My Mountain Trail

Recessions

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

I’ll start w/ a rockin’ picture of Lori from our vacation.  She has just finished a swim in very cold Silver Lake.  Snow melt doesn’t respect the typical triathlete’s wet suit.  You know those ice-cream headaches that make you cringe?  A wet suit helps some w/ the cold water, but what about your head?  Triathletes wear swim caps!  This water laughs at a mere pink swim-cap and gives you a headache worth remembering.  Lori says you get numb to it.  I wouldn’t know.  My canoe hasn’t turned over in a lake like this, and I can roll a kayak.  Anyway, doesn’t she look awesome after demonstrating all that commitment to her sport?

So, what about this recession business? Well, I haven’t been on the road for business since May. Yep, two plus months cooling my heels. There is no doubt that I needed a break. Now, though, I’m ready to get back to work. There is work lurking in the wings, but we can’t seem to bring it in right now. Without work, I spend my time doing marketing stuff. I also get the opportunity to work the Mt. Tamalpais Lookout.

As you might expect, working the lookout is all about seeing.  But it is also all about communicating.  My last two days in the lookout have been uneventful for me.  No actual fires in the county on one day, and the best we could do the other day was a campfire and a fire in a planter box.  Anyway, that means I spend all day watching and listening to the radio.  We did have a small aircraft crash, and an accident or two.  Otherwise, I was left with enjoying the view.  I’m good with that.  And, if there had been a fire on our beloved mountain and wild-lands, I would have been there to see it.

Just a reminder of what I have learned about our fire fighting infrastructure in Marin County since I have started this:  The folks working the fire and EMS jobs here are dedicated and very competent.  When I listen to the response to every incident (no matter how unlikely it is to be real, and especially when it IS real), I am amazed and very impressed.  We are well cared for, and I had no idea about that until I became a lookout.  “Thank you!” to all those that serve for our safety. 

Anyway, here is a picture of our radio (and link to the emergency response world) in the lookout: 

This View Still Rocks!

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

The above picture is from my run yesterday.  It is the top of Old Mine trail.  My favorite.  Hey, if I don’t come up w/ a creative shot, at least I get my favorite shots!   

This is the view from the lookout today.  I tried to post a video of the view, but it didn’t quite work right.  I’ll have to experiment a bit to see if I can get it to work better.  It was a very nice day on the mountain, and only a little busy at times as the lookout.

Working The Lookout

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

  This is from Friday.  I also worked the lookout yesterday, and will do so again tomorrow.  Then be back late next week. 

I have some more photos I will post soon.  The sunset on Friday was nice and the sunrise on Saturday was also very nice.

No smoke. Ignore all that smog.

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Composite of 10 photos.  Looking north from the lookout at about 1745 on Tuesday.  It was a bit hazy as the day wore on.  Click on the photo for a larger view.

You may be wondering:  “Why do we only see pictures looking north?”  Well, two reasons.  One:  It’s where the wildland fire danger is.  Most other areas are cooler/wetter (due to fog) or near population centers.  Two:  Fog covered most of Southern Marin on my first lookout watch day.  Maybe next time I’ll  have a clear view in all directons (with less smog/haze).  Then you might even see the Golden Gate Bridge or a real city or two.