Western Hunting & Travel Adventures

Making the trip back to Colorado

2012-02-08T21:44:00.000-07:00

Made it to Deming NM yesterday afternoon, was pretty tired (because Christine and Brent keep this old man up too late :) ) it was the last day after all..

Deming Wall-Mart that is, the place was to full capacity, had a couple other RVer's ask if it was ok to park where we were, (said yuuuup, just talked to security we are good)

Got a little of a late start,
Today I stopped south of Santa Fe. drained all of the tanks and winterized the water lines for the trip tomorrow, to the frozen lands

In closing Rocky Says: Thanks everyone for the good time

Trying to watch the Super Bowl

2012-02-07T21:33:00.000-07:00

Super Bowl Sunday came upon us, We have NO local station that will come in, we have very marginal internet signal. So, we did find a casino that bragged they had 3 tv's and were going to have the game on.
Well in true rv'ers fashion we (I) got a late start cooking some tasty steaks on the grille, so we made a mad dash to "the casino" to watch the game

Brent drove to the hot spot, we entered the joint only to find, they do have 3 tv's .... but no where to sit and watch them unless you are sitting in front of a slot machine, with 2 BIG BOY Indians watching your every move and a big MOMMA doing the same..

Brent did have a conservation with one of the big boys that informed him that the bowling alley in Ajo had tv's... Ahh we are in WHY Arizona .. yup Why ? :)
We returned to the campsite to try and watch the game on the internet ... after all the NFL was streaming the game for free of charge on the internet, so we thought COOL...
WELL, after trying to get a steady feed with the the lame Verizon air card and trying to get the smart phone to download for more than 1 minute of action at a time, we finally decided at half time we would try the bowling alley, (after all what do have to loose)
The bowling alley actually turned out to be just what the doctor ordered, we were able to watch the second half .. Nice job Giants

Brent showed me how to better use my camera, so I was taking pictures in the bar without a flash

The bright spot at the left is the tv...

On Monday Brent and I were trying to get some sunset pictures.. Here is what I came up with

There weren't many cloudy evenings

On the walk back I was able to get a shot of Horton (the Motor Home of Brent and Christine)


After sunset Brent took some pic of the Tiki Bar I really like this one

Another shameless pic of the Tiki Bar and Christine having our first Margaretta with the good stuff

Ajo Arizona

2012-02-04T21:37:00.002-07:00

Left Yuma this morning, traveled to Ajo to meet Brent and Christine at their campsite on BLM land surrounded by Giant Socorro Cactus, I am working my way back to Colorado

Set up the Tiki Bar .. Christine likes it .. so far this is the best picture if it yet at night


We went for a little walk and I snapped a couple of pics

There are no local TV stations here, I noticed there was a casino down the road at Why they boast of 3 Tv's and are going to be open for the Super Bowl .. we will check it out tomorrow

Annual MexicoTrip

2012-02-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

When you walk into Mexico it said that one should go early and leave early . That way the line to get BACK in the USSA is short.
Well not yesterday, I entered Mexico at 10am.
Checked on a couple of blankets, went to the pharmacy, went to the liquior store.
Everything was going good except there is a law that liquor cannot be sold until 11am, now I had 45 minuted to kill.

I walked around the streets for awhile, looked at all the stuff they say is made in Mexico and is actually made in China or South Korea, I had my Jeff Dunham " Walter" hat on, the vendors thought it was worn out, wanted to sell me a new hat (hey I paid to have it look that way) :)

I then visited the garden and took some pictures. (they don't worry about so called terrorists, you can take all the pictures you want, walk right in at the border, no one is even there to say HI :)

I Took pitures of this the first time I was down here with Ash's grandparents, thought I would do it again. (after-all I have the time)
The story of the not quite matching walls.
The Pavilion is one city block square, during construction it was deided to build an arched wall across the center. They decided to start on each side and meet in the middle.
When they got close to the center, it did not quite line up so they stopped.
Maybe they should not take so many siesta's, or have a better boss man, it does give the place some caricature, they did finish running the electrical and water lines.


This is inside the pavilion a very large TIKI hut

I finished taking pictures and still had about 30 minutes left, went bak to the Mexican blanket store, haggled for awhile, finally bought 2 blankets (they are so warm)

Back to the liquor store still waiting for 11am. I checked out the store more and waited (with everyone else)

11 am came and I had our yearly supply of the Good Tequila for margaritas..

The so called short line at 11am to get back to the USA was a block long now.
So it took 45 minutes standing in line to get to one of the 3 customs folks checking passports.

After leaving Mexico, back home to the trailer

Hanging out in Yuma Az

2012-02-01T09:29:00.001-07:00

Left Quartzsite on Sunday and took my time to get to Yuma,

Met up with Willy and Irma when I pulled into sleepy hollow (some call it sleazy hollow), there are many empty spots especially in the full hookup areas.

Took the following day to set up ... more on the stay later..

This is meant to be in all good fun to the RTR'ers

How many RTR'er'er'ers does it take to install a solar panel ?

owner of van


After two days they were getting close

The install was all done with pretty much assorted hardware that we all could round up in our junk boxes of parts and some creative engineering, the install worked out very well ..

Tiki Bar Night

2012-01-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

Pheasant Nuggets, and Tiki Bar in the desert using off grid power


Everyone had a good time (only 4 birds fed everyone)

Since we could not get local stations to watch the football games, I hooked the satellite radio, and listened to the games on the radio.

We had about 22 people attending..

The weather for this day was very good

Rubber Tramp Rendezvous

2012-01-21T08:22:00.002-07:00

Sunrise this morning at Quartzsite Az

A little breezy this morning, got up early to take down the awning, (because of the wind) the wind charger is hummin' along.
It is about 64* and max of 25mph gusts at 8am

Looking for a good spot to camp

Young couple showed up yesterday to attend the RTR. Verry interesting to talk to, I will have more on them later, it is a work in progress. But I like it.

Camp this morning during sunrise

couple of folks wanted to see some pictures of the inside


It is still a work in progress but a nice start

The rig is hers, she wanted something that would not fall apart.

The motor runs on many fuels, currently the are running on a mixture of gasoline and used motor oil


Today is the first day of the rv show, quite a croud,

A friend Ken is about 7 ft tall he took the picture

The winds have been blowing all day, this evening the wind changed direction and caused dust storms
maximum wind speed today was 45mph

Rocky Goat has his own blog

2011-12-27T08:51:00.001-07:00

Our mascot for the International Order of Rocky Mountain Goats now has his own blog

http://rockygoat.blogspot.com/

We were using facebook, but found it to be a PITA
Plus with a blog no signing in is required..

Rocky is about to go on some new adventures this winter hope you enjoy

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

Cody is moving so fast all of the time, it is hard to get a picture when we are hunting

Libby, guarding HER bird

On behalf of Our Family to yours ... Merry Christmas

Chris & Brandon

Baby it's cold outside

2011-12-05T21:29:00.001-07:00

We have developed a solar aeration that we hope to sell a few of:

Our first prototype has been sold and I agreed to deliver it to (of all places) Pagosa Springs, Colorado.. on the Colorado New Mexico border (30 miles south of Pagosa Springs, Colorado)

The weatherman (hint .. fed. gov. worker) predicted 1-2 inches of snow and a low temp of 21*

Yeah well right.. Below are the so called 1-2 inches of snow going over Wolf Creek pass around 3pm in the afternoon

Not too bad at first

At the top pretty close to white out conditions, now I now how helpful the poles on the edge of the road are:

I arrived in Pagosa Springs around dark, Oh, did I mention I was pulling the camper trailer ?

On the edge of town there is a restaurant ( Junction Restaurant) that has a large parking lot. ( the only one in town with a large lot) I found out later ..

Last night the temps were not quite too cold about 19* but cold enough to freeze a 3/4 acre ponds some.

This morning I met with a couple of nice young fellas that are going to help with the installation.. ( especially the part of putting the diffuser in the water.)

We had breakfast at the Junction Restaurant, headed out on a 30 mile trip south toward the little town of Chromo

Parked on the side of the road unhooking the trailer, so I can go up the trail to install the solar aeration unit

before picture of the pond we are installing 2 diffusers into .. Looks a little frozen to me, I took this picture while the lads went after THE boat.

