Friday, February 29, 2008
Julian was spared
The wildfires raged and advanced on Julian, CA as the country watched.
Julian is perched in southern California on the edge of the Anzo Borrego desert. We visited there in 2001 and were very taken by the town—famous for apples—apple pie, cider, and more. We decided to return to Julian someday…
…And then, the October 03 wildfires. We watched the news closely as the slopes leading up to Julian heated up—by some miracle the fires halted on the outskirts of town and main street was spared. Along Routes 76 and 79 there were many signs of charred wood and blackened land. There were campers and trailers all over the mountain- serving as temporary quarters for folks who were rebuilding their burned or damaged residences.
Julian’s history is steeped in the days of the gold rush-a survivor, not a town turned into a ghost town. Wildfires are not unheard of in this area. Most recently, there were pinewood fires in the fall of 2002 and the fires last October. Well beyond the days of the gold rush, Julian is a modern tourist destination, situated at 5500 feet about sea level. Expect piles of snow in the winter and noticeable heat in the summer. Apples are a big draw here, with delicious apple pies and cider for sale. Become regaled with tales of Julian’s place in the pioneering history of our country and in early lore of Indian tribes making their mark on the land.
Close to 800 Julian homes burned in the October wildfires. Sadly, other valuable land burned as well taking most of the Cuyamaca Nature Reserve and Park which covers 27,000 acres. Only 375 acres of that land were spared. Cuyamaca means Mountains of Rain in one native American language and because of the implied dampness of the climate the diversity of plant life is reportedly vast.
Considering the after effects of the burn, the park is still beautiful in the long view. But the lakes, picnic grounds, hiking, biking and horse riding trails, and campgrounds are now blackened and closed up tight. Recovery in the aftermath of the fires will be very slow.
We spoke to many residents about their efforts to rebuild. One woman told us of the “elders”, long time residents who refuse to rebuild for financial reasons or because they lack the will to rebuild. They have chosen to live the rest of their lives in trailers, family member homes or cabins and shacks found in the hills, victims of another episode displaying the power Mother Nature to affect our lives in what may seem like an instant.
But, the town of Julian goes on, refusing to give in to the legacy of its dynamic history.
Julian is perched in southern California on the edge of the Anzo Borrego desert. We visited there in 2001 and were very taken by the town—famous for apples—apple pie, cider, and more. We decided to return to Julian someday…
…And then, the October 03 wildfires. We watched the news closely as the slopes leading up to Julian heated up—by some miracle the fires halted on the outskirts of town and main street was spared. Along Routes 76 and 79 there were many signs of charred wood and blackened land. There were campers and trailers all over the mountain- serving as temporary quarters for folks who were rebuilding their burned or damaged residences.
Julian’s history is steeped in the days of the gold rush-a survivor, not a town turned into a ghost town. Wildfires are not unheard of in this area. Most recently, there were pinewood fires in the fall of 2002 and the fires last October. Well beyond the days of the gold rush, Julian is a modern tourist destination, situated at 5500 feet about sea level. Expect piles of snow in the winter and noticeable heat in the summer. Apples are a big draw here, with delicious apple pies and cider for sale. Become regaled with tales of Julian’s place in the pioneering history of our country and in early lore of Indian tribes making their mark on the land.
Close to 800 Julian homes burned in the October wildfires. Sadly, other valuable land burned as well taking most of the Cuyamaca Nature Reserve and Park which covers 27,000 acres. Only 375 acres of that land were spared. Cuyamaca means Mountains of Rain in one native American language and because of the implied dampness of the climate the diversity of plant life is reportedly vast.
Considering the after effects of the burn, the park is still beautiful in the long view. But the lakes, picnic grounds, hiking, biking and horse riding trails, and campgrounds are now blackened and closed up tight. Recovery in the aftermath of the fires will be very slow.
We spoke to many residents about their efforts to rebuild. One woman told us of the “elders”, long time residents who refuse to rebuild for financial reasons or because they lack the will to rebuild. They have chosen to live the rest of their lives in trailers, family member homes or cabins and shacks found in the hills, victims of another episode displaying the power Mother Nature to affect our lives in what may seem like an instant.
But, the town of Julian goes on, refusing to give in to the legacy of its dynamic history.
# posted by Ann Carol @ 1:33 PM 
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]