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Our beautiful mountain had changed and we would never know that beauty again in 3 lifetimes. Stump holes were all that were left of some of our favorite ol trees. The saddness was consuming.  And under the grieving was rage!  Anger that a young man had started the "Rodeo" side of the fire to provide a source of income.  He was a fire fighter.  And complete contempt for the so called lost hiker who started the "Chediski" side of the fire.  She and her "boss" may have become lost, but the truth was they were on the Reservation against a mandatory closure.  In simple terms, they were traspassing!

Chediski is pronounced "ched" "dah" "sky", meaning white cliffs in Apache. It is pretty amazing how many different ways we have heard it pronounced during the past 12 months.

OUR MOUNTAIN HOME IS IN THE LARGEST CONTINUEST STAND OF PONDEROSA PINES IN THE WORLD.

A Look-out tower that once was hidden by the tall ponderosas is now in full view from Hwy 260 and the Timberland Acres subdivision.  From this tower smoke was spotted that soon became known as the Rodeo wildfire.

Ahead is recovery!  That sounds easy enough, just clean up the debris, cut the trees, replant, and rebuild. But the actual steps were something none of us were prepared for. click her to continue