The wagons went from $100 to $5000. I couldn't tell any rhyme or reason to it, except for the John Deere and Owensboro wagons.
This Big old Oliver went for $2700. I thought that was a damned good price.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Hidden Treasures and One Man's Junk
I attended an estate auction yesterday where an old man had collected horse drawn conveyances of one sort or another for many years. There were enough of these things lined up well preserved out in his field to stock a museum. I took pictures of some of the interesting (to me) ones.
The wagons went from $100 to $5000. I couldn't tell any rhyme or reason to it, except for the John Deere and Owensboro wagons.
This Big old Oliver went for $2700. I thought that was a damned good price.
The wagons went from $100 to $5000. I couldn't tell any rhyme or reason to it, except for the John Deere and Owensboro wagons.
This Big old Oliver went for $2700. I thought that was a damned good price.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Still think that DNA database is harmless?
"DNA enough to file indictments", and that's all it takes to get the ball rolling since few of them want to think about their "decisions"; now there's precedent. And this comes from a rape case where it's nearly always a she said he said situation. Prosecutors are bad enough trying to get a good conviction rate (better prospects later in private practice) now; soon they won't need do anything but pull a "DNA" out of a hat to pin a crime on someone.
There's no sense in even debating how error prone and bumbling, sham "CSI" crime laboratories remain, yet they will be churning out "incontrovertible evidence" on an industrial scale. It is documented common knowledge that these "labs" are error prone, yet courts will still admit their "expert" testimony and their "scientific" evidence.
Of course, it won't be abused. Right, Bill?
There's no sense in even debating how error prone and bumbling, sham "CSI" crime laboratories remain, yet they will be churning out "incontrovertible evidence" on an industrial scale. It is documented common knowledge that these "labs" are error prone, yet courts will still admit their "expert" testimony and their "scientific" evidence.
Of course, it won't be abused. Right, Bill?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Heavy Metal: Rednecks Gone Wild
What you're seeing here is a new bumper we are building for a mid-eighties one ton truck. We wanted something heavy and sturdy, but not a sea of diamond plate. It's about 2/3 finished; there is a lot of welding yet to be done and some bracing going in behind everything then it's off to the powder coater for a finish that appears remarkably like polished aluminum.
The tubing is 5" x 1/4"and the deck (diamond) plate is 1/4". All the boxing and bracing is 1/2" thick plate. I'm thinkin' it'll hold up.
Something similar will be going on the front. With a 12,000lb winch, of course.
Our next project will probably be an Escalade getting a similar treatment, though scaled down for its lighter suspension. Some 1/8" x 5" tubing and 1/8" deck plate - I don't think I can forgo the 1/2" plate box and braces though. Maybe an 8000lb winch and some mudders will help mitigate the "brutha" factor, right bro?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
What Goes Around, Comes Around: Ethanol vs. Oil
Interesting how things turn out...
Once upon a time the US had low energy/fuel costs which allowed it to produce cheap, abundant food in such quantity that it was made available to the world's population. Then the ragheads and nutty South Americans, who were already filthy stinkin' rich, decided where the US could pay more for fuel. Whatever shall we do?
Everyone knows nothing happens in a vacuum; there is always a reaction to any action, and often a cascade of events. Here's the one we're lookin' at now:
Demand for replacement cheap energy source is huge, this drives the search for cheap energy sources. During this search folks get the bright idea that food crops can be converted into useful fuel. Last I looked Ethanol from corn was $85 a barrel while oil was $100+. This encourages energy companies to start using ethanol in their products, meaning they buy a lot of the stuff which drives the price of corn up while encouraging increased crop production of corn. The corn used to go to the world market as food, now it's going into the market as fuel. But folks still gotta eat, right?!
There's less food out there and demand is still high, the price goes up. The US won't just give the stuff away so much. Food crop production is up, but it's going heavily to corn destined for nonfood use. The EU isn't helping matters much with its global warming bullshit biofuels mandates. The other food crops will shrink in relation and it is from this portion that folks are lookin' to get fed. Who are they going to look to?
Seein' as a shitload of folks live near dessert who depend on US surplus food to live they are liable to turn to the folks pumping oil out of said dessert, who started this whole process by the way, for relief - barring that relief they will be lookin' a whole lot like the french revolution only hungrier, meaner, and more raggedy-assed.
The US will get the blame, but we've got the food. And soon, the energy.
I wouldn't rule out coal becoming king again, either. Global warming is on the skids and there are a lot of ideas out there to "clean" up coal. Combustion technology, materials, and controls have advanced in a quantum leap since coal was last implemented as a locomotion source. Wouldn't it be cool if the old steam locomotives were to become feasible again? A local railroad man just took delivery of a NEW steam locomotive from China. They still manufacture and use them. Coincidence?
What we really need is steam turbine locomotives.
Like this one from 1938:
GE built them and they were complete electric power plants on wheels. Piece of cake!
Once upon a time the US had low energy/fuel costs which allowed it to produce cheap, abundant food in such quantity that it was made available to the world's population. Then the ragheads and nutty South Americans, who were already filthy stinkin' rich, decided where the US could pay more for fuel. Whatever shall we do?
Everyone knows nothing happens in a vacuum; there is always a reaction to any action, and often a cascade of events. Here's the one we're lookin' at now:
Demand for replacement cheap energy source is huge, this drives the search for cheap energy sources. During this search folks get the bright idea that food crops can be converted into useful fuel. Last I looked Ethanol from corn was $85 a barrel while oil was $100+. This encourages energy companies to start using ethanol in their products, meaning they buy a lot of the stuff which drives the price of corn up while encouraging increased crop production of corn. The corn used to go to the world market as food, now it's going into the market as fuel. But folks still gotta eat, right?!
There's less food out there and demand is still high, the price goes up. The US won't just give the stuff away so much. Food crop production is up, but it's going heavily to corn destined for nonfood use. The EU isn't helping matters much with its global warming bullshit biofuels mandates. The other food crops will shrink in relation and it is from this portion that folks are lookin' to get fed. Who are they going to look to?
Seein' as a shitload of folks live near dessert who depend on US surplus food to live they are liable to turn to the folks pumping oil out of said dessert, who started this whole process by the way, for relief - barring that relief they will be lookin' a whole lot like the french revolution only hungrier, meaner, and more raggedy-assed.
The US will get the blame, but we've got the food. And soon, the energy.
I wouldn't rule out coal becoming king again, either. Global warming is on the skids and there are a lot of ideas out there to "clean" up coal. Combustion technology, materials, and controls have advanced in a quantum leap since coal was last implemented as a locomotion source. Wouldn't it be cool if the old steam locomotives were to become feasible again? A local railroad man just took delivery of a NEW steam locomotive from China. They still manufacture and use them. Coincidence?
What we really need is steam turbine locomotives.
