Color Contrast

 This grasshopper looks magnificent next to the house siding.

New Fire

 

I got caught in a post kayaking traffic snarl this afternoon. A fire broke out along the north side of the 5 fwy. I counted 7 helicopters fighting the blaze.  They were scooping up water from the adjacent Rogue river and flying overhead of us.  When I passed, it was 10-20 acres.  It has peaked at 550 acres that night.

Winery Afternoon

 

Cool weather and blue skies made for a picture perfect afternoon in the Applegate Valley.  The Trumbull's had an extra dog in tow.  Susan's dog Pepper came along with kisses for all.

Saving the Britt Orchard

After the winery, we stopped by the Troon greenhouse. T's neighbor Carol has been trying to save some of JVille elder  Peter Britt apple trees. Planted in the late 19th century, the trees are coming to the end of their lives.  DNA testing reveals 4 new species.  If further testing concurs, there will be naming contests for the new varietals.  Unfortunately, Carol showed us that only two of the grafts were successful this time. The fledgling trees will be put into the ground around the Britt concert shell in about 2 years.
 

Before Dinner, After Dinner

I got together with the gang Saturday afternoon downtown. As we entered the restaurant, we could see the beginnings of a big brushfire to the northeast. After our first drink, the power went out. We could see the helicopters and 2 C-130s battling the blaze. The lights came back on and we finished dinner. The firefighters got it down to a smoldering mess overnight.  In all, 150 acres burned. Supposedly caused by a truck delivering hay that ignited.