Fire In The Sky

After returning from our "challenge of the Chiwawa," which included exploring the headwaters of the Chiwawa River at its start at the base of Fortress and Chiwawa Mountains (above), Steve and I spent a couple of days of rest, respite, recuperation and reorganization at Owl Farm near its junction with the Wenatchee River (below).

There's nothing better for the body and soul than a shower and a sauna after several days in the wilderness, along with the requisite bottle of port, Dirty Face pizza from Headwaters Pub and a movie on the laptop. Even an errant mosquito or two couldn't spoil our glow.

Before our departure back to Oregon, a forest fire broke out on top of a ridge overlooking Tumwater Canyon. The 500-acre blaze closed U.S Highway 2, which follows the Wenatchee River down to Leavenworth.

As a result, traffic from Seattle was rerouted through Plain down Washington State Route 209, creating a long procession on our way south, at least as far as the Bavarian Village.

U.S. Forest Service personnel, including nearly 300 firefighters and air support, were everywhere. The scene resembled a battle front. As I was wheeling down the road, the memories of my days as a forest firefighter were as thick as the smoke in the Chumstick Valley: the adrenaline rush from a fire call, grabbing our fire packs not knowing how long we'd be gone, and perhaps a quick phone call to a loved one.

Then there was that unmistakeable smell. Smoke, yes, but as a former forest firefighter, I'm talking about the smell of money.