June 28, 2012: Finally Coming Home

Seeing for ourselves
We were the metaphor about the half glass of water.   
Which half didn't matter.

We had both seen our address on the list

Ryan knew the house was gone.

I knew we still had to keep hope they were wrong; a sick error.

We needed a miracle.

We soon saw with our own exhausted, smoke filled, eyes.

Our home was gone.

And so, so many neighbors...

 

The lineup to go home.  The evacuation was lifted at 5pm Thursday, June 29.

Zooming in on the foothills.  This is the closest we've been to our home in weeks.

Driving slowly up Davis Ranch Road.  This is the switchback.  The entire area has been clear-cut since the fire.  It is an oddly open space.

 Surrounded by green and getting close to the house.  Just around a few bends, past the ponds, and up the big hill.
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no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,No,No,No,No,No,NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO,
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Isn't this horrible picture amazingly green?
The pile of stuff we first see is our house, flattened to the ground, surrounded by trees.  
I just remember thinking over and over,
 Why are there standing green trees everywhere, but my house is gone? 

I still have trouble with that one, but I have learned that looks are very deceiving.  We have months of logging work to do to prevent further erosion and to make the land safe.  
Be prepared to get to know a tree if you visit summer 2013!


We lost our dear MUCH loved pair of brothers from different mothers, Salmon and Leo.
I still hold hope that they will come over the hill when we move back, but that would indeed be a miracle.
I cry often for them.  They were the best pair of cats in the world and probably the best pets.   
They helped me study, laugh, and stay sane on the lonely mountain.  I miss them every day.
A perfect pair together to the end.