Made It To The Post Office (and Back)

Above, after getting the Jeep out of the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is days like these that I'm glad I got the ol' Jeep!

I drove it down on the slushy roads to the Flying J to go to the post office. Interstate 40 looked nice and clear, but the side roads are still icy and snowy.

Above, on the way to the post office at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Jeep handled the roads just fine with its big tires. I wouldn't drive the Mustang in these road conditions (it is having starting problems anyway).

Above, heading back up my street to the house straight ahead. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The only issue was getting it back into the garage. The garage ramp was covered in snow and the Jeep fishtailed to the side as I was trying to drive it up the ramp. It veered backwards and to the right, almost to the edge. I put it into 4-wheel-drive and it went up the ramp with no problem. Whew!

Actually, the whole trip was fun.

Shoveling Snow

Above, about to shovel snow.

Before the snow (about 3 inches) on the ground turns into ice, I did some shoveling of the walkways. It wasn't too cold for me to be out.

Above, the front porch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The snow was lightly falling while I was out shoveling. Interstate 40 looks like it was moving. Still, I'm glad I'm not driving anywhere on it.

Above, after shoveling the walkway to the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The power keeps flickering on and off, playing havoc with my slow cooker (and everything else). Each time I have to re-set everything. That's country living for you.

Green Chile Stew

Yesterday, while in the supermarket, I spotted this packet on the shelf:

I took a look at it and decided it was worth a try. So now it is cooking in the slow cooker (crock pot for those of you in Rio Linda). Sounds like a good meal on a cold and snowy day.

I'll let you know how it turns out. 

UPDATE:

It came out great! A bit spicy hot, but that's what's called for on this cold and snowy day.

Snow Pix

Now that we have a little bit of sunlight, I took these photos of the yard. 

It appears we have 2" to 3" of snow, and it's sticking. Reports say that nearby Continental Divide has received 3" of snow along Interstate 40.

 

Handling Your Class C RV In The Wind

Above, taking a breather after crossing Wolf Creek Pass. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have driven my Winnebago Class C motorhome through some "white knuckler" wind conditions. The worst I remember was driving through Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado in 2016. 

I almost decided to pull over and wait it out, but I made it. That called for a stop in Pagosa Springs for a nice coffee break.  

The area that seems to have the most windy conditions with powerful gusts is along Interstate 40 in eastern Arizona between the New Mexico border and Flagstaff.

RV Life has posted an article with tips on driving Class C motorhomes in windy conditions.

They begin it with:

Class C motorhomes are great. They allow you complete freedom as you wander the country. They tend to be smaller than their larger class A cousins—meaning they fit in more campsites—and some of the Class C rigs can accommodate as many as ten people. That said, Class Cs do have some drawbacks. One of the biggest cons becomes noticeable when driving a Class C in the wind.

The truth about Class C RVs is that they aren’t as aerodynamic as other types of campers. They are quite boxy, very top-heavy, and are essentially giant sails that catch every gust of wind. These big, heavy vehicles tend to steer quite differently than a traditional car, requiring more correction as you drive down the highway. These factors combined can lead to some seriously dangerous situations if you happen to be traveling in bad weather and wind.

Fortunately, there are ways to make driving a Class C in the wind a bit safer.

To read more, go here. 

Snow Right On Schedule

Above, the El Rancho Hotel has their Christmas tree up. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Right on schedule, the latest snowstorm arrived in Jamestown, New Mexico overnight. It is snowing now.

This one is supposed to dump snow up to around noon and then take a break or a few hours and start again tonight.

It was a good thing the storm held off while I was taking Larry Lucier to his physical therapy and doing grocery shopping in Gallup yesterday. We had dinner at the El Rancho Hotel's Silver Screen Cafe.

I will likely be holed up in the house all day today.

I took a couple of photos of this morning's snow.

A Rifle For The Ages -- The Winchester Model 1894

Above, purchasing the Winchester 1894 rifle at Ron Peterson Firearms. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I was in Albuquerque killing time before my flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to catch the cruise ship to Key West and Havana, Cuba, I decided to go to Ron Peterson Firearms to browse around. Friends here had told me previously that Ron Peterson Firearms has a good reputation for thoroughly checking used firearms before putting them up for sale. That's why I decided to go there. Antiques Roadshow has featured Ron Peterson as a firearms expert on the show.

