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Spent some time up the Santiam Canyon today. Talking to folks that lost everything. Hurts. We've had big fires: Biscuit and Whitewater, Chetco Bar and Silver King. The Canyon Creek Complex and the B&B Complex. Even the great Tillamook Burn. But nothing like this. What a year.
Worth noting, though, that while it’s heartbreaking to see so many burned homes, forests and businesses, a lot of places did survive the #SantiamFire. Here are just some of the places that made it and nice things I can say about them ... ready?
The Gingerbread House in Mehama! It lives! I get coffee there before I go rafting on the North Santiam. Will have to eat there more.
The Mountain Cafe in Mill City! It lives! I once interviewed expert cross-cut saw craftsmen, logger and angler Arden Corey there. The Ruben I ate was pretty good, as I recall. We talked mostly about the heyday of steelhead fishing on the Santiam.
The Dollar General in Mill City! It lives! Um ... I did stop there to get charcoal there once. Also some swim goggles for kids. It has random stuff I guess and employs people? Huh? Yeah! we’re keeping this positive.
Giovanni Mountain Pizza in Mill City! It lives! Best pizza in Oregon. That’s right I said it come at me haters! I get pizza there once a week. Great crust. Amazing Breadsticks. Does take a while. I place order in Detroit so it’s ready when I get there. Can’t wait to go back!
Poppa Al’s! It lives! They do indeed have a very tasty burger. Only ate there once cause I tend to need pizza from next door but the homemade bun is legit. I will eat there more!
Kristin Krunchy Chicken! It lives! First they embrace questionable spelling, not unlike myself. And second I can confirm through sources that the chicken is indeed as advertised. I will need to eat there more.
The sign at my favorite campground and boat ramp! It lives! And maybe, you know, there’s something back in there intact. Right? Just if you can get on the river that’s a win. I float/fished from this park just 4 days ago. Lucy caught two feisty rainbow trout! Rapids! Sunshine!
The Subway in Mill City! It lives! They open up super early and I get coffee and a breakfast sub there before hitting the Mt Jeff backcountry! I often get a turkey sub for the trail. It’s very helpful!
Rosie's Mountain Coffee House! It lives! It’s hard to see but it’s just beyond that torched car. They have great coffee! I got a white mocha with a scone of some kind there recently after early morning fishing at Detroit. Perked me up so I wasn’t an a-hole when I got home to kids
Mountain High Grocery in Detroit! It lives! (I couldn’t get up there but confirmed with owners). They are wonderful. It’s a lifesaver because it has both food and fishing / camping supplies. How can you beat that? Answer: you cannot.
My house! It lives! At least I’m pretty sure. It was originally built in 1900 as a general store. No lie. I took this today while we were evacuating on a level 2. And yes, when it’s level 2 you get time to hook up your raft, which many didn’t get the chance to do.
Well that’s all the pictures / information I have. This was a lot of fun, minus that first one. I really love the North Santiam Canyon. It’s really sad to see it. But it’s still there. It lives! Even if it’s a long tough impossible road back.
Damnit, I can already see a number of stupid autocorrect mistakes. It’s pretty late and I am currently attempting to sleep in a sinking air mattress. Such is life.
