Fire Lookout Life: Two-Track Gravel Roads, Drift Smoke, and Bodacious Dawn Colors

[Bo Zarts]

Along the Bitterroot Range of the Montana-Idaho Boundary
Fujifilm GFX-100S medium format mirrorless camera + TTArtisan 11mm wide-angle lens
©2024 Bo Zarts Studio

[hlthe2b]

1. Really gorgeous! What a special morning you captured!

[Traildogbob]

2. So awesome!

The reason I chose Forestry as a profession, dreamed of being a fire tower watch dog.
Did not happen, but my life was in the woods here in NC mountains. Blessed.
With society (people) becoming a real nightmare, what better than staying in a fire tower, with a Labrador and no internet of cell reception. Of course, a guitar.

[littlemissmartypants]

5. That's what my Daddy's dream was, TDB! ...

But he was too poor to afford college. He lasted one semester at NCSU but didn't have money for food. He tried living on jello. Then dropped out and joined the USCG.

Made it to Captain without a degree. He was there 30+ years. He left when he was told he couldn't have a beard anymore. Said he couldn't be a captain without his beard. I miss him.

How are you and your daughter doing? Staying warm, I hope. ❤️

[erronis]

8. Sounds like your father had a very good life. Lucky you!

[brakester]

10. Nice touch!

I wish you good trails, Bob!

My thoughts, exactly about our upside-down world. How are you contending with it? (Are there any fire towers still in WNC?) THAT would be a perfect place to heal!

Did you get hit by Helene? There's a world of hurt here. Kind of a gigantic double whammy with the election! Our mountain was just on the edge of the storm. We got the rain, but escaped the winds since we happened to have built our cabin on the leeward side of the mountain. We're helping out our cove neighbors and friends.

I've moved from numb and am feeling my way through this emotional morass. I wish you strength, vision and wisdom.

[Traildogbob]

13. Doing ok.

Not too much storm damage. My Daughter went through hell as a trauma nurse in Asheville, 4 days straight, minus food and water or comms.
I did have to have the vet Put one of my Traildogs to sleep two Mondays ago. Got her ashes by my chair.
My daughter has orders to put my ashes and my best girls on Cold Mountain together. 13 years old with so many adventures together. Number 6 of labs, she is survived with number 7 that is 3 years old. Very heartbreaking as many here at DU know too well.
Still three Towers I know of, one in Pisgah, Frying Pan, and one in the Smoky’s, Mt Sterling and one in Clyde on Mt Chambers. That one has a house by it that usually has a lookout during fire season Employed by NCFS. I feel for that person, so many cell towers there any body staying there could get microwaved.
Thank you for good wishes. Dealing with severe low back and hip pain. I need my Forest time with the 3 year old for sanity and healing.
Hoping the VA can figure it out. Right now horrible pain Just to hike through the house.
Dragging me down with that and trump hell.
Cheers!!

[Bumbles]

3. Gorgeous!

Thank you sharing your views with us. The gravel road frames the image so well.

[surfered]

4. I would enjoy a cup of coffee with that view

[mamacita75]

6. Photography

WOW! That is spectacular! Perfection, imo.

Up where the air is fresh and clean.
TY for posting.

[womanofthehills]

7. My best friend is a fire lookout in Cibola Mts NM

Its always fun to visit her lookout..

[brakester]

12. Bless'd

best friend, womanofthehills!

[Bo Zarts]

14. I might know her ..

Initials DB?

[womanofthehills]

9. I just read that they will be eliminating many fire lookout jobs because of new technology and lack of money

Except for Montana and NM. So you two are lucky.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Just plain gorgeous, my dear Bo!

The framing, the composition, and the colors are all perfect!

[JustinBulletin]

15. Thanks for reminding us there is still such beauty in the world.

I always appreciate your photos. They are such a treat!

[Mr.Bill]

16. Thanks for sharing

this beautiful shot.

[Skittles]

17. BODACIOUS