While they were gone after the boat I unloaded all of the parts and panels for the system.

The ice is about 1 1/2 inch thick .. this is going to take awhile ...

This about as far as they got after much hard work but it was good enough for me.

Right after this, the battery in the camera died, so I hooked it up to the solar and charged for a bit, hopefully enough to take a couple more pictures..

The guys helped with the assembly of the solar unit and were very good help, hopefully they will be intalling more units in the future, in this area..

I left the area and the guys told of another way back to Walsenburg without going over Wolf Creek pass,

"Go south to Chama down the road and take a left, it will take you back to Monte Vista "

Well Chama is another 20 miles south into New Mexico .. pretty drive at 30 mph on snow packed roads..

The cool thing was I have never driven in this part of the mountains before,.. went past

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Station

I really want to go back and take that ride someday. The old train station and R/R town look like fun..

So instead of going over Wolf Creek, we went over LaMarga Pass, talk about a deserted road.. saw about 3 cars on the whole ride over the pass, all snow packed another 30 - 40 mph drive. (but pretty)

Around 5:30 made it to Walsenburg and am stopped in the only truck stop for many miles hanging out with the furnace running alot .. It is about -7* below zero and is predicted to go to -10* tonight.. Not as bad as in Alamosa which is predicted to go to -20*

That is the travel adventure for the last couple of days.

Awsome video of the west

2011-10-04T08:34:00.000-06:00

Landscapes: Volume Two from Dustin Farrell on Vimeo.

To get the full experience, be sure the video is in HD mode, the sound is on, and view it in full screen mode — you won’t be disappointed:

I also let it load completely to get a smooth video:

There are some spots that I have camped at in this video

Rocky Goat

2011-09-28T18:05:00.005-06:00

Chris and I belong to a group called the International Order of the Rocky Mountain Goats.

During the last outing we have the honor of taking our stuffed furry friend (Rocky) on adventures during parts of the year that we are traveling. Along with other members of our group. The Longs Peak Herd.

Rocky will be our ambassador for the goats this year, and if he behaves himself he will become a member of our group at the next Wadi in 2012.

Meet RockyGoat

Rocky's email ... rockygoatsob@gmail.com

Rocky's Facebook Page

2011-09-27T22:42:00.021-06:00

Some pictures and folks from Smokin' on the Beaver

Mascot Beaver

Looking back at the area where most of the participants will be smoking

I arrived on Thursday a day early, to get a good spot

The beginning of our set up on Friday morning, the bar is coming together

Total set up done Friday afternoon

Let the cooking begin

These guys from Nebraska cooked with wood only

Some folks cooking below, click on pictures to enlarge them

The toys and peddle cars were back

Gal from the local newspaper, she was taking pictures of us.
So. I took a picture of her

Saturday night there was a Husker game, we moved the bar and had sports bar night

Set up at smokin' at the Beaver

2011-09-23T09:00:00.005-06:00

Early stages of set up, what I unloaded last night

Got a late start to leave for the Smoker, as I had to take Cody to the Vet and have a lump checked out on this neck.

It turned out that he has an infection probably caused by chewing on sticks. He is on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine now

Many chem-trails in Kansas (thought we had a-lot)

A daylight pic of the Tiki Bar I build for the Goats

Folks here at the Smoker love it, pictures are being taken and sent to friends

Solar powered rope lights on palm tree forms, and pink flamingo's

New Season is upon us ..

2011-09-16T15:41:00.002-06:00

We will be preparing for our next adventure to Smokin' on the Beaver

We plan leaving on thursday to travel to Atwood Ks. to cook in the BBQ Contest

We have 2 teams this year :

Butts R Us
Legal Smoking

We will start cooking beef brisket on Friday, on Saturday we will cook Ribs, and pork butt.

more updates coming...

Fishing in the mountains

2011-06-23T20:01:00.002-06:00

Yup,
tomorrow, we (the camper and I ) are going on an excersion to the Steamboat Colorado area for a rare summer trip, to fish with our buddies from Rusty's Upholstery ( he has the boat) hoping to catch northern pike..
I have not fished for northern pike since we left Iowa (very excited)

Will keep you posted with pictures and video

Updating the Camper

2011-06-04T21:58:00.003-06:00

I have started to build a few assemblies for updating some of the things on the camper for the upcoming season.

In the next few weeks I will start posting some of the projects , which include new lighting, a new power chord for grid power, machining parts for the sat antenna crank, additional power form the inverter, adding a trailer hitch to the back of the camper, to be able to use the small trailer to carry more stuff.. Stay tuned..

So far, the earliest trip planned will be sighting in at Steamboat Springs in August ..

Currently we are in gardening mode with water.

Started another blog

2011-05-19T08:59:00.002-06:00

I have started a new blog for Aquaponics, and water aeration.
We are growing vegetables and fruits in fish water filters, or bogs, now known as Aquaponics

the link to the new blog

A good dog story from Japan

2011-03-16T22:48:00.002-06:00

The dog protecting her partner is a Brittany

Here‘s an English translation of the camera crew’s words upon discovering the pair (h/t Yahoo):

We are in Arahama area. Looks like there is a dog. There is a dog. He looks tired and dirty. He must have been caught in the tsunami. He looks very dirty.

He has a collar. He must be someone’s pet. He has a silver collar. He is shaking. He seems very afraid.

Oh, there is another dog. I wonder if he is dead.

Where?

Right there. There is another dog right next to the one sitting down. He is not moving. I wonder. I wonder if he is alright.

The dog is protecting him.

Yes. He is protecting the dog. That is why he did not want us to approach them. He was trying to keep us at bay.

I can’t watch this. This is a very difficult to watch.

Oh. Look. He is moving. He is alive. I am so happy to see that he is alive.

Yes! Yes! He is alive.

He looks to be weakened. We need to them to be rescued soon. We really want them rescued soon.

Oh good. He’s getting up.

Comment on site: I understand from a posting earlier on Facebook the injured dog is being treated and his friend the hero dog is being taken care of also ….

End of snowbird season

2011-02-23T21:25:00.006-07:00

I have finally caught up with chores, now to post some pictures of fun in the sun, and r&r

This photo is of friends from Canada (Vancouver Island)Toasting Jim & Donna

Except for the guy in the middle he is from Kalifornia :)
Left to right Willie, Dave, Tom, Pat, Irma,

This is the 3rd year of the Pheasant feed.

Since, I have quite a few birds after the hunting season closes and I share them with others.

Most western Canadians have grouse, they say do not taste as good as corn raised pheasants...

Willie, with his favorite California raisin figure on his hat.

Willie, is quite a guy, bakes bread in a stone oven, (that he built), raises grapes, makes their own wine, raises bees, and harvests honey.

Willy and Irma are originally from Germany, and had relatives in east Germany ...Really fun to converse with,

Tequila

2011-02-04T18:03:00.002-07:00

I have had several; requests for the "good " tequila from Mexico to be used for the Goats in Sept for barter and other uses :)

So, Dave and Pat and I went to Mexico today.

We had lunch from a street vendor (very good tacos) they bought bread, and blankets.
and we purchased the Tequila that has been requested..

Brrrrrr Cold

2011-02-03T19:04:00.003-07:00

It is Brrrr Cold even in Yuma AZ

I was up at 5 am this morning and checked the outside temperature and it was 29*F

For this area, that is very cold, at 7 pm this evening it is 47*F

Last year high temp 73* low of 53*F

Made a short trip to Mexico today, the poor Mexicans were wearing their very heavy winter coats and scarfs. I do not think any of the stores and shops have heaters..

What did I buy in Mexico? Blankets !!
the line to get back into the US was pretty short :)

Did not take any pictures, the border folks have signs warning about taking pictures....

Yuma Army Proving Grounds

2011-02-01T21:35:00.023-07:00

I went on a little trip to check out a local lake (Lake Mittry) that is used for local irrigation for the agriculture here. ( They grow strawberries, lettuce, grapefruit, dates, oranges, etc).

There are free boondocking camping sites around the lake with a 10 day limit. (I went to check them out)

After driving around the lake, heading back to Yuma, I saw static displays of US Army artillery

So, I stopped and took some pictures
To enlarge the pictures..... Click on them

Sherman Tank

You can see where bullets hit the tank

I know many who follow the blog are having severe winter weather.

