Our Camping Trip Recap and A Request

Normally I share a yummy recipe with you all on Monday’s, but unfortunately I don’t have one for you this week. What I do have is a personal post with some stuff that’s been going on in my life.  Some of you might know (if you follow me on instagram) that last week I took my kids camping back in my hometown in Eastern Washingotn.  We had a lot of fun camping out, playing at the lake, visiting grandma and hanging out with all my friends from back in the day.  We go every summer and you can see my post from last year here.

While we were there there was a small lightning storm that started a small fire about 30 miles from where we were staying.  That small little fire has now grown into the largest wildfire in Washington State history. It has burned over 238,000 acres (which is approximately 370 square miles) and destroyed over 100 hundred homes.  The fire has burned through all the power lines that runs into the valley where I grew up leaving thousands without power during this time.  They estimate that it will be weeks before power is restored.

Up until yesterday all but one of the major highways leading into the valley was closed, which made getting much needed supplies in to those affected nearly impossible.  The Red Cross has set up a disaster relief shelter in the town of Winthrop and also has a mobile feeding station that is visiting other areas affected in the Methow Valley.  At this time the Red Cross is asking that all donations be made through their site.  Please specify your “Local Red Cross” and choose zip code 98862. Mention the Carlton Complex Fire when making a donation (if you are so inclined) so that it can go directly those who are being affected by this disaster.

At this time the fire is only 2% contained.  There are over 1600 firefighters from around the country helping to contain and extinguish this fire.  They are working tirelessly around the clock to keep people, animals and structures safe.  Please take a moment to do a rain dance, send good thoughts or say a prayer to those people who are affected by this fire: my family, my friends and my hometown community.

I have a couple of videos below that were shared by people I know on Facebook.

Post by Aaron Studen.

Post by Chad Berg.