Burned Out - Big Sur

[Mal Paso]

I am writing this from a remote cabin in Northern California. I spent the week bootstrapping including a 250 mile all day round trip to Redding for a $500 Costco computer and a Verizon WiFi hotpot among other things. Then there was setting up Win 10....... That and I didn't buy a mouse. Somewhere in the back of my head I feel I have all that stuff but I know it's gone. My first attempt at posting I Tried to use a smile and deleted half the post so I won't do that again. LOL

A week ago today I had 2 hours to decide what to load in the truck and evacuate. A fire that started in Garrapata State Park Friday morning had grown to 3000 acres and evacuation was called around midnight. I grabbed mostly semimental family stuff, important papers, my dies and 3 molds, food and a suitcase of clothes. I missed a nice Ruger 10-22 and a few other things I'm kicking myself for but that's how it goes. My cabin made it through the first attack but the fire came around again and got it. What a waste, illegal camp fire they say.

I spent a couple hours at the Red Cross Center but there wasn't a sign of coffee by 6 am ad I headed to Starbucks. Motel 6 was $107 a night (Monterey, Tourist Season) so I drove up here. At least here I have work finishing the bathroom. Got some emails from neighbors today and their stress is showing. What helps me focus on the present is one wrong cut on the floor tile and Home Depot is 90 miles one way. LOL

I get flashes of anger but not often, I had a lot of neat stuff, the pantry was full. There are positives though. I won't have to wash the windows. I am no longer tied by Lyman H&I Dies, I can buy a Star.

Anyway I got the bathroom floor installed and the toilet back in today. No oven or laundry but I'm thinking about it. Housing in Big Sur has always been difficult, will be close to impossible now. I don't like these changes, I was very happy in my rut.

[shoot-n-lead]

Sorry to hear this...

Hope tomorrow brings you better fortune.

Prayers for you and all of those affected.

[Jake70]

I'm sorry to hear you've gone through all that. Stay strong, it sounds like your turning things around pretty well.

[Hickory]

Preppers can learn a lot here.
It's not how much you have, it's how much you can loose.

[762 shooter]

Excellent attitude sir. What else can you do? Adapt and survive.

Don't get me wrong. Ruts are very nice. but can end in moments.

From the sounds of it, you are going to do fine. Good Luck.

762

[starnbar]

I know what its like to start over it isn't easy and I have done the coulda shoulda done this or that but when it happens and you have a family the only real thing is the safety of your family first everything else is secondary hope you can rebuild even better than you had it takes awhile but like the old man said if it don't kill you it makes you stronger.

[OS OK]

Oh boy, I'm sorry for your loss. Your online attitude sounds ok but I would imagine that your completely devastated. The fires over here near Auburn missed us again this year by 4 miles and we had evacuates from Volcanoeville here for a week as the fire progressed around them.
Have they opened the area yet for you to get back in?
Are you with friends now or did they get it too?

[Plate plinker]

This might sound wrong, but a friend of my says adversity is opportunity. Attitude is everything. Look forward make it better.
Sorry you have to deal with this.

[runfiverun]

this sucks.
but it is an opportunity to use the experience you have gained and replace things with what you really want now that you know what they are.

[MrWolf]

this sucks.
but it is an opportunity to use the experience you have gained and replace things with what you really want now that you know what they are.

Pretty much my thoughts. Hang in there and good luck. At least you survived; material things can be replaced.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

man, that's rough.
Praying for ya.

[blackthorn]

Sorry to hear of your troubles! At the end of the day it sounds as if you got out with perhaps not all but at least a lot of what you consider important but the main thing is that you are safe. "Stuff" can be replaced, but if not it is still just "stuff". Our prayers are with you. Stay strong.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I'm really sorry to hear about what happened. On the bright side, at least you got to salvage a few items, and I hope they were the best ones.
Thankfully, you had some place to go. As you rebuild your hobby perhaps we can help a little with this and that if you make your needs known.
All the best to you.

[Nueces]

Mal, I am sorry to hear of your ordeal. I am also rather proud of you for how you are choosing to deal with it and share about it here. Good on ya.

