Turk
LOOKOUT TURK
Turk was 5 years old in this picture. It was our last evening hike for our first summer on goat peak in 1995. Turk spent another 9 seasons on Goat peak. He had his own job of greeting visitors and posing for the pictures in the visitor picture books which he did well. He passed away in 2004 just 2 weeks after closing up Goat Peak lookout for the winter. He definately made a impresson on people. He is still asked about to this day.
Thunderdog Shilo and Blaze
Shilo`s first season on Goat Peak was in 2002. She had no home so I ended up taking her for a friend which did not work out so she became a buddy for Turk. She and Turk got to be big-time pals. When Turk passed on in 2004 she was so sad. Shilo was then by herself until 2006.
Then along came Blaze. Turk passed away during a lightning storm on a fishing trip and two years later we found Blaze during a lightning storm on a fishing trip.
Turk had surely sent him to us.
This summer, 2009, Blaze will be four-years-old and Shilo will be eight. They both love Goat Peak Lookout as much as Turk did but they will never equal him as far as his jobs up there.
Sorry to hear about your trusted friend…’Lookout Turk.’ They will always be in our hearts. Moose Mtn Lookout, here in K-Country, Alberta - he lost one of his two tower pups to a mountain lion.
We’ve been renting the ‘lookouts’ in Montana and Oregon since 2000. Sadly, we couldn’t really take our little poodle-bichon up to the towers - her eyesight a problem. She was 14 years old when she passed away. I wish mankind could be so trustworthy.
Thanks for the work on your ’site’ - info and all involved. Artwork…nice personal touch.
Thanks…
Bill, just took a look at your great photos, having received the link from the firelookout yahoo group. I thought you might be interested in a great essay from the High Country News about the Methow Valley:
http://www.hcn.org/issues/40.22/methow-homecoming
Fire lookout: best job in the world, right?!
I was touched to hear how Turk passed away and how he “sent” you Blaze. I have no doubt that Turk had a hand in that. There is nothing like the unconditional love that comes from a pet. So glad you have two buddies up their with you now to enjoy and so good to meet them recently.