We Lost a Great Bud and Local Fire Update

Bud

     Bud Goff was a guy who made you think you could go on forever. 

     Several years ago as I was learning to play tennis I was invited to substitute in a foursome that had been together for a number of years, only later would I learn how long that was.

     When Dr. Ed moved from Cambria I was invited to join Bud, Ellie and Jim every Thursday morning at 7:30, year round. These were crafty, veteran players who knew angles, spin and shot placement. They called Ellie a backboard, always returned shots. Jim, who was a physicist had learned some of the most vicious spin and English you can imagine. And then there was Bud who ran like a deer, as a lefty he could drill you with a serve and was as proficient at the net and getting to it, as anyone.  

      A relatively new retiree, I knew I was younger. I figured Bud was maybe mid to late 70's. A few years ago when a fellow was subbing with us he asked Bud how old he was. Bud said he was 88. My jaw dropped. Some 4-5 years later, just a few months ago, Bud had a pacemaker installed. He took about three weeks off and came to the court. He'd ask to take a break once in a while when we first began the days play as he said to "let everything get in sync." Frankly I worried a bit but he continued to play an aggressive and skilled game and he loved it. 

      A couple of weeks ago, Bud did not show up. He was usually the first person to the court. I called his beloved Viv and she said he'd had a heart issue. They gave him a stent.

      He got home in a couple of days and as we talked on the phone he said he was ready to come back, but then he began to feel ill. He was readmitted to the hospital. 

       I spoke with Bud three days ago. He told me what he had been diagnosed with and said as soon as they finished the chemo therapy he'd back on the court "probably in a couple of weeks."  In the mean time he said he just wanted to "get back living again."  He hated being in a hospital bed.  I told him that traffic at the farmers market last week was backed up on Main Street, something that never happened when he was the fellow in control. He greeted everyone, had a treat for kids and pets and got all the cars parked. I told him the traffic jam was probably because everybody was asking about him.  He chuckled.

       He told me my daughter, a nurse, had visited with him and he spoke glowingly about her. I told him we hoped to see him back on the court in a couple of weeks and he said he'd be there.  Bud passed away yesterday, while undergoing treatment.

      He was 92, maybe 93. I don't know what you picture when you see a 92 year old man, but I'll bet it isn't a picture of Bud. He smiled all the time. Was fit, trim and as noted, he ran on the court like a deer. He recently bought a new car and was talking about programming the radio. Same with a new smart phone. There'd be days when he'd stop the play to point out a beautiful cloud formation, or watch hawks soar and chuckle at the calves as they ran on a nearby grazing slope. He was a gentleman, a coach and mentor, civic volunteer and he seemed ageless. I'll miss my Thursday mornings with Bud, but I'll remember him well and with a smile.

local fire update

    The Chimney fire east of the Santa Lucia mountains in northern San Luis Obispo county has become a source of anxiety for those of us on the coast.

   Air quality has been affected when the wind pushes smoke and ash our way. It is being able to see the blaze that has claimed some 12-13 thousand acres that is disquieting. 

It is less than 40 percent contained and the southern track is in rugged wilderness where it is difficult to fight. 

      The famed Hearst Castle is to the south in San Simeon. The private Hearst ranch has begun to move animals. Locals are paying close attention and wondering. Friends in San Simeon have begun to prepare for evacuation, just in case.

    There are two fires on the Central Coast, the Soberanes fire north of Big Sur and the Chimney Road fire in near Lake Nacimiento.  There are currently 22 major fires in California.

     This is a state with a history of battling wild fires and the skill level is extraordinary.  It is a huge budget item for the state and people who have been here a long time have learned to live with the risk. We are getting better about that, but we still keep a wary eye on the smoke plumes and anticipate hearing that containment has been achieved.

      See you down the trail.

How are you doing out there? A little smokey? UPDATE

rare

     We don't see much of this after winter and spring-green.

A network of springs under lace Cambria and this property not far from the east Village bears witness. The hills in the distance provide the dry counterpoint. 

thanks for the concern

    Friends back east write or call and ask how we are doing in this fire season. Two of California's wild fires have created air quality issues and some ash, but we are fortunate.
    Those "clouds" you see in the center of the picture are smoke from the Chimney Fire burning south of Lake Nacimiento. The map below provides a setting and relationship to Cambria, on the coast.

    The peak is Rocky Butte, some 3,200 feet.  Friends who live near the summit have a commanding view toward the ocean and back toward Lake Nacimiento, though now they are often inundated with smoke.

    **New Statistics--11PM PT  8/18
   The Chimney Fire has burned more than 11,000 acres and destroyed 45 homes in six days. 2,459firefighters are on the scene along with 170 engines, 7 air tankers, 13 helicopters, 28 dozers, 34 water tenders and 71crews. It is less than 35% contained.
   In the scene below you see dark and white smoke. Generally the darker smoke indicates a hotter burn producing more carbon.

      Fire season is the negative of living in rural or small town California.  

     Tourists do not always appreciate the frequent summer fog that rolls in during the evening and hangs around until mid-day, but locals love and depend on it. We call it May Gray, June Gloom, No Sky July and Fogust.

     Our native Monterey Pine survives by capturing the fog. Many of our other drought tolerant and Mediterranean climate flora get the only moisture they need from the atmosphere.

     The fog is a creation of the ocean temperature and the heat of the arid climate on the eastern side of our Santa Lucia coastal mountain range. In essence the heat of Paso Robles and the east side "draws" or "sucks" the cooler air through the mountain passes and canyons and a by product is our blessed flog.

      Rain is rare before October and rain season ends in March so every ounce of fog, marine haze, mist or humidity is a source of gratitude. 

       Last week ash from the Soberness fire North of Big Sur

some 45 minutes to an hour north created enough ash that it collected on surfaces here in Cambria. The last few days the wind direction has kept the ash away and the air has been cleaner.

     This is a portion of the burn area of the Soberness fire that has burned 79 thousand acres and destroyed 57 homes and structures. The top end of the blaze is toward Carmel Valley. It has forced the closure of the legendary Pacific Coast Highway, just north of the top of the frame.  It is now 60% contained.

     So thanks for your concerns. Keep the brave fire fighters in your thoughts and prayers. Many of the crews are hand fighting in rugged terrain, along mountain sides and in bone dry forests and scrub woodland.  

    
      See you down the trail.