Barn on Lawndale Road

An orange sun* rose above the mountain this morning and we tried to follow our normal  Saturday routine of coffee and newspaper, but after two hours, the newspaper had been read from front to back and too much coffee drunk. OilMan and I agreed that if we didn't get out of the house there was a good chance we would kill each other or ourselves, so we settled on a drive to a shop of sorts, called the Red Barn. It is only open on Saturday from 9-3 and I never think about it much except at this time of year when they have beautiful wreaths and table decorations made of dried grass, twigs, red peppers, safflowers and, in the case of the one we bought today, several heads of garlic. They also have some beautiful fresh veggies so we bought some lettuce and carrots. I don't see how they can manage on the proceeds of a store that is only open one day a week, but it is  picturesque and seasonal and definitely worth a visit. 

On the way home we did a loop on Lawndale road which we have often wondered about and never gotten around to exploring. We can see more or less where it is from our front porch. It is a one lane road that wanders back into the hills below Highway 12. I love old barns, and today's picture is of one which sits at a rakish angle in a big field. Its state of decrepitude seemed to fit in with the smoky sky and  feeling of general abandonment. And yet the field all around it is neatly mowed, some curious goats across the road are living in an enclosed field with an elegant quonset hut-like shelter and there are many acres of well tended vineyards nearby.

Soon the trees in their changing coats of many colors gave way to the all too familiar blackened trees and RVs with people living in them while they rebuild. There were also a lot of FOR SALE signs. The undamaged properties are a testament to the beauty of the area, but the burned ones are a stark example of how difficult the rebuilding effort is, and how many people have decided to leave.

As we drove home through the murk, I couldn't help thinking that the ashen skies are all that remain of the town pf Paradise, lost to flames which burned to the ground in a matter of hours. Firefighters said its speed and ferocity, and their inability to do anything but help people escape the flames, reminded them of the Tubbs fire here last year.

We are still under a red flag warning through the weekend. 

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