Tanker Trucks for Fire

                                      23^rd July 2021

 

My Dear Governor Newsom,

 

With California in flames as is more and more common a question keeps popping up in my mind. “Why do we not rent tanker trucks to bring water to the fire?” I grant that these will not reach the dens wilderness that is currently burning, but they could stop the fire at roads and homes.

 

We bring in air vehicles to drop water on fires, and I would think that they make structures a priority. Tankers can reach any place with a road and are often fitted to work on construction so they can deal with dirt. I would think that tanker trucks could deliver water to the fire trucks at least giving them more of the number one thing they need to fight the fire.

 

The political activist Michael Moore rented a tanker, filled it with water from Flint Michigan, and hosed down a location to prove a point, and if he can handle the hose I would think most truck drivers can. I’ll grant that this isn’t the best of times to try something new, but Californians want action, and there has to be someone who can tell you if this would help.

 

The fires will only get worse from here on, and we need to get smarter to deal with them. Tanker trucks to bring in water from distance, pumps to use water from lakes and rivers, dry ice to be shoveled into brush to smother the fire are all ideas that we should be looking at. Then we should have apps to organize it all and better management, but right now we need to build numbers and get as much equipment fighting fires as we can.

 

The truth here, Mr. Newsom, is that the world has presented you with a challenge in a dark hour. You’re facing recall with your state in flames. Is there any better time for you to show us that you can lead than now? It’s time to be innovative, it’s time to make history, and it’s time to be the hero you know you can be.

 

I believe in you, Governor,

 

 

Richard Leland Neal

Mines of Moria - Dimrill Dale Gate

Having lost their pursuers, the Fellowship flees through Moria’s biggest and oldest gate, located on the Eastern side of the Misty Mountains.

The crossing of the mountains is finally complete, yet at far too great a price: Gandalf has fallen into the dark rifts of Moria alongside the Balrog he tried to slay. The Fellowship must somehow push forward without the wizard’s help.

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Mines of Moria - Durin's Bridge

This narrow bridge has been purposefully built to force any approaching enemies to walk in single file and thus create a bottleneck, leaving any attackers exposed and vulnerable. 

Led by Aragorn, the companions cross the bridge while Gandalf confronts the Balrog and tries to bar his passage and send him back to the shadows.

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Mines of Moria - 2nd Hall

This hall is located on the level immediately below the Gate, and was the site of the battle that sealed the fate of the mines and marked the beginning of the Goblin occupation. Its awesome size can’t rightly be appreciated anymore as a chasm scars it and the pillars are heavily damaged.

Fleeing the Balrog, the Fellowship races toward the hall’s end. There, they hope to cross the bridge to safety.

Mines of Moria - Stairs Over Rift

The paths through Khazad-dûm are often treacherous and narrow, however, these steps over the Eastern Rift prove to be even more so as large stone sections are missing or are simply crumbling underfoot.

Mines of Moria - 21st Hall

This great Dwarvish hall, located on the 7th and highest level of the city, is one of many built on the eastern side of the mountain. Once teeming with life and light, the vast columns only come alive when illuminated by Gandalf’s staff.

For a moment, the Fellowship forgets about the danger and gazes upwards in amazement at the Dwarven craftsmanship.

Mines of Moria - The Chamber of Mazarbul

 

A shaft of light illuminates a stone grave, confirming Gimli’s worst fears: his cousin Balin, Lord of Moria, has died.

This place is also named the Chamber of Records and preserves clues about the fate of the last protectors of Moria.

Mines of Moria - Fork in the Road

Apart from its wealth, Moria is known for its intricate tunnel systems and architecture. The geography of the place proves troublesome even for Gandalf, who has journeyed through the mines before, but who now cannot recall the right path forward.

While waiting for the wizard, Frodo catches sight of movement in the belly of the pit.

Mines of Moria - Mithril Ore

The true wealth of Moria did not come from steel, gold or jewels, but from a much more versatile and rare material: mithril. Soft and sleek as silver, yet stronger than any other metal, mithril was used to craft armor, weapons and jewellery.

Illuminated by Gandalf’s staff, the ore glistens and offers the Fellowship a rare sight.

The Fellowship - Stone-trolls

These formations are neither natural nor sculpted, they are, in fact, real trolls turned into stone many years ago by Bilbo and his company. 

After being stabbed by a Morgul blade, Frodo is slowly slipping into Shadow; he is in need of Elven medicine. In their rush to Rivendell, hoping to slow the poison, Strider stops here and, through darkness and foliage, they search for the athelas plant.

The Fellowship - Amon Sûl

Meaning ‘Hill of Wind’, this ring of ruins was once a great watchtower that surveyed the surrounding lowlands.

Strider chooses this ancient hill as a base for their night camp. While the Hobbits rest he scouts the surroundings, sensing that danger is near.

The Fellowship - Midgewater Marshes

Deceived at the Prancing Pony, the Nazgûl are still pursuing the company.

Unsure if they can trust the mysterious Strider, but lacking any other options, the Hobbits follow him through this boggy land, making haste to reach Rivendell.

The Fellowship - The Prancing Pony

This cosy inn is owned by Barliman Butterbur and offers beer and hearty food for weary travellers, whether Hobbit or Man.

Here, the company’s relief fades when they realise that Gandalf has not reached the inn, nor did he leave a message.