Like this one from 1938:
GE built them and they were complete electric power plants on wheels. Piece of cake!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Environmental Police?
God's own warriors to a treehugger, I reckon.
I don't know which is full of more idiots the west coast or the east coast. I hope these cute, cuddly, harmless bears eat each and every "environmental police" jerkoff walkin'. Some things are rationally assumed to be a threat by their very existence in one's vicinity.
Police doubt bear shooting story
Thursday, April 10, 2008
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE and GEORGE GRAHAM
GRANBY - Environmental police have concluded there is no evidence that a black bear shot by a town man on his property was charging the resident.
"Evidence does not indicate there was a public safety threat," Lisa Capone, a spokeswoman for the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said yesterday.
The bear was euthanized by state environmental police Tuesday morning after David W. Menard, 23, of 10 Oak Drive shot it with a compound bow, according to officials. Menard told police he shot the animal on his property because it charged him, and he feared for the safety of his cats, Patrolman Kevin C. O'Grady said.
Granby police were called to the scene by Menard about 7:40 a.m. Tuesday and in turn notified environmental police.
Capone said the shooting was investigated by Environmental Police Officer Anthony Tranghese, whom she described as having 25 years experience in dealing with problem wildlife, including black bears.
Menard is to be charged with hunting without a license, hunting bear without a permit, discharging bow or firearm within 150 feet of a road and hunting out of season, she said. A spokeswoman for court said she could not release information on the matter.
Environmental Police discovered the bear on its back in a wooded area a short distance away from the residence and used a shotgun to put it down, O'Grady said.
Meanwhile, Police Chief Louis M. Barry said bear sightings are a daily occurrence in town and that residents should take care not to leave out bird feeders, dog or cat food, and unturned compost piles.
"Don't antagonize them. They usually wander off if you just leave them alone," Barry said.
He described the animals as naturally shy and unlikely to attack unless protecting a cub or food source.
I don't know which is full of more idiots the west coast or the east coast. I hope these cute, cuddly, harmless bears eat each and every "environmental police" jerkoff walkin'. Some things are rationally assumed to be a threat by their very existence in one's vicinity.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Something Stinks in Eldorado Texas
"In my opinion, this is the largest endeavor we've ever been involved in in the state of Texas," said Children's Protective Services spokesman Marleigh Meisner, who said she was also involved in the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco.
I guess we should all be impressed the swat team managed to not roast the children alive this time.
Things are really quiet in Eldorado news-wise regarding the "other side" and no skepticism has been leveled about this supposed 16 year old who called in for help. The authorities can't seem to find her. I smell bullshit and a slimy female Texas CPS authoritarian action.
How in hell can the marriage of two men or two women be legally semi-"protected" (depends on where you are) and yet men and women cannot be married in threes or fours, etc. Is this not on of those "lifestyle choices" the relativists want everyone to be so open minded about? Maybe if it was three polygamous fags it would be OK? Five dikes on bikes approved to give foster care?
This kind of persecution is what "family court" is all about. I have no doubt that when pressed the charges are trumped up and the womyn bureaucrats are, at base, most appalled by the lack of television, non-adherence to fashion trends, and proper manners of the children they are kidnapping. The story is very careful how it notes that the mothers left voluntarily after they stole their children as bait.
The AP quotes a liar as a source:
It is also interesting to note that a single generation ago a 14 year old marrying (with parental permission) was not that big a deal. No doubt Texas CPS believes they need to be fucking at that age (with a condom - safe sex of course), just not married.
Let me make my perspective on this entirely clear. I have young daughters and if I perceive any man old enough to know better looking upon them with genuine lust and a hard cussin' or plain ass-whippin' doesn't show him the error of his ways I will cause 10mm entrance holes to appear in all his most important places and some hogs' diet (or catfish - I'm largely undecided) will become more omnivorous for a time. And I would help you do the same. So, I get the "no perverts" angle. I just have trouble buying it here.
NGA's and police agencies will use the most repulsive among us (child abusers and molesters) to get us started reporting one another's actions to government agencies. There are ads on the radio, suspiciously timed, encouraging folks to report parents for child abuse "even if you only suspect". No mention of the consequences is given for any innocent parents maliciously reported on; just the promise of a social boner for some busy-body. I bet you can imagine the kinds of hell an aroused bureaucrat can wreak in a household and upon a child's psyche.
Disgusting.
UPDATE
A source wishing to remain anonymous has sent an email contending local authorities have been dying for an excuse to get onto the LDS property and poke around. Of the 401 abducted there are none pregnant. The "16 year old" is nowhere to be found.
From a local news source:
The BBC has a slightly different take on a key piece of information:
Ms Meisner said the investigation had begun after Child Protective Services were called by someone who alleged a 16-year-old girl had suffered physical abuse.
I guess we should all be impressed the swat team managed to not roast the children alive this time.
Things are really quiet in Eldorado news-wise regarding the "other side" and no skepticism has been leveled about this supposed 16 year old who called in for help. The authorities can't seem to find her. I smell bullshit and a slimy female Texas CPS authoritarian action.
How in hell can the marriage of two men or two women be legally semi-"protected" (depends on where you are) and yet men and women cannot be married in threes or fours, etc. Is this not on of those "lifestyle choices" the relativists want everyone to be so open minded about? Maybe if it was three polygamous fags it would be OK? Five dikes on bikes approved to give foster care?
This kind of persecution is what "family court" is all about. I have no doubt that when pressed the charges are trumped up and the womyn bureaucrats are, at base, most appalled by the lack of television, non-adherence to fashion trends, and proper manners of the children they are kidnapping. The story is very careful how it notes that the mothers left voluntarily after they stole their children as bait.
The AP quotes a liar as a source:
"Once you go into the compound, you don't ever leave it," said Carolyn Jessop, one of the wives of the alleged leader of the Eldorado complex. Jessop left with her eight children before the sect moved to Texas."Notice you can't leave, but she left. Hmmmm.
It is also interesting to note that a single generation ago a 14 year old marrying (with parental permission) was not that big a deal. No doubt Texas CPS believes they need to be fucking at that age (with a condom - safe sex of course), just not married.
Let me make my perspective on this entirely clear. I have young daughters and if I perceive any man old enough to know better looking upon them with genuine lust and a hard cussin' or plain ass-whippin' doesn't show him the error of his ways I will cause 10mm entrance holes to appear in all his most important places and some hogs' diet (or catfish - I'm largely undecided) will become more omnivorous for a time. And I would help you do the same. So, I get the "no perverts" angle. I just have trouble buying it here.
NGA's and police agencies will use the most repulsive among us (child abusers and molesters) to get us started reporting one another's actions to government agencies. There are ads on the radio, suspiciously timed, encouraging folks to report parents for child abuse "even if you only suspect". No mention of the consequences is given for any innocent parents maliciously reported on; just the promise of a social boner for some busy-body. I bet you can imagine the kinds of hell an aroused bureaucrat can wreak in a household and upon a child's psyche.
