Sonoma Strong

Signs with this sentiment are still popping up all over town, but this knitted one is certainly the most unique one. It is hanging on  a temporary chain link fence around the cleared site of what was once a hotel and conference center

I commented to OIlMan as we drove over the Fountaingrove Parkway that with each new phase of clearing completed, Fountaingrove, once the site of an upscale housing development becomes more barren and desolate looking. There are virtually no trees left, and even most of the shrubs and chaparral are still blackened. It appears that many people, including the owners of the hotel which once stood on this site, are choosing not to rebuild here as there are only a few signs of reconstruction here. This upscale development has burned twice in 53 years, and many question the wisdom of tempting fate a third time.

It is ironic that a new fire station was just completed in Fountaingrove and opened less than a year before it burned to the ground in the fire. The opening was delayed because it didn't pass a city inspection regarding disabled accessibility, and several parts of it had to be rebuilt. Now the only thing left is a a sign warning of an emergency signal and a flashing yellow light....