Happy Fri-Yay! Reader,

Welcome to the 4x Friday, four of the coolest things I've found, learned, or experienced, this past week.

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What I read

​The Last Fire Lookout in the North Cascades National Park, a blog post by David James Duncan on Backpaker.com, tells about the history of fire lookouts in the North Cascades, how they've been used to fight wildfires, and how our government believes they are obsolete. It uses a specific fire lookout that's still in use today, one of a few, as an example of their usefulness. The article is well-written, giving you a good sense of what it's like to live and work in a fire lookout. "A fire lookout is a place to be alone with your thoughts, with the wind, with the trees, with the sky. It's a place to think about the world and your place in it." Says Jim Henterly, who mans one of the last surviving lookouts. Jim (and the article) reminds us of the importance of solitude and connection to nature. In our busy and noisy world, it can be easy to forget the importance of reflecting and connecting with the natural world.

What I discovered

Fire lookouts provide a unique opportunity to take time for ourselves and reflect. They are places where we can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and be present in the moment. Spending time in nature has been shown to have several benefits for our physical and mental health. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost creativity. It can also allow us to connect with our inner selves and find peace and tranquility. The Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA) is a resource making abandoned fire towers available as rentals in almost a dozen states if you are okay with packing your gear and staying on top of the world! What a unique getaway experience.

What I watched

​Arnold Schwarzenegger Admits He Tricked Sylvester Stallone into Playing a Crappy Movie (00:02:09). Then I watched Sylvester Stallone Hated Arnold Schwarzenegger (00:04:39), where he tells his side of the story. My YouTube binge-watching finished with Sly Stallone- Courage, get rid of your problems (00:02:25). And, no, Arnold is not the problem Sylvester suggests getting rid of.

What I'm pondering

"You're never ready for what you have to do. You just do it. That makes you ready." Journalist Flora Rheta Schreiber wrote that advice in Sybil in 1973.

Have a triumphant week.

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