While there, I spotted a Winchester 1894 .30-30 lever-action rifle on a rack. I looked at the tag and it said it was a pre-1964 rifle. I confirmed this by looking up the gun's serial number online with my phone. It was manufactured in 1962.

I had been on the lookout for a pre-64 Model 1894 for a while and the price ($495.00) was reasonable. So I decided to buy it. Since I had a flight and ocean cruise immediately coming up, I put the rifle on layaway. After the cruise and getting back to Albuquerque, I went back and picked up the gun.

This morning, I was perusing around about Winchester 1894 rifles and spotted a good article on them from 2018. It was posted by The Register-Herald out of West Virginia and written by Larry Case. He provides a history of the rifle, including why pre-1964 Model 1894s are so coveted.

He begins it with:

Were it not for the Winchester Model 1894 rifle, and more specifically those chambered in .30/30 Winchester caliber, deer hunting in America might not be the same today. That’s a pretty bold statement and one that many will scoff at, but we have to start somewhere.

No other rifle in history would become as iconic, at least for deer hunting, as the old Winchester 94. Indeed, for several decades if someone referred to a “deer rifle,” to most hunters this meant the tried and true lever action Model 94. If you have a dad, great grandad, or even a great-great grandad who deer hunted, it’s very possible that you have a Winchester Model 94 in a gun safe or closet somewhere. Over seven million Model 94s were produced and sold.

The Model 94 was conceived in the drawings of the firearms genius we talk about here fairly often, John Moses Browning. Seemingly every well-known firearm from the past century came from the work of Mr. Browning. Browning may be best known for inventing automatic and semi-automatic firearms (the Colt 1911 pistol and the Browning Auto 5 shotgun, to name only two), but the Model 94 has been called the ultimate lever action design by more than one firearms historian.

To read the full article, go here. 

Tips For RVing In The Off-Season

Above, a visit to the Grand Canyon was enjoyable as there
were no crowds in November 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer

My preference for camping is during the spring months before the summer crowds start flooding into national parks and campgrounds.

Yellowstone National Park, to give one example, is a virtual zoo with traffic and scarce parking during the summer. 

RV Travel has posted an article on the joys of traveling without crowds with some valuable tips.

They begin with:

Oh, the joy of traveling without crowds! RVing in the off-season season in late October and November is outstanding. While it was chilly at times, there were no crowds anywhere! Both Grand Canyon National Park and Carlsbad Caverns were virtually empty. Lines at the Grand Canyon shuttles? Nonexistent! Vying for entrance tickets at Carlsbad? We had our choice of more than 300!

To read more, go here. 

Snowy Conditions This Weekend

Winter storm systems will be moving into New Mexico starting Wednesday night. 

I was planning on heading to Albuquerque Friday or Saturday to see Godzilla Minus One. But it looks like those days will be snowy ones and will produce hazardous driving conditions on Interstate 40. 

I am not concerned over my driving, it's the crazy other drivers, long-haul truckers in particular, that concern me.

The National Weather Service forecast for Jamestown, New Mexico looks like this:

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night

Rain and snow showers, becoming all snow after 2am. Low around 27. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday

Snow showers before 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. High near 38. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday Night

Snow showers likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday

Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night

A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 38.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 17.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 42.

Monday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 18.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 44.

And, their forecast for Albuquerque: 

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

Scattered rain showers after midnight, mixing with snow after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. East wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday

Rain and snow showers likely before 3pm, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 46. North wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thursday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

Friday Night

A chance of rain and snow showers before midnight, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 45.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 47.

Monday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 48.

It appears my best shot to see the movie is Monday or Tuesday.

Silver Shoots Over $25.00/toz

The COMEX spot price for silver shot up to over $25.00/toz today.

Whether or not silver will go any higher is anyone's guess. But for now, silver investors are likely grinning from ear-to-ear.

 

Topanga Corral

Above, the rebuilt Topanga Corral (after the '68 fire). Topanga Historical Society photo.

A post by the Valley Relics Museum Facebook page brought back a memory.

They wrote:

The Topanga Corral was located at 2034 S Topanga Canyon Boulevard. It was a nightclub where musicians like Neil Young, Spirit, Linda Ronstadt, Canned Heat, Little Feat, Taj Mahal, and many others played during their early years. It burned down in the 70s but was rebuilt only to burn down again in 1986.