The weather in Yuma is not as cold or snowy But we are having pretty strong winds, they predict the winds to last 'till Thursday.. So far this evening my wind indicator shows a max. of 50.5mph.
The wind charger is working pretty good :)

Stay warm everybody

Going to Yuma Az today

2011-01-31T08:32:00.003-07:00

Yesterday in Quartzsite was a very windy day, the wind indicator showed the maximum wind gust to be 49.5 mph, and a few clouds. But, it was warm.

With a few clouds the sunset was pretty good.

Packing up this morning traveling to Yuma, and set up next to the Mexican border to reconnect with some new (to me) friends mainly Canadian snow birds.

Front Sight training

2011-01-28T18:13:00.006-07:00

I traveled to Pahrump Nv to attend a 4 day defensive handgun course.

Pahrump, is about 20 miles from the front sight complex.

I stayed at a casino / hotel/ RV resort with full hookups, very nice.. and only 15.00 per day :)
Classes started on Monday at 8am "pacific time" which I found out about the time change on Monday after I was early by 1 hour ..... OOPS ... at least I was not late

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the training

Picture of the range that we trained at, the staff is superb, friendly and has a sense of humor (very much appreciated)

The steel targets are for a friendly competition among the students on day 4
( there where 29 of us)

Picture at sunset looking through a rifle range, classes last 'till about 5:30 to 6pm. But I did not care :)

Video of finals

Front Sight

Leaving Quartzsite

2011-01-23T10:03:00.009-07:00

I took this picture of a 79 VW
young couple from Mass.

I thought Jenny might like these pictures.

During the day everyone does their own thing, but, at about sundown folks in the area gather around the campfire and share stories, (or who can tell the best lie:) )
Usually lasts to 9 pm for most. by then it is getting pretty cool outside.

This guy showed up for a day, I saw his Iowa plate with floyd county,

He lives in Charles City, worked at the White farm factory, but, does not remember Roy Fisher

I added this un-cropped picture to illustrate the vastness of the areas for boondocking camping in these areas (BLM lands)

This is Bob's rig.
Bob has converted a cargo trailer into a RV

The panels on top are solar panels, between those and a Honda 1000 watt generator, he is self sufficient .
Bob has various web sites on living, in small units and, very economically.
Through his efforts many folks stopped by and stayed in this area for a
Rubber Tramp Rendezvous

Now off to Pahrump Nevada

Warm in the Desert

2011-01-19T17:08:00.005-07:00

I hear and see it is snowing in Colorado

Thought this may help with cabin fever ....or not :)

It is currently 78*F in the trailer right now @ 5:00

Got the BBQ going .
Cheers

Quartzsite Az

2011-01-17T21:03:00.007-07:00

Last night I talked with folks that are from a group, that stay in vans, class C's.

They found out that I had a wind generator.
So, they made an appointment for today to ask questions and help put up the generator.

I had about 10 folks asking questions and comments, it was fun

I also found water on the ground on the back side of the trailer, after investigating I found the drain for the fresh water leaking, it had a crack in a plastic connector, (probably was frozen and cracked) Now that I am in warmer weather ( today 80*F )
it started to leak and I lost 3/4 of the water I put in yesterday.

Traffic at the exit at I-10 exit, had to get across to get to the hardware store to get new parts for the water leak repair, took a while.

After the repair was made, I made 3 trips to the Loves truck stop to get water, & haul to the trailer, used a small pondmaster water pump and refilled the tank.

Noon inside temp :) door open

For (Lawrence) the solar was putting 13.9 to 14 amps at noon.

Tonight,

Youtube video below

You tube video below

Trip to Quartzsite

2011-01-16T21:27:00.004-07:00

After a late start

We made it to San Felipe Indian Casino , they have a nice flat lot for rv's and available electrical power if needed for $15.00 per night.
We are set up with 4 6volt batteries, so we have enough reserve power for the furnace to keep warm a d watch TV.

This a shot of the gps information for this part of the trip

The next morning we left for the second leg of the trip, going down I-25 to I-40 west, to the Arizona border, and then took us hwy 191 south ( shortcut?)
The road was pretty rough narrow 2 lane, Long day, finally stayed at wal-mart at Globe Arizona (in the mountains) Gps shows 900 miles, 15 hrs travel time.

This morning left early, traveled through Pheonix (no traffic) made the last 200 miles to Quartzsite.

Preparing for a quick snowbird trip

2011-01-11T17:08:00.003-07:00

The trailer is setting in the driveway all very cold, the temps right now are 3*F at the gazebo, and 5*F at the pump house in the back yard...

But, on Friday the rig and I are about to head south to the warm desert..

We will keep a record of our travels for the next few weeks.
Boondocking, using our solar system, and wind charger system to be self sustaining, staying very low cost and free spots..

Last pheasant trip

2011-01-06T09:49:00.006-07:00

Last pheasant trip of the 2010 season
After waiting for the weather to clear, on Saturday it was clear and cold.
We started hunting at 10am with the temps at around 10*F . After about 1 1/2 hours of hunting this years good spots we had our limit of pheasants.

We stopped to visit local folks and then watched college football the rest of the day

On Sunday we left about the same time, the first bird was a very long retrieve, Libby would not let it get away.

I had my limit soon, and we hunted the rest of the day trying to get Gary and Jeff to shoot better. Shooting better at the end of the season makes a big difference, as the birds are very wary and spooky.

We stayed the night and returned home on Monday in very good weather.

2011-01-01T08:34:00.006-07:00

We are at our home base for Nebraska hunting, we have been waiting out the weather for the last couple of days. we are going to find birds today...

Looking east from the trailer

It is getting warmer we are up to 19* at 9 am

I will post more later today

Time to get all the insulated clothes on and get ready

Last Hunting trip for this year

2010-12-29T21:57:00.007-07:00

We have traveled to the hunting grounds ahead of the first snow storm for our area of the season.

we love hunting in fresh snow for a couple of reasons, 1) easy to find tracks and get a clue where the birds are. 2) the pheasant will "set" tighter making it easier to get closer shots.

The dogs and I are hanging out tonight warm and dry.

It is 25* outside and 75* inside

this photo is looking from the bedroom to the back of the trailer.

Photo of the bedroom from the frig area.

I store the kennels on the bed until it is bedtime, Libby is hanging out there.

Photo from the entrance door

Weather forecast for us :

Thursday...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Patchy blowing snow in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 20s. North winds 15 to 20 mph.

Thursday Night...Windy. Snow likely until midnight...then snow after midnight. Areas of blowing snow through the night. Snow accumulation of 2 to 3 inches. Lows around 4. North winds 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent. Wind chill readings 8 below to 18 below zero.

Friday...Breezy. Mostly cloudy. Snow likely in the morning... Then chance of snow in the afternoon. Areas of blowing snow through the day. Highs around 11. North winds 20 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow until midnight. Lows around 1 below. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph.

New Years Day...Partly sunny. Highs around 20.

If they are right we probably will hunt tomorrow morning, and not again until New Years Day. yeah

The lost week between Christmas & New Year

2010-12-27T09:57:00.003-07:00

The day after Christmas and the weekday after new year is a total waste of time if you are trying to do any sales or business in our world.

Soooo, It looks like there is finally going to be some snow coming our way on Thursday of this week.
I know (those of you in the frozen north are saying) "you poor soul" we will give you some of ours.

I talked it over with the dogs :)
and it has been decided that pheasant hunting with snow on the ground is "the Best". We are getting ready to go to the hunting grounds leaving on Wednesday or Thurs depending on the road condition forecast.

2010-12-23T18:02:00.011-07:00

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hunting before Christmas week

2010-12-18T14:02:00.012-07:00

We got a late start traveling out to the Hunting Lands.
You can tell that Cody is pretty concerned about it.

We arrived at the trailer about 7pm.

On Thursday we started our hunting adventure about 9:30 am.

We went to our favorite spots and started out really good, 3 birds in 4 stops.

For the day we ended up with 3 roosters and 1 quail. Quail are really fun for us, it is getting rare to find quail, when we do Libby turns into a statue when she finds them.

We stopped in the little town of Palisade Ne. for lunch

This is the only restaurant in town and is run by volunteers from the town to keep a restaurant open for the folks. they have very good food.

