A Windy Monday

It's beautiful outside. At dawn there were a lot of clouds covering the sky, but now the only cloud to be seen is to the west behind the mountains. Nedi is outside watching the squirrels, while Lovey is sitting on the corner of my desk. It's currently snowing up at the Continental Divide, with about 6 inches already piled up. The winds are still whipping around in Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Fern Lake fire is now 20% contained; however, more than 600 houses are on the evacuation warning list for this morning. And TaRhonda Thomas is reporting live from the entrance to RMNP, and is being blown about by the wind gusts. One of the oddest news stories this morning was about a fire in Red Feather Lakes, northwest of Fort Collins. Sometime early this morning a fire started at an uninhabited cabin; it spread to a second cabin. The second cabin had a propane tank beside the building, and the fire caused the propane tank to shoot like a missile through the Red Feather Lakes Association clubhouse. Both cabins are total losses, while they are still inspecting the clubhouse that had the propane tank blast through it....

  I'll be heading out shortly to walk the Rs, then I'll hang around until it's time to walk and medicate Peach. After a short visit home, I have to head off again to meet my new psychiatrist. I know that I dread meeting her, as I kept dreaming that wild and crazy men and women were breaking into my apartment all last night and this morning. I'd wake up, scared to pieces, and check the doors and window... It was not a restful night.  I hope I like this new Doc....

  And I was so disgusted yesterday by the Jets and Cardinals game! The coach finally decided to bench Mark Sanchez - hooray! - but Tim Tebow was on the Injured Reserve list yesterday, and didn't even get to dress. So the third string QB, McElroy was called in. He ran the offense down the field and scored the only touchdown of the game - the Cards got two field goals. It was an ugly and extremely frustrating game for me. Then I was able to enjoy the Broncos game, but I had to grit my teeth over the phrasing at the end... "And the Broncos win their AFC division for the second time in a row, thanks to Peyton Manning." This second divisional win was due to Peyton Manning, but last year's win was due to Tim Tebow. I also saw the Cowboys - Eagles game and was disappointed by the lack of defense. So sad....

Scenes in Armenia

Armenia has a history that is much longer than most European countries; situated along the route of the Great Silk Road, it has fallen within the orbit of a number of cultural influences and empires. One of the earliest Christian civilizations, its first churches were founded in the fourth century. In later centuries, it frequently oscillated between Byzantine, Persian, Mongol or Turkish control, as well as periods of independence. Its rich cultural and architectural heritage combines elements from different traditions. The Armenian language is part of the Indo-European family, but its alphabet is unique. Armenia has seen waves of immigration to other countries in the past; since becoming an independent Republic in 1991, more than 25% of the younger population has moved away in hope of having a better life.

Ancient fortress of Amroc in Armenia

 

The Tatev Monastery

 

Shaki waterfalls, Armenia

 

Beautiful Armenian landscape

 

Part of a monastery in Armenia

 

Mount Ararat, as seen from Armenia.  Mount Ararat was, for ages, a part of Armenia; it is now considered a part of Turkey - but many Armenians call Ararat "their" mountain.

 

Khachkars, or prayer markers, are scattered throughout Armenia.  This one, with a Celtic-type of carving, is near the Odzun Monastery.

 

Intriguing Names in Louisiana

Something must be wrong with the kits; they let me sleep until almost 8 this morning. I smelled smoke from the Fern Lake fire a couple of times yesterday, and one could definitely see the smoke to the northwest. The winds of Friday night spread the fire 3 miles closer to Estes Park, which is what caused the evacuations yesterday. Most folks who were evacuated were allowed back home last night. However, there is a Red Flag Warning that begins at noon today for the Front Range and RMNP, which means winds in excess of 40 mph on top of the drought conditions. I've always wanted a cabin in the mountains, but I'm kinda happy I don't have one at this point in time.