[FredBuddy]

As D..G.. said, let us know if we can help with parts and pieces.

[richhodg66]

I can't imagine how hard it would be to go through that, and I doubt I would have the strength of character to handle it as well as you seem to be.

To reiterate what's been said, please let us know if there are bits and pieces you need to get re-established as a handloader.

[Echo]

Fecal Matter happens - I am truly sorry for your loss, and the accompanying tribulations. What do you need?

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Mal, I am very sorry for your loss and I admire your attitude. Even though I am of English descent, I have a tough time keeping a stiff upper lip but I admire those who can. Three years ago a policeman was banging on our back door, when I opened it he told me, you have twenty minutes to get out. What do you choose in so short a time. I quickly opened one safe and put some pistols in a very large briefcase. I took no long guns. My wife grabbed some photo albums and we split. We drove to a town six miles to the west, along with many of our neighbors and got a motel room. We didn't know if we would have a house the next day or not. The next day the all clear came on the radio and we came home. The firefighters had stopped the fire short distance to the East. I envy those people who can grab a toothbrush, some shaving gear, jump on their Harley and go without a single worry about possessions. Unfortunately I am not cut out of that cloth. I like nice things, such as a beautiful large bore single shot rifle or a Colt, S&W and Ruger pistol, all of which I have. Life would be boring without my guns. If you like to collect rare Tiffany vases or other forms of China, power to you. Personally I think they make good targets at two hundred yards, but to each his own. We drove up the old coast road many years ago and passed through Big Sur. It was very dry and hot that day and the place looked like a tender box. We drove on to Monterey and spent the night. Early that evening the news reported that a fire had broken out in Big Sur. Mal, let us know what you need to get started reloading again. I can't send you a Star [don't have one myself] but I may be able to come up with some things, especially brass. I also have some extra loading dies.

[imashooter2]

Very unfortunate and I'm sorry to hear the news.

If I may offer one suggestion... Hire a public adjuster to deal with your insurance company. The insurance company will act in their own best interest. You need someone that knows the system and will act in yours. The fee will be high, but not as high as the shafting you will get without one.

[BrassMagnet]

This is one of those events that terrify us. You sound like you are taking it in stride. Hang tough!

[dubber123]

If I can be of help, let me know. I sent some things to a member years ago that lost his entire shop to a fire, but at least his home was spared.

[Mtnfolk75]

Sorry to hear of the loss of your cabin, SWMBO and I also live in a small cabin that is vunerable to fire loss due to location. In June of 2014 I had to evacuate for a nearby fire, SWMBO was on a Fire Assignment so I was left to my own decision. I took all my guns & ammo, some clothes, meds and a box of pictures, and drove to my folks place about 60 miles away. Fortunately our cabin was spared and I was able to return after 3 days. After that I made sure our Fire Insurance was up to snuff, Full Replacement Value on all Personal Property and a No-Rebuild Clause on the Cabin. Prayers are up my Friend, I hope things work out well for you.

[Smoke4320]

Mal Paso very sorry to hear about your loss as well
If you would be interested in trying powdercoating I will donate some for you to try
Might save you some money for a while
Jus let me know

[WILCO]

I am writing this from a remote cabin in Northern California.

Glad to know you're alive. Thank you for the report. Stay strong. Keep moving forward.

[lightman]

Thats a tough lick, my Friend. I gotta say, I admire your attitude. Hang in there, a lot of us are thinking about you. When you decide what equipment you want to go back with I'm in for a piece gear. Please let us know, and please continue to post. Take care, Brother!

[Mal Paso]

Thanks!!!!! I started reading posts this morning and the power went out. LOL Solar Batteries are old and will be replaced this week. It was already on the list. I got the water heater installed in it's new closet complete with vent and scrubbed the shower waiting for the batteries to charge. I'm running an Antique Trace 2012 that goes with the Arco Panels but will switch to a 3.6 KW Outback Sinewave with new batteries.

I should have done more prepping here. I did stash a Rockchucker kit here a few years ago. There was a sale + Rebate + Cabelas points and I couldn't say no. I saved about 700 H&G 503s. Good thing as I don't have a place to cast even if I had a pot or alloy. I must have known this time the danger was real because I grabbed my coffee cup and a few things I have left behind before. Whatever you take is subject to possible damage and this is the first time my house actually burned.

