The Wandering Minstrel

Dam Security

Minstrel — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:46:31 +0000

At one point during the recent road trip, we crossed over Hoover Dam. We came from the Arizona side and encountered a security check point on US 93 about 9 miles before reaching the dam. According to the “Tips for Crossing the Dam” document:

Any vehicle may be fully inspected before it is allowed to pass through the checkpoint and cross the dam. Certain types of vehicles (RVs, rental trucks, etc.) will always be inspected.

Indeed, we were asked to allow an officer to look in all our external compartments and to board the vehicle and look around. The officer did not seem to be concerned about our carrying firearms (good for him). I presume he was looking for explosives and the like.

The Nevada-side checkpoint was only a mile past the dam; when we passed by, there was a three-mile line of cars backed up to cross. Luckily, we did not have much of a delay in the northbound direction on US 93.

Clickable image: Hoover Dam from an Arizona-side overlook. Click here for a larger panoramic image posted on the family website.

Bumper Stickers We’d Like To See

Minstrel — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:51:35 +0000

It’s just as I predicted - drivers in California are ignoring the anti-texting law that went into effect January 1st. The better half snapped this in traffic yesterday . . .

This seems appropriate . . .

Classic Checker Marathon

Minstrel — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:19:45 +0000

The better half spotted this classic in traffic today. Not only is it a classic Checker Marathon, but has a custom license tag that evokes even more nostalgia . . .

New Years Resolution #1

Minstrel — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:12:10 +0000

I resolved to get on the treadmill and find out if those little chest pains I get once in a while are anything serious.

Mission accomplished - today I went and got a Cardiac Stress Test.

A cardiac stress test is a medical test that indirectly reflects arterial blood flow to the heart during physical exercise. When compared to blood flow during rest, the test reflects imbalances of blood flow to the heart’s left ventricular muscle tissue – the part of the heart that performs the greatest amount of work pumping blood.

The results may also be interpreted as a reflection on a person’s overall physical fitness.

My results: Normal beat - no arrhythmia, regular intervals up to 155 BPM. I’m mildly deconditioned for my age bracket. All else perfectly normal.

New Years Resolution #2: Resume the jogging three or four times a week for a mile or so.

Happy New Year!

Minstrel — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:43:24 +0000

Air Museum at Valle, Arizona

Minstrel — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:05:07 +0000

On the way south from Grand Canyon, toward Williams, you pass the Planes of Fame Aviation Museum. This Air Force Constellation sits just outside the main hangar there.

Clickable Image.

It’s been a long time since I used to crawl around in the belly of the Navy EC121K version of one of these to change the oil in the APS-20E radar.

Another Inept California Law

Minstrel — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:57:00 +0000

Last June, the state of California enacted a law prohibiting drivers from using a cell phone while driving unless equipped with hands-free device. That worked so good, that the observed non-compliance rate, actually increased by about 50 percent (myself and the better half, being the observers).

I hope, for the safety of other drivers that people will obey this new law. My confidence that they will do so, however, is close to zero.

This new law will work as well as the California anti-gun laws. Only the law abiding are going to obey the law. Others - well this IS California . . .

Rough Road?

Minstrel — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:20:31 +0000

Hell, what about a rough sign?

Nevada Ranches and Spas

Minstrel — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:43:24 +0000

Oh look! Right here in the remote desert of Nevada, you can get a bath and massage at Madam Butterfly’s or visit Mabel’s to relax at the Cherry Patch Ranch.

Nevada is known for gambling and bordellos - more the former and less the latter, these days.

1956 Buick Roadmaster

Minstrel — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:56:53 +0000

At least I think it is, from what I can see - maybe it’s a 1955. One thing is for sure, this is really a cool car.

Visiting the National Parks

Minstrel — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 03:17:11 +0000

Seven Day Vehicle Entry Fee: $25.00
Campground RV Fee: $30.00
Getting mired in the snow: FREE.
Getting towed out of the snow after a three-hour wait: PRICELESS!

Shit happens. We’re having adult beverages now in a nice warm RV before going to bed.

Gun Signs

Minstrel — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:59:38 +0000

This sign can be seen in Flagstaff, Arizona. Other similar signs were seen in Quartzsite, Wickenberg, Surprise, Phoenix and Camp Verde.

We’re not in California anymore, Toto.

Fried Liver Wash

Minstrel — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 01:12:35 +0000

I think they must have named this area in Joshua Tree National Park after one of Mickey Mantle’s organs.

Patriot Express

Minstrel — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:03:16 +0000

Union Pacific Locomotive seen in Banning Pass, near Palm Springs, California.

Heading out to Arizona in the morning.

CCW Harness

Minstrel — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:24:49 +0000

I decided on a Barsony® Holster and GLock 30 combo for CCW. It took some time to become accustomed to the weight and bulk, but I’ll be OK with it.

Headshot

Minstrel — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:39:13 +0000

Aiming at the imaginary nose on this head, I managed to keep all ten rounds confined to a five-inch pattern roughly centered on the nose at seven-yards.

The pistol was ‘Fat Man,’ my Glock 30 .45 ACP. I also did pretty well today with ‘Little Boy,’ my Glock 26 9mm pistol.

Cruise Pot Cooking

Minstrel — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 03:05:47 +0000

I found this picture on the internet when the better half asked me if we would be able to cook while we’re traveling down the road in a rented motorhome. I was looking to see if there were any gadgets that we could use to heat meals, á lá crockpot-style.

I couldn’t find anything that would be suitable for our needs and I would be afraid of carbon-monoxide poisoning with a device like this one, even if they were available today. I guess we’ll have to settle for cooking on the stove top and in the microwave when parked.

Purdy 1933 Chevy

Minstrel — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:22:22 +0000

This baby was built at a time when GM was free to build good cars without the intervention of untenable government regulations, the unreasonable expenses and pressures from the UAW, and without having to beg the government to bail them out.

I didn’t pixel out the license tags as I usually do since the owner of this purdy 33 seems to be proud of his possession and probably won’t mind people seeing it.

Nothing to Fear?

Minstrel — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:59:55 +0000

From the NRANews Channel

Nothing to Fear? - 17 Dec 2008 - Wayne LaPierre

Barack Obama says gun owners have “nothing to fear” from his incoming administration.

But instead of simply promising he won’t support new gun-control legislation, which would actually mean something, gun owners get empty statements of support for “common-sense gun safety laws.”

Is a 500 percent increase in taxes on firearms and ammunition a common-sense gun safety law? What about a ban on Right-to-Carry? A ban on the most popular sporting rifles in America? These are just some of the laws Barack Obama has supported in his short political career.

Millions of American gun owners disagree that these laws have anything to do with common sense, and that’s why they’re exercising their Second Amendment freedom now. They’re afraid they may not be able to do so as freely or fully in the future.

Given President-elect Obama’s rhetoric versus his record, gun owners have every reason to be concerned.

Happy Wright Stuff Day

Minstrel — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:51:00 +0000

On this day, one-hundred five years ago, Orville and Wilbur intrepidly propelled themselves skyward. Today, things have changed considerably . . .

I give you - The Shuttle Shuttle.

Image courtesy NASA Image of the Day