Back in the 1960s the Topanga Corral was a nightclub in Topanga Canyon that featured rock 'n roll groups. The building was owned by the parents by late friend Wellington "Bill" Wilson in the late 1960s.

In 1968, a fire swept through the Topanga Corral (not in the 1970s). I went there with Bill and his mom after the fire. It was rebuilt about 50 yards to the east of its original location. Apparently, it was destroyed by fire (again) in 1986, only it wasn't rebuilt by its then-owners.

Shootin' Table Arrived

Above, the table with my Winchester 1894 and shooting rest bags from Cabela's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The table I ordered for use at the shooting range (and other uses) arrived yesterday. It is similar to the one Larry Lucier used at the range at Cibola National Forest two weeks ago. 

This was made necessary as the big wooden spools we used for tables were smashed up by some inconsiderate "Adam Henry" some months ago.

Above, the table. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I ordered it from Target and it was reasonably priced. Since the shooting area is nice and flat and the grounds are firm, this will work out fine as the table is sturdy and adjustable. The shooting tables I've seen advertised were either too expensive (for decent ones) or the cheaper ones were not to my liking. 

I'll have to wait a few months for when spring and summer arrive so it will be warm enough outside to use it. 

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Superman

One of the classic Disneyland (Anaheim) rides is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Fantasyland. 

It opened at Disneyland on July 17, 1955 and refurbished in 1983. It was closed at Walt Disney World and was replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Speaking of Disneyland's opening day of July 17, 1955, here's Walt Disney chatting with Adventures of Superman star George Reeves:

RV Cold Weather Safety Tips

Above, at Red Rock Park Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have camped in cold, snowy weather only a few times. The first was at Crystal Lake, California in the San Bernardino mountains in a tent trailer.

Then, I was staying in my Class C motorhome when I moved to New Mexico while waiting for the movers to deliver my belongings and furniture for around 11 days. It snowed several times during that period.

I also camped at Red Rock Park Campground during the Red Rock Balloon Festival and it snowed overnight. Needless to say, the balloons did not launch, but I still had fun.

Thankfully, I saved my propane by using an electric ceramic space heater instead of the motorhome's propane heater as I had electrical hookups each time I camped in snowy weather.

Do It Yourself RV has an article with cold weather safety tips that every RVer should know.

They begin it with:

Understanding cold weather safety is crucial, even if winter camping isn’t in your plans. Weather conditions can shift swiftly and without warning, especially in mountainous areas or during the transitional seasons of spring and fall. Every RVer should be equipped with knowledge on staying safe and warm as temperatures fall.

While our article Winter RVing Tips From Experienced RVers offers insights on maintaining warmth in your RV, here we’ll delve into essential cold weather safety tips, ensuring your camping adventures remain both exhilarating and safe, regardless of the chill.

To read more, go here. 

Difference Between Rimfire and Centerfire Ammunition

Above, Winchester 1894 and Ruger 10/22. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever wondered what's the difference between centerfire and rimfire ammunition?

I was looking at ads at Cabela's and noticed that Winchester Model 94 (.30-.30 cal.) rifles are centerfire and the Ruger 10/22 Carbine (.22 cal.) is a rimfire rifle. I thought this would be a good topic to discuss.

I took a look and found this at Hunter Ed:

 Ammunition can be centerfire or rimfire.

• Centerfire ammunition is used for rifles, shotguns, and handguns. In this type of ammunition, the primer is located in the center of the casing base. Most centerfire ammunition is reloadable.
• Rimfire ammunition has the primer contained in the rim of the ammunition casing. Rimfire ammunition is limited to low-pressure loads. Rimfire cartridges are not reloadable.

 So now you know the difference.

Most Uncomfortable Airliner Ever Coming To Hawaii

Above, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Photo by Armand Vaquer..

Once upon a time, airline travel was luxurious and comfortable. These days, the opposite is true and apparently getting worse for passengers.

In recent years, I found the most uncomfortable aircraft to be the Airbus A380. Despite its large size, economy seating was the worst I've ever experienced. The flight to Japan in one was made worse by the 11-hour flight time (and 9 hours return flight).

Apparently, the new Boeing 737 Max 10 is even worse. And it is being introduced for Hawaii travel.

Beat of Hawaii posted an article on this.