Windows 10 LIES. It said it Would Not use my Verizon Metered WiFi to update windows but it ate 2 of my 8 precious GB of expensive data. I was afraid of that but I'm 90 miles from a Starbucks and it's probably cheaper not to drive. LOL

THANKS! The adventure continues!

[ph4570]

Man oh man -- so sorry to read of your loss.

[DoubleAdobe]

Mal Paso, so sorry to hear of your troubles. Tough stuff my friend.
Wish I knew how to help you, fire is a devastating damn thing and it is painful to think it was some carelessness that started the thing.
Hope it gets a little better for you soon amigo.

[9w1911]

I believe McDonalds also has free wifi. Sorry about the cabin that is terrible, and I have heard people always grab the strangest things when bugging out.

[Fishman]

Mal Paso, glad to hear you are ok and are in good spirits. Another of life's unplanned adventures maybe? Attitude makes up for a lot. If you need some reloading bits to make it by, post them up. I'd bet you will have lots of other things to do though from the sounds of it.

[bangerjim]

So sorry to hear one of our brothers in arms got hit by this fire season. My thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with you! I wondered when one of us would be hit by all the fires in the West this season.

I have a friend that has a "cabin in the pines" up north here in AZ. A few years ago when that huge Rodeo Fire swept thru that part of AZ, his cabin was missed by only a couple miles. Many hundreds of others were not. Sad to drive thru a wooded mountain area that has burned to the ground.

Hang in there and keep up informed of your progress. Your positive attitude during this trying time is a beacon to all of us.

banger

[rancher1913]

mal turn the metered account button to "on" it will limit the updates and then never use the connect automatically button on the hot spot, always manually connect--it shuts off when you shut the computer and prevents windows from doing the 2 am downloads. I learned this the hard way after getting several overages and not doing anything different than running windows 10

I am sure georgeonedollar has heard about your situation by now and I would bet if a certain item was know to be needed he would drop it off.

[Mal Paso]

Thanks! I think I have the metered connection set On as the only Button Showing is off. "They" had to burn up my computer to get me to switch to Win 10. LOL

Got the door finished for the water heater closet to keep the critters out and took an indoor shower. I thought I might miss the outdoor one, nope! I can still see the trees and ferns through the window and I like my new genuine vinyl Travertine Marble floor.

I have to find out when I can get in for a site inspection so I can file a claim. No telling when the roadblock will be lifted. It will take another month or 2 to contain the fire. The battle was lost the first day.

Meanwhile time to get batteries. Got the coffee ground this morning and the lights went out a minute later. Damn Civilized to let me get my first cup of coffee though. LOL

Thanks!

[David2011]

Mal, so sorry to hear of the loss of your cabin. Thoughts and prayers are with you, my friend.

David

[MaryB]

I debated a cabin up in Northern MN in the woods, then the thought of forest fires said no. Only way would be something I could tow and take everything I own with me and in a MN winter that is not an option. Most campers are not insulated well enough for -40 degrees.

[Mal Paso]

I'm at Motel 6 in Monterey, $110 a night with my evacuee discount and they charge extra for internet. LOL I went to the fire meeting last night. I might not be able to get back in for a week but I did confirm the cabin and Subaru are a total loss. Some equipment may have survived, hope so. I left the fire meeting early, had a feeling lodging might be tough. Tourists are still coming in spite of the smoke and all the evacuees too. The motel with a 50% discount was full. All Red Cross had was cold pizza. LOL Carmel is $200 a night minimum. I got the last room at Motel 6. I'll pick up the pieces I can and head back. Think my Amazon shower curtain might be at the Post Office.

[Mal Paso]

I got in today and as of now the tractor lives and the ingot molds look usable most everything else is ruined. One thing that expected to be scrap was an 80 gal stainless steel transfer tank full of diesel. Plastic fuel filter full of diesel, hose intact. I figured that tank would eclipse anything else I had.

