Barking Embarkers

It’s story time! For those who are new here, I have kept a record of Chloe’s and my adventures during our travels! I write and publish these about a year after they happen, for various reasons, but mostly per my grandma’s advice. And I don’t know about you, but you ALWAYS listen to your Grandma’s advice- they know. Here we Go! Brace yourselves, it’s time for an enticing, incredible, thrilling and heart wrenching: A Tail of Chloe Rue (I know its tale, I just can’t help it).

Albany to Medford to Alaska

Sometimes it is hard to leave a travel contract. While working in Albany Oregon, I made incredible friends. I also had the perks of an amazing gym during the pandemic, supportive work environment, the most beautiful orchard to live at with organic fruit and fresh water always available. I found an amazing daycare for Chloe, who loved to have her on weekends as needed too! She even had a great groomer. Not to mention, we loved choosing between mountains and oceans, and training for backpacking during the pandemic. Needless to say, when that 6 month window came to a close I was doing my best to look ahead to what was next. I managed to score an 8 week contract in Medford, Oregon; followed by a 9 month gig in Sitka, Alaska that involved hand therapy and home health. PLUS I would have the chance to enjoy an Alaskan winter and summer! As many travelers know, it is dangerous to plan this far ahead, because we never, ever know what lies behind the next corner.

After some time with family, I settled into a beautiful campground on national forest land, while I searched fruitlessly for a full time parking spot. I did not understand fire season in the western United States; and I certainly would never have dreamed of the fires that were about to change my life.

The Tragic Tuesday

It was Tuesday, September 8th and there was a red flag warning in effect. At that time I didn’t even know what a red flag warning meant (it means wild fire danger). I went to work as usual- at a skilled nursing facility which is not my norm but definitely was working out well. We had a noon meeting, when a call was received that all people who reside in Ashland or Phoenix, Oregon needed to prepare to evacuate their homes as a fire had broken out in Ashland and was working its way north very quickly, toward Medford. Here I was, completely relieved because I had considered camping on top of Mt. Ashland and opted to stay north to be closer to work. I continued my day, having no idea a fire had also broken out north east of Medford, called the South Obenchain fire. Chloe was at a new daycare, and I went to pick her up; then continued my way back toward the national forest land. As I reached the gravel one lane road that lead to my destination; it was apparent I would not be making it home. The road was blocked and I was redirected back the way I came.

I called my sister and the search for a place to stay began. The most tragic part of this story, was the amount of people who were also displaced. Hotels were filling extremely quickly, and I found myself at a Hotel 6 far north of Medford. There was literally almost nowhere to go in Oregon or northern California that was fire free. It was truly terrifying. Fires had broken out all over the state. The air quality was horrendous and as a person with asthma, I was struggling. I attempted to drive to work the next day; but my oxygen plummeted to 87 (90 is stable, 95-100 is normal) and this was while wearing an N95 mask respirator. Chloe spent only 5 minutes intervals outside to help with her lungs too. In the meantime, the camper sat, with a fire approaching and I was stuck, waiting.

Waiting is the Worst

If I was able to work during this time, or even write or blog or edit photography- I would have been much happier. Instead I did none of those things; and found my focus was all over the place. I had two pairs of clothes- scrubs and gym clothes; bathroom supplies from the dollar general and an adorable diner next door that sold the best apple pie EVER. I distinctly remember watching the fight to save Medford as the fire encroached my work place and many homes (over 700 homes) were destroyed. There was a live feed that had a moment where 4 helicopter pilots were dropping water on a fire that had broken out in the city. It was mind blowing; watching them weave and dive; doing everything in their power to save the homes.

Two days later the air quality cleared and I was able to make it back into town. I had found an incredible woman who had a cute yoga studio in her back yard ready to house anyone who needed it, free of charge. She had a fenced yard and an adorable chocolate lab (just like my parents) and Chloe and I felt wonderfully welcomed. The camper was still a sitting duck as the fight against the south obenchain fire continued. I had no way to know how it fared.

