After being under mandatory evacuation for 4 1/2 days, we were able to return home on Sunday,
July 29th. Most residents in Idyllwild-Pine Cover were able to return to their homes but unfortunately, some people lost their homes.
The mountain views facing every direction except South are the same. The pink splashes of
phos-check on South Ridge are a reminder that the firefighters battled the fire on the other side of that ridge.
The first couple of days, we heard and saw helicopters constantly dumping water along the ridge.
Seeing the tower with our own eyes was a relief!
Facing South and Southeast is quite a different view. The first is facing South towards Baldy Mt. The other is on the edge of the transfer station.
The next photos are taken from our cul-de-sac. We are very grateful that the fire which could have approached us on a couple of directions was stopped from going up our hillside!
Early on the morning of the fire, I caught this migrating Rufous Hummingbird guarding his new favorite feeder. I don't know how long he hung around Idyllwild but he definitely decided to leave town before we returned.
He's been replaced by a local Anna's Hummingbird. It's great to see him totally oblivious to anything but other hummers that might try to take a sip.
The "lovebirds" that show up every afternoon on the nearby post returned before the sun went down yesterday.
Today, I saw my first Monarch butterfly of the year. It's reassuring to see life outside our door. The full reality of the impacts of the over 13,000- acre fire will not be known until we are able to drive down the highway into a severely burned area and when we are allowed to get back into the high country. For now, we are very grateful for what has survived!
Photos and content by Robin Roberts
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