I'm back in the thick of it camped out in a rustic cabin in downtown Big Sur. Helicopters and aircraft go overhead every few minutes. Smoke smell is strong but the air isn't thick. The sound of backup beepers is near constant. I hope they knock off at night like the aircraft.

The new computer is a bust. Video keeps going out on top of Win 10. We'll see if the picture uploads. Didn't happen without pictures, right. LOL


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[Mal Paso]

173709
Ingot mold in situ. LOL


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[1989toddm]

I'm watching your progress[emoji4] Sorry for your bad fortune but your attitude and outlook make all the difference.
At least you don't have to build a new ingot mold!!


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[762 shooter]

Glad you are back home. Looks like you are in a new rut. Survival rut. Just think of it as camping like you mean it.

762

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

surely many of us are watching your progress...not much more to add, except we're pullin' for ya.
and praying...

[The Governor]

Best of luck and hang in there.

[Mal Paso]

I'm sitting in my motel room in the nicer end of Monterey. It got cold last night in Big Sur when the fog moved in and smoky this morning, the cabin I was in, pretty rough. I tried to get back in to Motel 6, no luck, booked with a waiting list. I met with the insurance agent at 10 in Monterey. She got on the phone to a housing specialist, it took a few hours but I've got some place to stay for the next 3 weeks. The accountant may have fits as what they could find was a two bedroom suite during the upcoming CONCOURS d'ELEGANCE. She gave me a check too. Thumbs up for Allstate so far. I spent the time waiting for motel check in looking at the S&W 69. $850 Wouldn't you know the only gunshop is across the street and they had exactly what I wanted. No money for that until I get the serious stuff worked out but I'll be thinking about it. LOL

Two days ago I was planning to head North but there's a "fair" for us "burnouts" LOL at Mission Ranch tomorrow with insurance, county planning, DMV, etc. and they may let us back in permanently next week. Wonder if the welding shop will exchange the oxy-acetylene tanks with the valve handles melted. Tanks must be pretty darn good cuz they didn't blow. LOL Think I might know where to find casting alloy too.

[Handloader109]

Allstate treated us well about a decade ago after a lightning strike and then wind damage from tornado. Then they cancelled us..... Two claimes on less than a year. Sorry for your loss, hope they don't drop you after this.

[lightman]

I was really hoping that your cabin would be spared. I was serious with my offer for a piece of gear, whenever you decide what brand stuff you want to go back with, please let me know. A bullet mold, die set, something.

[Mal Paso]

Thanks, that's really appreciated!
I busted my butt today. Started with an email to my sister but the display went blank again. 2 and 1/2 hours with tech support and the problem seems to be fixed. Bios Update not hardware but still a pain. Then I went to the "Burnout Fair". LOL Red Cross, Tzu Chi, County Planning, Told the Tax Board my computer fried and she gave me a number to call to get penalties waived. I got a burrito on the way "home" and tackled logging into my new Verizon account. Tech support and I created, deleted, created accounts for a couple hours and she still couldn't send a reset password to my email or the Jetpack WiFi, got almost 20 messages about account changes but no password. She told me to try again in a day or two. My HP tech gal, likely in the former Soviet Union, said to really run the computer so I started to write an email to one of the other Burnouts who asked me to recommend a drill. You Can NOT Paste into the Win10 Mail App. That did it, I downloaded Thunderbird but found you can't import ANYTHING from Mail. Mozilla says to export from Mail but I could not find a way. Finally downloaded the last 650 emails, went through and added senders to the Address Book and now email works.

Get Insurance!

Buy and troubleshoot a cellphone, notebook and WiFi BEFORE SHTF! LOL

Now that I'm operational I can start canceling services, contacting auto insurance, IRS, DMV paperwork, and some gal from County was trying to tell me about Acetylene tanks being an explosion hazard after a fire and "crystals" but I can't find anything other than Don't touch it hot, water cool it and it's fine. Danger period is 24 hours but it will be over a week before I get to it. I'll talk to the weld shop on Monday but it's just ONE MORE THING. LOL

[Mal Paso]

Well the Vise and Webber BBQ look usable, Satellite not so much. Be aware Excede will want $300 from you for equipment loss if someone else burns down your house. I need some new wood slats for the park bench, I was planning to do that but the Oak I was going to use burned too. At least I don't have to remove the old wood first.

