Mostly a reasonable day but did have some showers. Was feeling better and got things done that had to be done. Drained and cleaned hot tub,clothes into motor home, visited accountant re I/T. Insurance for m/ h, racked 1 batch of wine. We will have to keep an eye on the weather as we would like to go over the Coquihalla, but will go the Fraser Canyon if things are iffy.
Here's another short one from

John (me)

 My first and only Lookout was Pocahantas, oddly enough on the opposite end of Texada Island to Mt Shepherd and Fred the opening character.

 The year was 1953 and it was the last week of July.  I had just hitch hiked from Winnipeg to Vancouver, had just turned nineteen and although I had always said I would never join the Forest Service, I needed a job and this one was available.

 I stopped off at my parent’s house to pick up some clothes and my dog and was in my lookout building twenty-four hours after I was hired.

 As boring and lonely as it was for a nineteen year old, I found myself enjoying the freedom and the feeling that I was king of all I surveyed.  The chore of packing my water up a steep rocky trail once a week and my groceries every two weeks didn’t dampen my spirits.  I had my dog of thirteen years and the world was beneath my feet.

 After the third week my solitude started to wear a bit thin and when the weather turned overcast I welcomed the chance to go on long hikes.  

 The weeks passed and when the first of September rolled around I can assure you my “king” attitude had turned to something more humble and when the word came that we would be shutting the tower down for the fall and winter in a few days I was ready!

 When I got to the Ranger headquarters at Pender Harbor there was word for me to get the next steamship to Thurston Bay as I would be on a slashing crew.  Three weeks after that I was told to report to the Marine Building in Vancouver to be a Compassman for the timber cruisers.

 Thirty-five years later after serving over most of the province I retired, at that time I was the Director of the Provincial Forest Protection Branch.