Remembering the Fire Fighters

It is that time of year again.
Summer is passing by day by day.
Legal fireworks are being sold in the grocery store parking lot.

And I stop to remember.

On June 24, 2003, a fire erupted in the bosque near the freeway.

The next night, a second fire erupted in the bosque a few miles north,

and even closer to where I live.
The fire started around 8 pm. The fire fighters

worked through the night to save homes and personal property.

When the dawn finally arrived, the helicopters with water

were able to make water drops on the fire.

The next year, a retired fire fighter and chainsaw artist, Mark Chavez,

turned the trailhead area into a tribute.
He turned the scorched trees into sculptures.

http://www.bosquebill.com/photosPuebloMontano.html

Even though it is the trailhead leading the river trails,

Ella and I specifically visited this park area today.

Today's ADAD theme is summer,

and we both enjoy the extra foliage on the trees

and on the ground, and remember the fires that started in the bosque

this time of year 12 years ago.

There are many wonderful regional animals represented in the sculptures, 

such as the roadrunners and coyotes.

But today is a day of gratitude and remembering the fire fighters

who worked through the night and into the next day.

ADAD Summer

Well, then we noticed some of the interesting aspects of summer.

There were lots of cottonwood pods falling from the trees!

Do you see the lizard?



By Google description, it looks like an Eastern Fence Lizard.

La Llorona is still my favorite sculpture here

as she is a part of the regional legends.

Hopefully she won't catch Ella!

Although we didn't walk to the Rio Grande,

the arroyo was a full stream lined with the green of summer.

The eagle is one of the few painted figures,

rising up from the flames.

After walking around the park several times,

the morning heat turned to noon, and it was time to go home.
We are really grateful for the opportunities we have here,

for the people who serve the good of the community,

and that it is summer!