November 8, 2024 - Delilah

 

Title: November 8, 2024 - Delilah Lookout
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Animals

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

View of Delilah from the road in

Description:

We begin our last time at Delilah for the season. The schedule is for us to be here for three days. With a friend coming up Sunday and having dinner with us. But until then, we need to get up there. I am a bit concerned with the cold which we might face. I think I have enough clothes.

I got up at 0525 and got myself ready. Had my normal breakfast. Sherri gets up at 0600. I have the car loaded by 0700. But we do not leave until 0715. I am thinking we are running late, so I do not suggest a stop at Clingan’s Junction. The road to Delilah has improved during the past year. Instead of taking 45 minutes from getting off of 180, we make it in just over 30, About 0850. Then it is the usual, hauling stuff up, both on our back and through the pulley system.

At 0928 we go in-service to both Porterville and Sierra. About this time I see where Richard, who is the Delilah lead, says that with the storm coming in Monday, Delilah will close a day early. Now to figure out arrangements with our friend.

At 1000, Sierra catches me a bit off-guard. At 1100 they do their lookout check in, but I guess with shorter hours, it is 1000. But I recover fast enough and answer their call. Shortly after this, I hear Porterville trying to reach the Happy Fire IC. I offer to do a relay and they take me up on it. But after several call outs, I saw No Contact and told Portville this. A few minutes later, there is a faint call from the Happy IC, but I cannot get a response from him.

Haze from the Happy Fire

 

Mystery Plane

Shortly after this, I hear Patrol 33 is going for a walk up to Weaver Lake. There is a small fire going through up there. An hour later we hear that the Weaver Training IC and two of his co-workers are also going up there. A couple hours later, the IC is at Weaver and notes that the fire is about 0.1 acres from a campfire. They dug a ring around around the fire.

Back to the Happy Fire. The IC initiated a test fire. This is to see if the area they want to burn will do what they want. It was successful. So they proceeded with today’s burn just before 1500, we hear that today’s burn was completed and that about 155 acres were burnt.

Afternoon Happy Fire Smoke

On our side, it was just good to be up here. We did our lookout stuff. In addition, we were asked to count the visitors we have had this year. The grand total was 219, assuming none come up tomorrow, from countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Iowa, Washington--well those last two are states, It is interesting that somebody will come half way around the world to get a view from this tower.

 

 

 

 

White Deer Road

 

While doing one of my scans, I hear a noise like a truck engine. I look around and do not see anything. But a little while later Sherri is doing her scan and is following a hawk. Then hears a sound like a helicopter. But when she points out where it is coming from, I see a very quiet plane. It leaves the area. But later on Sherri sees it again and it just goes over Pine Flat and turns back towards Reedley. Finally an hour later, I see it and it does the same thing. We are left wondering, what is it doing? My first impression was that it was helping with the Happy Fire. But after the other two patterns, it looks like it was either training somebody, mapping the area, or looking for marijuana plants. We will never know, so we are free to speculate.

Ravioli Dinner

Because of the shorter daylight time, we go out of service at 1530. Shortly afterwards, we go for a walk, down the hill Delilah is on. Normally we walk up the Delilah Road, but the White Deer Road looks like it is available and we only have gone down this road once and only for a short way. It is westward facing, so it catches a bit more sun in the afternoon.The one disadvantage to this road is that it goes down. But we go down the road, descending maybe 300-400 feet. When it gets to the place where it rounds the ridge, it continues the descent. Sherri and I looked at each other and said we have had enough downhill. We return and get back to the cab around 1700.

We read and talk and read some more. I am looking at one of Sherri’s books, Francis Collins, The Road to Wisdom. This is the optimal use of being alone, in the quiet of the lookout-to read, to think, to meditate, to pray. Unfortunately I am only good with the first. By the time I look up, it is dark. I have missed that moment of transition between day and night, that time which the setting sun exits. But we still have the moon.

