I wonder if Mount Hood is still there?

Here are some views from not-the-security-camera from a few days ago when the smoke was just rolling in - you can see the valley beyond. Definitely can't see that now. And even these pictures are "reduced visibility" from normal.

Some photos from our security camera today showing the variation in visibility. The tree behind the neighbor’s house that disappears is about 100 feet away.

So.... The wildfire smoke is so thick that inside my house, the smoke detectors just went off. I spent 20 minutes making sure there was no interior source of smoke. There wasn't.

I know there are a bunch of Oregonians on here - if any of you are in the Portland Metro area and need to evacuate and have nowhere to go, hit me up - I have an "accessory dwelling unit" 2-bedroom-apartment in my basement in outer SE Portland, and my old 3-bedroom house mid-remodel in outer SW Portland. (No furniture in either, and the SW Portland house has some interior walls in disarray and paint splattered floors on the need-to-replace carpet from painting ceilings, but they're both usable.)

Oof. Yeah, the smoke is down to ground level now. And not in a nice “smells like campfire” way.

Vineyard in Oregon, or Blade Runner 2049 trailer clip: https://youtu.be/oZkhMqB1Zs0

Did get a little peek of Mount Hood at sunset before the smoke overtook it, though.

From slightly earlier in the drive - picture taken out the window. Note that this is not looking at the sun - this was looking nearly due South - the sun was basically straight ahead of me on the road.)

And my city isn't even bad. I'm just floored at the evidence of just how bad it is all around.

And from the drive to pick up the kid - from the dashcam, so not the greatest quality. But showing a reflection of sunset off the downtown building, with the darkness that, from this vantage point, hadn't quite reached far enough to block the sunset yet.

Taken from a couple blocks away where there was a good view of both a clear sky and the smoke incoming - showing how dark the smoke really was. - Note, that's the direction of sunset. The sun is behind the darkness.

Basically at sunset - although I had to have the sky completely blown out to have the dark smoke show up.

Note - the smoke isn't right next to my house - it's miles away, way up high.

Per @amiawerewolfyet on birdsite, Salem, Oregon yesterday versus today:

(Up here in Portland was the reverse - it was almost as bad as the "today" photo in Portland yesterday, and crystal clear today.)

THIS IS THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY! There are no "clouds", this is 100% wildfire smoke.

(Courtesy @limkoplej on birdsite)

Pictures of Enchanted Forest theme park, outside Oregon's capital, Salem: (Courtesy UglyBoyJ2 on Birdsite)

Multiple people confirm, this is exactly what it looks like to the naked eye in Salem:

As if this local old-time theme park couldn't look any creepier...

So.... This is a friend's view right now. At roughly noon:

No, he did not move to Mars.

I mean, if enough of DJT's supporters *DO* attempt to vote twice, committing a felony in the process, they'll be ineligible to vote next time around.... So that's a good thing, right?

(I kid - I, unlike the Republican Party, am in FAVOR of everyone being able to vote - even felons who have served their time.)

Have homeowners through yet another company - car through them is about same as through motorcycle company.

Getting homeowners through any of the other companies is quite a bit more than any of the other existing relationships.

FFS, can't I just get "all three for maybe not the lowest-each, but at least close enough"?

SIGNIFICANT variation between them all on each product. For same coverage. The insurance industry is just a giant scam, with no real logic behind costs...

Moved a few months ago. Went to tell my car insurance company, they wanted to increase my rate by ~50%. Cancelled the address change. Term expired yesterday, so went to renew last week - now they are more than doubling the rate.

Have Motorcycle insurance through different company. Decided to get car quote from them - barely less.

Went to third company, Half the price. But motorcycle is 10x!

Okay, still keeping separate companies for car/cycle I guess.