It is the best of times, and it is the worst of times ..

[Bo Zarts]

The 2022 fire season is over for me .. before it really started. I have re-injured my very fragile spine .. top to bottom. It’s a long story that I will tell in detail later.

Nothing critical (I hope), but I’m told that one more trip up/down that insanely rough road to Pinyon Peak could do me in. There is a large comment section below for the I TOLD YOU SOs. You were right .. I made a big mistake.

I’ll rest and recover here in Challis for a while. My sick time should be way sufficient for that. But that really is not an issue.

I have great support team here from my USFS fire staff, and incredible support from the staff of the motel (my home for the last 33 days). All permutations of the trip home are covered. So not to worry. Tomorrow I’ll be contacting my docs back east to move that next back surgery to the front burner. - Bo

Challis, Idaho
July 17, 2022

[Skittles]

1. wishing you the best

DON'T TAKE ANY MORE CHANCES WITH YOUR MOBILITY....no indeed

[Ocelot II]

2. I'm sorry about your injury! Your lookout tower photos are wonderful,

but you have to take care of yourself. Let us know how you're doing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. You won't hear ANY criticism of how you live your life from me, my dear Bo!

Please do take care of yourself as best you can.

I'm glad you have great support from both your USFS fire staff and the staff of the motel.

And please keep us informed as you're able.

[CentralMass]

4. I hope you get some quick relief and have a speedy recovery.

[burrowowl]

5. Get well soon and hopefully there isn't that much damage!

[2naSalit]

6. Oh dear.

Sorry to hear you are re-injured, Idaho is not a good place to get hurt. Glad you have all the logistics worked out and medical staff elsewhere. At least you won't be stressed over that part.

Take care and I hope it's nothing serious too! Take care of yourself!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

7. Oh no!

I am so sorry.

I have long enjoyed your photos and your stories of being on the front lines of fire watching.

Take care of yourself, and please keep us posted.

[elleng]

8. OH GOLLY!

Be well!

[C Moon]

9. I looked up Pinyon Peak on Google Maps. That's an insane road!! :O

[Kali]

10. dang!

didn't know you were doing anything risky so I guess I missed out on the chance to say told ya.

take care and do what the phys therapists tell you to do.

[royable]

11. Best wishes for the best of recoveries!

At least you weren’t stuck up on the peak!

[GoneOffShore]

12. Saw your FB post on this, and couldn't respond because I'm in timeout.

Good luck getting home. And hope you're not in too much pain.

[Nevilledog]

13. Well that really sucks.

I hope you feel better and will keep us updated.

[Hekate]

14. No "I told you so" from me. You've given us all great joy with a window into your world...

And if you must now exit that world and come back into the mundane one we inhabit full time, it is with our gratitude for all you have shared with us over the years.

Swift and gentle healing, my friend — this is the time to do what the docs tell you.

[GoodRaisin]

15. Sorry to hear about your re-injury, good luck with your next surgery.

Know you're not alone, I'm weighing the risk of having more as well, this time with, L3, L4, L5, S1.