Three insurance representatives came up around 8:30 this morning so we got the ball rolling on the insurance. And Andy saw our architect at 10. It looks as if we will have enough money to build a smaller and more complete structure, but only time will tell. The fellows we talked to don’t have the authorization to seal the deal, and the higher ups may have different opinions. But we were impressed at how the company handled the hail damage to our car a few years ago, and our architect switched to the company after he saw how they handled the claims from the 2000 Cerro Grande fire. If our claim is handled properly we will tell the name of the company.
Then we phoned the Sandoval County Fire Department and started negotiating for an escort for us, the insurance claims representatives and the architect to go up there. We will probably be able to go Thursday or Friday. When we do we will definitely take some pictures.
The fire has now burned 147,642 acres and is 50% contained. We are having a bit of rain which helps put out the fire, but which brings concerns of its own…the danger of flash flooding. Fires this intense burn all the organic matter and cook the soil, making it impervious to water. The water rushes immediately off the hillsides, often causing havoc below.
More later!
Good to hear that the response seems positive.
Evan,
Thanks. It’s good to have something positive to do.
Renewal with hope and positive developments. Stay cheerful CM. It will all work out. It always does.
Rummuser,
Thanks. But do really think I need to be told to stay cheerful? 😉
Goodness, quite a dramatic turn of events! I hope the insurance claim goes smoothly and you’ll have a new home before too long.
I said ‘stay’ cheerful CM.
Architect!?? But you don’t want to live there. I’m impressed. (Is this too much info?)
nick,
Actually our home is this apartment down here in Los Alamos. Andy was using the partially finished house when he went up there every day to work on his projects and to take hikes. We’re not that upset about the house burning down, except for all of Kaitlin’s stuff from her childhood, but we do mourn the loss of the views and the trees, especially the fruit trees he has so lovingly nurtured over the years. If they survived the fire they may not survive the lack of watering because we still can’t get up there and because our watering system may have been destroyed. We’ll just have to see.
bikehikebabe,
We haven’t decided what to do. If we rebuild it will be a smaller house and suitable for Andy staying overnight if the truck breaks down or something. We haven’t ruled out the idea of moving. We’re exploring our options.
rummuser,
Why would I not stay cheerful as long as Andy and I have our health? Andy got out safely and we have a good time solving problems together. 🙂
PS About safety…for years Andy has twice a year driven along two alternative ways out…one 6 miles long, the other 8… cutting downed trees off the road and removing rocks so the roads would be passable. He even protested when the Forest Service proposed closing one of the roads. He didn’t need to use either route to escape the fire but one of his neighbors did, so his work was not wasted.
good to hear that authority progress is under way and appears to have your interests at heart.
yes, maybe a fully constructed small house will mean you have longer stays and stuff like that – all year round I guess…
collecting the data before making decisions is very good. My sister and I have a saying “we will cross that bridge when we have too” meaning collect data, do not make rash decisions until it’s the only way forward….
Cathy,
Actually I don’t want to live up there. I love my home and life down here. That doesn’t mean it might not make sense to build a small complete house up there. We’re both relaxed about the whole process.
i have fallen in love with ‘tiny houses.’
have you seen the blog called http://www.innermosthouse.com
i found her first thru the tiny house blog. she and her husband built it in the woods of northern california, fairly close to monterey i think.
it is simply exquisite. and they are very unique people. check it out… not only for the tiny house, but just for their spirit!
cheers and hugs to you both in all this,
as they say… just one day at a time…
love,
tammy j
tammy,
I can guarantee that if we do decide to build a new house it will not be exquisite. 🙂 It would be about 800 square feet with a big workroom for Andy.
When I went to the gym last night I saw one of our neighbors up there. They had a vacation cabin and I hope I didn’t offend him by being too happy. We lost a lot more property and trees than he did (2/3rds of his property didn’t burn), but I am very happy right now. One reason is I have an excuse to talk to Kaitlin a lot, which always warms my heart, the other is Andy is safe and I enjoy doing things with him…even if it does involve filling out insurance forms and reorganizing our lives. Another time I remember as being especially happy is when we were both threatened with losing our jobs. We tend to do well in situations like that.