Sunday, July 13, through Thursday, July 31, 2025: Devastating North Rim Fire, Carroll Visit to Georgia, Grandchildren, Preston at Home, and Pickleball

Sunday, July 13, is a day that I will remember forever. It was the Dragon Bravo fire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

 

A lightning strike fire got out of hand and it burned down the Grand Canyon Lodge and 70 other structures. 

Tom and I met at the North Rim the summer of 2006. The two of us were fortunate to have spent three nights at the North Rim in September last year. We had a deluxe cabin #332 that had a view into the canyon --- facing the North Kaibab Canyon section.

 

The fire burned down a water treatment facility that emitted chlorine gas into the atmosphere. This slowed the firefighting effort --- as the chlorine gas required retreat by personnel.

 

Teresa Moshir, our Dance instructor, held a Zumba class at 1:00 p.m. at the Sultana Theater. There was no pickleball that Sunday afternoon, so I went to the class. It was a lot of fun!

 

 

 

My sister Wendy continues to post photos of her newest granddaughter, Emi Rose.

 

 

 

By my backyard pond, the daylilies began to bloom. They are called daylilies because their lifecycle is just 24 hours.

 

 

 

The clouds in our neighborhood have been beautiful. I never tire looking at fine looking clouds.

 

I was told that daughter Donna posted a photo on her Instagram account. It was a photo from her Dad's (Richard's) 70th birthday celebration at the North Rim in 2008. Very nice memories! So sad that the Grand Canyon Lodge burned down.

 

Tuesday morning, four of us played pickleball. It was me, Patrick, Suzanne, and Ray.

 

I informed the Dalmatian Rescue "Save the Dalmatians" that Kelsey passed away on June 25. One of the members of this organization emailed me. She said that the next female Dalmatian they took in would be named Kelsey --- in honor of my Kelsey. On July 16, I received a photo of the new "Kelsey." I was so touched that I made a donation to that organization.

One afternoon, Preston and I went to Kaibab Lake. It was a fairly hot day. While we did walk around the lake, I was happy that the lake level is low. This made the trek more manageable.

 

That afternoon, Tom sold his boat and trailer. The buyers were from Prescott. It was an 80 year old father and his mid 50s year old son. Nice!

 

Thursday, the dog name tag arrived from Chewy.com for Preston.

 

That evening, Tom and I went to the one hour Dance Lesson with Teresa.

 

My brother Peter had recent surgery on his left eye. He had a wrinkle on his retina that was impairing his vision. The surgery was to relieve the "macular pucker."

 

Preston is adjusting to his new home. He has been in Williams for two weeks now.

 

 

 

The North Rim firefighters posted two photos honoring the Grand Canyon Lodge. So very touching!

 

 

 

My sister Carrie and her husband Brent flew to Georgia to visit their two oldest children and their one grandson, Colter. It is always fun with photos are posted on Instagram.

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday morning, I walked Preston to nearby Cataract Lake. Once again, clouds in the sky were awesome!

 

On Thursday, I had a hair appointment in Flagstaff with Shawna Ritter. When I arrived for my 1:00 p.m. appointment, Shawna was just finishing up with her client Caroline.

 

Friday night, the sunset from our backyard was so very beautiful.

 

Saturday, Tom and I went to DJ's Wild West Junction for dinner. We also went to listen to a local band named Kanyon Thunder.

Sunday morning, I brought out a therapeutic dog bed that Jamie enjoyed. It was nice to see that Preston was receptive to lying on this dog bed.

 

The Dragon Bravo fire still burns on the North Rim. The containment increased to 26%. But, several days later, temperatures and winds arrived to cut the containment in half. What a shame for sure!

 

The sunflowers are beginning to bloom. So many lots now have homes built. But, I was able to take this one photo --- view toward the golf course.

 

On Monday, Tom and I went to Flagstaff. Tom had an appointment with his kidney specialist, Dr. Wong. Tom's blood work and urine results are doing great. Tom won't need to see Dr. Wong for another 12 months.

 

Tuesday, July 29, five of us played pickleball from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Ray was kind enough to take a "selfie" of the five of us.

 

The fire on the North Rim is now a Mega fire. The heat is so intense that the fire is making its own weather. The photo below shows a cloud formation called  pyrocumulus clouds, or fire clouds.

 The fire is still less than 30% contained.

On Wednesday, I took Preston for a short walk in town. He was supposed to get his nails trimmed by Elsa Marie, but she said that his nails were not ready to be cut. I need to wait another month. Preston and I walked by a new 13 foot statue of our former Mayor, John Moore. Amazing!