Monday, September 27, 2021

I've Got A Sense Of Humor Too

From my Cousin. 



Jane and Arlene are outside their nursing home, having a drink and a smoke, when it starts to rain. Jane pulls out a condom, cuts off the end, puts it over her cigarette, and continues smoking.
Arlene: What in the hell is that?
Jane: A condom. This way my cigarette doesn't get wet.
Arlene: Where did you get it?
Jane: You can get them at any pharmacy.
The next day, Arlene hobbles herself into the local pharmacy and
announces to the pharmacist that she wants a box of condoms.
The pharmacist, obviously embarrassed, looks at her kind of strangely (she is, after all, over 80 years of age), but very delicately asks what size, texture, brand of condom she prefers.
'Doesn't matter Sonny, as long as it fits on a Camel.'
The pharmacist fainted!

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Disaster Movies Always Start With Government Ignoring Scientists

I try to stay away from ruffling feathers, but the time comes when I have to express my First Amendment Rights, besides this is my blog and I can say what I want. 

This morning I read an article on NBC.com. It was about the (and I won't mention names) the Governor of Florida. I quote from that article (well almost):

The Governor of Florida has also blamed President Joe Biden for the fact that Covid-19 still hasn’t been contained. "You know, he said he was going to end Covid. He hasn’t done that, The Governor said in August. "At the end of the day, he is trying to find a way to distract from the failures of his presidency." That is a line of bullshit if I've ever heard one. 

On Tuesday, the Florida Republican Governor named Dr. Joseph Ladapo the state’s next surgeon general. Lapado shuns mask and vaccine mandates while pushing unproven treatments popular with the far right, like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.

Here we have a doctor (MD & PHD) directing the State of Florida in an unproven direction while scientists like Dr. Anthony Fauci (OMRI an American physician-scientist and immunologist serving as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and Dr. Rochelle Walensky (Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.) continue to tell the public that being vaccinated, wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing is the way to eliminate Covid 19. 

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?    

Another quote from that article (almost): 

Across the country, Republican leaders seem increasingly comfortable amplifying anti-vaccine rhetoric and conspiracies while banning mask and vaccine requirements, even though unvaccinated people are causing the virus to spread and increasing the likelihood of more coronavirus variants.

4 days ago the Smithsonian Magazine said that unvaccinated individuals are 11 times more likely to die from Covid 19. On the other side, those vaccinated are 5 times less likely to get infected and 10 times less likely to be hospitalized due to complications of the virus. 

Stop listening to this conspiracy bullshit and get vaccinated. 

In the last 3 days, 6,226 people in the United States have died of Covid 19. That's 2075 people a day. 2075 people a day.

I don't understand. Somebody, PLEASE tell what is wrong with these people. 

Sunday, September 19, 2021

Boy, That Was Fun

 Westport RV Park, Westport, California.

We checked out Google Maps to find the best way to here. The one we know is along Highway 20 from Williams, past Upper Lake (you know we love this place), over to Highway 101 and then North to Highway 20 and across to Highway 1 at Fort Bragg. 

What Google doesn't tell you is that span of road (Highway 101 to Highway 1) is 35 miles of switchbacks and stomach upsetting ups and downs. Add to that pulling a 27 foot trailer and boy, was that fun. 

Then add to that another 16 miles of Highway 1 switchbacks and ups and downs and by the time we got to the RV park, both of us were worn out. 

Then mere feet from check-in, I got one of those lovely thigh cramps (probably from driving so long). So I'm parked in the middle of the road, using 4 letter words and trying to work out the cramp. 

OK, stopped swearing and got to check-in. Was assigned space 106. 

From their website "Here you will find beach-side camping in the sand, on grassy sites and along the creek."

First picture: That look like a grassy site? "Does that look like beach side." No creek in sight in fact never did see the creek.


Second picture: Notice how close the other camper is on the right side of the picture. They left the next morning and the new motorhome was less than 3 feet from our slideout. Now I know how a sardine feels.


Third picture: Still haven't found any grass. 


From their day use (about 1/4 mile from our spot). 