They begin with:

If you thought planes couldn’t get any more uncomfortable, we have Hawaii travel news to report. An aircraft once designed to seat fewer than 100 people comfortably has now been stretched to seat 230 passengers. That sounds both good for the airlines and bad for us passengers.

Last week, Boeing reported that it had been approved to start flight tests toward certification of the 737 MAX 10, the largest and most uncomfortable 737 yet. The plane has its sights set on one location near and dear to us here: Hawaii.

To read more, go here.

DeSantis and Cruise Ships In Key West

Above, the Majesty of the Seas docked at Key West in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Four and a half years ago, I took a cruise to Havana, Cuba. Along the way, our cruise ship made a stopover in Key West, Florida where we were able to tour the town and do some shopping and eating.

However, the locals in Key West have been complaining about the sizes of cruise ships and the numbers of people flooding into town, despite the fact they also have been providing plenty of tourist dollars to the local economy.

Gov. Ron DeSantis faces a "critical decision" on the future of cruise ships stopping at Key West.

According to The Union Journal:

From the early stages of the Covid-19 outbreak, inhabitants of Key West, Fla., campaigned to decrease the volume and capacity of holiday cruise ships docking at their small island. The push started when U.S. ports denied entry to cruises filled with infected passengers. They have leveraged the context of the pandemic to push for ongoing restrictions on such vessels.

Engaged citizens attended City Commission meetings in large numbers, held protests at the dock, collected signatures and were successful in pushing stricter regulations through three ballot measures in 2020. These laws aimed at safeguarding the marine ecosystem and limiting the number of tourists to 1,500 per day. However, the new laws were scrapped by the state Legislature the following year, backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Currently, the affluent hotel magnate running the cruise ship dock in Key West aims to further develop the port, to legally allow larger ships with more passengers.

This issue will head to Gov. DeSantis soon. With nearly $1 million in funding for his campaign coming from the owner of the port, the Governor has a tough decision to make while being a presidential candidate for 2024. He’s also been supporting Florida’s tourism sector, despite his proclaimed focus on the environment.

To read more, go here.

Robert Kiyosaki Recommends Bitcoin, Gold, Silver Investments

It appears that the economy is going to make a major tailspin downwards. 

Author Robert Kiyosaki reiterates that people should invest in Bitcoin, gold and silver "before it's too late."

According to an article in Cointelegraph:

The average person who tries to save money is a “loser,” said Kiyosaki while recommending investments in Bitcoin and precious metals.

Robert Kiyosaki, the author of the personal finance book Rich Dad Poor Dad, has reiterated his support for assets like Bitcoin, gold and silver as inflation threatens to worsen living standards globally.

The price of gold recently crossed $2,000 per ounce, marking a steady recovery amid the weakening value of fiat currencies. As a strong supporter of the Bitcoin ecosystem, Kiyosaki recommended his over 2.4 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) to reduce their exposure to fiat currencies, which he called the “fake money system.”

The average person who tries to save money is a “loser,” said Kiyosaki while recommending other forms of investments, such as gold, silver and BTC:

“Don’t be a loser. Get out of FAKE money system. Get into gold, silver, Bitcoin now…. Before it’s too late.”

To read more, go here.

Here is an interesting video from Coach Corey Wayne in which he describes what to expect in the real estate market and interest rates as he's seen it all before:

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

To start the last week in November (gee, it seems like it just started) we have The Outlaws with their cover of "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky" from 1980. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, most notably by Vaughn Monroe and Johnny Cash. But this version has always been my favorite. 

Although The Outlaws have undergone many personnel changes over the years, they are still an active band.

From Wikipedia:

Outlaws is an American Southern rock band from Tampa, Florida. They are best known for their 1975 hit "There Goes Another Love Song" and extended guitar jam "Green Grass and High Tides" from their 1975 debut album, plus their 1980 cover of the Stan Jones classic " Riders in the Sky".

10-Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Above, TheTravel article covers Tombstone on Day 2 of their road trip itinerary. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Arizona must be on the mind of TheTravel as this is their second article on the "Grand Canyon State", the first was covered here.

They have posted an article on a suggested 10-day Arizona road trip itinerary. 

