For years Kent and I have talked about an over-night at a fire tower. The majority of the towers that allow overnight guests are out west and many with considerable hikes lugging all our gear and provisions. We found a chance to take baby steps with a couple nights at Thorny Mountain Fire Tower in Seneca State Forest nestled within Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. We still have to take all our stuff but can drive to the base of the tower. In July we booked two nights – late October – hope winter doesn’t come early in West Virginia. We have been anxiously looking forward to it ever since.

Prep – keep the provisions simple. We have a camp stove and open fire so limit “cooking” to heating soup and boiling water. There are S’more fixings of course for campfire night. There is no water on site so we fill thermos and water bottles plus a couple gallons of bottled water just to be sure. It is chilly so lots of sleeping bags and warm clothes. Lawn chairs are a must for our time on the deck taking in the views. Packing is just about like a tent overnight – without the tent!