Right in the area I travel through three
days a week.
https://www.facebook.com/linda.anzlovar/videos/796290500506509/
These were taken off Facebook today.
Monday, May 30, 2016
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Among the Camelids
Sonny, the boss.
The shearing.
Socks on the noses stop them from biting. Alpacas aren't happy campers when they are being sheared.
The product
The herd
My cousin "cowboying up"
In her mobility scooter with her "grabber" working along with everyone else.
Shasa, the Great Pyrenese. She never leaves the alpacas. Along with the llamas, protects the alpacas from coyotes and feral dogs.
Bernese mountain dogs. Protect the farmstead from two legged scavengers. A big problem in the area.
A Pyerenese/St Bernard mix, Shasa's future replacement.
From this
To this
Never forget the weather.
Hope you enjoyed these. Format is wonky as Blogger and I seem to be having "issues". Tis a poor workman who blames his tools.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Travels with NXXXXX
Old AFSarge likes airplane stories. While
I can’t compete with OldNFO, juvat, and
Tuna in flying hours and sophisticated airplanes perhaps some will find my
experience with a Cessna 170A amusing. Long blog - you have been warned.
There I was with a fresh Private ticket
and the need to build flying hours, as a civilian (out of my pocket, you
understand). So off I go to see Dirty Dick Nolan, the used airplane dealer in
Greeley, CO. Dick bought and sold airplanes over the telephone (we are talking
1960’s). He would finance anyone with a good enough down payment. Since all of
his paper was full recourse, he would repo that plane if you didn’t tote the
note. How to staff his business?
Bring in time builders. Pay for the gas
and oil and a bus ticket back. If you were a time builder that was way cheaper
than renting airplanes.
He liked me for two reasons. I had enough
in savings to commit full time. Second, I had far more conventional gear time
than his average time builder. He kept me busy.
One day he assigned me a Cessna 182 to
take to Newport News and pick up a C 170. Oh yeah, the buyer was on vacation in
North Carolina. Go see him, get a check and keys, then take the 182 to Newport
News. With a few glitches that went down and I parked his new plane next to the
trade.
First thing I noticed were two nearly
flat tires. Opening the oil check access revealed an engine compartment filled
with bird nests. OK, lets drain a little fuel from the wing sumps. Oh, great,
water and crud. Flip on the master. Surprise! Dead battery. The next few hours
were spent taking off the cowl (always carried a few simple tools) and letting
the sumps drain (here we see the shocked faces of Air Force ramp types aghast
that raw gasoline is being dumped on the ground).
The FBO sent the fuel truck
over along with an air tank so the tires were inflated and the tanks filled. By
the time I got the cowl back on it was getting dark. Dick Nolan had one
inviolate rule – NO flying at night. As was the usual RON procedure, rolled out
my down filled Army surplus fart sack in an empty hanger and went to sleep.
Next morning after tying down the tail
wheel, propped the 170 to life. Off we went heading North. Funny, the damn road
kept going under water then reappearing. Not an inviting forced landing site.
What is this Chesapeake Bay everyone is talking about? Well, I’ve nearly enough
altitude to glide to shore so onward. Approaching Dover, DE, the
weather is going sour fast. Sat down on a grass strip at Wyoming, DE to wait it
out. Two days of sitting it out. The airport operator found some work for me to
perform and actually paid me so it wasn’t a total loss. The clouds finally
cleared but the wind was hellish. Took off but only made it to the very South
end of New Jersey before setting down. Another night in a hanger with the wind
howling and the hanger doors banging. Since the hanger was empty, parked the
170 in it and shut the doors.
Next morning with full tanks took off and
promptly got lost. The wind was 40+ knots from the West. Not to worry, to the West is a big river, to the
East the Atlantic Ocean. Just keep heading North and someplace you can
recognize will turn up. Radio navigation you say? Yep, if you have a OMNI
receiver that works. Do you know there are places in New Jersey that are as
barren as Wyoming? Eventually a mountain range started showing on the horizon.
WTF? A few minutes later the New York City skyline became the mountains or the
mountains became the skyline; take your pick.
