**UPDATE**Read the incredible account of the Fire Monks! Blow-by-blow, takin’ names, and kickin’ well, you know what. What a story!! It brought tears to my eyes. It is a very detailed compassionate account, like no other. It is listed below, but the fastest way to get to the story is to click on the link in my blog roll. Please take a moment to read this first installment.
http://www.sfzc.org/tassajara/display.asp?catid=4,209&pageid=1298
Got a town run, folks. For those of you IN town, it is like, “huh?” Well out here in Never-never land, a town run, for me, especially north, is two hours, one way.
Anyway, a few notes. Cachagua’s hostage situation has, or is, ended. Check my links for further details.
**Damage assessment forms (all businesses and self-employed) as well as homeowners damage forms and other OES information now posted on surfire2008.wordpress.com** Still no word on disaster vs. emergency classification for FEMA assistance.
So far, the vote is 2 to 1 for a USFS meeting on 7/31 in the early afternoon. So, unless I hear otherwise, I will call Bradford on Monday and suggest an early afternoon meeting.
Now, on to the next phase. I will post the BAER meeting notes when I receive them, as i am completely mobile, now.
Along those same notes, a new organization is forming called “seedsforbigsur.com” making plans to reseed the burn area. If you have something to offer, send an email to: info@seedsforbigsur.com and detail how and when you want to be involved and what you can offer.
Much to do before spring, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, and not-so-ladies, and almost gentlemen. Remember what it can be like again? A reminder below.
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That Tassajara story is absolutely riveting! I am going to try to send it to an old friend who was once a monk there back in the early 70's. From experience of years on the ocean, both as one of the commercial skiff fishermen at Mill, and as a surfer, there is a human instinct that kicks in "when the chips are down". Among our little crew of fishermen, there are stories of radical things done to make a save. In 1996, when I went out to rescue that woman in huge surf at Pebble Beach, I remember that I went into sort of an "autopilot". In such a state, there is no thinking twice about things like "this is really dangerous". Instead, the entire mind is singularly focused, as sharp as a needle, on the task at hand (i.e. making the rescue). All distractions are erased, and is replaced with a total determination to be successful...and no other alternative. Later, when the USCG and Carnegie gave me those medals for my "feat", I could not really tell them "why" I did what I did...I just said that it simply HAD to be done. It is hard to describe this state of mind, but having experienced it, I can attest that is is real. Those five at Tassajara, obviously to me, went through it. Their efforts and accomplishment, as a result was awesome. It is also awesome to realize that we humans have this potential.
...just a thought...
-David Allan
Yes, David. I completely understand that state of mind, and you described it, perfectly!! Isn't it an awesome story? I can't wait for the rest of it, myself.