Around 1800, Sherri fixed us the ravioli we were going to have Sunday with Judy. Tastes good. It is leisurely. Usually dinner at Delilah is looking out over the fading sunlight. This is darkness, a bit more intimate. We just enjoy each other’s company.

 

 Down to the outhouse we go, then lock ourselves in. Even with the moon shining pretty good, we enjoy a bit of stargazing. Then around 2100, we turned in.

 

 

Extra Photo's

Star over Fresno

Autumn Leaves

Fence Meadow Lookout

Autumn Leaves

Animal

Outhouse Spider

May 18, 2023 -Delilah Lookout

 Title: May 18, 2023 -Delilah Lookout
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Description:

I will be opening Delilah for the season today.

Delilah, my home for two days

And I will be the only one up there. But I will not be alone. Both Greg and Wendy were there as I bounced issues off of them. It is great to have such a support team.

But first, I need to get up. That a do at 0550. This should give me enough time to have breakfast, get the remains of stuff packed and be on my way. I had gotten most of my stuff ready to go last night, so this morning is making sure I did not forget anything.

 

 

 

 

Delilah with Mt Nelson

 

I leave my house at 0705. Traffic is not bad and I make it to the Hume Lake Ranger District’s office a little before 0800. Wendy is there waiting for me. I am being the mule to take stuff up to Delilah. Things like a handheld radio and weather instruments. She also gives me stuff for others to pick up.at the lookout. Before I left, Wendy introduces me to the new information officer for the HLRD, Farrah. And then I am on my way for two days. 

 

 

 

Source of the leak

Not much traffic on the way in. Even though when I turned off on Millwood, a whole line of pickups followed me up to McKenzie Heliport. I am assuming they are part of the team working on the Davis Road. Most of the Delilah dirt road has been graded and is even better than last year. But then there are places which had have some pretty heavy runoff which I had to pick my way through. I past by Sequoia Highlands, not seeing anybody there. When I got to the Delilah Springs Road junction, there is a black car parked there with nobody in it, but the back is open. I noticed that the car is from Louisiana.

Looking up the Middle Fork of the Kings

I make to Delilah a few minutes before 0900. I retrieve the keys and start gathering my stuff to take up. And then there is the black car parked close by. A woman is driving it and has two kids.. I ask her to give me about ten minutes to get set up, which she is more than willing to.

 

 

 

I get Delilah open and now try to go in-service with Porterville. We have a new radio set up, but on the first cut, it was not working. At least I do not get any response. I eventually get it set up the old way and go in-service with Porterville. I tried to do the same with Sierra-also no response. But I now have the first visitors for 2023. Turns out her husband will be a firefighter on a strike team out here. She is doing a tour of the Western states. This is the first lookout she has gone to which is open-just barely. We talk and she is happy she came up here. She is the Louisiana car I saw earlier.

Mt Nelson to the north of Delilah

 

 

End of Park Ridge

When they leave, I am back to trying things and getting situated. Eventually I change tones for Sierra and get them to respond. I think I heard that one of their repeaters(a piece of equipment which relays radio signals) is out. So I switch tones and voila! I can reach Sierra and go in-service.

 

 

 

 

 

Rancheria Falls

But in-between all of that, a couple from Visalia come up. They are interested as they have not come here before. But I think they are really more interested in going down Davis Road. But when that did not work out, my new friend Farrah directed them up here.

 At 1101, Sierra did a lookout check in and staffing. Let me say, it was a pretty lonely feeling when the only lookout called was Delilah. On the other hand, I was pretty prominent. A bit later I heard three beeps-that means a fire is being announced. I do not recognize the name and so do not follow up very closely until I hear the fire is projected to go to 500 acres and go down to the Kings. Wait! A fire that big I should be able to see the smoke from here. I frantically scan, and still no smoke. I follow the Kings past Pine Flat-Nada! I give. So I phone Sierra’s dispatch and asked for a location of the fire. What fire? I hear aircraft being called in on R5. I can feel the dispatcher breaking into a smile. He gently lets me know that a group is doing a practice over in Blue Canyon. I should have known as it would be unusual for them to use R5 as a Tactical channel.

