Our weather has been very cool this summer so our fire season is very light. The smoke jumpers from here are visiting your state since there's no work for them here. Glad things are coming around for you. Tell your son-in-law to stay safe.
So glad you're settling in and finding the things that make this place "home" for you.
Sounds like a congenial town you've settled into.
I always love going on your walks with you. We meet such interesting creatures along the way.
Glad to hear that you two are settling in. That feral cat would be a black panther sighting here in the southeast 
I hope you don't get too affected by the fires out there; that is a bad situation. The Evans road fire in the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge started on June 1st and is still burning here in N.C. as a ground fire. Luckily it is far enough north of us that we don't get much smoke from it.
Welcome back to the internets!
Sounds like the ugly house is in a sweet place, and your home extends well outside its walls. I'm glad things are working out so well for you guys, given the circumstances. Fate has an otter-like sense of humor.
I love river otters. They are always so playful and energetic. I remember the scene from Planet Earth where a bunch of river otters teamed up to scare away a crocodile.
From where I live, the red neck northern high plains, Arcata sounds wonderful. Glad you ended up in such a place. Isn't there a dharma bum birthday soon? or has it passed?
Ciao
Sounds like you found a great place. I see a lot of people such as you described in the mid- Willamette Valley also and the music at the farmer's market. I always appreciate all of it.
We had a lot of California smoke earlier and then the wind changed direction and it was clear for awhile but last night I noticed it was back. They were worried about it for the Eugene Olympic trials. I just plain don't like woodsmoke in the air for my sinuses. I feel very sorry for the firefighters and hope your son-in-law suffers no long lasting impact from the smoke.
My kids had a friend who was killed in the Colorado fire; so never take them for granted as things can turn ugly fast. I think they have a better training since that big loss, but it's always going to be a dangerous thing and thank goodness some are willing to do it for the forests and the rest of us.
Daniel-- Roger's birthday is in August, mine was in May. So, to answer your question, yes.
Sounds like you're in a good place -- a nice place to be spending the summer.
Glad to have you back. We've been dealing with smokey skies for the last couple of weeks, off and on.
Heat wave is not making it better!
Sounds nice to be able to walk to town and all the critical happenings.
Do you still have the electric bikes?
that would make grocery trips easier!
Nice landing. Sounds like your kind of place.
How special to spend close up wild otter time.
River otters speak French? I wonder what kitty-bobcats speak?
i love sharing your walks this way. Marvelous.
I'll have to come upl there some day -- never been and I have friends in Fortuna. Close by? Me thinks so. Oh, and of course, to see youse guys!
The air quality stinks down here, too. My lungs are weighing heavily on my chest. No outside exertion. Oh well.
Aren't college towns da bomb?
Now, Arcata sounds as if it's nirvana for the aging! I don't think I could get my mother to grow dreads, but she might be willing to try some weed...
lovely post and photos once again Robin. you know I love those otters! your town sounds very fun! are you in your permenent house then? or is this the transition house?
we are having the summer of a life time. just amazing weather, not to hot not to cold and a lovely clean breeze. I wish I could box it up for the days when I really need it.
take care R and R!
I ran across this yesterday:
http://wildfiretoday.blogspot.com/
while I was looking up an air tanker I had seen on CNN several times of late. There is a DC-10 that has been converted, dropping 12,000 gallons in a single pass, and about 6 times what the old workhorses are capable of.
In reading about it I found out that Boeing has a converted 747 that not only can drop 20,000 gallons in a pass, but has all kinds of navgear so it's not smoke blind like the DC-10 (it can only drop when it can fly VFR). Unfortunately, the FAA keeps jerking them around on certification for it. Do I smell the same rat that sent the tanker contract to Grumman at play?
It's a shame to think that politics and campaign contributions are controlling which home burns, isn't it?
alan
The Arcata Eye police blotter has always been one of my favorite online reads, for the glimpses into the 60's time-warp that exists there.
The fires are really scary. We've been so smokey here from the Big Sur fires. I've been using my asthma inhalers daily. Scary, scary summer.
Your river otter is delightful! I've only seen them one time but they are memorable!
Thanks for sharing!
the fires are so sad.really evident here this week, and we live on the edge of the ocean!
glad it's come together, and that you live so close to the center of town.
Ah Arcata. Living in town has it's bennies. Is "Hey
Juans" still there ? It used to have the best burritos in town. How about the Tofu Shop and the Finnish Sauna? Someday I'll have to get myself back there for a visit. It's my favorite small town.
Hope the fires end soon. I worry about all those brave, hardworking souls who go off and fight them. I know I couldn't bear the heat.
It sounds like you're having a good time in spite of the ugly house.
Later,
Sounds like you kids have found heaven. Nice to hear from you again.
OMG, I thought the second pic was of a beautifully manicured swath of grass. I guess algae can be just as beautiful. 
It sounds like you have ended up in an idyllic place, with so much natural beauty everywhere. We are worrying a bit about the fires: our road trip, as I mentioned, takes us through your neck of the woods, and there are fires aplenty between here and there. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a speedy resolution. Our thanks to your son-in-law, by the way, for his noble work?
When in August, Roger? Mine's the 1st... born on my mother's birthday.
You're back, you're back! and it's all so interesting. This IS my favorite place to live the wunderlust vicariously. I'm still plotting the mountain commune and when it takes hold, I'll write and discuss it with you.
I like the looks of that cat from behind- he does look sturdy and as though he's found his way.
So. You must have a market- or even your new coop?- where you can take the Saturday Shopping Challenge?
Welcome back to the World Wide Interwebs. I hope your son-in-law remains safe - he's right, it's the ash and smoke, which is so intense. You guys stay safe as well.
It's a very nice place here...It's such a long time I didn't go for holiday...
It sounds like the kind of place where I've always wanted to live. Wonderful that you can WALK to all the important places.
Wow, I've not been to Arcata since the late '60s as we had relatives there.
Sounds like it may not have changed too much, except for the amount of people living there?
Cheers to you both! ; )
Nice photos. I hope the fires are contained soon. Your son-in-law has certainly been kept busy. The cat does look a lot like a bobcat.
oh arcata sounds ideal! (btw, cats speak french too!)
I do pray the fires abate soon.
Glad you're getting all settled in...the news of the fires ( & map ) is
pretty scary stuff. Bless your son in law & other fire fighters for putting themselves at risk like that. We miss you guys! Happy summertime! Love you.
Commenting by HaloScan
