Weekend Update - Megan

So this weekend, as mentioned in my previous post I decided to go for the Moonlight rafting trip to get away from the stress, chaos, and devastation here in the Springs.  I did make certain to have loose ends tied up and contingency plans in place before leaving - so I had a little peace of mind before going.
I got to the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, CO on Friday evening.  We put on the river around 9:30-10pm. The moon was full - about 3/4, but it was so bright and Brown's Canyon was beautiful! We took our good sweet time getting to the camp set up below "Big Drop" rapid, and arrived at camp around 3-3:30 am. By that time the moon had disappeared behind the canyon ridge and ever star visible to the human eye was bright as can be.  The milky way was more vibrant than I have ever seen it and on the horizon I saw at least 4-5 shooting stars.  It was magical and peaceful and just the medicine I needed! We stayed awake until the sun started to light up the sky again, about 5am.
I woke up to everyone on the beach talking and laughing and laying in the sun. We stayed on our campsite/beach all of Saturday enjoying great company, laughs, and beer.
Sunday morning, we all pitched in to clean up and pack up and we rafted out of the canyon.
I could go on and on about the details of the weekend - but to sum it up - I took several naps, layed in the sun, visited with some of the most amazing folks I've been blessed to know, and I enjoyed the river and Mother Nature as much as humanly possible in a span of only a couple of days.
Praise God for rafting and rejuvenation.

-MJ

I've added some pictures and a couple of videos.  From the weekend :)

A good view of our camp...

Ryden the river Dog - He'd go after the ball in those rapids ALL DAY LONG

Great News!

I just received a text alert from KOAA that the estimated containment is now at 25% - that is GREAT progress!!!
Thank you Lord for our hardworking firefighters! God Bless them and their families.

My Sentiments Exaclty

A Mountain Shadows Home That Was Spared Among Many

From a resident

God bless our firefighters. Stay safe guys!

Ways to Help

Please see this article for ways to help the victims of the Waldo Canyon Fire: http://www.koaa.com/news/how-you-can-help/

Short Video of Evacuation

I took a very short video on my iPhone just moments prior to evacuating our neighborhood.

Waldo Canyon Fire - Stat Update

Information taken from http://www.koaa.com - Colorado Springs Local News Station

Here is the latest information on the Waldo Canyon Wildfire

16,750 Acres
346 homes damaged or destroyed
15% Contained

One fatality at 2910 Rossmere Street and 1 unaccounted for at this address. (*this is 3 blocks from our home)

Under 10 others unaccounted for, according to Colorado Springs police.

Mandatory evacuations continue for the area west of I-25, north of Woodmen, north and west of Rockrimmon Blvd and west of Centennial and 30th Street.

President Obama will be flying into the Springs at 12 p.m. to talk with city leaders, U.S. Forest Service personnel and firefighters.

Two people have been arrested for burlarizing a home in the Waldo Canyon Fire area.

Pre-evacuation orders for Douglas County have been cancelled.

Teller County evacuation orders remain the same so far today.

Highway 24 will remain closed through the weekend from Cave of the Winds and the Swiss Chalet.

There was no fire growth overnight. (YAY!)

Highway 24 fire line solidly contained.

Today's fire plan: Complete work around the Stanley Repeater site. Complete direct line construction in divisions C and D. Secure line in Williams Canyon to reduce threat to Manitou Springs. Contain and secure spotfires north of Rampart Reservoir. Continue to secure line on US Air Force Academy.

Get the full story on KOAA's site here.