Janice Rutherford (Donovan)

Ann is safe but house gone.  Horrible fire.

Paula Quandt (Libby)

Stevie:

As per my brother, Steve. Steve and Anne, and Joel and Kathy Tramner both lost their homes.  So sorry for them and the many others.

Stephanie Inman (Lamar)

Thank you all for the responses and information. Have still not actually talked to Annie but all indications are that she and Steve are fine - but the house is gone. I am so relieved that they are well and can't imagine the devastation of losing their home. - I an so grateful for this communication tool on our Class website - and I appreciate the efforts of our classmates to share information. Please continue to update all of us with any news you have regarding friends and classmates. - Stevie

Larry Hamilton

Stevie: I knew it!  What a great experience for you.

Hope everybody is safe. So sorry to hear about Anne's house, yes that area was pretty devastated.  

Most of my family have left town due to symptoms they were suffering from the smoke.

I'm writing this from Kearney, Nebraska, about 1,500 miles from home.  I was due to leave for my cross-country trip within a few days, but the smoke was getting really thick, and the fires were increasing in my neighorhood, and I thought an evacuation order was imminent, so it made sense to leave early. On thursday morning I dropped off my dog and irreplacables to my granddaughter in Sacramento, and won't be back for 3 weeks. So glad my family decided to leave as well. 

I've been watching the Cal Fire fire-progression map every day, and things appear to have improved, except in the dry creek area which is near my home. It appears that there are several more fires there than when I left.

 A friend just texted me that the air cleared out pretty well today over most of Napa, so I'm thankfull for that. 

Stay safe everybody, I will be thinking about you.

Oh, regarding the trip, I just finished two days of driving through Nevada, and Utah; a really ugly drive, that one must suffer through in order to get to the good stuff.... somebody shoot me. (put your hand down Bruce)

Mary Pieratt

Stevie, I’ve been talking to Steve and Ann, they lost everything.  The fires are devasting.  They were staying at Marsha and Les’s and if evacuated from there I’m hoping they come stay with me.  I can give you a cell, messenger me, Mary

Diane Raymond (Ball)

Sorry to hear about Ann and her husband losing their home, but glad they are both safe.  Sorry, Paula, that your brother lost his home, too, but glad he's safe.

Right now, I guess, we have to be thankful for the little things.

Paula Quandt (Libby)

Diane:  My brother didn't lose his home, thank heaven, but he is the one who keeps me posted as to who did and what's going on in Napa and surrounding areas.  He keeps in touch with many of his and our classmates.  Such devastation. 

Paula Quandt (Libby)

Diane:  My brother didn't lose his home, thank heaven, but he is the one who keeps me posted as to who did and what's going on in Napa and surrounding areas.  He keeps in touch with many of his and our classmates.  Such devastation.  I was referring to Steve and Anne Yates.

Larry Hamilton

I spent most of the day driving thru Nebraska, and Iowa.  My license plate frame says "Napa, CA", and I have been approached by many people expressing their concern for the people of Napa. Their thoughts are with you Napa.  This is definately a national story.

 I was very happy to see the weather channel upgrade the air quality to moderate (from unhealthy).

Larry Hamilton

Nebraska Sunday Morning.

Jerry Charlup

Larry - hopefully you will head through CT. Looking forward to seeing you  Jerry

Diane Raymond (Ball)

Larry,

That's nice that people from out of state are concerned.  This is such a big fire.  Yes, I suppose, we have hit National News.  :(

Larry Adams

My daughter called this morning and said that all of her co-workers and friends in Ohio have been asking her if we are okay.  They know that she's from California.  Stories about the fires also made the front pages of the Ft. Wayne, IN and Toledo papers; she lives 30 minutes from Ft. Wayne.

Larry Hamilton

Jerry: just in case, could you email me  your contact information?  I should be going through there, unless I head for the  site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival and museum, at Bethel Hills.  Trying to meet some friends there but haven't heard back. You are probably not far from there.  I'll will be sure to let you know either way. Would be great to see you!

