The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind around our household. The fires around our beautiful State of Colorado have saddened us beyond words. As I pack our treasured mementos to be placed in a storage unit, the plumes of smoke in the distance remind me of those less fortunate. My thoughts drift to those that have lost treasured photos, trinkets, their homes, everything they once owned and cherished.
I am fortunate to have the time to sift through all my belongings and choose what to do with them….keep, donate, sell. The Black Forest fire just to the north of Colorado Springs has been a devastating disaster. My heart breaks at the site of these images.
502 homes have been totally destroyed and unfortunately loss of life has also occurred. A house we once called home, several years ago, survived but at one point was in the evacuation zone. Very sad….
The Royal Gorge fire near the town of Canon City fortunately did not destroy the famed Royal Gorge bridge but did destroy most of the theme parks attractions. The bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the United States. You can read more about it here and here.
Yes, sad indeed but out of all the loss new growth will emerge and new memories forged. Speaking of memories…….
My photo albums have been carted off to storage along with a bunch of other stuff. We continue to purge and clean around here as we prepare the house for sale. And FINALLY we gave the RV a much-needed scrubbing.
Yes, we’ve been busy and at times have felt a tad overwhelmed; physically and emotionally, but humor my friends is what get’s Al and me through the challenging times. That said, allow me to share a story……
Once upon a time, in a land far away, a beautiful, independent, self-assured princess happened upon a frog as she sat, contemplating ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted pond in a verdant meadow near HER castle.
The frog hopped into the princess’ lap and said, “Elegant Lady, I was once a handsome prince, until an evil witch cast a spell upon me. One kiss from you, however, and I will turn back into the dapper, young prince that I am and then, my sweet, we can marry and setup housekeeping in YOUR castle with MY mother, where you can prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children, and forever feel grateful and happy doing so”.
That night, as the princess dined sumptuously on a repast of lightly sautéed frog legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream sauce, she chuckled to herself and thought, “I don’t fricken think so”.
Live Laugh RV 
Thank you for stopping by to like one of my posts. I have enjoyed exploring your blog and getting a closer look at the results of the fires in Colorado. Stay safe!
LikeLike
It’s always fun learning about different areas and ideas. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Mother Nature certainly has an odd sense of humour – wild fires where you are and massive flooding where I am!
LikeLike
The fires are finally under control and hope your floods are as well. The record heat around Colorado is another story. I’m just glad I’m not in Phoenix right now 🙂
LikeLike
What a wild couple of weeks. I am glad you are safe. My allergies were acting up, but thankfully that is the worst of it for us. It is nice to see so many people reaching out to help the victims of the fire. The people of Colorado are down, but not out.
LikeLike
The Co Springs area is so pretty under normal circumstances. Sorry you had to endure the smoke and haze. Hopefully you can now fully enjoy.
LikeLike
With so much going on for you and around you thank you for finding time to look over my blog, much appreciated. Hope things improve in your part of the country so that people can start to rebuild their homes and their lives after such devastation.
LikeLike
Thank goodness the fires are under control. As a former homebuilder, watching the beautiful homes and stunning craftsmanship turned to ash was heartbreaking not to mention the loss to the homeowners. I’m sure the rebuilding will start within the next few months. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
LikeLike
Those photos are really heartbreaking, Ingrid. I’m so sorry for all those people who have lost their homes and loved ones too.
Love your fairy story. 😆
LikeLike
Have to maintain a sense of humor during these difficult times. Others places are flooding and Colorado is burning up. Sad for lots of folks these days.
LikeLike
Glad to hear you are safe, and do understand the emotions of parting with/storing/sorting through possessions. The past few years I have managed to weed it down to a few prized items that just can’t live without……it’s tough, but at the same time very liberating. Wishing you well in your huge endeavor!
LikeLike
I thought it would be more liberating than sad. Oh well, let the adventure begin. We hit the road Friday as it’s official…we are gypsies and no longer land owners 🙂
LikeLike
Wow those fires are scary. Possibly more so than the floods or tornados! Glad to hear you are not in harms way. Too bad you didn’t get a bit of the rain we have been getting.
Which direction are you headed when things get buttoned up? We will be near Sedona AZ, (assuming the fires in AZ don’t move southeast) mid July till the end of Sept..
LikeLike
Yep, now fires near Prescott and NF and more around Colorado. We really could use some of that excessive moisture occurring east of the Mississippi.
Once the house closes, we’ll head up to Denver for ten days to hang with the daughter. Then we’ll meander over to Grand Junction and spend the next few months exploring Colorado’s western slope and eastern Utah. After that….who knows. Have house, will travel……Stay dry!
LikeLike
The fires resulting in lost of life is so sad. I cannot even imagine seeing those fires in the distance and there is nothing you can do but evacuate.
LikeLike
It’s a difficult situation to say the least. New growth will emerge, but it’ll be a tough process for a lot of folks. Thank goodness things are under control and improving.
LikeLike
Definitely a mix of emotions. Such a sad beginning, fire, devastation, uncertainty, destruction…then when I get to the fairytale, I heard my laughter, so loud and hearty. I wish you and your neighbors the best, and keep your humor nearby. Thank you.
LikeLike
Thanks….I’ve always found a sense of humor is helpful during challenging times. 🙂
LikeLike
They cannot put this fire out soon enough! I’m glad you’re safe and your property has been spared.
LikeLike
Thank you….and the fire is close to being put out. Sad times for a lot of folks. Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
LikeLike
When I hear disasters in Colorado we always think of you and Al. Glad to hear you are out of harms way and safe. But our heart also goes to those who lost homes and lives.
Looks like you are making a lot of progress on your downsizing projects and would soon be on the road. Good luck on the selling of the house.
