Then the store reeked of smoke...
As many of you know, Durango has experienced a tragedy of 3 building proportions. Friday afternoon, three buisnesses, Seasons, 1/2 Price Tees, and Les Rendezvous were distroyed in a fire. It wasn't just any fire. If you know downtown in this little town of ours, you know that a grand majority of buildings touch wall to wall, or share a wall. The fire started as a small thing, but leaping roof to roof, all three buildings went up, and we feared more were to follow. Then Les Rendezvous blew up. One of my favorite breakfast places, the only place I've ever gone to sit down and eat alone, was gone in an instant. Seven firefighters were hurt. More than anything, sitting on the rim of the college, watching the plumes of smoke and licks of fire go up into the air, I couldn't help but worry about my father's shop, two buildings down from these burning buildings. I was freaking out. For everyone involved, for all the stores that were worried that the whole block would go up, for those who did lose their stores or jobs on that day, I was worried about it spreading. I was depressed about the old buildings. Part of the appeal of living here, and that people who visit cherish is the historic buildings. The strange look that comes from downtown. We were all saddened when El Rancho went up in the summer of '06, and now we band together for another fire, another few buisnesses that are now gone. I feel increadibly lucky for still having my job, and the family buisness intact, no matter how disorganized it may look. I now sit at work. Pondering the fact that even though I expected the store to smell like smoke, I didn't expect it to smell this bad. Even with the doors open and fan going, the smoke smell is still here. It reeks of smoke in here. If any of you can donate money to the fund for the restraunts, there are several places around town that have funds, the major one is at 1st National Bank. My family and I are okay, but there are several that were not as lucky as us. I try to smile...