its been very hard times in california this week, it started with 10,000 lightning strikes, in a horrendous heat wave, with catastrophic results. we were very fortunate not to be there when it happened, at 3:30 am a firestorm raced down the mountain and destroyed everything in its path, no time to prepare, just to flee with your life. our entire neighborhood was wiped clean, we built there 30 years ago, many of the same neighbors have been there from the start, and suddenly, violently, it is all gone. we didn't know if our house had survived, i was looking online desperately to no avail, i had heard pleasants valley looked like the paradise fire, total annihilation.
Lady in yellow at entrance to my neighborhood
News
news
today i needed answers, we arrived early to a police blockade, no entrance allowed. normally on a clear day we could see our house 15 miles away on the hill, but with so many fires raging visibility is more like a 1/4 mile. we parked at the no entry zone and my husband began to walk in the 3-4 miles to see if it was still standing in heavy smoke. a VERY kind lady picked up my husband and drove him to our street, she waited while he walked up to see every single house gone, turned the corner and this is whats left of our 3 story home...
there was a mustang in the garage below...
everything is gone but the memories...
Lady in yellow at entrance to my neighborhood
News
news
today i needed answers, we arrived early to a police blockade, no entrance allowed. normally on a clear day we could see our house 15 miles away on the hill, but with so many fires raging visibility is more like a 1/4 mile. we parked at the no entry zone and my husband began to walk in the 3-4 miles to see if it was still standing in heavy smoke. a VERY kind lady picked up my husband and drove him to our street, she waited while he walked up to see every single house gone, turned the corner and this is whats left of our 3 story home...
there was a mustang in the garage below...
everything is gone but the memories...
+(800x600)+(669x600).jpg)
.jpg)
+(800x600).jpg)
+(800x600).jpg)
+(800x600).jpg)
.jpg)
+(800x604).jpg)
+(800x600).jpg)
.jpg)
%2B(800x600).jpg)
.jpg)
+(800x600).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Obviously I have 1000s and 1000s of photos and memories, this once slice of heaven will forever be in my heart and I am so grateful no lives were lost in our neighborhood...
Thank You firefighters and first responders for putting yourself in harms way for others.
I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I am grateful we are safe and together...
DeleteHeartbreaking to see such devastation to your beautiful property. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I feel blessed for all the joy it brought over the years.
DeleteHow difficult it must be for all those who fled. So happy to hear there was no loss of life.
ReplyDeleteIt was so fast I am grateful everyone escaped, but there were casualties in the area...
DeleteJain, My heart is breaking for you. I can't begin to imagine the sense of sorrow and loss you are feeling. So many happy memories for you, and all the pleasure you brought to your readers when you shared the incredible results of your hard work and projects. Your magnificent photos are such a treasure now, and you are already building another piece of beauty, evidence of what hard work, dedication and following your dream can do. I'll be thinking of you. Linda
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, I feel very lucky we have a place to call home still, my neighbors are totally overwhelmed with loss and sorrow. I am fearful still, another chance of lightening this weekend, the state is unable to cope with the 500 existing fires, any new strikes puts a paralyzing fear in my bones, everyone is vulnerable 😥
DeleteMy heart hurts for you and your husband. All the hard work you two put into your beautiful gardens. I'm glad you're safe. prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I am just so grateful for everything.
DeleteJain, There are no words to express my sympathies. Your beautiful place has given so much and I just can't believe the destruction. Last fall we were in Napa for a few days and drove from Geyersille back to Napa. So much beauty and the fires of last year broke my heart. Now your beautiful place..I hurt for you and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. So glad you are okay.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, we just heard from two different people, in two different fires, that they were told to evacuate. It just feels catastrophic right now, the entire northern states air quality is horrendous, you can't get away from the constant presence of fire...
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Is there anything we can do for you?
ReplyDeleteMaureen
You are so sweet, we are in good shape, its like a death in the family, so many memories, we just are processing it all slowly...
DeleteSo very sorry...
ReplyDeleteThank you, I read its now 550 homes lost in all these terrible fire complexes, my heart goes out to everyone in harms way, especially the firefighters working 72 hours straight, its truly unimaginable...
