February Editorial: Fortitude
By Julie Horner
Mountain roads rumble with activity as damaged properties are cleared, hazard trees are removed, and infrastructure is repaired. From Big Basin Redwoods State Park to the tops of Alba Road, Felton Empire, and along the ridges in all directions, crews of workers, many far from their own homes and families, continue to clear the way to renewal and rebuilding after the CZU fires. Even with challenges from a relentless pandemic and Stay-at-Home restrictions, there is a rhythm to the teamwork and a real feeling of ‘just getting it done.’
Our small business community has had to re-adapt, or shut doors again, after cautious reopenings. An intense mid-January windstorm sparked vegetation fires in Boulder Creek, Bonny Doon near Ben Lomond, Pescadero, and in the mountains above Aptos, setting communities on edge and triggering evacuations and a massive power outage in the San Lorenzo Valley that lasted for days. Fire season follows no calendar. Changing skies promise rain and all the nourishment – and danger – that may come.
Fortitude prevails. We welcome the shift to unity and inclusion and refreshed dialog with a new administration in Washington, D.C., and celebrate the resilience we share as neighbors who have proved we can handle the worst. Dedicated to our mountain towns and each other, anticipating the spring.
Welcome to the February 2021 edition of the San Lorenzo Valley Post. On newsstands now and available by subscription.
Photo by Miguel Zafra. Read more about Zafra at slvpost.com/photography-miguel-zafra
The San Lorenzo Valley Post is your essential guide to life in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We're dedicated to delivering the latest news, events, and stories that matter to our community. From local government to schools, from environmental issues to the arts, we're committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased coverage. We believe in the power of community journalism and strive to be a platform for diverse voices.
