Smoke, that is. It’s thick enough to cut. As soon as we came over the hill at Corona, we started smelling it. We could see it from as far away as Beaumont. We haven’t seen any flames, but there is evidence across the sky.
Mark and Heather were evacuated from their resort this morning. They were just five miles from the Witch Fire. They have driven up north to stay with some friends in the L.A. area. They will join us at Disneyland tomorrow. We’re not sure if we’ll stick around Anaheim for another day, or head south on Thursday as we had planned. Legoland has been closed all week, but if it’s open by then, we already have our tickets, so would like to be able to use them.
It would be awfully selfish to be disappointed about our vacation plans when half a million people have been removed from their homes, with 1600 destroyed. We feel very blessed to be safe and sound, and looking forward to spending a day at the happiest place on earth. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the residents of the burned areas.
All our family is safe though right?
We’re all safe and sound.
It’s looking like we’ll stay in Anaheim tomorrow. Part of I-5 is closed this morning.
I’m a little mixed up on where everything is. I think that Dianna’s family is far enough north that they are not yet in danger. Am I right? We haven’t heard from Don since last evening. Doesn’t he take I-5 to work, or streets that way? Keep us updated as often as you can.
The worst of it is down toward San Diego. Most of the fires in the Malibu area are contained now. Don is fine. Anaheim is fine. It\’s the Legoland area and inland from there that is raging out of control.
Dianna’s folks are fine too. The only ones I know of who were in the path of a fire was Betty’s family who live in Bouquet Canyon. I know they were evacuated.
This would be funny if it wasn’t so serious and sad. The people outside California are being led to believe that all of Southern California is burning. THAT IS NOT TRUE FOLKS!!!
This is the worst firestorm the state has ever had but the actual amount of burned land is pretty small if you look at how large SoCal really is.
Interstate 5 was closed for a few hours today but it’s completely open as of early this afternoon. The resort Heather and Mark were staying in may be closed for a few more days. The hotel we plan to stay at and the hotel Donna’s family are supposed to stay at in Escondido have not closed at all. They are also opening up a lot of areas that were closed because the wind has died down and there’s no more fuel and/or danger.
I feel very bad about all the destruction. I also understand if you build a home in the middle of a desert in a place where the Santa Ana winds blow you’re likely to lose that home.
Let’s hope the worst is past and people can get to rebuilding.
Don, Is it your Betty that Dick wrote about on Donna’s blog, whose family had to evacuate?
TV this AM showed the size of the area involved compared to the Northeast as a blue sheet over NY. The sheet covered the east half of NY State, most of New England, and south to nearly Virginia. People who have never been there have no idea of the size of SoCal. And you know that the news channels are having a great time.
Betty’s sister had to evacuate. They were allowed to go back yesterday. Their place is still ok although covered with smoke and ash.
It is a fairly large area but Southern California is huge.
Our day at Disney was fine. It was a very warm day with lots of smoke floating overhead, but the crowds were really low. We never waited over about 5-8 minutes for any ride except Finding Nemo. We hit that first thing, and waited about 20 minutes. That had a long line the rest of the day. It’s the most popular ride because it’s the newest.
We’re going to California Adventure today, and going to attempt to drive down toward San Diego tomorrow and do Sea World.
I’m just grateful Betty’s sister did not lose her house. With so much of Bouquet Canyon burned that was a pleasant surprise.
Take care everyone and don’t get sick from the smoke & particulates.