I don't have any house work to do today, LOL, so I may just go to the range. Not much I can do about what I lost but I can sure have fun with what I have.

Thanks for all the good will, it has helped me keep my head strait.

[Nueces]

I'm not posting much, but I'm following along, as I bet a bunch of us are doing. Please keep doing these updates. When you get resettled, I think some of us can help get you back on the CB road.

[Mal Paso]

We had to clear the road of trees first, fortunately the Cat Survived. About the only thing usable in the gunsmithing tool chest was the Power Custom Stand. It could use a couple new pins but I think it will work again.The pin gauges were ugly. Found the Rockchucker too. It didn't do quite as well. Helicopters were finishing the 12KV Power moving crew and parts at the end if a rope. My stainless smelting pot was squashed but I found a propane tank with the valve "removed" along with any trace of flammable gas. LOL

Oh ya, found some alloy too. Tired.

Tuesday morning. Getting ready to pick up some No Trespassing signs and head back. Someone has already looked through my burned stuff and taken souvenirs. Not Cool. Think I'll wear a sidearm today and get the message across.

[Mal Paso]

Found the Uniflo, 4500, And Ruger 10-22. Looks like the 4500 needs a new heater. LOL Here's the before photo on the powder measure. Just need some paint and the stand is fine. Dirty work though, going to hit the shower.

What amazed me was there was no sign of components, as in the fire was much hotter in other places and items above were directly below where they were. Metal boxes right beside were sitting stacked in place with no sigh of higher heat. No explosion. Everything was in factory packages so pressure would not develop but it's like they were insignificant compared to the wood structures and trees burning.

[OS OK]

When you get that mess cleaned up...are you going to have someone park a pre-fab up there or...are you going to rebuild stick by stick?

[Mal Paso]

When you get that mess cleaned up...are you going to have someone park a pre-fab up there or...are you going to rebuild stick by stick?

"They" say I can have a trailer for a couple years although the driveway is I believe a 44% grade in places with switchbacks so the size of trailer is limited. The original house was built in the '60s on the top of a chaparral covered ridge and was not designed to be defensible. The word is I may be able to build what I want so I'm thinking Stucco and Plaster with the base sealed to the ground. Most of the newer stucco homes made it. What was the exposed underside of the original hillside house would be basement. It is a nice spot at 2,000 feet above the ocean, the buzzards still go screaming by at high speed 25 feet away, the thermals make it one of their favorite places to play. Darn utility helicopters chased them off the last 2 days. Progress LOL.

I'm a semi-prepper. I was here for El Nino when we were cut off from town for over 3 weeks and when the Carmel River Bridge washed out so I stock a little food. I didn't find anything displaced or melted by the gunpowder I had stored [in factory packaging] but the beans, rice, and sugar melted the cast iron wheels of my big bandsaw. Not what I expected.

I was pulling apart the shop today. Pried open the taps and dies, they are scrap, the Ridgid 300 threader was really sad. I keep thinking I should be more upset, but I think I am looking for the positive things that come out of this. If I end up with a comfortable Safe spot to spend my days that wouldn't be a bad thing. And right now I don't have to worry about all the Stuff my daughter would have to deal with if I passed away. LOL

[OS OK]

I'm on a ridge here also at 2,250' overlooking the Sacramento Valley...if I had it to do again, honestly I think I'd build into the side of the hill here, literally dig it in. Being a prepper too, I think of all the energy conservative homes in Arizona and places like that who dig into the Earth.
I would mix a little solar panels with a bigger amount of windmill to never get on the grid.
Whatever you do will be interesting though. From your picture you are a ringer for a fella I met a few years back at the Heart Song Ranch, my neighbor...ever been to one of their parties?

[Idaho Mule]

I feel for your losses Mal. With your good attitude you will do alright though I am fairly sure of. Wish you the best, my friend, just keep hangin' in there. Don't be afraid to ask if you need something. JW

[Artful]

Very Sorry for your loss - It's tough to face the aftermath of fire - I think your on the right track with fire resistant building - I remember seeing an Dome home in one of the Santa Anna Fires - flames licking all around it - but everything but the windows was safe and sound. As far as your beans and grains burning, that's the calories your body uses out of them.

