Could Use Some Happy Thoughts

[Gone in 60]

David, read your post while Mrs. G and I were out doing Sunday errands, and my heart sank. Just checking back in now that we're home, and so glad to hear that your CB1100 and bikes are safe. I can't imagine the feeling of not knowing while you waited to find out. Sounds like the house can be saved, albeit with a lot of repairs. You've done so much to keep our group together that the thought of something so tragic befalling you hurts, even though the bikes are safe.

Yes, we can say "They're just things, they can be replaced." But I'm thinking back to the Palisades and Altadena fires, and shortly afterwards communing and comiserating with friends and museum colleagues who lost everything. Within minutes their house, all of their belongings, their vehicles, just disappeared. Being museum folk or local guests, these are true enthusiasts. They didn't talk about their clothes, their TVs, their computers. They agonized over their cars and motorcycles. One person lost a collection of Nortons he was restoring. They really do mean more to us than "just things".

A few years ago, Mrs. G was doing a rotation through Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. Her CRV was in an underground parking garage, and she called me to let me know there was a fire in the garage, they thought multiple cars were affected, and nobody on the level she parked on was allowed to get to their cars. So, it was possible that hers was affected. Due to the acrid, toxic smoke, they wouldn't let anyone access that part of the garage for a full day, and we wondered if her car was safe or not. It's just an old CRV, but she loves it, and we thought about how it was really part of the family.

We found out the next day that the car was safe, but was near the cars that burned. While it was undamaged, it was so coated in plastic sludge that we went back home and got gloves and a plastic scraper to clear the windows enough to see through them. It took a few days of multiple washings and detailing to get the residue off of the paint, and the smoke smell lasted for a few weeks. But, we were both happy that we didn't lose the car. (We're also cheap, and the thought of buying a new car was quite unpleasant).

Looks like your CB1100 and bikes will be OK with some detailing. I hope this brings some joy and relief out of an otherwise near tragedy, that will probably be highly unpleasant while you go through the process of repairing and replacing what was lost.