My
instructions were to pick up two pilots at Roosevelt Field on Long Island. By this
time I’d located my ground position and could see on my Sectional map I had a
shit load of water to cross. Climbing to 4500 AGL I started across. The ATC
people were quite cross with me but, due to an intermittent radio problem I
couldn’t understand what they wanted so, being ever helpful, I kept them
informed of my position. Seems the transmitter was fine but the receiver had
issues. Soon I was able to talk to the Roosevelt Field tower and made my
approach to land.
I believe I mentioned wind? 30 knots right
down the runway. Over the threshold started reducing power only to see the
runway numbers again appear. Needed somewhere around 1600 rpm just to keep from
going backwards. Taxing to the tie down area was a challenge as was tying down
the bird. Next problem, where are the passengers? Turns out they are in
Connecticut. (Never let it be said Nolan Aviation was an organized business).
Getting to the runway was again a challenge.
Once in the air, there was another
largish body of water to cross. Damn it, I’m a mountain pilot. What is with all
this wet stuff? On the ground in CN, passengers located, but we are running out
of daylight. The wusses had already rented a motel room. Next morning we head
West. First fuel stop, instructed to pickup another passenger in Jackson, MI.
OK, but I’m not flying over any water to get there. On final at Jackson you fly
over a prison. What torture it must be
for the inmates to be constantly reminded of other people’s freedom.
Now with four aboard we are aviagating to
Colorado. By the by, the cabin heater is inoperable. No problem, extra clothes,
wrap sleeping bags around you and keep on going.
Grand Island, NE had an FBO that
literally rolled out a red carpet after you parked. They nearly rolled up back
up when they saw the four scruffy ruffians climbing out of the 170. Next stop,
Greeley.
Two weeks later I had just returned in an
Aircoupe from Tennessee when Nolan calls me into his office.
“Yeah, got that 170 you picked up in
Virginia sold to a man in
Anchorage. Want you to deliver it”.
“Dick, I’m in no way qualified to do that.”
“Nah, you will be fine”.
“What about customs”.
“Fuck’em. You go to Oroville (WA). Take off at first light, stay low.
Lots of mountains around there. We will plot you a route. Do not, I repeat, do
not leave the highways even if it is a shorter distance. You should make it
with two fuel stops”.
“Do our credit numbers work there?”
“For this trip we will give you some
cash, both Canadian and American. And, we will pay for your meals and an
airline ticket back from Alaska”.
“Is the heater fixed?”
“Hell yes, and the radio, and a new battery”.
The trip went just as he described it
until I got to Northway. There I started asking questions about the route to
Anchorage. The locals told me in no uncertain terms that there was only one
way, it was hard to spot, and many a pilot hadn’t made it. I believed them.
Called the customer in Anchorage (damn expensive phone call, by the by). He
told me to stay put and he would come over the next day. So it was and I was
quite content to be a passenger on that leg. Awesome geography and I had the
luxury to enjoy it instead of sweating buckets.
Back to Seattle, a bus ride to Ellensburg
where I picked up a TriPacer and brought it back to Greeley.
I built up enough time with Nolan to qualify
for a Commercial ticket. Eventually he started paying me when I did repos. Got
to fly a lot of single engine fixed gear. Dick was picky about who flew
retractable but had me deliver a couple of Mooneys and reposses a Navion. Flew
most of the high wing Pipers, a few of the Indians, Taylorcraft, Lucombe,
Eurcoupe and Aircoupe, C120, 140, 170 172, 182, a couple of Stinsons, and
probably others I’ve forgotten. One of the carefree moments in my workaholic
life. Finally ran out of money and had to find a real job then start college.
Hope you weren’t too bored. By far the
longest flying story I’ve put on this blog.
My favorite airplane of those I’ve flown?
A simple two control Eurcoupe/Aircoupe on a warm spring or summer day. An
airplane without any vices I ever found excepting one with bad maintenance. Had
a rubber fuel line break in the cockpit and pour an eight gallon tank’s worth
of avgas on my left leg. Shallow climb, let the fuel drain out the condensation
holes in the tail and not touch anything electrical. Interesting hour that was.
