The Lookout Tower

Two and a half hours into the mountains from Avery, Idaho, I found this: 

See the tower at the top of the mountain on the right. 

The fire lookout tower was only a few hundred meters from my survey.

Best Office Yet

View north: the survey was on either side of the ridge between here and the peak in the distance. 

View East

View West

I can not believe I get paid to come to these places.

My full gratitude goes out to the people of the National Forest Service who build, maintain, and staff places like this in order to care for our priceless forests - in return for very little money, recognition, or thanks.

Dear Forest Service, Thank you for everything you do! 

Poem on the chart table. 

I thought about sleeping in the tower, but it was hot, bright, and swaying in the wind, almost like being in a boat.

Stool with Glass Insulators for Feet 

So I locked everything up and slept in my cozy car, like usual. In the middle of the night, I heard the sound of a diesel engine. Within seconds out of a deep sleep, I was fully awake and my heart was pounding.

I heard the slurred voice of a young man shout, "It's a free country, I'll climb the lookout tower if I want!"

I peeked out the window and saw a flashlight running up the stairs of the tower. I was still as a mouse. Finding the door locked, he bounded back down, got back in his truck - I heard another voice - the truck made a tight turn, shining it's lights in my windows as I cowered, and departed.

There was no way to lock the tower from the inside, it having a padlock, so had I slept up there, this young man would have burst in on me. Surprise!  

It took me an hour to get back to sleep. Caution: there are two young men in a white diesel truck carousing the dirt roads of Idaho at night.  

View South of the Tower Parking Lot with Deer and Snow

The survey was punishing but gorgeous and by noon the next day I felt teary when I had to leave. 

This was one of the best experiences of my life. 

So steep the trees grow at an angle.