There have been reports that the area is fully engulfed now, although I have not been able to confirm this from a reliable source. Also at risk is the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge.
Here is an image of the fire from the Washington side of the river in Stevenson, Washington.
Incredibly, the fire jumped the Columbia River over night and the Washington side is now burning. The Columbia River Gorge is designated a National Scenic Area, and so to see the area go up in flames is devastating.
We're following the fire news closely and may need to change our travel plans. One of you wisely reminded me of the fire situation in Montana as well. Yesterday morning I spent some time online and on the phone checking conditions between Spokane, WA, and Butte, MT. Although there are fires burning all over western Montana, the interstates remain open for now. We are hoping to see the Ringing Rocks near Butte. I spoke with an employee at the Butte KOA yesterday who informed me that there are no fires burning in that area, and so for now, we'll continue with our original plans. A week can make a big difference in either direction, and so we're monitoring all fire news coming out of the Columbia Gorge and Montana. We'll be monitoring news and weather all along our trip, and so starting from home is good practice.
On a lighter note, I spent some time purging my closet yesterday...a task I've been putting off for years. When Mike drove into town, he took three big trash bags of discarded clothing to Goodwill, along with some unused items from the trailer. As I went through my closet, I tried some things on. Anything that was too big, too old, or too ugly went into the bag. A few things I still might wear were in the hopeful category...as in, I'm hopeful I'll be able to wear this again when I meet my weight loss goal. And, wow, now I have a lot of empty hangers! Also on yesterday's agenda, I consolidated about half a dozen packing lists into one master list that I'll work from as I start packing this week. It feels good to get organized.
The kitties continue to protest conditions here at the Three Cats Ranch Jailhouse. Smitty is so depressed, he couldn't even make it to the top rung of his scratching pole...his usual purrivate dominion.
Yes, those are cat toys at the bottom of the pole. Smitty was hoping for a sports car, and all he got were some catnip mice.
Sadie is the most vocal in her protests.
Let Meowt!
When she isn't napping, this is what we see of her. We keep telling her its good practice for when she goes into the RV. We're wanting to get her out on a leash while we're still at home. Neither of us is yet convinced of the non-slip-out-worthiness of the harness we purchased for her. It makes sense to try it out at home first. Yes, we keep threatening, but we still haven't done it.
As long as I had camera in hand, I took a little walk around. A handful of tomatoes have ripened. I used a few in my canning last weekend, and I keep picking them as they turn red. I'm still hoping to make some green tomato salsa before we leave. There are scads of green ones.
The plums are purple now, but still rock hard. I imagine they're helping us to stay on our diet. No ripe plums equals no plum torte...which I'd dearly love to make.
While I was standing at the plum tree, I noticed the maple tree at the bottom of the field. We planted this tree many years ago because of its beautiful fall colors. It's at the bottom of the field so we don't have to rake up after it.
I could see just a glimmer of red leaves starting to show. The field is dry and brown now. It will green up as soon as we get some rain. On closer inspection...sure enough...the leaves are starting to turn.
Also, we're beginning to see what the squirrels have planted with their mystery vine. They don't look like anything I recognize. No doubt, the seeds have been cross-bred into some inedible gourd.
It won't matter to us. It'll mature long after we're gone.
So today I'm driving down to Salem to pick up my quilts from the fair. I'm always curious to read the judges' comments. Also, our fair includes the ballots for "Viewer's Choice" with the returned quilts. It's very fun to read the comments from folks who vote for one's quilts. Don't know yet if either of my quilts was a "Viewer's Choice," but I'm not expecting that. Also, it's a CSA pick-up day...our last share of the year. Mae will pick it up starting next week.
You can see that it's going to be a run-around day. Serious packing will get under way tomorrow when I start packing my sewing stuff.
Before I go, I need to announce the winner of the August Bag Lady Stitch-Along.
Mr. Random picks:
#7--Debi!
Yay, Debi! You did it! I've written you an email, so check your inbox.
