Smoke clearing

We can see  much more blue sky and mountain tops around us today.  A breeze came up this afternoon which helped to clear the smoke. We may even see a much needed rain shower tomorrow.

 

We saw a coyote in the park this morning.  Actually, Sonny saw the coyote, I only saw the tail.  Later this afternoon, we were riding on a back road when we saw a doe.  The rest of our wildlife sightings have been squirrels, chipmunks, bats, dead moles, nuthatches and stellar jays.  None of the animals seem to like the pumpkin seeds that are in the squirrel food mix.  Perhaps the crows will come around for those later.

 

We only had one campsite with an incoming reservation and one leaving so we spent the morning using the back pack blower to move the forever dropping pine needles from the road.  I didn't mind using the back pack once I got over the fear that the gas powered thing wouldn't burst into flame.

The resevervation site didn't show but a couple from New York State who dropped in are in the park tonight. We were hoping to talk with them on our evening rounds but they were are buttoned down for the night when we went by.  Folks don't sit outside much since there are no campfires.

Our little "GEM" developed an electrical problem.  The lights won't work so it is in the shop.  We now have the Washington State Official Sonoma to cruise around in. Parts are on order to get the GEM working.  The Sonoma has 187K on it and the windows must stay down since the door handles don't work. 

 

Later this afternoon, we took our daily ride up to the head of the lake to check on the Sears Creek fire.  With the wind blowing, we had much more visibility.  Though the fire looked closer, the wind seemed to be pushing it back to the ridge where it started.

After dinner this evening, a school bus pulled up to our site. The driver was looking for the "firefighters camp on the lake".  He had already looked along the Lake Wenatchee Road to the East of us but wasn't able to find the camp.  I gave him directions to the South Park where the Fish Lake group of firefighters are staying. The bus hasn't been back so I assume they found the site.  The firefighters are staying in tents and I'm betting they are pretty cold at 4 AM. We have our little heater on in the early morning to warm us up when it is 45* outside our rig. I hear they do have good meals and a hot shower.  The heliport is very close and we hear the helicopters several times a day coming in to refuel.

 

We have been watching DVDs in the evening since there isn't any TV.  Tonight was the second half of "Gone With the Wind."  Sonny usually has the rock and roll channel on the radio though on Sunday, I got to listen to "Prairie Home Companion" during our work break.