Little speck of the Kings River

And then relative quietness for awhile. I settle down and have my lunch, take scans, and listen to the radio (think Nancy Griffith). I then notice that my phone is not charging on the electrical outlet by the bed. And then the same at the other outlet. But the radio works, so does the inside light, but the outside light does not. Now what! Also I get some alerts that there is lightning activity in the Buck Rock territory. There is enough clouds over there that there should be. I get into a conversation with Greg who directs me to an inverter. It was off. When I flip it on, the outlets come on magically.

Clouds over Park Ridge

 

 

Delilah

But I have missed both the afternoon weather-no loss, the indices-some loss, and the Sierra lookout check in-disappointing. But on the last item, there are two reasons. First, I was on the phone with Greg resolving some issues. Second, the handheld radio’s battery had gone dead, so I did not hear it. Still, usually I check things like that before 1600. I call Sierra and check in with them, a bit late.

I am still fiddling around with the radio and using channels. I do a radio check on Group 4, Channel 4, Tone 12. Porterville hears me, but has low volume. The theory is that our output volume control also controls the mic’s volume control. But that does not seem to make any difference.

Pine Ridge, and Delilah Mountain

I hear that Tone 2-Buck Rock’s repeater-is back online. Now I wonder how they got into Buck Rock to put in new batteries? Buck Rock last I heard had 8’ of snow on the ground? (I did find out on Friday what happened.) That just leaves my repeater down.

At 1718 I hear Sierra going through their status before their dispatch goes out of service. When I say I will be in-service until 1800, they note their dispatch goes out of service at 1730. So I tell them go ahead and take me out of service then.

 

 

 

 

Sunset over Pine Flat

Greg and I have another discussion about the radio, but come to no conclusion. But it is heartening that at least Porterville is hearing us on the proper channel. I go out of service at 1754-a few minutes early.

I am beat. It has been a full day. I make myself a quesadilla. Simple and filling. A bit later I remember to take down the flag. Usually I go for an evening walk. But tonight, I just feel like getting my sleeping bag, go to the outhouse and resting up in the cab. I lock myself in for the night and read for a bit. Sherri and talk. But I am starting to fall asleep, as I enjoy the stars.

September 5, 2022 - Delilah

 

Title: September 5, 2022 - Delilah
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background 

Hike Info:

Type:Lookout

Description:

I woke up around 0500. The stars are still out, shining brightly and there is only the vagist hint of a morning being brought beyond the crest. I drift on and off to sleep for half an hour. By then, the sun has decided to creep over the mountains, highlighting the clouds. I get up and do my lighting report-don’t you get tired of me saying that? There were three strokes, all south of Florence Lake.

By the time I get done with the report, it is time to make a quick trip down to the base of the tower, to get a few things together to bring back up. Then it is back up into the tower and getting ready for the new day. Ten minutes later I go into service. Despite the cloud cover, it is already getting warm-81 outside and 83 in the cab-I do not think it will get better. Today is slated to be the hottest day of this heat wave. How can something called a wave be so discomforting? I know, there are also tidal waves and the like. But when you are in the middle of something, you think this is the worst thing ever-it is not.

Clouds above Park Ridge

Then I start my routine of scanning, listening to the radio. I do have a dish of granola for breakfast. When taking a look at the weather, there definitely is a layer of smoke, dirt, and smog a little higher than me across the Central Valley. Also Kathy calls me and we talk for about twenty minutes. It is always good to hear from her. She is so positive of a person.

Last night during our family Zoom time, Sherri brought up that Meagan talked about Silence during her sermon-I suspect the “her'' may be not right, after all isn’t a sermon God speaking to us. Is the message then God’s or it should be the congregation’s, through a messenger? I digress. I should also say, I have not heard the sermon and probably will not for a few more days.

