53 amSo Colorado is undergoing its once-ever-ten-years Miller Moth invasion. Moths here are one of those creatures that have a boom-and-bust life cycle, like cicadas in the east, and this is their year in the big time. Open a cabinet, and a moth flies out. Get in the car, and there are five or six flying around in there. Several dozen cram behind our mailbox flap each day.
They're not dangerous (gah, can you imagine if they had teeth? Phew) but they are annoying as hell. Don't even try to read by lamplight at night. Stupid moths.
As the weather warms, they're moving up into the high country, where they will be eaten by bears. Go bears!
They're not dangerous (gah, can you imagine if they had teeth? Phew) but they are annoying as hell. Don't even try to read by lamplight at night. Stupid moths.
As the weather warms, they're moving up into the high country, where they will be eaten by bears. Go bears!
intervwho?
Jun. 6th, 2003 12:02 pmWhat I find amusing about the interview meme is that in my other lj, it takes the form of: Here are my answers to so-and-so's five (always five) questions, and if you want me to ask you questions, leave a comment, and I'll reply with your questions. Here it seems to be people asking, who wants to interview me? rather than, who wants to be interviewed by me?
I wonder which method mutated from the other (or from some ur-interview)? And which creates the more interesting results?
I'll take the first of each type of request.
I wonder which method mutated from the other (or from some ur-interview)? And which creates the more interesting results?
I'll take the first of each type of request.
feel the catlove
Jun. 4th, 2003 10:34 amA skinny black kitty with a yellow collar just wandered into our yard and went exploring, meowing here and there in a suspiciously Siamese-like manner. I went out and gave it a few skritches and it rubbed against my leg.
I guess the Kate-vibes are coming this way. I've never had a wandering cat visitor before. It's nice.
I guess the Kate-vibes are coming this way. I've never had a wandering cat visitor before. It's nice.
missionary ridge fire, one year later
May. 30th, 2003 09:52 pmBritt, his brother Clay, and I went hiking yesterday on Middle Mountain in the Weminuche Wilderness. The Missionary Ridge fire last year went raging up Middle Mountain, slightly toasting some parts, completely burning up some parts, and leaving some parts untouched.
Some photos are here.
Oh, and in other news: I bought a wireless optical mouse for my laptop. Tres cool!
Some photos are here.
Oh, and in other news: I bought a wireless optical mouse for my laptop. Tres cool!
red red red
May. 27th, 2003 04:02 pmOver the past few days I've been painting the window and door trim of our house. It's a sort of brick red color, which matches the propanel roof precisely, and contrasts beautifully with the cream stucco walls.
It also looks pretty good on my clothes. And on my arms. And in my hair.
Argh.
It also looks pretty good on my clothes. And on my arms. And in my hair.
Argh.
best bumper sticker evah
May. 19th, 2003 05:05 pmSeen on an old Ford Bronco with local (Colorado) plates:
God was my copilot but our plane crashed in the mountains and I had to eat him.
God was my copilot but our plane crashed in the mountains and I had to eat him.
it's raining, it's pouring
May. 15th, 2003 08:42 amWhich is quite unusual here in the arid Southwest, in May (our second driest month). And quite welcome. The tourists may be hating it, but all the locals (even recent locals such as me) are cheering every drop that falls on our brown lawns and wilting flowers.
Oooh, lightning.
catbear assures me that he is the official Bringer of Strange Weather. Bring it on, I say.
Oooh, lightning.
catbear assures me that he is the official Bringer of Strange Weather. Bring it on, I say.Yard sale find-o-the-day yesterday: a small propane grill for $23.
Wow. A helicopter just nearly landed on our house. I think. I guess it's going to the hospital which is about half a mile north.
catbear's supposed to come here today. Must make house look like less of a wreck.
It snowed last night in Denver and Boulder, according to the paper. Here it's sunny and not-quite-warm (mid 60s today, but it hasn't quite hit that yet) and the birds are chirping their little brains out.
Wow. A helicopter just nearly landed on our house. I think. I guess it's going to the hospital which is about half a mile north.
catbear's supposed to come here today. Must make house look like less of a wreck.It snowed last night in Denver and Boulder, according to the paper. Here it's sunny and not-quite-warm (mid 60s today, but it hasn't quite hit that yet) and the birds are chirping their little brains out.
grand gulch photos
May. 9th, 2003 10:38 pmFor abraxas13, and anyone else who wants to vicariously experience the canyon country of Utah:
http://windom.cybox.com/ilana/hike/grandgulch03/
(Not linked from anywhere at the moment. Not much text yet, either.)
abraxas13, and anyone else who wants to vicariously experience the canyon country of Utah: http://windom.cybox.com/ilana/hike/grandgulch03/
(Not linked from anywhere at the moment. Not much text yet, either.)
in a cavern, in a canyon
May. 5th, 2003 08:57 amOur five-day backpack in the Grand Gulch / Cedar Mesa area of Utah reminded me of how much I love backpacking; how much I had missed it while on the boat, how happy I am to be living again in a place where I can go wander in the wilderness by foot. Yeah, I get off on strapping more than 1/3 my body weight onto my back and maneuvering up steep trails and down rocky slides, and sleeping on a thin pad and having to get up in the middle of the night and stare at the incredibly bright stars while I squat to pee. It was a lovely trip, and I didn't even have to cut my own arm off, nor anybody else's arm for that matter.