Disgusting.
UPDATE
A source wishing to remain anonymous has sent an email contending local authorities have been dying for an excuse to get onto the LDS property and poke around. Of the 401 abducted there are none pregnant. The "16 year old" is nowhere to be found.
From a local news source:
So why would there need to be dozens of police officers plus armored vehicles, as witnesses have reported? KSL reporter John Hollenhorst has covered numerous stories on polygamy over the years. He weighed in, in tonight's "talking points" segment on Eyewitness News at 6:30. "To surround the compound would create a lot of risk. I don't think they would have done that unless communications had broken down."
The BBC has a slightly different take on a key piece of information:
Ms Meisner said the investigation had begun after Child Protective Services were called by someone who alleged a 16-year-old girl had suffered physical abuse.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Recognize this?
For all those springfield sissies who go weak-kneed and wet their panties at the sight of an XD; $200 croatian POS. You wouldn't buy a lawn mower from these people and you'd carry a firearm made by them?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Now That's a Barn Door!
Any opportunity to build something is an opportunity to over build it.
Conventional wood doors are subject to warp and rain induced deterioration. Metal over wood always seemed flimsy to me - like you could kick a hole in one.
The door above is 2x6 rectangle steel 1/8" thick. It is laying on a 1000 lb. 1/2" thick layout table bought for that purpose.
When in Rome....
Paint? No way. The doors go to the powder coater next week.
Conventional wood doors are subject to warp and rain induced deterioration. Metal over wood always seemed flimsy to me - like you could kick a hole in one.
The door above is 2x6 rectangle steel 1/8" thick. It is laying on a 1000 lb. 1/2" thick layout table bought for that purpose.
When in Rome....
Paint? No way. The doors go to the powder coater next week.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Gleaned From Yahoo!
Pouring rain on the way into work this morning and I got passed by a bunch of BMW riders - are they nuts?
I'd never ride my Harley in rain like that and I think most Harley riders wouldn't either. I never see Harley's riding in the rain because I know they're smarter than that - not just for safety but also subjecting your ride to the elements like that. But these BMW guys - they flew by my Acura like I was standing still. Are BMW motorcycle riders generally nuts? I'd think you have to be partially nuts to buy that German junk instead of quality american, but what are they doing riding in the rain like that?
Best AnswerWow! They are nuts Halry Rider!
I rode in the rain once. Never again! That is waaaay too dangerous. I mean, I ruined two leather Harly © jackets on that trip alone. Luckily I was only driving 14 miles so I only had to change outfits once. I don't even want to tell you happened to my HD Boots. Never again!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
First stop
This is how you end a day.
Ubiquitous mirror shot..
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Will you get your shit together?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Big Fish
That's a big assed striper my pal Jamie caught at Lake Cumberland this morning.
This pic and message was blogged from the greatest smartphone ever developed: the Palm Treo!
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Oh where, Oh where.....
has that little blog gone,
Oh where, Oh where can he be,
With singles in hand and a peep in his teeth,
Oh there, oh there will Nate be.
Y'all seen Nate? There he is! Shoulda known. Always look in the peep seats.
props to SB
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Real Security and Major Geek Factor
This is a KGB locking device used in embassies, security officer's document safes, submarines and such. I read about it in Tower of Secrets years ago and hoped I would get to see one someday. The craftsmanship is exquisite and serves notice to just how serious those folks were about State Secrets.
Watch the video. He takes it partially apart. Damn!
Here is some further disassembly Made my palms sweat waiting for a spring or something to come flying out of there never to be seen again.
Bear in mind these are professional "safe technicians" and the videos were made for an organization which is a governing body for lock picking competition; sort of the locksmith version of a hacker. The guy doing the disassembly starts freakin' at the prospect of getting the parts out of order even though they are taping the process. There are supposedly only three of these in private hands.
They didn't actually get into the guts of the keyed section. I would be lookin' at x-rays before you could say, "lead jacket".
I have a suspicion the key and lock were manufactured at the same time by one person fitting the pins to the key. According to the book referenced above they were fitted to the .001" with fit failure resulting in locking the key into the mechanism.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Call the Department of the Treasury!
This has to be a federal crime:
29 N.J. Students Punished After Using Pennies To Pay For Lunch
29 N.J. Students Punished After Using Pennies To Pay For Lunch
Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled "Legal tender" states: "United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues."
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Forgive Me, Spacebunny.
I am normally pretty much neutral on the prevalence of dumb blondes, however.....
To her credit she says, "I thought europe was a country." They seem to think so, too.
To her credit she says, "I thought europe was a country." They seem to think so, too.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Seperation of Church and State My Ass
One of the things that gets me about the average mush brains of the "progressive" persuasion is the kind of blindness they have about this sort of thing.
This is the sort of thing those who invented the "separation of church and state" bullshit wanted. Please tell me how the state investigating a church function has got the two separated. Right the first time! It's not so much "separation" as it is "control".
Read: progressive
Think: authoritarian
This is the sort of thing those who invented the "separation of church and state" bullshit wanted. Please tell me how the state investigating a church function has got the two separated. Right the first time! It's not so much "separation" as it is "control".
Read: progressive
Think: authoritarian
Monday, February 25, 2008
Two Things You SHould Worry About
When I say "worry about" you should think "prepare for":
As Vox reported, the US Northern Command as inked a deal with the Canadians to provide support to the US in event of domestic "emergency" to "save lives". Bullshit.
Next, you need to be keeping an eye on what is going on with the decrease in diversity of our food crops and the power to inhibit dispersed independent production of our food supply. When agribusinesses holds the power to have farmers prosecuted for growing food crops and can legally harass them for not using their products we got problems both with centralized control of production and the old saw that it is unwise to "mess with mother nature" applies in spades.
Recommended reading for those who wish to prepare:
Read Unintended Consequences by John Ross
As Vox reported, the US Northern Command as inked a deal with the Canadians to provide support to the US in event of domestic "emergency" to "save lives". Bullshit.
Next, you need to be keeping an eye on what is going on with the decrease in diversity of our food crops and the power to inhibit dispersed independent production of our food supply. When agribusinesses holds the power to have farmers prosecuted for growing food crops and can legally harass them for not using their products we got problems both with centralized control of production and the old saw that it is unwise to "mess with mother nature" applies in spades.
Recommended reading for those who wish to prepare:
Read Unintended Consequences by John Ross
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
EP says" Never Bring a Knife to a Gunfight."
I guess he got riled over that pic with his belly button showin'. Y'all just try and fergit that image of the pregnant man in overalls. I figure you've been clawin' out your minds eye over it anyhow.
Monday, February 18, 2008
It's On !
