Burnning Fires

Today we made a trip into Watson to do laundry and take showers.

Our usual 3 hour trip turned into 8 and an overnight stay, due to the forest fire burning in that area.

We knew they were letting traffic through only a little at a time. The wait was about 45 minutes until the next pilot car came through. What we didn't expect though, was to also be stopped in the middle of the highway so that the firemen in the helicopter could land there.

The baby was a little scared, but once he saw that we were all ok, he began to like the chopper. Here it is landing on the road in front of the van in front of us.
It was so sad to see our beautiful green forest turn black and smoldering. It made me so sad. A sight that I hope to never have to see again.


When we got to Watson we had to take a small detour west to a little place called, "Nugget City". There we had lunch (the baby was adored by the waitress and staff. So much so that our cute little waitress/owner made him a little baby napkin rose),
Played with the birds,


and found an even better place to do laundry and take showers. Before heading back to town, we were informed that they had to close the road to do a controlled burn and would not be opening it again until 9 the next morning.

Kind of a bummer, but a blessing in disguise. Hot showers, laundry done, AND a comfortable bed? Oh darn.