LikeLike
Yep….definitely making progress around here. It’s been an emotional roller coaster though. Something I’m sure you understand. I’ll keep you posted….soon!
LikeLike
I know how those that lost everything feel having had my house under water where every photo memento etc just floated away out of our lives… don’t have a single photo of our kids when they were small or for that matter even a wedding photo of my marriage 40 years ago… but then no one died so we consider ourselves lucky…
LikeLike
How sad not to have those photos….especially for folks like us that love our photography. You and Linda sure are a couple of tough cookies…..love your upbeat attitude 🙂
LikeLike
Those fires have been so scary. I keep hoping this will be the last of them this season.
LikeLike
Hopefully we’ll get a regular dose of rain to ease these drought conditions.
LikeLike
Can’t imagine how tough this all must be on you, but glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor. Good to hear you guys are safe and good luck as you push on.
LikeLike
Thanks….gotta maintain a sense of humor.
LikeLike
Having been in Estes Park as the Big Meadow fire began and watching those huge smoke clouds gather over the town, I was able to get a small understanding for living in these wildfire areas. I can’t begin to know how it must feel to lose everything material whether fire, tornado, flood, etc. Lots of people out there right now that need our prayers. Hope the fire stays far away from you.
On a lighter note…love the fairy tale! Great ending!!
LikeLike
As I’ve been cleaning out drawers etc. around here, I’ve been coming across some funny things. This particular fairy tale was just one. I might have to share more 🙂
LikeLike
Share on! I know we’ll enjoy them.
LikeLike
Glad you are safe from the far-reaching fire that has damaged so much.
LikeLike
Thank you…..watching the plumes of smoke and having ash fall from the sky is quite scary. Glad they’ve got things contained.
LikeLike
I’m so sorry for the loss and destruction in your home state. I am glad that you are safe and well. Good luck with the packing and storing and selling of your home. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks…..It’s tough to see isn’t it?…..tornados in OK and fires in CO. My heart goes out to the folks that have been devastated.
LikeLike
Be careful out there and good luck with the downsizing. That is a chore!!!!
LikeLike
Chore is putting it mildly….overwhelming. The house as well as ME are now half empty 🙂
LikeLike
wishing you well in your packing and cleaning. it’s not going so well for me. I keep thinking i have more time than I do! Wishing rain for Colorado and the west.
LikeLike
Thank you……I’m sure that basement remodel is keeping you busy. Thanks for sending rain, but could do without the hail….lol.
LikeLike
I have been following the stories of the fires in Colorado…such devastation. My hearts go out to all who have suffered the loss that these fires bring. We experienced an evacuation ourselves when we had a home in Sedona. The fire ran up to our subdivision on both sides of the road, then split off and when both right and left along the mesas surrounding our homes, with only the loss of one.
LikeLike
Arizona gets their fair share of fires as well. That had to have been very scary for you guys. It’s certainly making me rethink some of my preparation around here. As I type this, I’m hoping we don’t get hammered with hail 😦 Gosh, if it’s not one thing it’s another……gotta find something to laugh about before I loose it 🙂
LikeLike
Weather-related issues are really a big concern, and I find myself more worried living in a tin box! 🙂
LikeLike
those fires have been devastating. So much loss! I wondered how close you were to them, and seeing the smoke from your yard tells me….too close!
Loved your joke at the end…it tells me you’re keeping your chin up throughout the upheaval…and that’s a GOOD thing.
🙂
LikeLike
It’s very sad to see the hardship some of these folks are experiencing. I have to maintain a sense of humor….it’s what keeps me going.
LikeLike
That’s one way to set a frog straight :O) Such devastation…so true how fortunate I’m reminded being allowed to have the time to sort through what I want to keep. I’m feeling your emotions….last night we bared the walls. Won’t be long and family will gather to snatch up the furniture. Trying to focus on the new adventure…sure it will be easier a few days into road travel. And I’ll have the princess story to help me smile!
LikeLike
As I’ve been going through the office stuff, I’ve come across some pretty funny things. Our house is about half empty and I’m on half empty as well….lol. My brother and his wife were just here Saturday and picked up a bunch of stuff lightening the load around here. You and I should be hitting the road close to the same time. Hope these emotions will level out then 🙂
LikeLike
Having firefighters in our family (Den’s Dad, Den, and our son, Kelly), we have also seen the devastation fire can cause..and lives lost. Our hearts go out to those who have been visited by this nearly unstoppable demon…so many memories lost…
I need to scrub our Hiker, but life keeps getting in the way!
LikeLike
I have the utmost respect for firefighters…..scary stuff. The photos and video showing the heroism of the guys fighting the Black Forest fire is amazing.
We washed the rig and were going to polish the next day…..but as you said “life keeps getting in the way”. Now it needs to be rewashed before we can polish. Too much other crap going on so the rig will just have to wait….ha.
LikeLike
As with the other recent disasters, it’s very sad to watch people lose their life’s treasures.
LikeLike
So true. I love my photo albums especially as I get older, they are a wonderful reminder. I feel for those that have lost trinkets which hold memories.
LikeLike
Hard to imagine which might be worse the wild fires or the tornadoes that Oklahoma suffered. It’s pretty hard to imagine what any of those folks are going through.
Loved your little cautionary tale at the end though, 😀
LikeLike
Humor is what gets me through the tough times and life has definitely been a challenge for me the last couple of years…..the loss of parents and dogs. Time heals….or so they say!
LikeLike
It must be so hard to witness the devastation so close at hand. You have a kind and gentle spirit to acknowledge your blessings as you pack precious memories safely into storage before starting your new life on the road.
LikeLike
Thank you….it has definitely been tough to witness. Looking forward to hitting the road 🙂
LikeLike