Vox and EP are gettin' set up to butt heads over the Reformation. EP already has his initial position up here.
I have warned told EP to not let Vox get him pissed off as that wil lock his brain up, and I told Vox that he would be required to refrain from soccer gamesmanship, i.e. scratching, hair pulling, and shrieking "bitch!".
Perhaps some fur will fly....
EP, send me a pic without your belly shining.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Redneck Truck For Sale on Ebay !
Larry The Cable Guy has put up his truck for sale for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Men's Holiday
A little something popped into my mailbox the other day from Roli. Thought I'd share.
Mark your calendar.
Spread the word.....
Every 14th of February you get the chance to display your fondness for your
wife or girlfriend by showering her with gifts, flowers, dinner, shows and
any other baubles that women find romantic.
Secretly...guys feel left out. That's right...left out.
There's no special holiday for the ladies to show their appreciation for the
men in their life. Men as a whole are either too proud or just too
embarrassed to admit it.
This is why a new holiday has been created.
March 20th is now officially 'Steak, Blow job & Shut the F#$* Up Day.'
Simple, effective and self-explanatory...this holiday has been created so
your ladies can have a day to show your man just how much you love him.
No cards, no flowers, no special nights on the town the name of the holiday
explains it all...
just a steak, a BJ & shut your mouth for the rest of the day! That's it!
This twin pairing of Valentine's Day and Steak, Blow job & Shut the F#$* Up
Day will usher in a new age of love, as men everywhere will try that much
harder in February to ensure a more memorable March! It's like a perpetual
love machine.
The word is already spreading, but as with any new idea, it needs a little
push to start the ball rolling.
So spread the word, and help bring love and peace to this crazy world.
Mark your calendar.
Spread the word.....
Every 14th of February you get the chance to display your fondness for your
wife or girlfriend by showering her with gifts, flowers, dinner, shows and
any other baubles that women find romantic.
Secretly...guys feel left out. That's right...left out.
There's no special holiday for the ladies to show their appreciation for the
men in their life. Men as a whole are either too proud or just too
embarrassed to admit it.
This is why a new holiday has been created.
March 20th is now officially 'Steak, Blow job & Shut the F#$* Up Day.'
Simple, effective and self-explanatory...this holiday has been created so
your ladies can have a day to show your man just how much you love him.
No cards, no flowers, no special nights on the town the name of the holiday
explains it all...
just a steak, a BJ & shut your mouth for the rest of the day! That's it!
This twin pairing of Valentine's Day and Steak, Blow job & Shut the F#$* Up
Day will usher in a new age of love, as men everywhere will try that much
harder in February to ensure a more memorable March! It's like a perpetual
love machine.
The word is already spreading, but as with any new idea, it needs a little
push to start the ball rolling.
So spread the word, and help bring love and peace to this crazy world.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
MK Ultra: Myth or Reality
The stars are aligned and the stage is being set for the next president and our democratic congress to start in on gun owners. Looks like this is part of the US conforming to UN type globalist standards. You and me, we're to go to work, pay taxes, and bend over for those in charge without being scarily armed. We need to be controlled for our own good. We are on the path folks.
First a chicago mall shooting.
Then a St Louis City Council meeting ends in a blood bath.
Now we hear a fella was on his way to shoot up the Superbowl over some city council issues.
Update: Another shooting in Gun-Free illinois! On a Gun-Free super ultra safe campus
The thing that everyone is going to miss is that the city council shooting is what we have the second amendment for. Somebody with a little political power lookin' to give a fella a rough time should be lookin' over his shoulder.
The chicago thing must be a complete fabrication; everyone knows chicago has a gun ban.
I bet the St Louis City Council meeting has a sign on the front door prohibiting firearms from the building, so that is obviously a fabrication, too.
Obama and Hillary are gonna need political cover to get on the anti-gun bandwagon to secure their nominations.
Update:
Seems Mr. Thornton did have a beef with the St. Louis city council.
Video Link here.
The reporter, toward the end of the piece, says she wants to know if there weren't any metal detectors at the door or anyone "checking for guns". What an idiotic bimbo! Dude shot a cop first thing in the parking lot you moron! What the hell does she think metal detectors do? Set off the freeze ray or maybe the killer intent on murder and mayhem will simply wait after the alarm sounds for the police to cart him off to jail?! I can hear it now, "I came to kill everyone inside, but that metal detector stopped me in my tracks. It's illegal to bring a gun into city hall, you know."
First a chicago mall shooting.
Then a St Louis City Council meeting ends in a blood bath.
Now we hear a fella was on his way to shoot up the Superbowl over some city council issues.
Update: Another shooting in Gun-Free illinois! On a Gun-Free super ultra safe campus
The thing that everyone is going to miss is that the city council shooting is what we have the second amendment for. Somebody with a little political power lookin' to give a fella a rough time should be lookin' over his shoulder.
The chicago thing must be a complete fabrication; everyone knows chicago has a gun ban.
I bet the St Louis City Council meeting has a sign on the front door prohibiting firearms from the building, so that is obviously a fabrication, too.
Obama and Hillary are gonna need political cover to get on the anti-gun bandwagon to secure their nominations.
Update:
Seems Mr. Thornton did have a beef with the St. Louis city council.
He has spoke on it as best he could in the courts, and they denied all rights to the access of protection and he took it upon himself to go to war and end the issue,” Gerald Thornton said.
Video Link here.
The reporter, toward the end of the piece, says she wants to know if there weren't any metal detectors at the door or anyone "checking for guns". What an idiotic bimbo! Dude shot a cop first thing in the parking lot you moron! What the hell does she think metal detectors do? Set off the freeze ray or maybe the killer intent on murder and mayhem will simply wait after the alarm sounds for the police to cart him off to jail?! I can hear it now, "I came to kill everyone inside, but that metal detector stopped me in my tracks. It's illegal to bring a gun into city hall, you know."
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
If Only the Japanese had Invaded
We could have let them keep Berkeley.
These sonsofbitches hate anything to do with the military all the way down to each individual mother's son be he Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, or Coast Guard. As usual, they got a little outa hand listening to each other in an echo chamber and in their enthusiasm to make themselves feel superior to the unwashed portions of this country the odor of some of excrement they spew leaked out into the clean air. They are covering this shit as fast as they can like a cat in a litter box.
They just forgot to add, "But we support the troops!" to the end of their little protest. These are scum not fit to shine the boots of a man willing, right or wrong, to offer his life for his neighbors.
I say we offer this shithole to Japan in fair exchange for the base we have there. Not that they would be dumb enough to take it...
Anyone think California independence is a good idea? Maybe we could get them to declare war on Texas....
"It's a symbol, but there are consequences to symbols," he said. "A lot of people think we're anti-Marine, but there's a difference between the warriors and the war. This is an attempt to clarify that."
