Getting back on track... I stopped by APH yesterday afternoon and I was amazed at how bad that place has gotten. I probably haven't been there in about a year and a half, and it's gotten so much worse in that time. Every section of the wooden guardrail has been covered in graffiti as well as every rail and cross-member on the tower. Not to mention the trash scattered about. It's a real disgrace. As I made the climb to the top, I found bent and twisted rails, and a few were even loose. Looks like a serious lack of maintenance.
Is the tower even being used any more? The Master lock on the cab looks to have a broken key in it or something. None of mine would even slide in. It seems somebody tried to cut it off, though! IMHO, I for one wouldn't mind if it got fenced in. Especially if it's not being used. Maybe it would deter the vandals and prevent further degradation. It's a shame to see a place that holds so many good memories fall into decay like this. I'd be embarrassed to bring an out-of-state friend up there now, like I did a year and a half ago. Guess we'll have to find another point of interest.
John-