Hi folks. Susan and I just got off the Amsterdam, a Holland America Cruise ship that just took us to Alaska. We took a helicopter to Norris Glacier near Juneau, Alaska. Later the ship sailed to Hubbard Glacier. Wow what a trip. Will follow up with pictures on the flicker site soon.
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firelookoutcharley
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firelookoutcharley
Dreaming of a future
<— I just uploaded this image of me posing to sleep in the bed at Vetter Mountain. This picture was in the actual bed there. Vetter Tower is in my memories and my dreams, but via our photos and websites I can share those memories with many via the Internet. Considering that Vetter was built in the 1930’s and had a life expectancy of 20ish years, we got a full 70 out of the old girl. When we rebuild, we can’t build for 20 years, we need to build for the next 100. Time to make a new history.
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firelookoutcharley
Vetter Tower Lost
September 1, 2009 and September 1, 2002 have something in common. They are both dates in time when the Angeles National Forest lost two of their last surviving fire lookout towers that were built in the 1930’s. Vetter Mountain Fire Lookout was lost just a few days ago due to the extreme fire behavior of the “Station Fire”. The Station Fire is the largest fire ever in Los Angeles County since records have been kept from 1892. Vetter Tower will be rebuilt, I have no doubt about it. But for those of us that have memories and stories of the old Mrs. Vetter… those can’t be taken from us. Time to make a new history.
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D. von Schmausen
Some of you already know, I was once part of the history of Vetter Mountain Fire Lookout. I did major reconstruction on it between 1989 and 1990. It was unattended for a few years until volunteers from the ANFFLA finished the renovation. I’m distressed at its loss and spoke with Charlie about future plans.
As you all know I photographically recorded my reconstruction activities and I also have the skills needed to create re-construction blue prints. I will stay in touch with Charlie should you need my help.
With my records and those of the ANFFLA for interior details we could see Vetter live once again.
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Jim Robb
I can still hear Ramona’s voice on the Forest radio calling in her morning weather report and relaying messages for us down to Pasadena. Thank goodness Chilao dodged another close one. My heart breaks for Vetter lookout.
J. Robb. Chilao Recreation/Hotshots 1975 – 1980
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firelookoutcharley
Updates are coming…
Welcome to my new blog to support my fire lookout activities. I am hoping that this winter I will be able to update my website http://cpwf.org/fire/lookout.html and create a link back to this site.
Fire Lookout Charley
Mark Sedenquist, and 
Mrs. Firelookout Charley are discussing. 
seesthe mountains, 
Jim Robb, and 
D. von Schmausen are discussing. 
Mrs. Firelookout Charley 4:49 am on September 19, 2009 Permalink |
Yes, I too, have some nice memories of being at Vetter Mountain. Was so sorry to hear about the fire overtaking her after all these years. But she can be rebuilt so that her mission, and ours, can continue on and on. -Susan
Mark Sedenquist 5:50 pm on September 20, 2009 Permalink |
I was the USFS lookout at Silver Peak in the Coronado NF in SE Arizona in 1976 — I have fond memories of my time there, so I can relate to the sense of grief over the loss of the Vetter Mountain lookout.