2 Cats and a Dawg


Thats all I had time to grab.

Left for work this morning and thought it was just super foggy. Started driving up Hecker Pass and saw the full fire and just about flipped.

Uh…thats over my house.

I foolishly went to work, then turned right back around and came home. By the time I got back to Eureka Canyon, they were not letting any more cars up the road.

“Downtown” Corralitos was mayhem. Traffic jam, camera crews, police barricades and a stream of cars coming down the mountain.

All I could think about was my little Kuku and the husky Pupu. So I took the bike out of my car and rode it up to my house. I just hopped on, no shoes, no helmet. I pedaled up a very smoky and windy Eureka Canyon in my work clothes and Danskos. Cars going in the other direction yelled “Where are you going?”

I’m going to get my cats.

Luckily two of my neighbors were still home. One was leaving in 5 minutes and one was staying until he saw burning embers. I don’t need to see burning embers, so I had five minutes to pack. I grabbed my cats and stuffed an overnight bag with bike clothes (figured I could get regular clothes anywhere) and then had about 1 minute to decide on which bike to bring (My neightbor had one spot on his rack open).

1 Minute to choose between a bikelifetime of bikes?

Luckily, the Bonny is out on loan, so she is safe.

And Michael’s has one or two in his car.

That left all of my Steelmen, my track bike, my xc bike, my Kona road bike, some other bikes I couldn’t quite identify and my Dawg.

My Dawg was the bike in the car and the one I rode up to get the kitties. We sorta bonded in the smoke. He got me here safely and I just couldn’t leave him behind. So, I chose the Dawg.

So, that pic there is all I was able to take with me (except the neighbor, he’s not mine). And except for the fact that I smell like a bbq, I’m feeling okay.

But don’t laugh if you see Michael and I in my mom and Theo’s clothes.

Posted in: Corralitos

38 Responses to “2 Cats and a Dawg”

velogirl May 23rd, 2008 at 12:33 am

drama queen……I’m thinking positive thoughts for you and all your neighbors.

tash May 23rd, 2008 at 12:47 am

i am so glad you got the cats and the ‘dawg’. let me know if you need anything! fingers crossed that fire changes its mind and just runs out of town.

Susie May 23rd, 2008 at 1:02 am

I saw that very guy on the news today! I left a message on Michael’s blog, but in case you missed, come get my Pista for tomorrow night. And let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

Ippoc Amic May 23rd, 2008 at 1:09 am

I was golng to bring margarita fixin’s to go with Jen’s borrowed pista & your BBQ smell for Friday night, BUT marscat said no. What’s up with that?

p.s. that pic is epic.

Flandria May 23rd, 2008 at 1:13 am

glad you and michael are okay - including the kitties!

take care! thinking positive thoughts for you two!

i was watching the coverage in the news and thought about you two…

teamwelliver May 23rd, 2008 at 1:13 am

Is that the Bonny at my house? We’ll keep her safe for you.

That pic is great!

and I have to head out toward your mom’s end of town tomorrow, so if Michael needs clothes, I can drop off some of Terry’s.

lauren May 23rd, 2008 at 1:24 am

wow!

that picture!

Beth May 23rd, 2008 at 1:48 am

i am so sorry. thinking about you and sending well wishes.

erein May 23rd, 2008 at 1:53 am

Oh dear, Sabine. I’m so glad you’re okay! Gee, I’ve never given consideration on which bike I would have to choose in an emergency. :/

X Bunny May 23rd, 2008 at 3:03 am

yay for the successful kitty rescue!

migo sends kisses to you and the kitties

russellp May 23rd, 2008 at 3:18 am

I like yer thinkin’. Fingers crossed.

Marian May 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 am

I’ll do a rain dance for you!

alicat May 23rd, 2008 at 3:35 am

it must be so surreal.
we’re thinking of you and hope to see you on friday for an update.

marscat May 23rd, 2008 at 3:56 am

i think we saw the smoke on our bike ride tonight…

that’s a cool pic…so glad you go the babies.

karla May 23rd, 2008 at 4:01 am

So scary! Well done on the rescue, and that IS an epic photo. I’m glad you’re all safe and I hope everything turns out OK.

