This morning after returning from church, I took some time to walk around my father's house and see the damage from the fire which tore through this whole area last June-July. Many of us around the country followed the story as the national news told of the fires in northern California. This story was more personal to me since my father lives off of Concow Rd. in Concow, California.
My father and Linda were first evacuated on June 22nd and were out of the house for three days before being allowed back in. Thinking everything was alright, they left on a trip to Vancouver, Washington for a 4th of July celebration. When they returned on the 8th of July, they were not allowed to return to the house as the area was evacuated again. As they waited for news about their house, they were told by authorities to plan for the worst. The firefighters had been evacuated from the area as well. There was both a ground fire and a crowning fire (in the trees) and the danger to the firefighters was too great.
After four days of waiting, they heard news that the house was still standing. Not wanting to get their hopes up until they saw the house for themselves, they used some ingenuity make their way up to the house despite roadblocks.
It turned out the report was true and the house was still in perfect condition. The front lawn was still green despite the fact the fire encroached on the house in all four directions. Linda's brother's house across the street was totally destroyed along with her sister's house which was also adjacent to their property. In fact, you could probably draw a line out for a distance of three or four blocks and everything within that circle was destroyed.
Many may say that this house which hosted a Bible study for two and half years for some of the local residents was lucky. We obviously don't feel that luck had anything to do with it. You can decide for yourself.
Walking around the back of the house, the damage does not look to bad at first...
These Manzanita trees behind the house(right side of the picture) stand in front of charred trees. 
As I continue to circle the house walking across ash covered ground, I realize how close the fire came from every side. The trees all around the house have blackened trunks with brown leaves damaged by the heat. Many of the trees will not survive.
These trees had been cut down prior to the fire and may have helped contain the ground fire as it approached the house from this direction.
And the house remains....
Even Sasquatch was spared.
Why was this house spared while so many others were taken? None of us can know the mind of God or His reasons, but if you look hard, sometimes you find clues...
Us on the plane.
The boys looking really thrilled...
On the way out of Colorado, we flew over the Great Sand Dunes near Alamosa..
He's no slouch on defense either.
After the fashion show, The Broken Hearts put on an amazing show. The band consists of ..
After interviewing the band, Daniel Lamorie of 