That has got me thinking about a book I am using as a source of meditation, Backpacking with the Saints by Weldon C. Lane. There is a chapter in there about Solitude. He also has a great deal to say about the need for Silence. Up here in the lookout, I definitely do not have a lot of direct human contact. But is that Solitude? In the tower, it really is not Silence, at least during working hours, as with the two radios going, there is rarely time where they are silent for more than 15 minutes. And by the time I get done, I am ready for bed. I need to figure out a different routine.

My "Spaceship" cloud

Both Silence and Solitude do not have value in themselves. Such as I can while away my time alone playing games or reading light-weight books during my time. But does that really count as something which anybody would consider a splendid use of that time? And now that I am to write this, I see that I am thinking in utilitarian terms. I suspect that “use” is not the main thrust of either one. It more is: how do I get to know myself better? How do I get to know my God better? That would be where Silence and Solitude should lead me. Both “know’s” are not quantifiable in terms of productivity and so cannot be thought about in their utility. Rather I think times of quiet allows me to understand more of God’s intentions in my life.

Maybe that is why it is so hard to be still. Understanding leads to action and action with understanding can lead to discomfort. Discomfort in that action is change-I learned that early on in Physics. May I need to make my life open to the changes the Father wants.

One of the things with scans is that I am learning to observe. From a lookout, it is just a matter of time before birds come into view. Two red-winged hawks were doing a synchronized dance when I was looking towards Sampson Flat. They were twirling around. I suspect they were looking for game. Last night I was reading how hawks will use their shadow to drive their prey into chaos, making the prey easier to spot. I guess it is not to provide me with a few moments of awe. They quickly disappear. But then a red-headed woodpecker appears on a dead tree to the east. Another way to slow down and enjoy the wonder which I have been given.

Looking up the Kings River

For as hot as the prediction was, it does not seem to be that hot. I am still sweating, but there is a pleasant breeze which gives the illusion of coolness until I step into the sunlight. Then I know it's hot.

Just got through reading Wendy’s staffing e-mail. I just saw that I was to go into service at 0700. Sigh, I should have read it closer. In the past during extended hours it has been 0800 to 2000. I was looking to see what time they had us getting off tonight-2000. Am I getting tired of the heat?

The heat does not feel as bad as it did Sunday, so I am slightly more active. I do stop and lay down occasionally in the afternoon. But those are for 15 minute spurts-governed by my timer. Nothing exciting. There are more clouds. I let Buck Rock know that I am seeing a cell going in her direction on the Earthnetworks map.

Around 1745, I have my dinner: skillet warmed Mexican food. Filling and satisfying. Also I end up eating some crackers, nuts, and cookies.

 

 

 

Night settling in over Delilah

But my reverie of food and contentment at not having anything happen in my area ends. There is a fire called out by Sierra in the Burrough Valley area. Wait, that is just across the lake (Pine Flat) from me, just short of 16 miles. But as much as I look over there, I cannot see the smoke. The haze really blocks any chance of spotting it. Also, I think there is a slight ridge between me and it. I call in that I cannot see any smoke. Then about seven minutes later, there is a plume of white against the dirty gray of the haze. There is the smoke. Right on the mark which I had calculated it would be. I call that in as well. That is about all I can do for this fire. If it starts getting bigger, I will note that with Sierra.

I continued scanning until 2000. Even though as the shadows extend and the ravines get swallowed up in darkness, the benefits of being up here diminish. At 2000 I go out of service. After a trip downstairs, I talked with Sherri for a while. Then it is time to drift off to sleep.

 

 

Trail Lesson:  Read and understand; do not assume.

Background

Time	Outdoors Temp	Inside Temp
0800	81	83
0900	83	86
1000	85	88
1100	88	90
1200	87	89
1400	86	88
1500	78	89
1600	89	92