It’s very nice to finish in this fashion. No problem whatsoever. I really am very sorry for your loss. It is indeed extremely stressful. We can happily move on. I thank you for the exchange.

Ken I want to apologize for lashing out at you and your group. It has been a long hard road for me after the fire. I have been unable to go back to our property since that unforgettable night. Your photos hit me so hard and triggered the anger and pain I have been fighting. That by no way is an excuse, but I ask you accept my sincere apology. I was completely out of line. After reading your blog with a clearer mind and open heart, I see why you were smiling at the hope for recovery. Thank you for your love and stewardship of our amazing valley.

Lyn Hay –
Very sorry for your losses and anguish.
But one might hope that another lesson learned by those who suffer through any loss, as we all did during those fires two years ago, would be a little humility? My smile is one of happy to be alive to visit Arrowhead Mountain. And to try to learn some lessons from the tragedy.
How did we ‘gain access’ you ask? Certainly I would not enter private property. We were approved guests by the property owners and relevant agencies through an invitation from the respected Sonoma Ecology Center. Our group was there studying the aftermath and recovery. And trying to learn lessons about woodland fires and the inherent exposure to those risks in areas of questionable residential development. We were not there to exploit the mountain or damage nature. Far from it.
In my personal case, I stayed on our ranch (within very close proximity of Arrowhead Mountain) despite many notices to evacuate, made due without water or electricity or toilets, and cleared brush and timber with my tractor on many of our neighbor’s properties, doing my best to help whomever I could, throughout the long 12-day ordeal.
You might think about being more generous and less judgmental, and be especially careful not to accuse people you’ve never met of being ‘shallow’.
Last, I created this series of blog posts about the impact of those incredible fire storms precisely to inform others, not offend those of us who survived them.
Nevertheless, I sincerely wish you well as you rebuild your life.

Ann – glad you got the joke, and nice to have you along for the ride…

Thanks Dr Coe!