October 2017 — Phoenix From the Flames

Two weeks ago we were headed down to Lisbon as ready as we were ever going to be to run the Rock n’ Roll Meia Maratona. We were extra pumped up for it because my mom, Mike and aunt Dee were there to welcome us in Lisbon when we arrived. Dee, Rory and I picked up our numbers for the race and fueled up for it by all going to our favorite fish place in Lisbon — Ramiro Cervejaria. 

On Sunday morning Rory, Dee and I successfully finished the race. My mom and Mike cheered us on at about mile 11. That afternoon we celebrated not only completing the race but also reuniting with family and some friends who visiting Portugal and made the trip up to Lisbon to see us. 

 

We had no idea at that point that a few hours later our home, friends, and community would be threatened by horrendous wild fires that swept through most of Central Portugal Sunday evening. Portugal has had the driest year in as long as people can remember. The river that runs along one of Cara Creek’s borders has been dried up since July. Thankfully we have the Mondego nearby that although it was low, it still had some water in it. Unfortunately before the fires, we had had a very dry winter and no rain at all since Spring time.

Dried up Rio Seia at Cara Creek Eco Lodge

Fueled by the winds from Hurricane Ophelia, fires raged and took out many peoples homes, livestock, and livelihood. Factories that employ hundreds burned down, leaving many without a job. Some people literally had to run for their lives from fire, and a few were unfortunately burned and are still hospitalized. 

When we got the terrifying phone call that evening that fires were in every direction and spreading quickly, we spent the rest of the night calling the “Bombeiros” — fire fighters — begging them to go get our Workaway volunteer Gary who was dog sitting on site, and praying that all in our community would stay safe. They were of course totally overwhelmed and stretched way too thin, and never made it down to Gary, but thankfully Gary stayed safe next to the Mondego River, ready to get in if flames got any closer. The part of our land that burned was the far side from the river and we’re so grateful that he and the dogs stayed safe from flames and smoke until Monday morning when a neighbor drove them all to the nearby town until roads opened so we could drive home. 

Gary and our community lived a real life nightmare Sunday evening. We have started a GoFundMe page to raise money and be able to give back to a community who has welcomed us with open arms since we arrived in March. The link is here if you can spare a few Euros to contribute to it. A huge thanks to the many friends and family who have already supported. We plan to help families of burn victims, and those who lost their homes.The community support post fires has been incredible, and we continue to be so happy to be part of such a beautiful community. People are healing and coming together to help one another to do so. Rather than dwelling on what was lost in the flames, people are seeing it as an opportunity to have new beginnings.

It rained a couple of days last week thank goodness. It was enough to get the Seia River at the bottom of our land flowing again, but we are hoping for more rain to come soon! 

We’ve been so lucky to have help from both Gary and our friend Mary who volunteered in June and came back again for a few days last week. We’ve cleaned up most of what burned at Cara Creek Eco Lodge, and are moving forward and continuing building our dream here in Portugal. 

Water in the Seia again😍