We started hunting of Friday morning about 10 am. ( My hunting partner Gary got a late start, his mother, 97 years old now, has been admitted to a nursing home, trying to heal from a fall, nothing broken, hurt her back, docs think she will recover and be able to return home)

I attempted to get a picture with both dogs standing next to each other but, it became impossible with Cody never stopping .

At this point we had not had any luck getting close enough to the birds for a decent shot.

We decided to do a little "road " hunting. cruising very slowly down the country roads, Libby has to get as close to the windshield as she can, she even will leave nose marks on the windshield.

Cody stands between the seats, waits for us to stop.

about 2:30 we went to one of the spots we tried yesterday,.

We shot two birds, called it a day.

Cleaned the birds

Later that night we went to McCook Ne for dinner with Jeff, (his wife was having a girls only Christmas party, so we went and had BBQ)

Mid season pheasant hunting

2010-12-14T22:21:00.002-07:00

Well. today was 70 degrees, (sorry, those in the frozen north)

During the last trip to Neb. I noticed that we had a noisy water pump, the week before we had to replace pinion bearings in the rear differential. (noisy)

Any way, I inspected the front of the motor and found the water pump leaking, So, today with the nice weather the water pump was replaced.

The dogs and I are headed to so some more bird hunting. We left the trailer there last week.

Pheasant hunting 2010

2010-12-12T11:14:00.002-07:00

Chris, Rob, Bailey (left), Brandon (right)
2nd week of November, 70degrees, limit of birds (9)

Libby guarding the birds from Cody (those are her birds!)

2010-12-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

WOW
The Metro-dome collapsing

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=ca15cffb-3b66-49a0-84ca-20ed0a175567" target="_new" title=""&amp;amp;gt;NFL on FOX: Metrodome collapse&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

More Elk trip

2010-10-25T23:09:00.006-06:00

Rob needed to get additional license, we stopped at the sporting goods store and parked behind a camper that has been dragging the sewer hose for a while.

Don't think it is much good anymore

We went into old town Fairplay

This store sell nothing but quality hats

The old time bar

The boys from Minnesota, met us at the bar in old town.

In this picture there are 3 generations of Elk Hunters.

(left) Rob Bendt

(to the right of the guy on white hat) Jim Bendt

(next guy to the right) George Bendt ( Jim's brother from Minnesota)

(next guy standing to the right) Bob Bendt ( Jim's son, Rob's father)

Time for elk hunting

2010-10-25T22:41:00.010-06:00

10.21.2010

Left on Thursday about 11:30 to Do the yearly trek to the Mountains around Jefferson Colorado.

Got to the usual camp on forest service land and found it to be "Grand Central Station "

I decided to go further up the road and find another spot, I traveled another two miles and found a large flat area and decided it would do.

The new spot is another 500 ft higher. ( the old spot is at 10,000 ft the new spot (on Georgia Pass)is at 10,500 ft but so far very quiet. :)

I decided to go to Fairplay and fill the suburban with fuel abd maybe get a burger.

Right before the town limits of Fairplay I noticed a dodge truck on the side of the road, with it's hood up, I realized it was "Easy Ed" a long time member of the International Order of the Rocky Mountain Goats. And this year, the grand puba.

I turned around and pulled up to see what was going on.

Apparently the voltage regulator for the charging system had failed, an burnt a wire on the alternator. He had called a friend from Denver and the friend was helping to repair the truck, Luckily there is a parts store in Fairplay and the regulator was replaced.

The battery was so dead that jump starting the truck did not work.

So, we hooked up a tow strap and towed the truck the the Motel in Fairplay, where they were going to stay.

The motel had an outdoor outlet, we used a battery charger that I carry and charged the battery

10.22-2010

Woke Up this morning to a little snow

Forecast for later today is snow up to 10 inches, and 50 mph winds after midnight.

I think the windmill will get a workout.

The group of hunter that we hunt with are from the Denver area, and northern Minnesota area.

We plan to meet up tonight, to make plans for tomorrow..

We are at 10.600 ft elevation

Smoking on the Beaver report

2010-09-28T21:09:00.015-06:00

This year were a little better prepared, although I did not take pictures of the smoker Jeff brought a large smoker made from a lp tank.

I also took a Weber gas grille that I cut the legs off, to be able to haul in the suburban..

It worked great..

This year they added a small antique car and collector items

Some of the things I enjoyed

A John Deere hit & miss static engine mounted on an old wagon pumping water

..

..

..
A real good display of old steel toys and pedal cars

1926 John Deere
Solid rubber tire tread, steel lug drive

1932 English Fordson Industrial
Solid rubber tires

1925 Case 12-20 cross motor

The park surrounds a small lake

Time for "Smoking on the Beaver"

2010-09-24T09:52:00.003-06:00

Left yesterday afternoon for a 4 hour drive to Atwood Kansas..

Arrived about 7pm and set up and stayed the night .
I was the only person staying the night, others has staked their spot by parking their campers and cookers in their favorite place.

More information on Smokin' on the Beaver

Fifth annual 'Smokin' on the Beaver' set

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

McCook Daily Gazette

ATWOOD -- Pieces of Eight Band, the driving country/rock band that electrified the 2007 "Smokin' on the Beaver" crowd, will be back for the 2008 event set for Saturday, Sept. 27.

And Jim Ferguson, host of the popular Great American Trails Radio Magazine, will be back as a contest competitor and emcee of the fifth annual barbecue cookoff and contest!

For the fifth straight year people who are fanatic about cooking, as well as eating barbecued foods, are invited to be in Atwood to participate in the annual, event at the Columbian Hall.

Barbecue chefs are invited to "come cook, and the public at large is invited to come enjoy some of the best barbecue they'll probably ever eat," say organizers Gary Worthy and Linda Vap.

"We plan a full day of people cooking their favorite BBQ recipes with the public invited to visit the chefs, check out some unique BBQ grills and cookers, and then enjoy the various meats, beans and other foods," Worthy said.

Categories for the BBQ contest, according to Vap, include pork butt, ribs, brisket, and beans. All prepared foods are then offered in the evening, at a nominal fee, for the general public to enjoy.

"We introduced a new BBQ category our second year called "fins, fur and feather," meaning just about anything you want to barbecue, plus salsa, and then we added BBQ sauce plus homebrew and homemade wine, " she said.

We stress that people who want to participate do not have to be professional. The contest is open to anyone who wants to barbecue, and they don't have to have elaborate grills or cookers, but can cook on their "favorite backyard grill."

Persons interested in learning more about the event, or obtaining an online entry form or copy of the contest rules, can find complete information at www.atwoodkansas.com or www.sunfloweraero.com.

Thirty-plus teams are expected to compete this year, Worthy says.

More than a dozen BBQ teams from Colorado, Nebraska and neighboring Northwest Kansas communities have already indicated they plan to participate in the fifth annual event.

I will take some picture as the weekend goes along

Time for Dove Hunting

2010-08-31T20:28:00.002-06:00

After weekly practice (sporting clays) Cody and I are at the camper in Nebraska.

We are going to a new spot for Doves tomorrow.

The last 2 weeks we have done some scouting and found a couple of spots where we have found Pheasants in past seasons..

Another installment in preparing for hunting

2010-07-08T16:14:00.003-06:00

Libby, Cody and I, left this morning and traveled to Bennett Colorado to do some shooting practice and, let the real hunters play in the tall grass.

Everything went well and was enjoyed by all of us.

The weather has been rainy the last couple of days, so I thought twice about taking the dogs, But, I changed my mind and took them anyway.
When we got there it was only partly cloudy there, so it all worked out.

I follow a rv blog, called goin' RV boondocking.
Brian had a very good post yesterday and I would like to share it ...

Hes is going full-time Rving and sums up what I would like to do the older I get...

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

We're Comin' down to the wire... and The Leaving.

Thursday or Friday we pull out. I'm not planning on goin' very far, day one... or even day two!

I AM planning on getting the chains and tentacles of a cancerous system expelled from my Cowboy Brainpan in a rushin' hurry!

The biggest anchor, draggin' us back... draggin' me back... is worryin'...

Reading Box Canyon Blogger the other day, lit up a bell in my head... uh ... rang a light... uh ... Aw hell, ya'll
know what I mean...

