You fought hard and you saved and learned,
but all of it’s going to burn.
And your mind, your tiny mind,
you know you’ve really been so blind.
Now’s your time burn your mind.
You’re falling far too far behind.
Oh no, oh no, oh no, you gonna burn!
Fire, to destroy all you’ve done.
Fire, to end all you’ve become.

-Arthur Brown, Fire

Ignore the reference to an obscure psychedelic musician, this has nothing to do with music. I just like the song and, well, the theme of this post is fire.

Back in my youth when TR was president, that newfangled internal combustion engine would never make an impact, and women wore corsets I actually was a volunteer fireman. Thus I have a little firsthand knowledge of what people who fight what nature wants to ignite risk. To this day dim feelings of how combustible so much around us can be in the right circumstances flickers over my awareness. I make sure to keep all levels of alcohol in my home low even if I have to imbibe it myself.

Ypsilanti, Michigan has a lovely firehouse museum full of restored rolling stock, historic equipment, and a Victorian fire hall you can get a glimpse of the past in. It’s a lot of fun for the meager $5 entry fee. Well, fun for an odd man with a camera and monopod at least. As usual here’s some pictures of what I hovered around.

[Show as slideshow]

{ 4 comments }