Thursday, May 22, 2008

2 Cats and a Dawg


Thats all I had time to grab.

Left for work this morning and thought it was just super foggy. Started driving up Hecker Pass and saw the full fire and just about flipped.

Uh...thats over my house.

I foolishly went to work, then turned right back around and came home. By the time I got back to Eureka Canyon, they were not letting any more cars up the road.

"Downtown" Corralitos was mayhem. Traffic jam, camera crews, police barricades and a stream of cars coming down the mountain.

All I could think about was my little Kuku and the husky Pupu. So I took the bike out of my car and rode it up to my house. I just hopped on, no shoes, no helmet. I pedaled up a very smoky and windy Eureka Canyon in my work clothes and Danskos. Cars going in the other direction yelled "Where are you going?"

I'm going to get my cats.

Luckily two of my neighbors were still home. One was leaving in 5 minutes and one was staying until he saw burning embers. I don't need to see burning embers, so I had five minutes to pack. I grabbed my cats and stuffed an overnight bag with bike clothes (figured I could get regular clothes anywhere) and then had about 1 minute to decide on which bike to bring (My neightbor had one spot on his rack open).

1 Minute to choose between a bikelifetime of bikes?

Luckily, the Bonny is out on loan, so she is safe.

And Michael's has one or two in his car.

That left all of my Steelmen, my track bike, my xc bike, my Kona road bike, some other bikes I couldn't quite identify and my Dawg.

My Dawg was the bike in the car and the one I rode up to get the kitties. We sorta bonded in the smoke. He got me here safely and I just couldn't leave him behind. So, I chose the Dawg.

So, that pic there is all I was able to take with me (except the neighbor, he's not mine). And except for the fact that I smell like a bbq, I'm feeling okay.

But don't laugh if you see Michael and I in my mom and Theo's clothes.

37 Comments:

At 5:33 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger Lorri Lee Lown -- velogirl said...

drama queen......I'm thinking positive thoughts for you and all your neighbors.

 
At 5:47 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger tash said...

i am so glad you got the cats and the 'dawg'. let me know if you need anything! fingers crossed that fire changes its mind and just runs out of town.

 
At 6:02 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger Susie said...

I saw that very guy on the news today! I left a message on Michael's blog, but in case you missed, come get my Pista for tomorrow night. And let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

 
At 6:09 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger Ippoc Amic said...

I was golng to bring margarita fixin's to go with Jen's borrowed pista & your BBQ smell for Friday night, BUT marscat said no. What's up with that?

p.s. that pic is epic.

 
At 6:13 PM, May 22, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

glad you and michael are okay - including the kitties!

take care! thinking positive thoughts for you two!

i was watching the coverage in the news and thought about you two...

 
At 6:13 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger teamwelliver said...

Is that the Bonny at my house? We'll keep her safe for you.

That pic is great!

and I have to head out toward your mom's end of town tomorrow, so if Michael needs clothes, I can drop off some of Terry's.

 
At 6:24 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger ~ lauren said...

wow!

that picture!

 
At 6:48 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger beth bikes! said...

i am so sorry. thinking about you and sending well wishes.

 
At 6:53 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger erein said...

Oh dear, Sabine. I'm so glad you're okay! Gee, I've never given consideration on which bike I would have to choose in an emergency. :/

 
At 8:03 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger X Bunny said...

yay for the successful kitty rescue!

migo sends kisses to you and the kitties

 
At 8:18 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger russellp said...

I like yer thinkin'. Fingers crossed.

 
At 8:23 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger Marian said...

I'll do a rain dance for you!

 
At 8:35 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger Allison Krasnow said...

it must be so surreal.
we're thinking of you and hope to see you on friday for an update.

 
At 8:56 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger marscat said...

i think we saw the smoke on our bike ride tonight...

that's a cool pic...so glad you go the babies.

 
At 9:01 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger karla said...

So scary! Well done on the rescue, and that IS an epic photo. I'm glad you're all safe and I hope everything turns out OK.

 
At 9:06 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger Sacwheelgirl said...