Mark told of seein' a raggedy ass Ol' motorhome, smokin' and swayin' and waddling down the road... The kind of a rig most of us are CONDITIONED to be embarrassed to own or drive...

... and the "Light" came on, 'cause I've had thoughts like that... 'bout our current truck... and the wear and tear on our Ol' Jayco... and the punishment of the last few years...

When Mark told of passing 'em... and seein' the Old Couple inside, laughin' an' LIVIN' on the seat of that Old Rig... Bong! went the thought!

It ain't about the "STUFF"... I've said it often enough. Maybe I don't pay enough attention to my own words... hmmm... seems I've said That too! :o)

It Ain't about the "STUFF".

It's About LIVING!

So... Worryin' is the tool this soul crushing system uses as its' biggest weapon to prevent Freedom Lovin' Folks from escaping from its grasping, decieving ways.

Worry 'bout the bills, worryin' 'bout our possessions... worry about what "Other" people think... Worry 'bout "Being useful"... yadda yadda yadda... makes me sick... literally.

They got us all worryin' so much... that they even found a way to sell us pills to make all the damn "Worrying"... Hurt less!

'course... all that worryin' and all the things it leads us into... is how that nasty Ol' beast makes its nickle from
us... The 'Beast' creates the problem... and then sells us the remedy!...

When all that is really required... is to develope our "Vision"... If we can learn to see the "Problems" the Beast creates, for the sole purpose of its own profit... we can simply... Not Participate in the Scheme! and walk away from the "problem"... in the first place. :o)

So... THAT... is gettin' left behind... as quick as I can find all its bits and pieces... and carve 'em out of my hide and my thinkin'.

... These first few weeks of wandering... broke and wondering... we'll be cutting loose even more "Used to be Necessities"...

... and holding on to ONLY what are TRULY... requirements for Our life...

... like pants... NOBODY wants to see my Lily white 'appendages'... out in broad daylight... that's just more Freedom than even the toughest of you are likely to be needful of!

Take Good Care
Brian

Till next time
Kirk

2010-07-04T12:24:00.005-06:00

Celebrating the 234th. Birthday of America

Our Susan B Anthony flag and old time bunting display

It is 9:30am the temperature is 64deg. Nice break from our heat lately, many days in the mid 90's

I hope we can outlast the communists, among us.

Can you say " I can see November from my house"

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Our First day of preparing to go hunting

2010-07-01T13:38:00.004-06:00

Libby Cody and I traveled this morning to Kiowa Creek shooting and hunting lodge to start getting better at shooting the shotgun, and the dogs doing some field work, and start getting into hunting shape. Slowly..

A very nice day

Contract from the American People

2010-05-08T20:58:00.002-06:00

Check it out (click on picture)
I do not have time to go to
Tea Party stuff

Hope this will help

2010-04-26T08:14:00.001-06:00

I am a: Glock Model 22 in 40 cal

What kind of handgun are YOU?

Rocky Mountain Oysters

2010-03-17T22:52:00.006-06:00

After work today the folks next to us informed me of a hole in a wall restaurant that has all you can eat nuts on Wednesdays,

I accepted the invitation and they are very good...

There main claim to fame is hot wings, they have a hall of fame board of anyone who can eat their hottest wings, 12 wings in 6 minutes.

Mark ( the Mexican) wanted to know hot hot the sauce is,.. so the put a little in a tray and had us sample it .. it is VERY hot, heavy on vinegar and habinaro peppers. I took a little from the fork and mixed it with the dipping sauce for the nuts and was pretty good..

Photo of Rusty molesting the chicken in the dining room

Snow-birding Yuma

2010-02-03T22:12:00.007-07:00

Found a cool restaurant and popular in Yuma this week, It is called Lutes Casino. Not a casino but a bar and grill very popular .

Ordered a burrito and it was very good.

During the lunch time they have live piano playing on an old piano
Youtube link

a taste of the noise and all of the stuff everywhere you-tube

The quality is a little poor, I took the video and pics with my cell phone :)

day 2 Yuma

2010-01-22T19:15:00.002-07:00

Weather report for our spot in the southwest.

The weather was going nuts yesterday, many places flooding around us , we had heavy rain, and it was pretty windy , my maximum wind speed on the mini weather station was 39.3 mph., the wind charger was going nuts. ( but not as bad as the time in Cody Wyoming)
..

We had enough water slowing past the trailer that I decided to fill my water tank with rain water.

I have on-board a pond pump and wanted to try it out, I hooked up hoses to the pump, and added a filter, used the inverter from the suburban, dug a small hole next to the trailer and pumped rain water into the fresh water holding tank, it took about 20 minutes but, it did fill the tank, worked great.

I now know the system will work in a pinch if needed in the future.

This morning I used some of that same water to take a shower, it was good....

The forecast for today from the weather guru's was to be cloudy and windy.

Well, the forcasters in this area are not too accurate, it was sunny and small wind 10 mph or less.

As for other RV'ers the rain showed some newly discovered water leaks, so a trip to the RV supply house was in order to purchase sealant to stop leaks, they said they were selling alot of it.

later.......

In Yuma Arizona

2010-01-20T19:05:00.002-07:00

After studying the weather for the southwest I decided we ( the trailer, suburban, and gadgets) needed to get to Yuma Az quickly to avoid the high winds forecast.

Last night I slept until 2:30 am and started the trip again, by the time I arrived at LasVegas NM, it was very windy and I was very sleepy.
I stopped at a Wal-Mart and crawled back into the trailer and fell asleep, 3 hours later I awoke.
The windy weather had passed and I continued on my trip.
The remainder of the trip was mostly sunny and windy at times, but dry.
About 5:30pm this afternoon I arrived at the destination.
Sleepy Hollow RV park on an Indian Reservation.

Met Art and Jim and had a couple of beers and now need to recoup..

tomorrow's forcast:
Showers. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Very windy. Highs near 66. South wind 20 to 30 mph in the morning... becoming 25 to 40 mph in the afternoon. Gusts to 40 mph in the morning...becoming 55 mph in the afternoon. Chance of measurable rain 90 percent.

later

The snowbird adventure of 2010 has begun

2010-01-19T20:27:00.003-07:00

I had planned to leave for Yuma yesterday. But, while getting ready I checked the tire pressure on the trailer tires, the right rear tire was low on air (gauge showed only 15 lbs).

I I started up the air compressor and filled the tire after filling the tire, I noticed air leaking from the valve stem. After bending the stem air was leaking from the rubber stem, it was badly weather checked, I had no choice but to remove the tire and have the stem replaced, I removed all of the tires and took them to Big O tires and had new stems installed.

No need to have flats or torn up tires on a 2000 mile trip.

The trip was delayed one day...

It's Tuesday and I left a 9am and have made it to Albuquerque NM.

I received a couple calls from Dee and a friend asking about the weather, they had heard reports of a winter storm warning. In many places it was sunny But, very windy, going through Santa Fe there was about 4 inches of snow on the grass.

The roads were dry and at times wet , still very windy.

So, I am at the San Filipe Hollywood Casino, they have a very nice lot set up for RV'ers, with electrical hookups, ( for a $15.00 fee) very flat gravel, and a fuel station with non-tax fuel :)

Edit: I forgot to mention that this casino has free wifi and it works very good, using it to post the blog

Later

Last hunting trip of the season

2010-01-04T08:31:00.002-07:00

We left the trailer in our spot in Nebraska on the last trip, so on Wed. of last week the dogs and I traveled back out for another hunting excursion,

I was watching the weather reports and the temps were not predicted to be too bad.

We started hunting on Thursday, We finally bagged a wild turkey, but, only one pheasant, the pheasants are extremely difficult to get close enough to get a shot at now. The temps were in the 40's not bad.

We celebrated new years eve with local friends. The same folks in the cooking contest, in Atwood Ks.

We hunted on new years day for about a half day.

The following morning we hunted for about another half day. no success on getting close enough for a shot even with the dogs

Saturday Morning we woke up to 15 deg. temps , decided to return home with the trailer.

Sunday,
we invited Chris and Ash ( and Ash's extended family) to try out the wild turkey, it was decided to fry the turkey in peanut oil to see how it would taste.

Frying of the turkey went without a hitch (no fire)

The turkey turned out to be very moist and tasty..

The next 2 weeks will be used to prepare for the next trip to the southwest for some "snowbird" time ...

