Hello Fellow Gourmettes,
Gourmet Girl Gail here. First off, we want to say how distressed we are about the devastating fires happening in both northern and southern California. We’ve spent a lot of time up in Sonoma and Napa, and these fires are now considered among the deadliest in state history. They have scorched more than 200,000 acres, destroyed or damaged more than 5,500 homes, displaced 100,000 people and killed at least 41 people.
It hit close to home when I received an email from a friend who had moved with his wife, dog, and cats from the city of San Francisco to Sonoma County where they rented a house. At 1 am they were evacuated, with no time to retrieve anything except their animals and a computer. By the grace of God they made it safely to a Marriott Hotel where they spent the night. It was like a war zone on the route they took. Friends in the Bay Area later took them in, but they have no idea if the house they were renting is still there. My friend wrote that these kinds of stressful conditions had a subtle but profound psychological effect on him, and he now has a new appreciation for the concept of post-traumatic stress.
We are keeping our best thoughts for everyone as the blazes come under control and evacuees are allowed back to their respective homes to see if they are still standing or to try and salvage some of their belongings.
On a more positive note, the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge in Big Sur opened to cars and the public on Friday, October 13. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony and a mass of people on the bridge. Thanks to Vern Fisher and the Monterey Journal for this photo.
Here’s a link to a video from MSN about the reopening, the effect the past months have had on businesses in the area, and more. It’s short but informative.
You can bet that this Gourmet Girl is headed to Ventana Campground soon! I’ve already made my reservation, and I’m so looking forward to connecting with its special nature and my tribe up there.
So stay tuned for my notes on the wild, wonderful Big Sur when I return. It’s bound to be memorable experience, perhaps in a different way, but I’m always open to surprises.-:)
May we all have many safe and happy journeys ahead!
Cheers,
Gail
#gourmetgirlsonfire