smoketember is upon us

Years of hot summers and smoky forest fires usually mean leaden skies and terrible air by August.
This year the smoke held off until this weekend, but Smoketember is fully here.

A grass fire along highway 104 nearly deterred us yesterday from a cabin visit. Two yellow-suited firefighters stood watchfully by as we passed a thin smolder of smoke.

In the parking lot of a grocery store, the sky glowed ashy gray and neon reflected in the premature dusk. My phone blared with an "Imminent extreme alert" from a nearby county, regarding an evacuation order.

 

still smokey (coff coff)

Another day of smoke. I don't remember what the sky looks like anymore.

The forecast for rain keeps getting pushed out and out. I don't remember a September this dry and choking. Everyone I know is at the end of their patience. And then what? 

Also, why are we still driving? Why are there leaf blowers blatting around crumbs of dry leaves?

more closures

We're saying good-bye to a few more of our bar and restaurant friends.

Bar Sue.

Georgetown Liquor.

Others are closed temporarily (like Canon) until the smoke clears, whenever that might be.

Sfingiday