2009-12-25T09:45:00.002-07:00

Merry Christmas Everyone

A few video's and pictures of the grand-kids....

Mid December Pheasant Hunt

2009-12-20T14:50:00.004-07:00

After waiting for the weather to warm up, we left for our favorite hunting spots last Wednesday and set up the trailer

We started hunting on Thursday morning with the temps in the 30's

Hunted all day, training Cody is coming along, takes a little longer with wild birds but, much more enjoyable.

We hunted some spots that we have not been to for a few years, some of our favorite spots from last year had heavy hail last summer so we are expanding our hunting areas ...

Some farmers are still harvesting corn, when we did find birds in the afternoon, they were bunched up... It is fun to see over 20 to 30 birds get up even though they get up early.

Gary got the first bird at one of our favorite spots, we approached a thick weed patch, each of us on oppisite sides, the dogs checked the patch, did not pick up any scent, we stood there for what seemed like five minutes, all of the sudden a rooster flew up right in front of Gary, Got him..

Later in the afternoon we came upon a new spot between two circles, pheasants were flying wild by the road, farmers were combining in a field across the road, we decided to walk the patch and birds were flushing wild ahead of us about 100 yards.

We continued to the end, and there was one lone remaining rooster that got up about 40 yards ahead me, I pulled up the 'ol 20 gauge, lead him by about 2 ft and nailed him.

We only bagged 2 birds. But, I was a very enjoyable day.

On Friday,

Gary had to leave early.
We hunted a large farm and Gary bagged one rooster that came out of thick CRP grass.

At noon I cleaned the bird from the morning,

Took a nap

left the trailer for some more hunting, it was getting pretty windy.

I stopped at a circle corner, started to walk on the downwind side of the trees, the dogs were going a good job checking the trees and the tall grass between the trees and the picked corn field.

A rooster got up early about 60 yards ahead, Libby worked to the edge of the grass and 3 roosters got up. I pulled up on the second one and hit him, Libby was right on him..

Later in the afternoon a saw a rooster in the ditch whole cruising past a spot. I stopped, walked in tall grass and about 25 birds got up, I shot at one. and did not hit him very hard, he did drop down in the thick grass that is about 4 ft tall.
Libby took a wide area looking and was moving fast, Cody, got in front of me and started working slowly side to side, aproaching the edge of the grass Cody stopped and pounced, and then pointed, I started to dig in the grass and found the wounded bird..

I love finding downed bird with the dogs :)

Libby & Cody on the ride home
(Libby tries to sleep with her head up)

Pretty good picture going 75 mph

led lamp project

2009-11-29T22:49:00.003-07:00

Caught a cold today and did a little project

Changed out our old lamp that used a 120 volt light to a new fixture that uses 12 volt and 1.5 watt led

more information at our roosterpheasant.com site

...

A little more about a broken suburban

2009-11-27T21:30:00.014-07:00

During the trip back to Waunetta from the Chevy dealer in Imperial, the suburban began running very poorly, only able to get to 40 mph top speed.

I was able to get back to the camper and decided that is was no longer an option to try and get back to Colorado and repair the fuel pump..

Harchelroad Motors has a branch shop in Waunetta, after trying to find a fuel pump for a 8.1 liter suburban. (It is impossible) I contacted the dealer in Colorado ( I had previously purchased a new fuel pump last summer). and they were able to get another pump from the warehouse in Denver.

The Colorado dealer was able to overnight the new pump to the Waunetta dealer and the pump arrived the next day at 10:30am.

I dropped off the suburban to the dealer at 11 am.

Photo of dealer

suburban on the lift,
to remove the fuel tank
and replace fuel pump

The defective pump was boxed up, and will be returned to the Colorado dealer.

The pump has a 12 month factory warranty

After installing the new pump, we ( Libby, Cody & I) decided we needed to test drive the suburban to make sure it was ok.

We drove around to couple of our favorite hunting spots the check on birds. Everything was good.

It is harvest time, after a wet early fall the corn harvest is in full swing. Photo of a pile of corn by the elevator.

We decided to not drive back after dark (too many deer)

An invitation to the Goodtimes Bar was full of fun and laughs.

enjoying the evening Jeff,Billy. Ed, Becky

Our waitress (smiley)

All of the girls posed for a "smiley" picture

One of my favorite pictures of a Brittany hunting dog

Becky having a good time....

Lots going on this week

2009-11-24T12:02:00.005-07:00

for the last week the suburban has been acting up a little.
It would loose power intermittently, and recover, I changed the fuel filter, (still the same),
checked the evaporation system on the fuel tank (It is Ok)
It had not acted up for 2 weeks, so, we decided to go hunting in Nebraska for a couple of days before Thanksgiving.

We have come back to the little house and set up, during the trip the suburban had a couple hickups, nothing bad.

Went turkey hunting on Monday morning and the turkeys saw me move ( I need to get under better cover) no bird..

Decided to take the suburban to the local Chevy dealer in Imperial Ne. we discussed the issues with the suburban and made an appointment for Tuesday at 9 am.

This dealership had burnt down last month and they have moved across the street to a building they had been building to house new cars.

Tuesday AM...

Received a call from Gary and he had to leave early and go back to Denver, his wife was taken to a hospital overnight..

Went to Harchelroad Motors in Imperial, Eddie the mechanic hooked up the tech 2 scanner to the suburban and tested all of the sensors and electrical systems, (the only out of normal reading was the oxygen sensor reading showing a lean condition). We then next installed a fuel pressure gauge and test drove the suburban, found the fuel pump, ( which was replaced last summer) is not supplying constant fuel pressure.

Paid the bill for diagnosis, (Only $25.00 wow )

On the way back to the trailer the pump is about to go out, top speed is 40 mph.

Now, I have made arrangements with the GM dealer in Colorado, to send a new pump to Nebraska overnight.

We now have power for the
camper in our favorite spot for hunting

The city cut down a cottonwood tree
to keep it from pulling down power lines

Pretty big tree

Trip two pheasant hunting

2009-11-09T09:14:00.001-07:00

Camp spot for our Nebraska hunting adventures..

Hunted for two days, encountered some birds but,( knocked one down), the dogs could not find him in the very thick CRP grass, all others were, very spooky.
No corn has been harvested making finding birds difficult, we will return after harvest and hunt again..

Opening day of Pheasasnt Season

2009-11-06T18:33:00.001-07:00

On Oct 30th.
After waiting for interstate 76 to open after the blizzard on Friday

After about 9:30 am the interstate was opened from Denver to Nebraska

Libby, Cody and I left for the southwest area of Nebraska, with the camper in tow and anticipating a slow drive.

We drove the whole route, only to find just wet and dry roads, the trip was uneventful (thank goodness)

We are set up at a new spot for hunting from, I will post a picture latter.

With the very wet roads, we managed to get around, (only sliding into the ditch once) a total of 10 pheasants were harvested despite standing crops, very good opening weekend..

Cody trying to sit on friend Gary's lap about to fall off

Couple of tired dogs laying next to the wood stove, staying warm

Libby relaxing next to the fire

Abandoned place typical of our hunting spots

First major snow

2009-10-29T10:04:00.000-06:00

Cody's first major snow

The Store is Closed for weather reasons. Soooo I have decided to work on the suburban replacing rear axle seals, all of the brake pads, and replacing the front rotors

There are advantages of having a store away from the house, we now can have our vehicles inside in inclimate weather and work on them.

Below is a picture of the Pontiac inside for the first time of its life

The area in this picture "was" the sales and showroom in the last 9 years.

Even though I have alot of stuff around while working on the Suburban this picture is for Brad in Arkansas Enjoy!

Elk Hunting 09

2009-10-23T09:39:00.000-06:00

Have spent the last week
Elk Hunting in the Colorado Mountains near Fairplay (Jefferson)

A few pictures of early mornings waiting for some elk action

Last morning early picture after a previous day snow, notice the fog laying in the mountain valley on the upper left of the picture, before sunrise

Grandkids trying out Halloween costumes

2009-10-15T20:46:00.001-06:00

Tnkerbell & a kitty

Travel back to Colorado

2009-10-11T18:38:00.001-06:00

We are currently parked in North Platte, Ne (at wal-mart lot) due to freezing mist and light rain.

