Happy Fathers Day! - Wildfire Update

Happy Fathers Day to all who qualify for that title - genetic or not!  Dad allowed me to to do things that Mom thought were too daring - I always remember Mom asking, "But what if she gets hurt?"  Dad's response was always a shrug and a smile, and, "If she gets hurt, she might learn a lesson - but why curtail her fun and experience?"  Dad always let me go with loose reins, as long as he felt I wouldn't receive any lasting harm.  He taught me how to track, hunt, and fish.  He also taught me how to sit very quietly - in a meadow, in the woods, along running water and the ocean - and let wildlife reveal itself.  I remember being amazed the first time I saw a field mouse gathering food, and a bird gathering nesting materials.  He also taught me about engines, building things, how to paint and mow, and tons of other usable and practical information that I have employed throughout my life.  My Dad passed away suddenly when I was 24 - which was 33 years ago.  It doesn't seem possible....   Thank you, Daddy, for everything.
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Colorado Wildfires Update -
   The Big Elk Meadows fire in Rocky Mountain National Park  has burned 496 acres and is reported at 60% containment.  Currently, the fire is burning a lot of dead, beetle-killed forest.
   The La Veta - Klikus, Bergen Rock, and Beaver Creek fires are completely contained.
   The Royal Gorge fire has burned 3,218 acres and is now 85% contained. No homes were lost, but 48 of 52 park buildings were lost, including the railway terminals and the aerial tram.  However, the Royal Gorge Railway began running again yesterday.  It is open for business.
    The Ward Gulch - Rifle Mountain Park fire has grown to 682 acres and is 15% contained.  Rifle Gap has been closed to boat traffic, to avoid casualties; and both Rifle Falls Park and Rifle Mountain Park are closed to the public.
    The West Fork fire is located in Mineral County in the Weminuche Wilderness Area.  It has burned over 2,000 acres and there is no containment.
    The Black Forest fire has now destroyed 483 homes and burned 15,702 acres.  It is 55% contained.  Some evacuations are still in effect, while others are being allowed to visit the remains of their belongings.  So far, the human fatality number is still only two.

   Today is cooler than it has been this past week, and there is a chance of showers this afternoon/evening.  Let's hope the rain falls in plentiful measure, without any lightning.
   

My Father, Critters, and Wind

Today would be my Father's 90th birthday. - I miss you, Dad. You taught me to track, hunt and fish; how to tie knots; the right way to put a tent up and the best way to build a campfire. You encouraged me to learn, to look into history, and to dream about tomorrow. You taught me about sportsmanship, and how to project my voice at sports events. (My friends from school still remember you best yelling, "Go, Rams, go!") You taught me to stand my ground for what is right, and you taught me that prejudice is stupid and a waste of time. Thank you, Daddy, for everything you gave me.

   It's windy again today - the wind kept waking me up during the night, as it howled through tree branches and around buildings. The wind did not affect the Galena Wildfire yesterday, near Fort Collins. The fire is at 90% containment and has burned 1,350 acres. Hopefully our fire fighters will be able to achieve total containment today, and we'll all be able to breathe a little easier.

   The cats had a a ball again yesterday, running in and out and playing tag with the squirrels and ravens. I'm preparing to go grab Rosie and Remy and take them to visit Boo. Remy will, hopefully, lay in the sunshine, while Rosie will chase her blue bone and the multiple squirrels in the yard. I need to stop in at the library and get some more books to read - hope I can find a few new ones that will meet my criteria!

   And my friend Michele sent a URL that I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday - it is a National Geographic magazine article about our wild horses, or mustangs, of today's West. It is well worth the time to read it, and it reminded me again of my heroine as a teenager - Wild Horse Annie (Velma Johnston) - I hope you will enjoy this highly informative article: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/02/wild-horses/fuller-text/1