Today's · memoirs

11:30 a.m.
I just got here... We're waiting to get credentials. Several RPD cruisers and bikes are here directing traffic. Sgt. Mike Thomas just told me they will escort the president the 700 yards from the south end of the airport to the Forest Service building to the north. Secret Service has already conducted security sweep of press area.
Spectators, some standing in the backs of pickups, are parked at the airport entrance.
No protesters have arrived that I have seen.

12:44 p.m.
Secrect Service Agents with bomb-sniffing dogs are going around all vehicles that haven't been prescreened in the press corral. All, including police cruisers, had to open hoods and doors so the dog and agents could sniff and look around.

12:50 p.m.
Camera and sound folks are all getting their stuff screened. Everyone with a computer had to turn it on.

12:59 p.m.
It's hot. Boy, is it hot.

1:30 p.m.
Just got screened to go out on the tarmac. The rest of the press squad was admitted before the pool guys.

1:59 p.m.
All reporters were just escorted over to the media bleachers. Lot's of sweaty reporters and press handlers are baking in the sun. I'm guessing about 30 of us.
I just heard a rumor Sen. Dianne Feinstein is coming.
President to arrive in half hour.

2:03 p.m.
Confirmed DiFi is coming.

2:12 p.m.
Mayor Stegall just walked to the tarmac and posed for pictures with three Eagle Scouts.
"This is amazing," scout Mark Hendricks, 20, Richland, Wash.
He was grinning, standing between scouts Jake Wellman, 18, and Alex Braden, 20. All three will be honored by the president when he arrives.

2:13 p.m.
Air Force One just touched down.

2:15 p.m.
Governor here. Just said hi to Mary Stegall.

2:19 p.m.
Woops -- prez still on plane

2:24 p.m.
OK, prez off plane. Just shook hands with scouts, exchanged a few words and posed for photos. Mary (Stegall) is talking with the president, smiling. Mary is the lone Democrat on the City Council and a democratic alternate going to the DNC convention in August.

2:37 p.m.
Prez, gov, DiFi, Herger and Doolittle just got settled in briefing area. Reporters got a couple of photos and were ushered out.

2:42 p.m.
Media has been moved to the smokejumper prep center, where we get to watch smoke jumpers from all over the country prepare their chutes for their next jump. We're going to see the president come in to say hi to them. Outside no fewer than four helicopters await our departure.

2:58 p.m.
Just heard that prez to fly over Moon, Motion and Whiskeytown complexes as well as Shasta-Trinity blazes.

3:21 p.m.
Prez Bush just walked into smokejumper room. Walked up to John Casey, a 38-year-old jumper with almost 200 jumps in his career.
"I couldn't handle it," he said to Casey.
Bush asked him how many jumps. His eyes got wide at the number -- 200.
"I appreciate your service," Bush said.
Bush went around the room shaking hands and greeting the smokejumpers, who appeared busy sewing and prepping their chutes.
One was so fixed on his work that he apparently missed the president approach from behind.
"I don't want to interrupt," Bush said, drawing laughter from reporters and firefighters alike.
Gov followed being giving kudos to the firefighters.
"Good to see you," he said to Casey. "Keep up the good work."
DiFi and Wally followed behind.
The press were escorted out to our chopper which took off as I type this.

3:30 p.m.
All the photogs are hovered over an open porthole window. They look like they're in a wind tunnel.

3:44 p.m.
Truly amazing the acres and acres burned. Miles of charred forest. Lots of smoke. Can see why tankers have hard time spotting blaze from air.

3:49 p.m.
Fellow reporter just asked for barf bag. Poor gal.