For something with 75-90 hp, it is an eager performer. You actually drive it
off and back on the runway. If I ever get a ton of money (hey, it could happen)
I will get one and go the LSA route, pacemaker be damned.
I'm a Doper
Colorado has legal marijuana. The legal
locations seem to be in the 1890’s bordello sections, those small incorporated
area next to larger incorporated area, that are much more “flexible” toward
businesses frowned on by the local movers and shakers.
Bought some ($40 for about 4 oz) and used
it on my knees. It is helping. Long term may better than my daily 10,000 mg of MSM and two
tablespoons of coconut oil although I
will continue those.
The quacks keep talking about knee
replacements. Yeah, when I’m reduced to crawling.
The place is exceptional clean. The armed
security and controlled access isn’t something you see elsewhere. Two checks of
my photo idea. Cash only, please.
http://naturesherbsandwellness.com/medical-marijuana-greeley-co/
The last time I smoked some herb was
around 1970 so I’m not up to date on pricing. The place offers from grams to
ounces. Prices on an ounce was $250 to $350. That money would buy a nice quantity
of quality sour mash, just saying.
Good thing the place is isolated from the
surrounding area. The smell is noticeable. I could visualize long term LEOs
sniffing and frowning.
During my short time there, I noticed a
mix of customers you might see at Wal-Mart. They did seem to have enough sense
to leave the premises before firing up.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
#1,000
What to do for the 1,000th blog posting, other than amazement I’ve kept doing it, and a few people keep
reading it? Instead of some epic rant, decided to do something for my late Dad.
When I returned from the Army, the
dormant flying bug became full blown. With some bucks in the bank, decided it
was now or never. Snagged a job with a meteorology company that had a contract
to study snowfall patterns. Great job.
We worked when it was storming and were off when the weather was nice. My
coworkers went skiing. I went flying.
My Dad always had the flying bug and used
me as an excuse to start lessons. We went in on a 1939 Piper J-4, somewhere
around 75 hp, operating off a 7,000 AGL runway. As my father was known to say,
“You by God learned what flying was all about”. The J-4 is a forgiving airplane
at reasonable altitudes but hasn’t much margin for error at the altitude we
operated.
We put many hours on that bird. Later,
after earning his Private ticket, Dad bought a Cessna 182. He had become
involved in Real Estate and that airplane helped put together several ranch
sales in the region. He always said the ranch deals payed for the plane.
My Dad was one hell of a stick but was
careless. He didn’t appreciate his son pointing out his lapses. Since he had
such a domineering personality, I was about the only person who would speak up.
He intimidated flight instructors. While he never bent one, I know he scared
himself a few times.
We had a strained relationship all the
years. He and my mother divorced after 33 years. Family joke. My sister and I
tell people we are the result of a mixed marriage. My Dad was cows, my Mom
sheep. My sister adds their marriage was a range war.
Around age 60, my Dad started to reinvent
himself, for lack of a better description. He started examining his beliefs and
ways of dealing with things. I’ve always admired that. He died in his sleep
when he was 64, probably from complications of undiagnosed sleep apnea.
Two things I regret about his death.
First, my sons never got to know him as they grew up. He was terrific with
kids, just not his own. Second, we were starting to patch up our differences
and we probably would have had a much better relationship. It was hard as I
inherited his temper and my mother’s stubbornness, not to mention she was often
a bitch on steroids, and I am sometimes my mother’s son.
I do have to cut my parents some slack.
They grew up in the Great Depression in a Grapes of Wrath environment. Their
drive to succeed was undoubtedly fueled by what my parents described as, “The
belly flapping principal”.
In summary, if you have made it this far,
thank you for reading this.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Justice Served
You read of long drawn out court cases with criminals escaping justice for years. So I was pleased to read of this mope getting convicted 17 months after the deed.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29918277/man-convicted-shooting-at-evans-police-officer-man
This is lightning fast compared to many places in the country.
Sometimes it happens faster.
http://kdvr.com/2016/05/12/suspect-fatally-shot-by-police-after-attempted-robbery-chase/
The dog was found and reunited with the owner. The perp was a known gang member.