These sonsofbitches hate anything to do with the military all the way down to each individual mother's son be he Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, or Coast Guard. As usual, they got a little outa hand listening to each other in an echo chamber and in their enthusiasm to make themselves feel superior to the unwashed portions of this country the odor of some of excrement they spew leaked out into the clean air. They are covering this shit as fast as they can like a cat in a litter box.
"I still oppose the Marines recruiting in Berkeley because it's one way of protesting this wasteful war," she said. "Our military policy is a shambles. But we're not in opposition to the Marines; we oppose the policy that directs the Marines."
They just forgot to add, "But we support the troops!" to the end of their little protest. These are scum not fit to shine the boots of a man willing, right or wrong, to offer his life for his neighbors.
I say we offer this shithole to Japan in fair exchange for the base we have there. Not that they would be dumb enough to take it...
Anyone think California independence is a good idea? Maybe we could get them to declare war on Texas....
Friday, February 01, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Get your horsey fix here:
Meet Ranger, Lilly, Abigail, and Gracie.
This breed is called Gypsy Vanner. They are bred by Gypsies (duh) to pull their wagons and are a compact, though powerful, draft horse. The people taking the video are the owners, they would say "parents", and the video is taken on their farm. These are their first horses and I still don't understand what made them pick Vanners, but they are learning rapidly, caring concientiously for their Gypsies, and continually upgrading their facilities (I expect to be working in a heated/air conditioned barn soon!), and absolutely spoiling the shit out of these critters.
They imported two pregnant mares and had foals within a couple months. Both foals arrived as healthy fillies, but within a few months one of the mares succumbed to a previously undiscovered digestive injury. These folks were absolutely heartbroken, but they got busy bottle feeding the orphan and caring for her. She is doing great and gets lots of extra attention! (spoiled rotten)
The latest edition to the herd is a gelding named Ranger. He is a show winner and, to my eye, the best looking of the bunch.
This breed is called Gypsy Vanner. They are bred by Gypsies (duh) to pull their wagons and are a compact, though powerful, draft horse. The people taking the video are the owners, they would say "parents", and the video is taken on their farm. These are their first horses and I still don't understand what made them pick Vanners, but they are learning rapidly, caring concientiously for their Gypsies, and continually upgrading their facilities (I expect to be working in a heated/air conditioned barn soon!), and absolutely spoiling the shit out of these critters.
They imported two pregnant mares and had foals within a couple months. Both foals arrived as healthy fillies, but within a few months one of the mares succumbed to a previously undiscovered digestive injury. These folks were absolutely heartbroken, but they got busy bottle feeding the orphan and caring for her. She is doing great and gets lots of extra attention! (spoiled rotten)
The latest edition to the herd is a gelding named Ranger. He is a show winner and, to my eye, the best looking of the bunch.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Japanese Delicacy
Some friends of mine were relating their latest trip to Japan. They are a quite nice couple and the husband and I share interests in bourbon, cigars, horses, and firearms. Given our common interest in fine tobacco he was anxious to tell me about a wonderful cigar bar in Tokyo.
He related that the bar was set up much like an old English gentleman's club where fine bourbon and cigars are served and where quite a production is made when a cigar is brought to the table. The cigar is presented to the gentleman to inspect. The waiter then cuts it in the fashion specified and proceeds to light it over a burner. Once it is lit the smoke is wafted about the table for everyone's approval. Upon meeting approval, the cigar is presented to the gentleman along with his chosen drink. Then for the piece de resistance a covered silver dish is presented and, with a flourish, uncovered to reveal a serving of cashews and..........
a small stack of pringles potato chips.
He related that the bar was set up much like an old English gentleman's club where fine bourbon and cigars are served and where quite a production is made when a cigar is brought to the table. The cigar is presented to the gentleman to inspect. The waiter then cuts it in the fashion specified and proceeds to light it over a burner. Once it is lit the smoke is wafted about the table for everyone's approval. Upon meeting approval, the cigar is presented to the gentleman along with his chosen drink. Then for the piece de resistance a covered silver dish is presented and, with a flourish, uncovered to reveal a serving of cashews and..........
a small stack of pringles potato chips.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Jamie is Crying
I guess Y'all heard Australian actor Heath Ledger of the movie BrokeinBackside Mountain fame offed himself. Not many have much sympathy for a spoiled rich actor with the world at his doorstep becoming depressed. I say it often and will say it again; Some folks are just too stupid to survive.
The comments I have been seeing are sick and damned hillarious, even on serious sites.
A few of my faves:
It is interesting to note most comments are, "OMG!" Folks actually took the time to submit that as a comment.
The comments I have been seeing are sick and damned hillarious, even on serious sites.
A few of my faves:
6:35 PM killerbee Says:
I guess he finally got over Jake.
6:34 PM Mr Streisand Says:
Thank God another Hollyweird liberal taken from the gene pool.
6:31 PM Heath's Mom Says:
Hi!
I'm Heath's Mom. Please bury my son Heath bleep up on Brokeback Mountain. It'll make a hell of a tourist attraction and will help keep the money coming in.
Thanks!
6:23 PM Brad Renfro Says:
Hey Heath,
I've got some good stuff if you want to party. This dope will send you out of this world!
C-ya!
Brad
6:20 PM Mel Gibson Says:
I enjoyed working with him in The Patriot, and he was like a real son to me. In fact, I gave him his first beer.
6:16 PM J. Gyllenhaal Says:
Dear Heath,
I know you feel guilty for porking me in the balloon knot. But it was in the script so I'm okay with it.
Regards,
Jake G.
It is interesting to note most comments are, "OMG!" Folks actually took the time to submit that as a comment.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Another Take on the Tennessee TransAm Trail
These fellas just distributed this video of their adventures in Tennessee along the TransAm Trail. I recognize a lot of the terrain from a couple of trips of my own down it. "Oh Shit!" hill makes an appearance on the terrain map, though they called it "Aw Shit!" hill. And it looks like no one bit the dust in Slick Creek....
Will winter never end????
Notice no one is smoking - it's illegal in Tennessee now, even outdoors. Commies.
Will winter never end????
Notice no one is smoking - it's illegal in Tennessee now, even outdoors. Commies.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Hey! Old Man! It Ain't 1960 Anymore
So much of the knowledge most of us have picked up at the range, hangin' out out the gun store, bullshittin' online has been passed down from generation to generation. The grizzled old hunter is full of tales of prowess with that most American of tools: The Rifle.
Now, these oldsters have lived through the fanfare, frenzy, and hype of the introduction of many a hot-shit new cartridge. Some have even tried a thing or two. Some made legends whose name not only lives on the cartridges they pioneered but is applied to cartridges modified in similar fashion 50 years later. Most watched from the sidelines while other brave souls reached for the brass ring of better, faster, more accurate, more effective, more destructive perfection.