12 comments:
Fires and floods - strange mix around the US. We went a 20 degree drop in temp and now a jump of 29 degree higher - expecting some really severe lightening storms shortly. My meows are squabbling today - maybe the weather as it is making me grumpy too.
So very sorry to hear that Multnomah Falls and that gorgeous lodge may be harmed. It is such a beautiful area. We enjoyed a trip through there in 2015 and had hoped to tour that way again next year. We are hearing more about hurricane Harvey than about the devastating fires and now hurricane Irma. I think the US has had enough! Stay safe! ~Jeanne
Glad you are sharing and monitoring all the dangers situations. The fires are heart breaking news....even Bonnie Hunter cancelled in the face of them. With good info you can make wise decisions on direction to travel. We decided to prep for Irma as she is forecast to head straight up Fl to us! Could be lots of rain and we usually lose power, so a few things are needed. Those tomatoes look so good....I would be taking a basket full along to let them ripen as we go.
So sad to see all the wild fires and the lives they are impacting. Glad you are watching the situation. Please stay safe!
Fire to the north, water to the south and winds to the east (isn't there song with similar lyrics?). The US doesn't sound like a nice place to be this fall. Hopefully they will start to get a handle on all the fires soon. You could have an interesting set of detours this year. Congrats on cleaning out the closet. Doesn't it feel good to get rid of all those clothes that you are now too small for? I did that 2 weeks ago and it felt really good.
Smitty definitely looks completely out of sorts. Ticked off, actually. Poor guy. I'm sad to hear about Multomah Falls; such a lovely place! All the news about the fires and the hurricane (we're watching that one closely as our daughter is in Florida) is a bit overwhelming. I'm thinking a closet purge is a necessary thing coming up for me too. Wish it was because I had dropped 20 lbs, but nope. Not yet. Can't wait for your trip to begin! And I can't wait to hear about your Fair quilts!
On your recommendation we stopped at Multnomah Falls 2 weeks ago as we traveled from Idaho to Portland via 84. That area is so beautiful it is difficult to imagine what it will be like after the fires. All the woodland creatures will suffer so much. I hope there is enough green areas for them to escape this disaster.
Yes, fall is starting in your area. We are still in the dog days of August, weather wise. Congratulations on cleaning out your closet. It's funny, but with fewer clothes you see what you have to wear and end up with more combinations to work with in your daily life. You also see exactly where you have a hole in your wardrobe and can be precise about any new acquisitions. Congrats also on your weight loss. I'm at 60 pounds and still counting. Clearing the closet has such a therapeutic affect. Keep up the good work!
When we took our kitty on Have cat, Will Travel, and put her on a harness, she just lay down. This is a common reaction among cats. Let your kitties wear the harness around the house to become accustomed to it. We did not have our cat prepared by doing this. Do not hesitate. Now is the time. We also have our pets trained with a spray bottle turned to stream, and going "SSSTTT!" when administered to reprimand behaviors. Doesn't hurt them, and lets them know you are head of the cat pack. Love your pictures, you STILL have sunshine, not like here in NE OR, where it is thick, and the smoke tickles the nostrils.
THe fires are so scary. It was mentioned in sewing group today that all of the media is focused on Houston. They seemed to have forgotten the small towns along the cost and the wild fires across the nation. The nightly news did mention the fires and then talked about how stretched to the limits FEMA is!
Looks like as of today (the 7th) that Multnomah Falls is still green & the Lodge is OK. Whew!
Good job on the closet purge too. As to your packing list, my friend Sheri & her family used to go to the Colorado River all the time. She had a list of "don't forget this" stuff that she carried in her wallet forever! lol I'm surprised she could still read it the last time I saw it.
It's hard for me to believe that your Maple tree leaves are already turning. We're nowhere close to that happening to the, um, 17 trees around that actually do change colors here. At least it's dropped under 100f now & last night it went down to 67f - blissful temp for sleeping!
If one only had enough plums on their tree for jam *or* the torte, which would you recommend most? ☺
Wishing you guys safe travels!
My meows are squabbling today - maybe the weather as it is making me grumpy too.
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