The fire is still front page everywhere I go. Tonight I am spending the night just outside of South Bend, Indiana. Indiana is drop dead beautiful right now.  I lived on a farm in Indiana until we moved to California, when I was going into 5th grade. My life was pretty much a Norman Rockwell painting at that time.  Dad was a farmer/big band musician, and my grandmother was a famous (in Indiana) poet and artist. Spent my days playing in the corn fields, and our barn was a great place to explore. We raised sheep (dumb!), and pigs (very smart). I remember playing basketball, in uniform, by the time I was in third grade. Basketball is crazy here.  On this trip I'm just passing through Northern, Indiana on a straight shot to Vermont.  I will be visiting my Indiana relatives on the return trip (mom is from a family of 13 so I have many cousins here).

I usually run across really cool halloween stuff on these trips. Nothing too special so far.  Irish Skelleton dolls?(this place was near Notre Dame).

Jane Dickel (Jennison)

Fire is more than a big deal, it is catastrophic!  Next time anyone visits, be prepared to see some serious destruction.  Went to volunteer in the schools today, staff not really ready to have kids back.  The uncertainty of the last six days took a toll on everyone.  Air quality hazardous...schools will not open until at least next Monday.  Those of us here wearing respiratory masks outside.  Hold good thoughts for those who lost their homes.

David Johnson

Hello Fairy Princess and all ...

Susan (you know as fellow classmate Susan Andersen) and I lost our family home/ranch on Silverado Trail.

The following is an article our daughter Lindsey wrote for the New York Times published last Sunday.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.nytimes.com/2017/10/14/opinion/sunday/california-fires-napa.amp.html

David "Fearless Indian" Johnson

Larry Hamilton

Dave:

Great story by a great writer.  You must be so proud.

Two losses in that short of a span, and both benchmarks in your life.

So sorry.  It's obviously been a very tough time for you. 

Larry

Diane Raymond (Ball)

Dave,

I am so sorry for the loss of your family home.  I didn't know.  Glad you and Sue are safe.  Your daughter wrote a great tribute to this home, of which your parents lived and where you grew up.  Prayers for your recovery.

Burton (Burt) Williams

Burton (Burt) Williams

Paula Quandt (Libby)

So very sorry, for you, Dave, and Sue.  Thank heaven you and yours are safe, albeit, without the 'Ranch'.  As Bert says....any of us who've spent most of our lives in Napa, grew up with the danger of fire every single year, but the devastation is something we never get used to.

Your daughter wrote a wonderful article and thank you for sharing it with all your classmates.

Craig and I are keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers.

Dennis Kleid

Dave, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. We are bringing my 92 year old mom back to her (our) home near West Park School on Friday after bailing from the smoke with her all her Hospice equipment last week. My brother and I will be going to the reunion on Saturday. I'm sure there will be a lot of sadness as well as smiles to share. So sad....
I found the link to your daughter's novel.  She has a great talent as the NYT story demonstrates. Aloha from Dennis and Michelle.

https://www.amazon.com/Most-Dangerous-Place-Earth-Novel/dp/0812997271

Jane Dickel (Jennison)

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and memories of this beautiful valley where we grew up.  Dave, aka “Fearless Indian”, your daughter has a unique and incredible talent.  The apple does not fall far from the tree.  You and Sue must be very proud.

Vicki Ichtertz (Snyder)

Dave and Sue, thanks for posting the link to your daughter's article.  It was beautifully written and captured our valley and the losses.  Thankfully my family didn't suffer any losses, but my late husband's aunt lost her home in Coffey Park in Santa Rosa.  She is 86.  It is hard to wrap my head around the devastation.  You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.  Thank you.

David Johnson

Thank you all for your kind and considered words and thoughts. Susan and I appreciate it very much. Glad you liked Lindsey's article as well. Sorry, but you're not getting rid of us. We'll be back!

David