In November I talked with Andy Schultheiss in Jared's office
about what, if any thing they could do to mitigate against
the predicted spring mudslides. He said he'd talk with BLM
and that they were trying to get Federal dollars to help in
the laying of mulch in the affected areas. He also
suggested I might get in touch with the folks at Land Use to
see if I could help in their effort to get all of the land
owners to sign off on the permission form to allow the
mulch to be dropped by helicopter. I note that Robert has
yet to sign that form.
After my meeting with Andy I attended the NCAR lunch on the
19th with Chervin, Buck Frye, Vince Wayland, Dennis Joseph
and Suzanne VanScotter. We had a pleasant visit. Robert
stayed home to await a delivery of lumber for the restoration
of the solar hut which was a victim of the Four Mile Fire.
On the 20th I stopped in at the schoolhouse where there was
a sale of the Community Cook Book, updated and also the
brochure about the fire. I bought a couple of Cook Books
and several brochures.
In the evening we went to the schoolhouse again for a
lecture and slide show by Michael O'Neill on the Switzerland
Trail. It was a very interesting lecture and he has been
trying to follow the length of the trail. That is difficult
because the trail has become over grown and in some
instances their are houses built on the trail itself.
Robert continues to drive antique autos on Tuesdays. He
has a different boss, Steve. Steve used to be a volunteer
driver and he and Robert shared opinions on how they would
run the place if they were in charge. Now that Steve is
in charge, he has changed the way things are done such
that Robert goes, drives 3-10 cars and is home for a late
lunch. The whole operation is really efficient.
Robyn and Alyssum arrived on the 24th. They'll be here for
Thanksgiving and to help with the re-build of the solar hut.
Ryan also arrived today. He is sleeping at Carl's but will
be here much of the time.
On Thursday Robyn, Alyssum, Robert and I joined Carl and
family and Ryan for Thanksgiving day celebration. The meal
was great and the conversation was interesting and
stimulating. We went for a short walk after dinner.
On Friday Robyn started prefabbing the hut while Ryan and
Alyssum made sure the foundation was level. Robert had
hired Xekial to lay the cement blocks around the edges as
a foundation and then filled the center with gravel. It
was ready to go...the hazmat team had cleaned the debris
and soot from the site days earlier.
Saturday, Carl, Martha and Ariel joined the crew and on
Sunday a couple of high school students from Broomfield
joined to help also. By dark on Sunday, the hut was up
and the roof was shingled, wiring was in and much of the
insulation was in. The door and windows are yet to be
hung. But what a crew and what a hard working crew they
all were. I supplied the meals, but didn't work on the
hut.
Ryan met Robert at Tebo's Garage on Monday morning so he
could see what the action was there. Robert reports that
Ryan knows a lot about cars.
Ryan flew back to San Francisco in the afternoon. Robyn
left from here mid-Morning heading for Boise. She didn't
quite make it to Boise and slept in her van somewhere and
continued on in the morning to Walla Walla hoping to beat
the storm that was developing. She didn't quite beat it
but arrived safely in Walla Walla.
Alyssum stayed and leaves on Monday. Her good friend, Rosa
is living in Boulder now so they have been hanging out some.
Also, Arslan is in Boulder for a few days.
Four Mile Fire taken from NCAR
He is another friend of Alyssum and is an
Immigration Attorney. He is coming for dinner
tomorrow evening and is driving Alyssum to
the airport on Monday.
The cleaning crew is here today and doing their magic. I
feel so cherished to finally have someone to help with the
cleaning. Selena and Lorena do an excellent job!
