Some of you may remember these photos I posted of one of my first mountain bike rides a month or so ago. (This still happens to be one of my only mountain bike rides yet, but no matter.) Crafton Hills during the summer is dry, dry, dry, but still maintains a type of desert beauty that one can enjoy (at least early in the morning before the oven heats up). There's a beautiful view of the mountains and hills 360 degrees around -- you just have to overlook Yucaipa to keep up the scenic view. The bushes are dry but with splashes of red, green, white and yellow. And for me, the wide trail with it's sweeping turns and gentle hills, makes for a fear-free ride.
Well, last night this was my view of Crafton from afar.
As I got closer, I started to see the ashes fall around me and worry about my health when I started coughing, so I headed the other direction. Supposedly, lightening, volcanic eruptions, falling rocks, and spontaneous combustion are the main causes of wildfires. Not so here in Southern California. Arson, cigarettes, campfires and in essence, careless and/or destructive people. What is up with our society today? Since when did this kind of thing become fashionable? What are we teaching our kids that they grow up to think that this is a form of fun? What happended to responsibility and consequences? Lets wake up and cherish the beauty of the world and the people around us, and teach those who follow us that same stewardship.
Crafton today, from a distance, still smoldering, 80% contained.
Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.
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