We stopped in time to watch the last quarter of the Denver Bronco's game and watch the overtime win.. Both the Broncos and the Vikings have unbeaten records so far, kinda cool (My two favorite football teams)

Now watching the Minnesota Twins vs the Yankee's

Waiting for the Rockies ice-ball. baseball game.( DirectTv & modern RV's are wonderful things)

Our parking spot

A little snow here

In Mason City

2009-10-08T08:49:00.000-06:00

We are in Mason City Ia, tending to family matters.

Camped in a remodeled campground on the east side of town near the Winnebago River, Very nice place called Margret McNider camp ground..

No MLB baseball on serius radio

2009-10-03T22:34:00.001-06:00

The Rockies will play tomorrow at 2pm, I have checked the schedule and there is no satellite radio broadcast.

Our back up plan is to use the Verizon air card in the suburban and using the laptop computer, we will attempt to pull up the Denver radio station for the local broadcast. and listen on the internet.

Traveling to North Central Iowa

2009-10-03T22:15:00.000-06:00

Left Brighton about 2:30 this afternoon, currently parked at Wal-Mart in Lexington Ne.watching Rockies baseball.

How do we watch baseball in a parking lot?

We have direct tv, 4 six volt batteries, an inverter that changes 12 volt battery power to 120 volt household current... It is awesome

This weeks highlights

2009-10-02T10:17:00.000-06:00

Monday,
We had a visit from friends from Canada (Dave & Pat), they are traveling in the US for a while this fall in the western part of the country. We met them In Yuma, Az. last winter staying out of the winter weather for the month of February.
We had a very nice visit, telling stories, and of mechanical RV repairs.

Wednesday,
Came home from the store, and the direct tv did not work, called the company, it was determined that the tuner is bad, a new one has been sent, have not received it yet so far, but I took the one we use in the outdoor gazebo, and hooked it up, as a backup..

Thursday,
Watched the Colorado Rockies win the wildcard spot in the playoffs.
Since our political climate is in the shitter, I decided this year to watch more sports (as a diversion) It has helped, I watched too much television news anyway.. Go Rockies... It's Rocktober.....

Today,
We have changed our store hours of operation for the winter months. we are now open from 10am to 4pm during the week and open 10am to 2pm on Saturdays and Closed on Sundays...

We had a good freeze overnight last night good news for allergies, for both me and Libby, the flies should be toast..

Smokin' on the Beaver

2009-09-28T19:07:00.000-06:00

Good friend Jeff, in Waunetta, Ne extended an invitation to attend a BBQ competition in Atwood KS. last Friday, & Saturday.

Grilling, smoking... of course I will go !

Sign that greets everyone
(Click On Pics to enlarge)

There were venders with pellet feeding smokers and digital timers, and thermometers

Checking out the friendly competition

Smokers of all shapes and sizes (I like this one because of the pheasants)

Photo of one to look like a full size helicopter
(this fella is the one who started this event 7 years ago)
and also was giving out samples of BBQ alligator tail .. Good..

This is his sign

some signs of participants

BBQ Boys

John Deere or Harley ?

Old scooter, not a Cushman

Our neighbors had a big dog he had to weigh about 100 pounds

Billy & Jeff the ones who invited us (Thank You)

Ed and Becky Cutting the brisket that we cooked for 20 hours on low heat, even using the stove in the camper to cook while we slept.

Not bad

Photo of Becky after turning in the meat and beans to be judged, time to relax, listen to the live bands, or watch Colorado Rockies Baseball, and visit with other folks.

I took Cody with me to keep an eye on him after the de-con episode, he did very good and I had a super good time.

Trip to the Vet

2009-09-24T20:02:00.000-06:00

Late this afternoon, I had Cody on a long rope and he was able to get over to the next business, with a open back door.
He was messing around the overhead door rail, checked on him and discovered he was eating de-con rat poison.

Made a mad frantic rush to the vet office, they induced vomiting, fed him charcoal (to absorb any left over poison) and gave us vitamin K pills. He needs to take 2 pills per day for 6 weeks. And then have his blood checked for good clotting.

He seems to be ok, I will keep a close watch on him for awhile.

MAN -O- MAN are puppies alot of work and worry..

Weather service inaccurate forcasting

2009-09-23T09:38:00.000-06:00

So, if the global warming zelots are so confident about their predictions. Why can't they correctly predict a snow storm Hummmm.

today from the weather service:
Meteorologist Crystal Egger - Wednesday Morning

An eastward shift in our storm means we will NOT see heavy snow in the mountains and foothills today. In fact, all Warnings & Advisories have been cancelled for these areas.

No wonder over 70% of the population does not believe the government..!

Winter weather

2009-09-22T16:10:00.000-06:00

Yes, snow is in the forecast already my friends, but most of you don't have to worry about it. The snow is happening where winter always comes early, in the high mountains of the West. The Colorado Rockies will get the brunt of this winterlike storm with 6-12 inches of snow expected above 6,500 feet. Even the foothills just west of Denver will pick up some snow late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. There will be a mix of rain and snow in Denver itself and nearby localities.

The early season snowfall is being caused by a cold core low pressure system centered over the western Plains. Because the coldest air is always aloft with these disturbances, higher elevations get the snow while lower elevations do not.

Soooo much for global warming !!!

Cold and windy day

2009-09-21T14:07:00.000-06:00

Woke up to rain, we have had 1/4 inch so far, temperature of 38deg.

Pheasant Season is only 5 weeks away, time to start getting familiar with the shock/beeper collar, especially the sound of the beeper.

A day for football

2009-09-20T09:48:00.002-06:00

Sunday,
a day for football, and working at the store and web site..

Sale at the Pond Store today

2009-09-18T09:38:00.001-06:00

we are having a 25%off sale this weekend

Showroom

Check Out

Flower and Veggie seeds

More preperation for bird hunting

2009-09-17T16:19:00.000-06:00

Cody and I traveled to Bennett Colorado, (which we try to do once per week when not traveling).

Took Cody to the training field with lots of diverse cover and had him search for birds and get accustomed to the commands of whoa and come, it is starting to make sense to him, also to become familiar with cactus and various weeds and hazards we encounter in this part of the country.

Training continues

2009-09-16T09:44:00.000-06:00

Cody is growing and growing, he is a little taller than Libby now, and his color is changing.

Back Home

2009-09-14T22:21:00.000-06:00

Saturday evening was quite rainy, enjoyed watching baseball games, and enjoying an episode of Deadwood, low temp overnight was 34 deg. the furnace worked very well.

After de-constructing the camp, returned home Sunday afternoon, a pretty uneventful trip traffic wise, the aspen trees are turning on the higher mountain sides making for a very enjoyable ride.

More Goats

2009-09-12T00:04:00.001-06:00

Lighted trees at camp

You tube video of trees

Campers on our side of the meadow

Goats Thurs

2009-09-11T15:33:00.000-06:00

Fred giving Rob some hair

Did a little fishing this morning

Goats 09 day 1

2009-09-09T23:23:00.001-06:00

Left the Denver area about 9am on tues

Truck and camper ready to go with the Goat sign on the door

Setting up Goat camp with son Chris, his father and brother in-laws, Bob (father) Rob (brother) and grandfather Jim (who I winter with in Yuma Az )

Rob is wiring up the palm trees, Chris is installing the 4 - 6 volt batteries and 1000 watt inverter..

Camp set up at night

Haven't figured out how to take a digital picture without the flash, in a couple of days I will make a video that will show the lights better (battery went dead on the camera.. need to find charger.

Preparing

2009-09-07T08:57:00.002-06:00

The hunting dogs and I prepare for future trips around the west and Midwest every fall and winter.

We as a family prepare in the spring and summer for the coming fall and winter , since we are a seasonal business.

With the political climate changing, now I have decided to prepare for the unexpected.

During the late summer I attended classes for defensive firearms training, the class runs for 1 full day starting at 7:45am till 7pm. (well worth your time) for anyone considering checking out a program like this one, here is their web site Profireusa

Restocking and preparing for the next trip

2009-09-05T22:38:00.005-06:00

After cleaning out the suburban, I am preparing for our next adventure, In Salida, Colorado.

Plans are to, prepare a pheasant bbq feast for folks, Recieved the BEST Itilian sausages, and brats known to man from the Brat house in Aurora Co. from chef Rick.

