A Note from San Diego

My wife, mom and dog were asked to leave our home in coastal San Diego this morning. While we're about five miles away from the closest blaze, much depends on the Santa Ana winds that can propel the fire through canyons and close in on us quickly. We were fortunate to be able to afford to evacuate to the Westin in downtown San Diego and the hotel has been terrific. They've lifted their 20 pound limit to allow dogs of any size to stay. The lobby is a site to see with well-behaved dogs of all sizes that seem to know something is not quite right. The hotel even has water dishes for the dogs. There are people who have lost their homes and many others of us hoping for the best.

Craigslist is full of people offering to help evacuate or accommodate those needing help or a place to stay. The only sour note was the Hotel Del Coronado, one of the only hotels in San Diego with vacancies, unsympathetically turning down those needing accommodations that have small pets, even willing to pay their $350 room rate. Fortunately, they seem to be the exception.