FIRE IN THE VALLEY

The first Bridge of Fire burned this weekend in Nicasio thanks Jeff and Laura Kimpton. The fact that Fire in the Valley was postponed several times was part of the reason we were able to get it done. It took us that long to figure out how to get General Vallejo over there. The General Vallejo chain saw carving  stood in front of a car dealership in Vallejo for years, until dry rot and termites did what they do to unprotected wood. He was carved by chain saw artist Miles Tucker. In the end, he was rotten to the core and I am sure the all the indigenous tribes in the area had a similar sentiment about the real life counterpart, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo when he was lord and master over his vast land grants back in the mid to late 1800’s.

This weekend he burned to the ground, but he did not go down easy and stood on one leg for at least an hour as if to say “it’s only a flesh wound,” but the fire was to have the last word. He fell face down directly toward Bruce Hurst, the guy who brought the General over on his truck earlier in the day. It was a fitting gesture I thought. And it was a fitting and honorable end to the General. He made a beautiful fire. Everyone who came was happy to see him glow like a huge charcoal in the night as he was consumed from the inside out

The Bridge of Fire also burned and was a fine start to what will be a bigger more elegant version on the Playa this year and probably continuing until…..well, I’m done. This small bridge I burned was going to be the entrance to Fog City which will be the camp where me and some bridge angels will hang out this year. But when I got the chance to burn it. What else could I do. I’m a burner. I burn things. I’m gonna be burned when I’m gone.

It was a great night with all kinds of other fires and all the crazy fire machines. There were a lot of good people and good food and fun was had by all. My appreciation goes to Jeff and Laura, davex, and Bruce Hurst for giving the General a ride in addition to his generous donation of firewood that helped both fires burn hotter, and let’s not forget Bonefire Bob who torched it.  I am looking forward to next year. I’m looking for something to burn.

There are more pics on this blog under the Burning Memories tab. Check them out.

peace, moonfire