Listen to the Old Men who are still around to tell tales of deeds done and daring do, but do not fail to leaven that download at the first available opportunity to insure it still pertains to the rifles and cartridges bearing the improvements in applied technology available to us today. In many ways there is nothing new under the sun, in other ways what was once so is so no more.
We have all heard of the 220 swift burning the throats out guns it was chambered in, of the impossibility of spinning a long small caliber bullet hard enough to stabilize without having it disintegrate as it exits the barrel, how "Old Slab Sides" (1911 model pistol )is inherently inaccurate and those new .40's have bullets so short they tumble, those plastic guns just don't hold up.
Now that 220 will still self destruct with heavy use of hot loads, but the rest of that stuff is pure steamin' bull shit. Feel free to call call 'em on it.
Case in point; Those fast calibers spinning themselves apart:
These bullets are all running over 4000 feet per second, some over 4400. Thats Mach 4 people.
Hey! Old Man! It ain't 1960 anymore!
Now, these oldsters have lived through the fanfare, frenzy, and hype of the introduction of many a hot-shit new cartridge. Some have even tried a thing or two. Some made legends whose name not only lives on the cartridges they pioneered but is applied to cartridges modified in similar fashion 50 years later. Most watched from the sidelines while other brave souls reached for the brass ring of better, faster, more accurate, more effective, more destructive perfection.
Listen to the Old Men who are still around to tell tales of deeds done and daring do, but do not fail to leaven that download at the first available opportunity to insure it still pertains to the rifles and cartridges bearing the improvements in applied technology available to us today. In many ways there is nothing new under the sun, in other ways what was once so is so no more.
We have all heard of the 220 swift burning the throats out guns it was chambered in, of the impossibility of spinning a long small caliber bullet hard enough to stabilize without having it disintegrate as it exits the barrel, how "Old Slab Sides" (1911 model pistol )is inherently inaccurate and those new .40's have bullets so short they tumble, those plastic guns just don't hold up.
Now that 220 will still self destruct with heavy use of hot loads, but the rest of that stuff is pure steamin' bull shit. Feel free to call call 'em on it.
Case in point; Those fast calibers spinning themselves apart:
These bullets are all running over 4000 feet per second, some over 4400. Thats Mach 4 people.
Hey! Old Man! It ain't 1960 anymore!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Ingenious Execution: The Kel-tec SU-16
First of all, I have to give credit where credit is due: Nathan had nothing whatsoever to do with discovering or researching this rifle.
Now that's out of the way, let's take a look at what we have here:
The Kel-tec SU-16 is a gas operated semi-automatic rifle chambered for the 5.56mm NATO. It blends an AR-15 type locking bolt, the ability to use AR-15/M16 milspec magazines, an under-folder stock, integral bipod, and receiver mounted picitinny rail, with a clean operating AK47 type gas operating system. This rifle comes in 6 variants "A" - 18 inch barrel, "B" - Shorty "A" model, "C" - Threaded barrel and the only model that will fire with the stock folded, "CA" - Legal in , "D" - Short barreled rifle and NFA regulated, and PLR-16 - Pistol version. The variant we are concerned with here is the "C" model. The attraction being the threaded barrel and the ability to fire folded.
Y'all can look up and ponder the many and various features of this particular rifle on your own time. Suffice it to say it has the potential to be and Interesting Gun. That potential is only realized if the rifle in question is accurate, for as none other than Col. Townsend Whelen himself said, "Only accurate guns are interesting".
We shall see...
I removed the rifle from the box, unfolded the stock, deployed the bipod and began the task of familiarizing myself with its operation. "Break Free" oil was applied anywhere I could get a wear indication or scuff to show itself after working the various mechanisms by hand. The receiver of this gun is some sort of plastic and normally these types of weapon benefit more from graphite grease for lubricant than oil, but it remained to be seen how dirty this rifle operated so I stuck with the light oil for now.
Normally, I consider range testing a waste of time with open sights, especially in a high velocity caliber, so I grabbed the scope off the .454 (pay attention, you willl see this again) and pressed it into service with a set of see-thru rings onto the SU-16's receiver mounted picitinny rail. I bore sighted it the old fashioned way, loaded up, and headed for the range.
Procedure:
I like to observe both the accuracy of a rifle and it precision while sighting it in. I fire into a 25 yd target, adjusting to the desired point of aim in small increments.
Yeah I see the flyer. It was colder'n a witches titty in... well, in....January.
On to a 50yd target. I like to shoot pairs and tripets within about five seconds of each other as I make adjustments, cooling the barrel between the strings. Sure, it can be done with single shots, but you can't observe the effect of a quick cold to hot barrel temperature transition and it's effect on point of impact. The SU-16 is impressive so far.
I had been noticing the reticle on the long eye relief pistol scope seemed to be rotating clockwise ever so slightly, so I dug out the allen wrench and snugged everything up. I figured given the shitty weather I would stick with the slight rotation and finish up at least able to measure a 100 yd group even though point of impact was screwed.
I loaded the ten round clip to capacity and began work on the 100 yd target. Somewhere around the third round I could see the reticle was rotating further so I went on and finished the magazine to at least complete a feed function test. You can see the string of holes running up the left side of the target as the reticle gave out completely. This is the third scope which has fell victim to the .454 Casull. Shit.
I hated to leave without some 100 yd results so I said "WTF" and pulled the scope and ran a boresnake down the barrel. I loaded three rounds, settled in behind the gun, squinted my old eyes, settled my breathing, slowed my heart, my focus narrowed to that tiny little needle Kel-tec placed on top of the front sight post of this rig. As the rest of the world fell away I began squeezing tighter and tighter.... The result:
The gun mags and most others figure that's a .75 inch (3/4") group reporting the range of error from the center of the group. I call that a 1.5 inch group since I'm not lookin' to sell any guns for advertisers and it's always best to report what you measure, not what you figure, whenever possible. Keeps things clearer, and it never hurts in the gun store or at the range to under-report your results. Makes it easier to beat a fella out of a cold brew.
Conclusion:
Kel-tec has done with the SU-16 what folks expected from Ruger with it's mini-14 POS. I'll hear no more small diameter barrel excuses for the Ruger. They are makin' shit and sellin' it for shinola. Hell this little honey even has the boys over at AR15.COM diggin' their panties out of their ass crack.
Kel-tec's attention to detail, proven technology design, and innovation have yielded
an Interesting Gun.
Throughout this test no malfunction whatsoever appeared. This is important because though only accurate guns are interesting, only reliable guns are worth keeping. I think Colonel Whelen would approve.
****Look Here Y'all****
I did not post this as an invitation to mini-14 bashing, even though I did start it. A lot of folks bought them with high hopes when they were the only game in town and are suffering for it, no sense in beatin' them up.