I am also going to prepare the doves we acquired (on the trip to Nebraska), the same way we do the pheasants, to compare the taste between the two.

Back from dove hunting

2009-09-04T18:18:00.002-06:00

interesting series of events for this opening day of dove season.
1st. traveled on Sunday taking a alternate route to see what it is like, take about 2 hours more to get to Cabala's in Sidney Ne. ( but what the hey, I am not in a hurry )

Headed out to southwest Ne. for the final destination to shoot doves, got word in route that I needed to return to home base and fill 2 large orders ( for our company).

So, went ahead and delivered the camper to the hunting spot and dropped the trailer, returned to home base to go back to work, worked till 10 pm. then got some sleep.

Arose the next morning, Tues. actual opening day of dove shooting, finished up work and left for the dove shooting area at about 2pm.

During the return trip to the camper, received word from brother of the farmer, where the camper is parked, that the land is rented to another party and they do not want us there, even after acquiring permission from the land owner.

Sooooo, we returned to Waunetta, dropped by the place another farmer friend, informed him of our situation, he offered a place for shooting doves after playing a couple games of "pitch" ( I know nothing about the game of pitch and still won the first game) beginners luck !

Another friend, Jeff offered to have us park the camper at his place ( same fella that has us stay during pheasant season).

So, on the second day of dove season, we journey out to the hunting spot.

Not alot of doves, but, got some shooting in, I had taken Cody with me on the trip, I got him from the truck and introduced him to the scent of dove, and had him try and locate a downed dead bird in grass cover, after about 5 minutes, he found the bird, not bad for a 8 month old. Hunted 'till 10 am. and called it a day.

Wed. the third day of dove shooting, we returned to the hunting spot and used our dove decoys (forgot them in the trailer the previous day). had many more doves to shoot at and bagged about 10 birds, had Cody find 2 more downed birds and left him out while firing the shotguns, he enjoys the sound of the guns. ( a very good development ) .

Friday came and we packed up and traveled back home to re-supply, rest and prepare for next week to attend the WADI, a gathering of the International Order of the Rock Mountain Goats.

Leaving Tues and hope to stay in the rocky mountains for 6 days..

untill then ??

Dove Hunting is upon us FINALLY

2009-08-30T21:05:00.011-06:00

Cody and I are at Cabela's parking lot, heading to our favorite abandoned farm stead for some training and Dove shooting..

This pic is of a unit from Texas in Cabelas parking lot, I think it may be overloaded ? He must like fishing !

Some spring and summer pictures

Picture of our storefront along Interstate 25 north of Denver.

Picture of Libby and Cody in early spring, he is still pretty little

After the store move we had a big surprise 2 grand daughters appeared after 4 years missing (long story)

Sierra playing fetch with Cody

she is 4 years old now

Sienna, now 1 year old

Also went fishing in the mountains this summer, with friends Rusty and Marion

Our Camp on forest service land, around the Yampa Valley, this spot is above the Yampcolo lake.

Going shopping for some hunting supplies tomorrow, and will go and see our friends in Waunetta Ne. area..

A summer of many CHANGES

2009-08-21T11:32:00.002-06:00

I have very bad about posting here of the things going on this year, I hope to keep a more up to date log in the future.

Things are slowing down now and I will have time to bring things up to date including video's and pictures

Sorry

Cody the climber

2009-04-12T20:32:00.003-06:00

We left the room for just a minute and could not find Cody.

Searching... then found him up on the table, he had crawled up the fencing and over the top and on the table scattering the small wild turkey figurines, and was stuck with nowhere to go..

Lots of changes happening

2009-04-11T08:12:00.003-06:00

Our new addition to the family, I traveled to South Dakota on a very fast trip to pickup our new addititon to the hunting family "Cody" a male tri-color Brittany pup that was ordered last winter. He is 8 weeks old in this picture. ALL puppy

Pheasants Forever

2009-03-05T16:40:00.007-07:00

Preparing for the trip to Nebraska for a Pheasants forever banquet to support the area we hunt in most of the time.

Leaving, Friday afternoon to set up the trailer in our favorite place (Jeff's Place)

I called the folks in Armour, South Dakota (we ordered another Brit hunting dog from them)
Our new hunting partner "Cody" a male tri-color french brit was born on Feb 9th. and will be ready to be picked up on the 28th of March.

Anyway, a Cody picture should be here soon and we will post it here.

Please Support the NRA

2009-02-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

Arizona winter cottage

A trip into Mexico

2009-02-13T22:22:00.005-07:00

In a beer garden at a Mexican restaurant, the story goes there were 2 seperate crews working from each side of the building to meet at the center.

It's obvious someone was a little off, when they got close they just stopped and quit.

Picture from our table

Picture taken a couple days ago, of a brand new Indian Casino built within 1/4 mile of the campground.

The casino opened today and the traffic was terrible, they had 2 cops directing traffic, and back ups on the interstate were about 2 miles long.

For the grand opening they had 10 sky divers dressed as Elvis's land in the parking lot at about 6pm.

Spending time in Yuma Arizona

2009-02-12T11:32:00.002-07:00

Left after the super bowl and traveled to Yuma Az, Camped within 650 ft of the Mexican border.

Working on building new web sites with new software (trying to learn a new way)

Fellow from Montana, turned his pickup into a power plant, using solar, and wind.

The wind charger is using 2 ac delco alternators back to back and some bolted together blades I am not sure how well this works as the alternators need to turn at a pretty high rate to do any charging. Unless the alternators are modified as permanent magnet generators.

Interesting non the less

Rogers Arkansas ice storm

2009-01-30T10:57:00.010-07:00

Pictures from Brad in Rogers Arkansas, so far no power since Monday the 26th
So far no trees have hit or damaged the houses, there will be lots of firewood.

Gas station near Brad

Junior's house

Junior's looking from the driveway

Brad's front yard looking from the garage

Brad's from driveway

Looking from the back porch

Return from Nebraska trip

2009-01-05T16:48:00.003-07:00

Returned from Neb on Jan 4th.

Couple of hero shots

Couple of pheasants for the freezer

Libby, checking out her handy work

Shot of our rv site in Neb

Mid Season Pheasant hunting

2008-12-27T19:50:00.003-07:00

Gary Libby and I started hunting about 9am, by noon, with the expert help of Libby the wonder dog we had 6 Pheasants

Weather was 30 degrees, winds about 20 -25 mph out of the west north-west

Most of the pheasants were setting tight, Scenting conditions were very good, we had some very good points.

Starting our 2 week pheasant hunting adventure

2008-11-12T22:15:00.007-07:00

Left Colorado Monday afternoon with sunny skies, by the time Libby and I got to Holyoke Co we were in a snowstorm

Picture of the following morning about 4 - 5 inches of new snow

Went hunting Tuesday in lots of mud

We were the only ones on the road, you can tell by the ruts we left in the muddy roads, top speed 15 mph

One pheasant - one prairie chicken

day two .. more mud

We decided to hunt 'till noon (could not take another whole day of driving in the mud

One Pheasant early in the morning, Libby did a great job !

Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive

Packed up and left Waunetta about 1:30 started out of Iowa

We are currently parked in Council Bluffs where there is a casino,

To our surprise there is a new Bass Pro store here we are parked close to their parking lot.

Will rest here for the night, continue on tomorrow.

Busy month of November .. haha

2008-11-08T07:04:00.003-07:00

Preparing for many trips this month,

Beginning Monday going to Nebraska for some more Pheasant Hunting

Going to Iowa for pheasant hunting

Going to South Dakota for pheasant hunting and possibly arranging for another hunting dog

Going to Arkansas and Tennessee for thanksgiving.

Well will keep you posted on the events..

Opening weekend Nebraska Pheasant Season

2008-10-26T20:40:00.002-06:00

Libby and I left Friday and traveled to Waunetta and attended the "smoker" and Saturday began hunting pheasants.

This area has had about 7 inches of rain in the last few days, we found the roads very muddy and virtually no corn harvested, We hunted all day with only one bird harvested,

Sunday, we had better luck finding birds, but it is sooo windy ( about 30 -40 mph) it was very hard to catch up to with them, I did manage to harvest one bird with the help of Libby.

Tomorrow, Monday we are planning to try our luck at wild turkeys again..

Sorry, no pictures slow internet...