EMMA - Boise, ID



Ryder, Shiloh, Emma, Tate, Choice, and Juliann

Boise Idaho is the nucleus of the wildland firefighting world.  It is home to the National Interagency Fire Center, the Wildland Firefighting Foundation, and the Wildland Firefighters Monument. We had the chance to see them all.


National Interagency Fire Center

National Wildland Firefighters Monument

The kids and I spent awhile at Andrew's memorial stone doing pencil rubbings to take home with us and talking about memories with Daddy.



Ryder, Juliann, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh



Ryder, Juliann, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh



Ryder, Juliann, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh



Ryder

Shiloh and Tate

Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Juliann, Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Shiloh and Ryder

Shiloh and Ryder

Juliann, Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

We have been anxious to visit the monument ever sense the Granite Mountain Hotshots stones have been added.  With the second anniversary of their passing being just days away, it was a somber experience to sit and reflect at the memorial stone of each of these guys, Andrew's fire brothers, my friends...






































Wildland firefighters are a specific breed of human being.  They are strong and well-trained.  They are dedicated to the service of others without expectation of recognition.  They are the ones who put out the problems before we even know they are approaching.  They have been serving our communities for decades, fighting the good fight, losing lives among the blazes, and carrying on season after season.  They deserve far more credit than they generally receive or would ever desire.







 

Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, Tate, and Juliann

We had a wonderful visit with the donor from Boise.  Emma is a hotshot herself.  She has worked many seasons in Montana as a wildland firefighter.  This year, due to an injury that put her on leave from the crew, she has been working in Boise while she gets back to full strength and mobility.  We made contact with Emma prior to starting the trip and she knew we would be paying her a visit.  However, I wasn't able to reach her upon our arrival to Boise and she had no idea that we were in the area.  We left her a voicemail before getting out of the car to walk around the monument.  As this was our first time visiting, we had no idea where the stones for the 19 GMIHC were located.  Our aimless wander must have been apparent as this lovely girl eating her lunch under a tree said, "Can I help you find something?" I asked if she could point us in the direction of the area dedicated to Granite Mountain.  With a perplexed look, she asked, "Are you Juliann Ashcraft? I am Emma."  WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?!?!?!  

Choice, Emma, Tate, and Juliann

 We walked and talked as Emma lead us to the area with the stones for Granite Mountain.  As the kids worked on their pencil rubbings, Emma shared with me about the impact this loss had on her and the other members of the wildland firefighting community in her area.  The donations came by way of a sticker, designed by a member of her hotshot crew.  He created it as a reminder of their 19 brothers lost, as well as a way to raise money for their families who were left behind.  Emma purchased one of those stickers to help in the fundraising efforts.

Emma, Ryder, and Juliann

 

Ryder, Shiloh, Emma, Tate, Choice, and Juliann

Ryder, Shiloh, Emma, Choice, Tate, and Juliann

We had a great visit with Emma inside the National Wildland Firefighting Monument.  Shiloh in particular speaks of the moments she shared with Emma talking about some of the men and women who are among those remembered here.  For Shiloh, an extreme tomboy, Emma was larger than life.  A girl who fights wildfires...awesome!
  

Emma and Shiloh

Shiloh and Emma

Emma walked us over to the National Dispatch Center, where she is currently working, for a quick tour.

Ryder, Emma, Juliann, Shiloh, Choice, and Tate

One of her supervisors, Ricky, explained to us the way that the crews are assigned to fires throughout the country.  He also showed us the areas of their office where they handle equipment, air support, crew assignments, etc.  It was fascinating to see the behind the scenes operation for the system we always saw from the other side.

Ricky, Ryder, and Juliann

Choice and Emma

Shiloh and Emma

Thank you so much Emma for allowing us insight into this side of the wildland firefighting world.  God bless you for the work you put in on a daily basis to protect us and preserve our forests.  We hope to see you again in the future...be safe out there. 


Ryder, Juliann, Tate, Choice, Shiloh, and Emma

C-A-L RANCH - Twin Falls, ID

C-A-L Ranch stores was one of the companies who took action to assist the hotshot families after the tragedy.  While in Idaho, we were pleased to have the opportunity to stop by the corporate office and express our gratitude to their great company.  The C.O.O. of the company advised that it was due to the efforts of staff members from the Arizona stores (Prescott and Flagstaff) that the fundraising efforts were successful. 

Shiloh, Ryder, Juliann, and Tate

 

Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate

While in the administrative office of C-A-L Ranch, I noticed this sign hanging on a wall.  It is a quote I've heard before but it struck me today in a different way.  Isn't it true??...we should ENJOY life, not just ENDURE it.  So, this created a change of plans in our day...

 



We were in Twin Falls, Idaho, known as the base jumping capital of the world.  Jumpers come from countries all over the world to jump off the 486 foot, Perrine Bridge.  In an effort to enjoy life, we drove to the bridge so I could get my first base jump under my belt.



Tate, Juliann, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh



Tate, Juliann, Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Morghen

Ryder was every bit as excited as me and was hoping they would allow him to jump also.  The youngest age allowed for a jumper is 16, so no such luck.  We'll have to return in 8 years so he and I can jump together.



Ryder and Juliann

The kids sat on the side of the canyon next to the bridge to watch my jump.  They were such brave little spectators.  Thank you Morghen for keeping a close eye on them next to the edge of a 486 foot cliff. :-)



Ryder, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh

The bridge in and of itself was a spectacular sight.  It was fun to listen to the drivers of the cars crossing the bridge as they notice you walking to the edge wearing a parachute and harness. They honked their horns and cheered out their windows as they drove by.

Perrine Bridge - Twin Falls ID

The process went rather quickly.  Before I knew it I was standing on the side of the Perrine Bridge ready to jump.  And just like that...

Juliann

I was off...

Juliann

 Morghen was able to capture this video of my base jump.  I wore a GoPro camera on my hand and took footage from my perspective on the jump.  Unfortunately, I am not as tech savvy as I am stupid, so I can't get the darn video to upload to this sight.  Perhaps it will appear at a later time.  For now, here is a snapshot, courtesy of Morghen and the kiddos... 

 

 

I was so thankful for the reminder to enjoy life.  We know far too well just how short this life can be.  Regardless of the way in which we choose to live our lives, or the precautions we take to remain out of danger, we all have a limited time on this Earth.  Andrew taught me the value of living life to the fullest and doing what makes you happy.  There is such a rush in doing something outside of yourself that pushes your comfort zone a tad.  I felt more alive today than I have in a long time and it came by walking out on the ledge.  Whether this is taken literally or figuratively, it is important to bravely step out on the edge and jump at times.  Take a risk.  Come to really understand your mortality and appreciate that you woke up this morning with a beating heart on this side of the dirt. 

WHILE YOU ARE ALIVE...WHY NOT REALLY LIVE?!?!

 

Juliann