The SU-16 is being criticized at AR15.com because it has an activation rod (a la AK47). Never mind that the AK is the standard for reliability the world over.....
Now that's out of the way, let's take a look at what we have here:
The Kel-tec SU-16 is a gas operated semi-automatic rifle chambered for the 5.56mm NATO. It blends an AR-15 type locking bolt, the ability to use AR-15/M16 milspec magazines, an under-folder stock, integral bipod, and receiver mounted picitinny rail, with a clean operating AK47 type gas operating system. This rifle comes in 6 variants "A" - 18 inch barrel, "B" - Shorty "A" model, "C" - Threaded barrel and the only model that will fire with the stock folded, "CA" - Legal in , "D" - Short barreled rifle and NFA regulated, and PLR-16 - Pistol version. The variant we are concerned with here is the "C" model. The attraction being the threaded barrel and the ability to fire folded.
Y'all can look up and ponder the many and various features of this particular rifle on your own time. Suffice it to say it has the potential to be and Interesting Gun. That potential is only realized if the rifle in question is accurate, for as none other than Col. Townsend Whelen himself said, "Only accurate guns are interesting".
We shall see...
I removed the rifle from the box, unfolded the stock, deployed the bipod and began the task of familiarizing myself with its operation. "Break Free" oil was applied anywhere I could get a wear indication or scuff to show itself after working the various mechanisms by hand. The receiver of this gun is some sort of plastic and normally these types of weapon benefit more from graphite grease for lubricant than oil, but it remained to be seen how dirty this rifle operated so I stuck with the light oil for now.
Normally, I consider range testing a waste of time with open sights, especially in a high velocity caliber, so I grabbed the scope off the .454 (pay attention, you willl see this again) and pressed it into service with a set of see-thru rings onto the SU-16's receiver mounted picitinny rail. I bore sighted it the old fashioned way, loaded up, and headed for the range.
Procedure:
I like to observe both the accuracy of a rifle and it precision while sighting it in. I fire into a 25 yd target, adjusting to the desired point of aim in small increments.
Yeah I see the flyer. It was colder'n a witches titty in... well, in....January.On to a 50yd target. I like to shoot pairs and tripets within about five seconds of each other as I make adjustments, cooling the barrel between the strings. Sure, it can be done with single shots, but you can't observe the effect of a quick cold to hot barrel temperature transition and it's effect on point of impact. The SU-16 is impressive so far.
I had been noticing the reticle on the long eye relief pistol scope seemed to be rotating clockwise ever so slightly, so I dug out the allen wrench and snugged everything up. I figured given the shitty weather I would stick with the slight rotation and finish up at least able to measure a 100 yd group even though point of impact was screwed.
I loaded the ten round clip to capacity and began work on the 100 yd target. Somewhere around the third round I could see the reticle was rotating further so I went on and finished the magazine to at least complete a feed function test. You can see the string of holes running up the left side of the target as the reticle gave out completely. This is the third scope which has fell victim to the .454 Casull. Shit.
I hated to leave without some 100 yd results so I said "WTF" and pulled the scope and ran a boresnake down the barrel. I loaded three rounds, settled in behind the gun, squinted my old eyes, settled my breathing, slowed my heart, my focus narrowed to that tiny little needle Kel-tec placed on top of the front sight post of this rig. As the rest of the world fell away I began squeezing tighter and tighter.... The result:
The gun mags and most others figure that's a .75 inch (3/4") group reporting the range of error from the center of the group. I call that a 1.5 inch group since I'm not lookin' to sell any guns for advertisers and it's always best to report what you measure, not what you figure, whenever possible. Keeps things clearer, and it never hurts in the gun store or at the range to under-report your results. Makes it easier to beat a fella out of a cold brew.
Conclusion:
Kel-tec has done with the SU-16 what folks expected from Ruger with it's mini-14 POS. I'll hear no more small diameter barrel excuses for the Ruger. They are makin' shit and sellin' it for shinola. Hell this little honey even has the boys over at AR15.COM diggin' their panties out of their ass crack.
Kel-tec's attention to detail, proven technology design, and innovation have yielded
an Interesting Gun.
Throughout this test no malfunction whatsoever appeared. This is important because though only accurate guns are interesting, only reliable guns are worth keeping. I think Colonel Whelen would approve.
****Look Here Y'all****
I did not post this as an invitation to mini-14 bashing, even though I did start it. A lot of folks bought them with high hopes when they were the only game in town and are suffering for it, no sense in beatin' them up.
The SU-16 is being criticized at AR15.com because it has an activation rod (a la AK47). Never mind that the AK is the standard for reliability the world over.....
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Kalifornia
California is preparing to exert control over private home thermostats.
In the old Soviet Union, The Central Committee had decreed that the furnace in apartment buildings could not be started until a certain date each year. Weather was irrelevant, the government said so.
The soviets are no longer around for this populace to fear but their ideology is pervasive, so modern US Committees and Apparatchiks are free to follow in their footsteps without threat of ideological association with an obviously oppressive power.
Those who are a familiar with the Soviet system will recognize the following:
"If you can control rotating outages by letting everyone in the state share the pain," he said, "there's a lot less pain to go around."
Paraphrased Soviet verison : If there is misery to be had, spread it among the poor. For they are accustomed to misery and better able to tolerate it.
One must bear in mind everyone in the soviet union was poor but those in charge.
In the old Soviet Union, The Central Committee had decreed that the furnace in apartment buildings could not be started until a certain date each year. Weather was irrelevant, the government said so.
The soviets are no longer around for this populace to fear but their ideology is pervasive, so modern US Committees and Apparatchiks are free to follow in their footsteps without threat of ideological association with an obviously oppressive power.
Those who are a familiar with the Soviet system will recognize the following:
"If you can control rotating outages by letting everyone in the state share the pain," he said, "there's a lot less pain to go around."
Paraphrased Soviet verison : If there is misery to be had, spread it among the poor. For they are accustomed to misery and better able to tolerate it.
One must bear in mind everyone in the soviet union was poor but those in charge.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
More From The Road
I started this little trip to explore a particular road. The idea of following a single (historically) major road to where it leads has always seemed like a good way to discover some of those wonderfully quirky things, good food, striking vista, and interesting people that are part and parcel of a worthwhile motorcycle trip.
The kind of road I'm talkin' about was once the interstate of yesteryear and though often through traffic has decreased since its heyday the relatively small communities the old road served are still there. Some of these towns have withered down to a lonely post office. Others have found life's blood in the form of a touristy recreation area (lake or natural feature). There are still some based around the same industry that caused folks to congregate there in the first place. Out west there is usually a grain silo or stockyard in the middle of many a square mile of row crops or pasture, around these parts it's mines and saw mills.
I chose Highway 127 to celebrate this little God given winter respite not because it's particularly significant around these parts, as many others (231, 431) were more traveled, but because a bypassed loop of it runs right in front of my house. The most interesting things are often right in front of you.