A lot of crime flows through LaSalle, Evans, and Greeley on US 85. Since Weld County Deputy Brownlee was killed a few years ago trying to take into custody a mope instead of just shooting the asshole, the LEOs in the area don't take chances.
http://www.odmp.org/officer/20571-deputy-sheriff-samuel-kent-brownlee
Several police involved shootings have demonstrated excellent marksmanship.
http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/16881942-113/greeley-police-shot-kill-man-who-shot-wife
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/highway-85-closed-in-greeley-due-to-police-activity
http://kdvr.com/2016/01/25/armed-man-shot-by-greeley-police-after-tasers-dont-stop-him/
This one stick in my mind.
http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/11822434-113/police-greeley-gunfire-injured
A Weld County officer calls my sister "Mom". We had breakfast with the couple that morning. The restaurant is next to the crime scene. A cleared firearm was still lying in the alley. Of course, the scene was enclosed with crime scene tape and an officer was guarding the crime scene.
Overall, the LEO community in this area is competent and professional. As always, there are a few badge heavy assholes who should be working merchant security instead of law enforcement.
One thing is certain. Show a firearm and they will shot you. More power to them.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Jowl Shaker
Passed the scene around 0520. Dry road, daybreak, no wind. Skid marks indicated heavy breaking and a swerve to the right, across the breakdown lane and into the borrow pit. The car was on it's right side and totally engulfed in flame. Best guess? They were trying to avoid an animal. The other route driver and I have both hit a deer on that stretch of highway within two miles of this wreck.
My stop was at the hospital where I learned everyone got out and refused medical assistance. Good news.
People just won't condition themselves to take a hit instead of swerving and braking. Kind of like an airplane. If a crash is unavoidable, get the nose up and the wings level. You need to mentally prepare.
When I'm driving I do a lot of "what if". What if that semi gets blown into my lane? What if that oncoming driver can't make the curve and takes his half out of the middle? You get the picture.
So WSF, you are the poster boy for safe driving? Hell no. I drive too fast most of the time, to the point even stalwarts like my sister ask me to slow down. I've had a drivers license for 57 years and I've been off the road a few times. Always, the shiny side has stayed upright. Never have bent one to the point I couldn't keep driving it.
The point here is to encourage all of you not to drive in condition "White".
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Adventures in Moving
Following Rev. Paul’s move to their new
home sparked a few memories.
Growing up my family must have moved at
least a dozen times if not more. When I was in the 7th grade my
parents were able to buy a small ranch where they stayed for several years. My
father often said the best way to move was with a 5 gallon can of gasoline and
a book of matches.
1970's found my bride and I living in a
West Salt Lake City apartment. We bought a house in Granger and were in the
process of moving when my father showed up. He was on his way to a fishing trip
in Oregon but pitched in to help with the move. All the light stuff was already
moved but the heavy furniture remained.
“Where is your hand truck” my father asked?
“Huh” was my reply.
Off we went to a rental yard and got a
furniture hand truck. Damned if it didn’t make things easier and faster. Of
course, there was the whole sotto voice remarks about raising a dumb kid, the
picking up the car and setting it on the
jack, etc. Still the help was most appreciated.
When we relocated to Seattle, I bought a
used International 18’ box truck for the move. We got everything in it except
the dog house. That got lashed to the back. Spoiled the otherwise professional
look I believe.
That truck paid for the move. A plumbing
contractor bought it for twice what I paid for it and was happy to get the
truck. I was happy to sell it, profit or not, because I used it to commute for
three weeks. Fun, fun, fun on Seattle hills and narrow streets.
After each move I swear it is my last
one. I will undoubtedly be saying it again.
The definitive bumper sticker.
“Yes that is my truck. No I won’t help you move”
One hazard in writing a blog is being sidetracked.
While looking for a photo came across this.
Two hours later returned to the search.
Seems fully restored El Caminos can bring
as much as $100,000. Maybe less for this one.
Anybody interested in a project?
Probably should quit about now.
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