[9w1911]

hey Mal Paso, if you get to Truckee Ca or Donner Summit I will meet you and bring you some lead, powder, primers, bullets and brass.

[Mal Paso]

hey Mal Paso, if you get to Truckee Ca or Donner Summit I will meet you and bring you some lead, powder, primers, bullets and brass.

Thank You, I appreciate that.

Been busy, Pulled the well yesterday to replace the seal and wiring then put in enough pipe to save the plants that are sprouting and the fish pond. Fish pond was the only thing left next door. Fish are OK.

[BrassMagnet]

Are you ready for the mail truck?

[Artful]

God forbid that this should happen again - but I found this interesting and potentially useful


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub1OfjDYiUE

[Artful]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-kICK_97BE

[OS OK]

We watched a demonstration put on by the local Fire Dept. in Yorba Linda, So. Cal., one Christmas season. They built a little 15' square 3 walled with roof structure...filled with a big 'dry' Christmas tree, room furniture etc., looked like you were seeing into a typical living room.
They set it a blaze by setting off the tree...there were 200 or so residents gathered to watch, we started off watching in a circle about 25 yards back and before it was over the entire crowd was back to about 50 to 75 yards because of the radiant heat. You can't imagine how hot those fires burn!

To this day, I can't imagine how the firefighters can take it!

[BrassMagnet]

We watched a demonstration put on by the local Fire Dept. in Yorba Linda, So. Cal., one Christmas season. They built a little 15' square 3 walled with roof structure...filled with a big 'dry' Christmas tree, room furniture etc., looked like you were seeing into a typical living room.
They set it a blaze by setting off the tree...there were 200 or so residents gathered to watch, we started off watching in a circle about 25 yards back and before it was over the entire crowd was back to about 50 to 75 yards because of the radiant heat. You can't imagine how hot those fires burn!

To this day, I can't imagine how the firefighters can take it!

For shipboard firefighting we went in with two hoses. One hose to fight the fire and one hose to put a wall of water between us and the fire.

[OS OK]

Can't even imagine fighting a fire inside a metal box, or should I say oven!
When you Swabs finally give up you'll run for the lifeboats and find us Marines already have them and out to a good distance from the boilers that are going to explode when she rolls over.
Like the Sarge used to say..."Gotta live to fight another day!"

[TreeKiller]

Lots of fun setting on the floor and lighting a fire in the corner of the room and watch it build and the smoke come down in layers from the ceiling. If you stood up it would melt your ear lobes. Of course you had on SBA's and turnout gear.

[BrassMagnet]

Can't even imagine fighting a fire inside a metal box, or should I say oven!
When you Swabs finally give up you'll run for the lifeboats and find us Marines already have them and out to a good distance from the boilers that are going to explode when she rolls over.
Like the Sarge used to say..."Gotta live to fight another day!"

Nuclear Aircraft Carrier.
Marines aren't manly enough to row or paddle outside the nuclear fireball/tidal wave/tsunami area. Even the Admiral's gig's motor might not get you out of danger close.
We Sailors fight to win!

[OS OK]

Well, BM, I guess were both 'screwed and glued!" No gettin around that 'lil nuclear reaction'.

In this event..."SeeYa on the other side".

charlie

[BrassMagnet]

Well, BM, I guess were both 'screwed and glued!" No gettin around that 'lil nuclear reaction'.

In this event..."SeeYa on the other side".

charlie

I'm retired from there now. Almost 22 years now.
I'm doing something else and almost ready to retire again.

[OS OK]

Congrats on your second retirement, now...this time make it stick and get out and do something besides work, do something you might rather do for a change.
Have several old fart friends retired twice, one old retired handloader/caster friend retired from the Air Force and then the City of San Jose...me, no...I was stupid and worked for myself all my life, retired once.
Now it's a full time job keeping up with the 'honeydoos!'

[BrassMagnet]

Now back to serious stuff.
Are you ready for the mail truck to start delivering goodies to get you started again?