Enough of that.
I woke to the sound of construction crews renovating the rooms around mine, showered and DID NOT shave. Brewed some motel room-gourmet coffee (not so bad), checked on the promise the Weather Channel had made to me for three warm days in January (starting to welsh already) and loaded the bike for the day's travels.
First things first - check out and go see Fall Creek Falls. The state park is crisscrossed by winding wooded roads and has a campground filtered in amongst the pine trees. I noticed a "mountainbike" path (paved) that was motorcycle prohibited, heh heh.... I rolled upon a herd of fat deer and lost a really good shot fumbling around looking for the camera. You can still see 'em though.
Fall Creek Falls is at the end of a short walk from a parking area and I imagine someone about shit himself when he stumbled upon it. Looks like the floor of the world just drops out.
I headed out of the park on TN 30 which is a really nice piece of motorcycle nirvana encompassing elevation changes with tight smooth curves banked just so. It was a little damp in spots so I had to pick my fun spots with care. I selected "third", determined it to suffice, and lost myself to the harmony of two wheels singing on pavement to the glory of an uncelebrated civil engineer. As often happens at these times, the road will show you something you didn't expect to see....
The Sequatchie Valley hove into view over the top of a rising right hand curve out of nowhere. Immediately my attention shifted to the view as I found myself rolling down the side of Walden Ridge while eyeballing an almost artificial looking scene a couple miles across to the Cumberland Plateau escarpment which looked like a 600 foot wall from where I was. The switchbacks descending the ridge began in earnest immediately. For those who don't know - Switchbacks are proof that God loves a motorcycle rider.
At the valley floor and back on US 127 McDonald's provided the morning's breakfast where an elderly couple informed me there had been no snow this year in the mountains. I told 'em we had a 1/2" snowfall so far and they seemed to reconsider their earlier statement. It seems a "snowfall" in the mountains of east Tennessee is usually significant. Since we were speaking the same language now they allowed as they might have had a couple of "dustings" so far.
The Valley provided cell phone service so I was able to check in with those who's responsibility it would be to locate my carcass in the event of some motorcycle mishap in the mountains and call up the weather forecast to refine the direction and duration of my impromptu adventure.
I had half a mind to head on into Alabama and thence to Birmingham to see the Barber Motorsports Museum by following US127 down the Saquatchie Valley through its confluence with US27. The weather God's forbade this by rushing gale force winds, horizontal rain, and tornadoes toward my geographical location. I could feel my window of opportunity closing down.
Fair enough. The glass is half full, no? I had missed a goodly portion of 127 on the way down in the dark so I took this as an opportunity to run north see and it in the daylight.
Turns out Alvin York lived just off of my street down in Pall Mall, Tn. Small world ain't it? Me and Sgt. York connected by an old wagon trail through time. What a world.
I passed a "theme" junkyard, an authorized MoonPie dealer, and some pretty spectacular scenery. I'm sure I missed alot whizzing by. For instance, There were three Ron Paul signs along the route and a plethora of "yard tractors" and I think I will use them as background to help document a future trip. Take a look:
The kind of road I'm talkin' about was once the interstate of yesteryear and though often through traffic has decreased since its heyday the relatively small communities the old road served are still there. Some of these towns have withered down to a lonely post office. Others have found life's blood in the form of a touristy recreation area (lake or natural feature). There are still some based around the same industry that caused folks to congregate there in the first place. Out west there is usually a grain silo or stockyard in the middle of many a square mile of row crops or pasture, around these parts it's mines and saw mills.
I chose Highway 127 to celebrate this little God given winter respite not because it's particularly significant around these parts, as many others (231, 431) were more traveled, but because a bypassed loop of it runs right in front of my house. The most interesting things are often right in front of you.
Enough of that.
I woke to the sound of construction crews renovating the rooms around mine, showered and DID NOT shave. Brewed some motel room-gourmet coffee (not so bad), checked on the promise the Weather Channel had made to me for three warm days in January (starting to welsh already) and loaded the bike for the day's travels.
First things first - check out and go see Fall Creek Falls. The state park is crisscrossed by winding wooded roads and has a campground filtered in amongst the pine trees. I noticed a "mountainbike" path (paved) that was motorcycle prohibited, heh heh.... I rolled upon a herd of fat deer and lost a really good shot fumbling around looking for the camera. You can still see 'em though.
Fall Creek Falls is at the end of a short walk from a parking area and I imagine someone about shit himself when he stumbled upon it. Looks like the floor of the world just drops out.
I headed out of the park on TN 30 which is a really nice piece of motorcycle nirvana encompassing elevation changes with tight smooth curves banked just so. It was a little damp in spots so I had to pick my fun spots with care. I selected "third", determined it to suffice, and lost myself to the harmony of two wheels singing on pavement to the glory of an uncelebrated civil engineer. As often happens at these times, the road will show you something you didn't expect to see....
The Sequatchie Valley hove into view over the top of a rising right hand curve out of nowhere. Immediately my attention shifted to the view as I found myself rolling down the side of Walden Ridge while eyeballing an almost artificial looking scene a couple miles across to the Cumberland Plateau escarpment which looked like a 600 foot wall from where I was. The switchbacks descending the ridge began in earnest immediately. For those who don't know - Switchbacks are proof that God loves a motorcycle rider.
At the valley floor and back on US 127 McDonald's provided the morning's breakfast where an elderly couple informed me there had been no snow this year in the mountains. I told 'em we had a 1/2" snowfall so far and they seemed to reconsider their earlier statement. It seems a "snowfall" in the mountains of east Tennessee is usually significant. Since we were speaking the same language now they allowed as they might have had a couple of "dustings" so far.
The Valley provided cell phone service so I was able to check in with those who's responsibility it would be to locate my carcass in the event of some motorcycle mishap in the mountains and call up the weather forecast to refine the direction and duration of my impromptu adventure.
I had half a mind to head on into Alabama and thence to Birmingham to see the Barber Motorsports Museum by following US127 down the Saquatchie Valley through its confluence with US27. The weather God's forbade this by rushing gale force winds, horizontal rain, and tornadoes toward my geographical location. I could feel my window of opportunity closing down.
Fair enough. The glass is half full, no? I had missed a goodly portion of 127 on the way down in the dark so I took this as an opportunity to run north see and it in the daylight.
Turns out Alvin York lived just off of my street down in Pall Mall, Tn. Small world ain't it? Me and Sgt. York connected by an old wagon trail through time. What a world.
I passed a "theme" junkyard, an authorized MoonPie dealer, and some pretty spectacular scenery. I'm sure I missed alot whizzing by. For instance, There were three Ron Paul signs along the route and a plethora of "yard tractors" and I think I will use them as background to help document a future trip. Take a look:
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