I see this fort from the main trail every time I pass through this part of the forest, but I had never stopped to take a close look at it until today. Whenever I see something like this I am always worried that it might be occupied, and so I tend to keep moving. Today this fort was indeed occupied! Occupied by a red squirrel, that is! Notice the large pile of pine cone litter in the foreground. Red squirrels were very active in this red pine plantation and one popped out of the fort when I approached.
 
Most forts I find are just lose collections of sticks, but this one was held together by giant nails. A discarded sleeping bag, plastic container, rusted coffee tin (Maxwell House!), and a few other miscellaneous articles suggested that this fort was the site of someone's play in the not too distant past. Perhaps it was the site of someone's drug operation? or underage drinking? I don't know if I want to know. I've found other forts in the general area including one made up of materials from a construction site (pylons, beacon lights, etc). Were they stolen? Again, I don't know if I want to know. I may go investigate the other forts in the near future. I doubt anyone would be using them now! Anyone except for the natural inhabitants of the woods, that is!