One of my favorite moments was talking to my friend Andrew Robinson (who is about to become a dad now!!). I was complaining about how hungry I was but that I didn’t want to go anywhere that first night at the yoga studio, and no questions asked, he ordered me some local Mexican delicious food via door dash that magically appeared at my door. My sister and mom sent me a beautiful box of clothes for work, and I really didn’t post much on social media, because there were still so many unknowns. The family I stayed with was amazing. She fed me dinner one night and opened her home to Chloe and I. I could never truly express my gratitude.

A Total Loss

It was over a week before I was able to return to the camper. I worked that week to the best of my ability but found myself at Urgent care necessitating a nebulizer. Naturally, during a pandemic where shortness of breath inevitably means COVID. Thankfully I texted negative for COVID and it was definitely my asthma acting up from the smoke. I was sent home with a nebulizer machine and to be honest, I still was having a hard time breathing; and it wasn’t because of the asthma. It was because my home was buried in ashes and smoke and I had no way to access it.

The next phase of our adventure was as hilly of an emotional rollercoaster imaginable. I made it to the camper and there it was: intact. Fire damage was nearby; but the camper looked alive! I walked inside and the scene was shocking. The smell was smoke and rotten food; as my propane had run out in the time that I was gone. It was apparent animals had found their way inside and my white walls were gray and yellow.

This, my friends is where we can talk about grief. You know that little stinker, denial? How it tells you that this can’t be real, that this can be fixed? I saw the walls bubbling out while I drove down the highway from the effect the heat had on the camper; but I paid it no attention. I saw the damage, so evident but I believed there had to be a way.

I took my Aunt’s and Mom’s advice to take it to the camper shop. I called insurance. Low and behold; the camper shop took one look at the walls before a formal assessment and told me it was totalled. That information was so hard to grasp; especially while I was still working and double especially since I was supposed to go to Alaska soon. I did eventually go through those stages of grief: denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and finally acceptance. I put in notice at the job in Medford, and I canceled the Alaska contract. It was time to go home, and regroup.

Regrouping After the Fire

I know so many strong souls who talk about how things are just that- things. And a home is something that can move, be rebuilt, and begin again. Those souls are truly beautiful. I am endlessly grateful that Chloe was at daycare, and that I was okay too. But let’s be real- losing your home SUCKS. It’s a place where you feel safe, that is full of memories of building forts with your dog on valentines day; packing it full of too many people; hosting family, holding a sewer together with ducttape through a random storm in Wyoming. The camper was my tool to see the United States and keep one place as my home with Chloe. Those memories remain of course; but the setting of those memories did not survive the Oregon fires of 2020. And we had insurance, we had SO much support from friends and family and even friends I hadn’t talked to in years. It was incredible. So while my home was lost, and that was an awful experience; Chloe and I made it through to the other side of 2020, more than survivors, more than warriors, more than even heros- we found a way to come back back ourselves stronger stronger before, and continue to pursue our dreams.

I landed at my tax home in Fargo, North Dakota to a bundle of warm food, a brand new wardrobe of donated clothes (10 times cuter than anything I ever owned) a refrigerator and my own basement apartment. When I was in college I had a three part dream: become a traveling occupational therapist, live in a camper, and ride a motorcycle. While Chloe was my furry surprise part of that dream; I met 2/3 of those goals and the motorcycle part is just very difficult to do while traveling. I gathered up my energy, and set my mind to finding the next adventure in my path. Stay tuned, because while the camper found its peace in the heaven for metal souls; Chloe and I have many more adventures to share.

Thank you so much for reading this blog post! This was definitely not the easiest post to write. I hope everyone reading takes time to first, thank their homes today. Reflect on some of your favorite memories- maybe the first day your dog discovered what zoomies were like, or the first time you woke up to a cute furry dog sharing your bed. Second, I’d like to encourage everyone reading to be wild fire aware. The 2020 Wildfire season was truly catastrophic on the west coast. So I just encourage you to think about what you can do to prevent wildfires (yes I just quoted smoky the bear, he is one smart bear!) and how can you make choices that will slow climate change? Personally, Chloe and I will continue to love and respect nature in everything that we do! And now we wish you happy trails and happy tails ♡