There was no way I could have negotiated ankle deep sand from the Day Use area to the water. I did bring a fishing pole.   

Looking back toward the "beach sites" (at another $10.00 per day and can't be booked online). Looked like a homeless camp to me. 



Oh, did I mention that this little piece of "heaven" is in a Tsunami zone? I would never expect one, but you never know. 

At this point, we're ready to go home and it's just the first day. We would never have been able to do the drive back so we rested the rest of Thursday and Friday with the idea of bailing on Saturday morning. 

Woke up Saturday morning, ate breakfast, and opened the door to hook up the trailer and it was RAINING! I thought, maybe it was a heavy Marine Layer, but no, it was real rain. Haven't seen any of that in a long time.   


Got the trailer hooked up, wife got everything inside secured, and we left this wonderful RV park about 10:00 am. Decided to go the rest of the way up Highway 1 where it connected to Highway 101 as opposed to returning the way we came. 

Granted it was 28 miles of single lane highway and some curves, but WAY better than the way we came. Did I mention it was raining? Yup, still raining. 

Down Highway 101 to Highway 20 and we were on our way home. It rained all the way until just before Upper Lake, then nothing. 

It was cold, windy, and wet. Boy, was that fun. 

Sure was a fun way to end our 2021 camping year. 

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Another One From My Cousin

 By the way, Gavin Newsom is still our Governor. 



One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he
asked about his bill, and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money
from you, I'm doing community service this week.'
The florist was pleased and left the shop.
When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a
'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill,
the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing
community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop.
The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank
you' card and a dozen doughnuts waiting for him at his door.
Then a Member of Congress came in for a haircut, and when he went to
pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from
you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Member of Congress
was very happy and left the shop.
The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen
Members of Congress lined up waiting for a free haircut.
And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between
the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.
If you don't forward this you have no sense of humour.

Friday, September 10, 2021

To Everyone Anticipating A Possible Civil War

From my own perspective, not having been in the military (not that they didn't try in 1965), I have no interest in going to hell. I know a lot of people who have been there and most of them do not talk about it.  

I have a friend who was one of the last 11 marines off the roof of the American Embassy in Saigon in 1975 and I have to tell you I've seen little things send him right back to hell. 

The United States is in a pile of shit right now and it needs to get straightened out pronto. You don't see this? Here is some places to look: MSN.com, Associated Press, NBC.com, ABC News, CBSNews.com.  

I'm not even going to go into vaccinations. Just looks at the statistics. 


“To everyone anticipating a possible civil war from all sides, let me give you a little bit of advice. "Many of us served and fought in wars. When our time was done, we came back to the USA to start over and live in peace. It wasn’t us who kneeled on the neck of a man until he died. It wasn’t us to retaliate by kneeling on the neck of a toddler saying “BLM NOW mf.”

You see, War is hell. Millions of you do not quite grasp this concept. We have been to hell, lived in hell, climbed out of hell, and don’t want to go back to hell. If you keep trampling on the peace we fought for, earned and love, then when that first shot gets fired, you will force us back to hell; and we will show you the brutal realities of hell.
Y’all better work this shit out before we do, because I guarantee you are not ready for this."

(Copied and shared from a cousin who copied and shared from an Army brother)

Monday, September 6, 2021

No Fire Statistic For This family

Back on the August 26th, I hoped my son's home would survive the Caldor Fire. As of today the fire has burned 216,358 acres. BUT, it's 44% contained and getting better. 

Those in South Lake Tahoe are breathing a sigh of relief. The evacuations have been downgraded and many are returning home. 

Which brings me to my son. He returned home today after being evacuated for something like 3 weeks. Three weeks in his motorhome at a couple local campgrounds. I don't suspect he'll want to be camping any time soon. 

The devastation continues though. Yesterday we had a new fire. It's called the Bridge Fire located near the town of Auburn. It started at the confluence of the North and Middle forks of the American River under the Foresthill Bridge. Some of you might be familiar with this bridge if you're a fan of Vin Diesel and the Fast and Furious movies where the red Corvette was driven off the bridge. That was the Foresthill Bridge. 