DeleteI am so sorry. I am thankful that you are alive, but heartbroken for your loss. If you need anything let me know.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kindness, I feel very lucky not to have witnessed it, I pray I never will in my lifetime, but times are very different with unprecedented fire storms, it feels like no where is safe in the west right now.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry and devastated for your loss. I almost can't find the words to tell you how much. Your beautiful kingdom, all the hard work it took to do it and your life's blood. All the love that you put into your home and gardens. What a beautiful place and so glad you have your memories and photos. Again, I am so sorry..Stay well..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words, we have been overrun with memories, the neighbors I spoke with won't be rebuilding, we are all older, I was thinking its like a rebirth, land wiped clean for the next generation to come and build their dreams...
DeleteI am so sorry about this loss. Your gardens were so beautiful and so many years of growth. This is devastating. I am sorry you have lost your home too. Our homes have been our sanctuaries while the pandemic has raged on and now you do not even have that. I am so sorry. I am glad you have your pictures to remind you of how beautiful it all was. Again I am so sorry for this great loss.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Thank you for your caring words...
DeleteSo sorry to hear this about your beautiful property and happy to hear that no one in your area lost their lives. Take care and stay strong!
ReplyDeleteThank you, we have our weak moments, but we are very appreciative in all we still have.
ReplyDeletetruly heartbreaking! very hard times right now. You are in thoughts and prayers
ReplyDeleteThank you, I just pray for everyone's safety as this devours California...
DeleteI am so sorry for everyone who is being affected by this devastation.
ReplyDeleteIs this the home that you had moved from awhile ago? Such beauty in your
old photos - it is hard to equate it with the photos of the aftermath.....
Yes, it was our older home, my husband was there every week, he didn't go the day of the fire because of the severe heat wave that lasted a week with temperatures around 115 degrees there. combine heat and dry lightning and you can see the unprecedented disasters California is facing, the worst in our states history and still raging...
DeleteOh Jain, I am so very sorry. I’d heard about the fires on the news but my CA geography is so bad. I know you are so thankful that you and your hubby were not there at the time, having to corral your animals and flee. I can’t imagine that kind of panic, I think I’d have a heart attack having to make a mad scramble like that. Thank goodness you have another place to live. I bet your hubby is heartsick about the mustang. I’m glad you relocated your sweet frog bench, you rother statuary…*sniff*. I bet you’re desolate. I hope your new garden gives your solace and comfort. Keeping you close in my thoughts that you stay well and safe, out harm’s way.♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary, I am grateful we weren't there, it makes me cry just thinking about fleeing as a wall of flames roars down the hill. We had slowly been bringing things to the new house every week, Scott brought up arches and a frog bench just a couple of days before the fire, he has vowed to get the charred lions now, he says it's his therapy. I will give them a place of honor if he is successful...
DeleteI hope he can rescue them, they must weigh a ton. I sent you an email the other day to your aol address but don't know if that's the one you're still using. Thinking about you. ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you, sent you an email.
DeleteJain, this is V from the old GardenWeb days. I’ve been thinking of you ever since I heard the fires were so bad in Vacaville. I’m glad that you and Scott are safe and that you have another home, but sorry for the loss of your beautiful home and gardens. Hope you stay safe through the remainder of this fire season.
ReplyDeleteHi Marlene, thank you for your kind and caring words, its been a long time since gw days! I am extremely nervous now, everyone I know is fearful of fires everywhere, tonight is supposed to bring fifty mph gusts in a heat wave which has the potential for more catastrophic results and planned power outages, with filthy skies from countless existing fires I think our entire state is on edge, we need a quick wet green winter to be able to breath in a sigh of relief...
ReplyDeleteOh I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful home! It looks like it was a breathtaking, peaceful sanctuary.......but I am thankful that you are both all right. There are no words that can adequately express how truly sorry I am for your terrible loss. As you wrote above, you still have wonderful memories - and photos to look back on. My thoughts are with you, Jain - take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteCheryl (from Denver)
Thank you Cheryl, we were very fortunate to be away...
Delete