Tower Log - July 23, 2005

July 23, 2005

0840 hrs

It has been a very busy year with every weekend booked with some activity.  I have been working as the Public Information Officer, going to the board meetings for our lookout organization, and doing a few training sessions but I have not had a chance to get up to Vetter Mountain yet.

So this weekend was free and I scheduled some time at Vetter.  Susan stayed at home to take care of the horses and a few other projects.

This past winter was horrendous, and in this picture the Big Tujunga road was completely washed away.  A dirt bypass road is cut to the left.  This view is looking South after I passed the washout.

After a stop at my friend's "Hidden Springs Cafe", I continued up the road where Vetter mountain could be seen in the distance.

Getting to the gate, Charlton Flats is still closed due to all the cutting of infested trees and road damage from last winter.

Going up the road there is a section that was washed out.  This view is looking South.

This view is looking North.

Fire Lookouts Deanne and Penny have Vetter Mountain open by the time I arrive and it didn't take long before visitors started showing up.

Penny explains the Osborne to a visitor while Deanne patrols the walkway.  When we have more than one lookout on duty, one will usually handle the visitors while the other keeps a lookout on the forest.

When there are three, the third one takes pictures. (grin)

The clouds are getting thicker by the hour.

Visibility starts to drop looking towards Mt. Wilson.  I'm starting to get a light headache.

Ok this headache is getting worse.

I take a walk down to the outhouse where you can still see some of the wrap material from last year.

This is a great picture showing how many staples where used per square foot.  This is how the outhouse, lookout tower, and the garage were peppered with staples.

Kermit and crew did a lot of work removing them from the lookout and repainting.

This is the "new" view of the tower.  Many of the bushes that presented a fire danger to the tower were removed last year, so now the lookout has a clear view (as it should) overlooking the valleys and mountain ridges.

Penny keeps watch on the Forest as the clouds continue to get thicker.

This was a very busy morning with about 30 some visitors.  It was a nice day to get out and hike or bike.

A vulture makes a very close pass to the lookout... a sign?

My headache is getting worse.

Seems to be a lul in the number of visitors coming up the mountain, but the clouds are now starting to take a menacing form.  Get out the lightning chairs.

Ahhhhh this is how I feel!  Penny and Deanne are taking care of the lookout so I sit down on the bed.  Before I know it I'm passed out.  When I awake its about 1215 hrs and my head feels like its splitting apart.

I have waited so long for my tower duty but I'm in bad shape.  Do I feel good enough to drive home?  What if it gets worse?  Ouch!

By 1320 hrs I make a decision to head for home, since it is only an hour away, and I imagine that my headache would get worse by night fall.

The clouds over Vetter thicken and later that afternoon both Penny and Deanne were standing on the lightning chairs as bolts zapped down around them.

It was a good thing I did go home because my headache did indeed get worse and I was sick for the rest of the night and it lasted into Sunday.

I'm glad Penny and Deanne was there to take over.