I'm adding a go-away-wind dance to Marian's rain dance. I'm glad about the kitties (I would have done the same). Dino and I are sending good vibes your way.

 
At 10:34 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger Velo Bella said...

I'm all cuddly at mom's and thinking about folks who woke up this morning and lost their homes. Or the ones wondering tonight if their homes are still there.

crappo.

 
At 10:40 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger Velo Bella said...

and thank you everyone for your kind thoughts

 
At 10:45 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger EB said...

Wouldn't dream of laughing. Fire and being dragged into the ocean are the two fears I've had drilled into me since childhood. I don't pray, but I pray your home (and bike collection) makes it.

 
At 11:18 PM, May 22, 2008, Blogger donhdesign said...

So glad to see you're out safe Sabine - if you need anything, just ask. If you need a temp home for your kitties, they're more than welcome... and the old Colnago Pista has your name on it.

 
At 1:36 AM, May 23, 2008, Blogger veloandvino said...

hope all is well safe and your home is OK.

mjh

 
At 7:36 AM, May 23, 2008, Blogger Little_Jewford said...

I was in Santa Cruz yesterday when I heard the fire was headed your way, so good to hear that you and the kitties are ok .... if you need anything let us know. Don't think you would fit my track bike...but I've got some phil wood/Rolf track wheels your welcome to use.

 
At 7:49 AM, May 23, 2008, Blogger Jen said...

Brent and I are sending our well wishes for your house from up in Oregon. Thankfully you had the time to get the most important things out and safe.

After riding Eureka Canyon more times than I can remember and knowing every corner and every huge old growth tree along the route I can't even imagine what it must look like right now.

I know we are far away but let us know if there is anything you need.

Jen & Brent Chapman

 
At 8:06 AM, May 23, 2008, Blogger marscat said...

saw you on tv this morning...

looks like things are looking good weather wise today.

hope to see you tonight...

 
At 9:44 AM, May 23, 2008, Blogger California Giant Cycling said...

Let me know if you need anything!I can help shuttle more bikes

AG

 
At 11:05 AM, May 23, 2008, Blogger ginmtb said...

Matching pants and shoes? Oh dear... :)

Hope the fire doesn't make it your way. I heard there may be some rain tomorrow... (fingers crossed)

 
At 12:16 PM, May 23, 2008, Blogger Sweet Cheeks said...

so glad you are okay!

and your mom has a smokin' wardrobe!

 
At 12:43 PM, May 23, 2008, Blogger Ippoc Amic said...

p.s. that pic is on the cover of bnoth West County Times and Contra Costa Times.

 
At 1:00 PM, May 23, 2008, Blogger jen said...

a most excellent rescue!

glad you and kitties are safe.

 
At 1:13 PM, May 23, 2008, Blogger Lorri Lee Lown -- velogirl said...

glad to hear you're all well at the moment...

 
At 1:14 PM, May 23, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about the fire!!!
What a freaking nightmare...I hope you're ok.

 
At 1:51 PM, May 23, 2008, Blogger Unknown said...

Thinking of you Sabine!

 
At 1:51 PM, May 23, 2008, Blogger suenago said...

So glad you and the kitties got out safely.
Thank you for the updates, Sabine. Really appreciate it.

 
At 4:34 PM, May 23, 2008, Blogger meh-wee-uhn said...

I'm in awe that you were able to keep such a clear head & make such smart evacuation decisions (kitties, riding clothes, computers, & bike).

Hope the rain we had down here visits you soon & that everyone is safe.

 
At 11:14 PM, May 23, 2008, Blogger place_holder said...

oh crap, i didn't realize you are one of the evacuees. :( the rescue pic is badass.

 
At 9:49 AM, May 24, 2008, Blogger PEANUT said...

HOLY TOLEDO! Man, that sucks! Fingers crossed, positive thoughts and prayers to the fire-deterrent gods that your house is spared.

 
At 10:27 AM, May 24, 2008, Blogger Denise said...

Super glad you were able to get the kitties.....the Fresno Bellas are thinking of you.

 

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