Nature in the Year of Fire and Plague (continued)

I should explain my theme. At the beginning of the year we were told we were in the grip of a pandemic. At that point we put ourselves into lock-down. We paid someone to do our grocery shopping and deliver it; we do all our other shopping on line. We only went into town for doctor visits or to see our son and family. We stayed home or went up the mountain to our favorite places (if no one else was there). In other words we saw our family and we saw each other, period, and that just suited us. We are not particularly sociable, we don't care much for restaurants or that sort of thing. 

And then lightning started the Big-Horn Fire, and that was a cruel blow. Night after night we could look up into the mountains and they were in flames. All roads into the mountains were closed. It seemed to go on forever (actually, seven weeks). When at last it was put out, then more months went by with the roads still closed while they cleaned up the mess. 

Then, gradually, it was over, and we could go where we wanted. On those 110 degree days down here once more in less than an hour we could drive up to 8000 feet and 80 degree temperatures (it makes me have faith the plague will someday get over with too).

What I am trying to say is, some people are going stir crazy watching daytime TV. We are, in our little patch of land, right where we want to be, with who we want to be with, doing just what we would be doing anyway.  We recommend it.

Now let me go on describing it for you, and see if I can convince you. 

Here's a picture (taken from our house) of the fire from its closest approach.