Sacwheelgirl May 23rd, 2008 at 4:06 am

I’m adding a go-away-wind dance to Marian’s rain dance. I’m glad about the kitties (I would have done the same). Dino and I are sending good vibes your way.

Velo Bella May 23rd, 2008 at 5:34 am

I’m all cuddly at mom’s and thinking about folks who woke up this morning and lost their homes. Or the ones wondering tonight if their homes are still there.

crappo.

Velo Bella May 23rd, 2008 at 5:40 am

and thank you everyone for your kind thoughts

bbElf (a.k.a. panda) May 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 am

Wouldn’t dream of laughing. Fire and being dragged into the ocean are the two fears I’ve had drilled into me since childhood. I don’t pray, but I pray your home (and bike collection) makes it.

donhdesign May 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 am

So glad to see you’re out safe Sabine - if you need anything, just ask. If you need a temp home for your kitties, they’re more than welcome… and the old Colnago Pista has your name on it.

veloandvino May 23rd, 2008 at 8:36 am

hope all is well safe and your home is OK.

mjh

Little_Jewford May 23rd, 2008 at 2:36 pm

I was in Santa Cruz yesterday when I heard the fire was headed your way, so good to hear that you and the kitties are ok …. if you need anything let us know. Don’t think you would fit my track bike…but I’ve got some phil wood/Rolf track wheels your welcome to use.

Jen May 23rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm

Brent and I are sending our well wishes for your house from up in Oregon. Thankfully you had the time to get the most important things out and safe.

After riding Eureka Canyon more times than I can remember and knowing every corner and every huge old growth tree along the route I can’t even imagine what it must look like right now.

I know we are far away but let us know if there is anything you need.

Jen & Brent Chapman

marscat May 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm

saw you on tv this morning…

looks like things are looking good weather wise today.

hope to see you tonight…

California Giant Cycling May 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Let me know if you need anything!I can help shuttle more bikes

AG

ginmtb May 23rd, 2008 at 6:05 pm

Matching pants and shoes? Oh dear… :)

Hope the fire doesn’t make it your way. I heard there may be some rain tomorrow… (fingers crossed)

Sweet Cheeks May 23rd, 2008 at 7:16 pm

so glad you are okay!

and your mom has a smokin’ wardrobe!

Ippoc Amic May 23rd, 2008 at 7:43 pm

p.s. that pic is on the cover of bnoth West County Times and Contra Costa Times.

jen May 23rd, 2008 at 8:00 pm

a most excellent rescue!

glad you and kitties are safe.

velogirl May 23rd, 2008 at 8:13 pm

glad to hear you’re all well at the moment…

le petit lutin May 23rd, 2008 at 8:14 pm

I’m sorry to hear about the fire!!!
What a freaking nightmare…I hope you’re ok.

Miss Mary May 23rd, 2008 at 8:51 pm

Thinking of you Sabine!

suenago May 23rd, 2008 at 8:51 pm

So glad you and the kitties got out safely.
Thank you for the updates, Sabine. Really appreciate it.

meh-wee-uhn May 23rd, 2008 at 11:34 pm

I’m in awe that you were able to keep such a clear head & make such smart evacuation decisions (kitties, riding clothes, computers, & bike).

Hope the rain we had down here visits you soon & that everyone is safe.

twinkiepatissier May 24th, 2008 at 6:14 am

oh crap, i didn’t realize you are one of the evacuees. :( the rescue pic is badass.

PEANUT May 24th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

HOLY TOLEDO! Man, that sucks! Fingers crossed, positive thoughts and prayers to the fire-deterrent gods that your house is spared.

Denise May 24th, 2008 at 5:27 pm

Super glad you were able to get the kitties…..the Fresno Bellas are thinking of you.

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