Well, we're still in a drought and unfortunately it has spawned quite a few fires since yesterday. I knew things were not going to be very good yesterday when the forecast called for' 95 degrees with 35 mph wind gusts. When that happens, a little spark can turn into something big. And that's exactly what happened.

Around noon, I saw news that a fire was burning out by royal gorge, where the highest suspension bridge is. You could even see it burning on their webcam. it's since been turned off and a few structures were damaged, but the bridge seems okay. It is now 70% contained so that is good news.

On the other side of the spectrum though is the town just to the northeast of us, black forest. Shortly after the royal gorge caught fire, another fire sparked here. I could see the smoke rising while I was at work and by the time I was done, it looked like the entire community was gone. No one really knows how bad the damage is right now because it's such a dangerous fire. They've been using helicopters and planes to try and get the fire out, with some success, but not much. I seriously hope it goes out soon, it's hard seeing such a beautiful place go up in smoke.

I know this was probably human error and the worst kind of human error is people throwing their cigarette butts out the window. There is an ash can in the car for a reason. Please use it, I know it smells bad but you can throw it out when you get home, or better yet, try and quit smoking altogether. It will be great for your health and your family. If this is the work of an arson, then I hope you get what's coming to you one day. Karma's a bitch my friend, and what you have done to this beautiful place is heartbreaking.

So yeah that was my quick two cents right there. Please pray for rain guys, we need it terribly, I know that can be destructive too, but it's better than watching something go up in flames. Water damage can be bad, but fire damage can leave nothing behind. I actually helped with Waldo Canyon erosion control about a month ago. It was a great opportunity to see what kind of destruction it left behind. There were trees that were just gone, no more bushes to hide in for animals. It looked devastating.

But then again, there is also life in fires. It's sometimes good to have them, controlled burns mainly, not like what I am dealing with right now. But these controlled burns can help the forest live again and seeing little tiny sprouts come up makes me feel good that things can come up out of the ashes. Even though homes are destroyed, people come back because that's where they belong. When I pass mountain shadows where the waldo fire was last year, it looks like a perfectly normal place that is creating a new community. So some good comes out of it. It's just so heartbreaking when it first happens.

Luckily for me this year too, I don't have to die of heatstroke too, I live in a basement which stays pretty cool. But still I'm just praying for rain, and hoping the fires will not continue.

say hello to these great artists and friends:





Bye everybody!!!