  The kits have been running in and out this morning, as I've checked my e-mails and read the latest news (and stuffed my face, too). It's sunny, but cooler. I move in with the two munchkins on Tuesday, and stay through Sunday evening. Aiko and Yoshi are entertaining companions, and the house is next door to Rosie and Remy, so I'll be close to everyone. (I'm also walking and medicating Peach Monday and Tuesday.) I started marking next year's calendar with reservations yesterday afternoon, and found I'm solidly booked through June already. Then I started looking for more information on Isaac Newton Capps' parents. Since I'm currently reading through the 1850 Census for Louisiana, a couple of names jumped out at me. The first was Alcifort Bonamour, a 25 year-old field laborer; the other was an immigrant from Quebec, whose name was Bigearellide Capis. That first name intrigues me... how would one pronounce it? Break it up into chunks, and get Big-ear-elli-de? It's an interesting conundrum.

  I hope that your Sunday is a super one.

My Kits, Lovey and Nedi

Leofgifu Glyndwr

 

Zephraim Cenedi

Fern Lake Wildfire Update

  Helicopter and tanker assitance for the Fern Lake fire has been grounded because of high winds and poor visibility, according to a Rocky Mountain National Park spokesperson.  Support to fight the fire has increased from 61 firefighters Friday to 200 on Saturday. Two hot shot crews are on their way to the wildfire and numerous local fire engines are headed to the area, officials said.
   The arrival of two Type 1 heavy air tankers in Southern California will be delayed at least one day because of poor visibility in the area, said Kyle Patterson, a spokeswoman for the park.  The fire, caused by an illegal runaway campfire in Rocky Mountain National Park on Oct. 9, has forced evacuation of 583 homes after strong winds pushed the wildfire to jump established fire lines early Saturday morning.
  "The wind last night was very strong and fanned the flames," said John Schulz, spokesman for the Larimer County Sheriff's Department. "It jumped the lines."  One unoccupied, privately owned cabin was destroyed and many others are threatened, Schulz said.  "The fire was spotting a mile ahead of itself, which is an incredibly long distance," said Traci Weaver, spokeswoman for Rocky Mountain National Park. "What happened last night was a rather unexpected wind event."
   Officials working to fight the Fern Lake fire ordered the evacuation of Moraine Park Campground at 1:50 a.m. Saturday, Weaver said. A total of 1,100 home phones and cellular phones were called with warnings. Seven campers were notified in person early Saturday morning, Weaver added.
   The blaze fueled by winds gusting to 75 mph consumed all of Moraine Park overnight, a mostly grassy area of roughly 600 acres, she said. It spread through timber pockets and got into the upper canopy of some trees, but firefighters were able to "knock it down" out of the trees, Weaver said. She said the fire is not spreading as rapidly later Saturday morning after winds died down.  "We are cautiously optimistic," Weaver said. "What we really need now is snow."

My Usual Canine Companions

Rosie and her favorite blue bone

 

Remy in his "Help 'Em Up" harness

 

Boo

 

Mona, the Catahoula Leopard dog - She's wearing the cone because she was just spayed...

Fern Lake Wildfire Causing Evacuations in Estes Park

The kits allowed me to sleep in this morning; I was awakened by the ravens, instead. The children and I had a huge love-fest yesterday afternoon and evening. We had light winds here in Boulder yesterday, but the winds really picked up in the Rocky Mountain National Park during the night hours. The Fern Lake wildfire is spreading like mad - 500 homes have been evacuated on the south-western outskirts of Estes Park due to the fire already this morning. More than 300 people are at the Estes park High School, and the fair grounds area is open for livestock that need to be evacuated. One structure has been "affected" by the fire, but there are no details. Winds are blowing in the 30 mph area, and are expected to gust into the 40s and 50s during the day. This area is extremely steep and the officials are hoping to be able to get slurry and water tankers up for drops; however, the winds may preclude this, as they just said winds might gust into the 60s and 70s. Not good for the wildlife; not good for people with breathing problems. I'll keep up-dating...

The Fern Lake Wildfire in RMNP as seen from Estes Park at 6 a.m. today.