It's not unusual for this area to be on fire. Burns about every two years or so. A couple of picture of the fire. 

 



The Dixie Fire is approaching 1 million acres. Currently 910,495 acres with 57% containment. This one is a little harder to handle. Here's some photo's. 




If it's Summer, California is on fire. When we lived upcountry in Volcano, it wasn't a matter of "if", but when. The Caldor Fire caused this area to be on evacuation notice. That means get your vehicle loaded and be prepared to haul ass. 

It's a fact of life, if you live in the US of A that something will affect you. Just take a look at Hurricane Ida. Drowned about half of the country. 

In the East, you have hurricanes. Mid-Westerners have tornado's. West Coast has earthquakes when it's not on fire. Southwest has blasting hot weather and Upper Mid-West you freeze in the winter. 

All that said, I'm extremely happy my son and his family are OK and back in their home.

We're off to a new camping place on the coast mid-next week so if I don't post before...........

Stay Tuned.    

Friday, September 3, 2021

Back From Camping

 My son and daughter-in-law were supposed to go with us to Upper Lake this past week. As I mentioned in the 8/26 post they were evacuated. Well, they are still and unfortunately missed the trip to Upper Lake. Apparently the appeal to go camping isn't there when you've been camping (so to speak) for the last three weeks. That said, looks like their home is going to be OK. Fire (Caldor Fire) hasn't moved toward them for some time even though it's raging Eastward. Currently 212,907 acres with 29% containment. 

Being the good and kindly father I am, we went anyway. Actually it was their decision since their motorhome was crammed with everything you take when evacuating. 

Sunday was the drive up. Only took us 3 1/2 hours (normally 4 1/2) because no usual traffic jam at the airport and no road work to negotiate. I think I've mentioned that California only has two seasons. Winter and road repair. So we got there, set up the trailer, got out our favorite beverage and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon. I give you a Sunday Night sunset for your viewing pleasure. They really do have great sunsets here. 


Monday morning we got out the kayaks and set up the "rack" I use to gracefully get in and out of my kayak. Unfortunately I forgot the spike that holds the "rack" so I had to ratchet strap it to a log laying there. Not quite as stable. Just have to make sure you get the straps in a straight line.  


Spent part of the day paddling around the lake and just getting used to kayaking again. Last time out was June. It got pretty rough with a wind across the lake at about 15. So we just cut it short and called it a day. A Monday night sunset. See what I mean about great sunsets? Every night is like this and I should mention this was taken from the side of our trailer.  


Tuesday dawned a lot calmer so off we went. this time I didn't forget the trolling attachment for the kayak. 1/4 oz. Gold Kastmaster was the lure of the day. Last June I caught one off a certain cabin so I trolled by there again. Sure enough, same spot and I hooked up again.   



Now, the picture below isn't just for a look at my knee, it was the first picture of said fish above. I can't see it, doubt you can. 


I took another. It's hard trying to get your phone out for a picture when the fish is pulling you around in several directions, but I got him this time. 


Turned out it was a nice about 12" Rainbow. Again I couldn't hold him, get the hook out, and get a picture all at the same time so you're just going to have to take my word for the size. After all, I am an honest fisherman. 


Wednesday I didn't catch any from the kayak although I did get one good bump in the same place. Later in the afternoon I soaked a little Rainbow Power Bait off the dock and took a second one, it too about 12". Gave it to the guys next to me. Told him I would back him up if he wanted to say he caught it.  
Since we were going home Thursday, I also got you a Wednesday night sunset.  


If you remember the June magnet fishing incident. You know the dislocated and sprained fingers, I had to "get back on the horse" so to speak, so Wednesday about mid-day I hauled out the magnet fishing bucket. I got the usual nails, screws, hooks, snaps, and an occasional chunk of metal. This time the prize (last time was the top part of a fishing rod) was a "live' 410 shotgun shell. Seems magnet fishing is always an adventure. Still have about half the dock to cover. It will still be there next June when we come back. Besides my daughter-in-law is still a magnet fishing monster. 


That's it for this trip. In a couple weeks we are off for our final trip of the year to a new campground on the coast. 

Stay tuned.