Close encounters with a sky crane

I couldn't believe it. We were on the way down Luther Pass into Hope Valley where the fire was close to Sorensen's Resort. I have never seen this before " there was a helicopter that I've always called a mosquito because it has an empty center portion of the belly, but it's really called a sky crane.

At first coming down the grade it looked like he was dumping that red slurry stuff. But as we hit Highway 88, he hovered over our heads and dropped into the river. Here it was right in front of us scooping up water out of the river in Hope Valley where I love to go camping. It looked like he had landed on the floor of the valley as he sucked up the water he seemed just to be floating on the grass. It was only about a 100 yards or so away from us. It is really noisy and we could feel the wind blowing our hair. It sucks up about 300 gallons of water, maybe some sand and trout too. Then the pilot quickly flies across to the mountain right next to us where the snowmobile riders ride and he dumps his load on the fire. It was truly an exhilarating experience. Lots of cars were pulled over at the turnout there on Highway 88 right by the bridge in Hope Valley with their children.

I wish my daughter had been with us because this was an experience of a lifetime. We have been really lucky this year so far that we have not had any big fires. Knock on wood. Next my worry was how to get back out on the highway without somebody running into us because of low visibility. It turned out OK, we just slowly creeped out.

Thanks

I want to thank all of you who called to check on my mother, Linda Monohan. She had a close call with her procedure but I know someone was definitely looking out for her. Thank you for all your prayers and telephone calls. We really appreciate it.

Bears

One Johnson Lane resident called and said while on a quad ride east of Sunrise Pass he witnessed a black bear about 300 pounds eating some berries. The bear seemed to be very oblivious to the quad rider but then turned and meandered about his way. I don't know about your fruit trees, but mine are heavy with pears, apples and I have lots of grapes. Be on the look-out, especially if you hear your dogs barking a lot.

n Lisa Welch is a Johnson Lane resident and can be reached at 267-9350.