Hike Info:
Type:Lookout
Description:
I woke up and it was still
pretty dark with only a sliver of light above the tops of the
mountains in the east. It is a 0520. But even though I am awake, I
do not get up. I just look out the windows. And what do I see? To the
west, I see bats swarming outside of the windows. I am glad I closed
that window. To the east, there are also bats, but not nearly as
many. Once they calmed down, I got up. I had checked to see if there
had been lightning in the area and there was none
My feet touched the floor
around 6:20. I read a bit and then have my breakfast. Then I get
up-it was warm yesterday and I am a bit smelly. To live with myself,
I wash up, lookout style, a spit bath. By the time this is done, I go
down the stairs and get some water for the day. I had time to go for
a short walk before heading back up.
 |
| Pine Ridge |
At 0900 I start with my
lookout duty at Delilah.
Things like setting up my logs and taking the weather. At 0930 I went
in service with Portville, along with Park
Ridge Lookout.
I think Buck
Rock
went in earlier. Then it is into the routine of scanning and
listening to the radio. At 1000 the weather and staffing was
broadcast. I did not get the weather. Since Porterville does two
readings, I was able to catch the staffing on the second go around.
The mornings at Delilah are
warm. Today it is hot. Since nobody is around, I take off my shirt
and enjoy a bit of cooling on my skin. I still sweat though.
 |
| Lookout! |
Sometimes on the radio, you
hear something which is out of place from reporting the normal patrol
location changes. On R5, our chatty channel, I hear what sounds like
a researcher and her assistant. Not sure what they are looking for.
But apparently she spooked some cattle and thought she was going to
be trampled. It can be a bit intimidating being around those big
animals. From the radio, it does not sound like her partner is
bothered.
 |
| PG&E Tower |
At 1100, I responded to the
Sierra Lookout Check-in. Then it continues on the normal day. A
feature of Delilah is that after 1100, a breeze comes up and cools
down the lookout. I put back on my shirt.
I have my lunch. After that, I
did the weather. If I am at home, I would have an hour rest period.
But up here, I just lay down, turn up the radio and set a 15 minute
timer for my two short times of relaxation. Then it is back to full
time looking for smoke.
 |
| Goat Saddle |
It is a normal afternoon. The
1600 indices and weather from Porterville is noted. I responded to
Sierra’s afternoon lookout check in. About 1730 I had a dinner of
quesadillas. Then continue looking for smoke, at least on the Sequoia
side. On Sierra, I go out of service at 1800. Because of the heat,
we are on extended hours so I go until the shadows make finding
anything feasible. At 2000, I went out of service with Porterville.
Then it is time to get the cab
ready for bedtime. I go down to the ground to take a few things I
will not need tomorrow to the car and bring up some more water. At
2030, Sherri and I talk about the events of the day. By the time 2130
hits, I am ready to turn in. After reading, I close by eyes about
2215
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