The article begins with:

America is truly a land of never-ending possibilities as far as epic road trips are concerned. Over the years, specific scenic routes have become popular for road trips across the country. However, travelers can always chart new courses on a map to serve their road trip aspirations, and each state has unique attractions and destinations that will attract road-trippers.

Arizona is not just another gorgeous state in the U.S.; it is the home state of the Grand Canyon, the Antelope Canyon, and many others. It is also where the Petrified Forests, Giant Cacti, and Lake Powell have attracted millions of visitors over the years.

This 10-day Arizona road trip itinerary with epic scenic stops hits all the highlights of the Grand Canyon State and will make you want to stop reading and start packing travel gear items for your next adventure.

To read more, go here.

10 Unique Arizona Road Trip Ideas

Above, red rock formations can be visited near the town of Sedona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Where I live near Gallup, New Mexico is reasonably close enough (40 miles) to cross over the state line into Arizona for exploring the "Grand Canyon State". 

Arizona has many places to see and enjoy and TheTravel has listed ten unique Arizona road trip ideas.

They begin with:

Nicknamed the Grand Canyon State, Arizona is best known for its mild winters, hot summers, and desert-like climate, featuring lovely towering pines, evergreen trees, deep canyons, cactus blossoms, and glorious landscapes. What makes Arizona even more tempting to visit is the Grand Canyon, which is considered the top tourist attraction in the United States and is worth the drive, too! It's one of the seven wonders of the world, carved by the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon National Park.

But it's not just the Grand Canyon that lures travelers to embark on a scenic road trip to Arizona. The state also promises historic landmarks and scenic byways that offer immaculate views and a unique experience for globetrotters. For those who are planning on taking a trip to the Grand Canyon State, here are the 10 unique Arizona road trip ideas!

TheTravel has also posted a 10-day Arizona travel itinerary. I summarize it here.

To read more, go here. 

Biden's Ministry of Disarmament

The latest issue of American Rifleman arrived the other day that contains articles on Biden's "Ministry of Disarmament". I was hoping the NRA would post an article on this online and, happily, they have.

At the NRA America 1st Freedom website, the article goes into detail on how Biden's White House has created an office to hire gun control hacks at our expense.

It begins with:

There’s an old saying that if you hang around a place long enough, they might just give you a job. That has now proven true in the case of gun-control advocates who have closely allied themselves with the Joe Biden administration. They have always had his sympathetic ear and his support for their agenda to end firearm ownership in the United States as we know it. Now, however, Biden has gone a step further and created a special White House bureaucracy to put them on the federal payroll and to leverage the full power of the government to legitimize, amplify and expand their prohibitory ambitions. Worst of all, you will be paying for it.

In September, Biden announced he was creating the so-called White House Office for Gun Violence Prevention. His Rose Garden announcement identified four “primary responsibilities” for the office. First was to expedite implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), a sprawling gun-control bill passed over the NRA’s opposition in the summer of 2022, as well as the numerous gun-control executive actions Biden has announced since assuming office. Second was to “coordinate support for the survivors of gun violence,” an effort Biden likened to how the Federal Emergency Management Agency responds to other disasters. Third was to identify new ways for Biden to act unilaterally to promote gun control. And, finally, Biden said the office would “expand the coalition of partners” in states and localities that are working to end “gun violence,” a euphemism for recruiting new gun-control advocates.

To read the full article, go here. 

More Snow Later In The Week

Above, yesterday morning, about to meet up with the gang at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The snowstorm that came through yesterday morning has left behind frigid temperatures.

Currently, it is around 14° outside in Jamestown and Gallup, New Mexico. It will only get up to around 40° today.

Our next chance for rain and snow comes Wednesday night and will probably continue through the weekend. 

According to the National Weather Service, the forecast for the week is as follows:

 Today

Sunny, with a high near 40. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Increasing clouds, with a low around 17. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 14. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 47. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 19.

Wednesday

Increasing clouds, with a high near 48.

Wednesday Night

A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Friday

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night

A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

A Relaxed Saturday

Above, the Jeep just before heading to Denny's at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The snow we received last night is already starting to disappear.

It is around 37° outside. The roads are clear and so is my driveway.

I took the Jeep down to Denny's at the Flying J for our Saturday coffee/breakfast. The roads were already clear when I left the house, just wet. Some of the guys said they got around 2-3 inches of snow overnight.

Later, after getting home, I saw some tracks in the snow on my driveway that weren't the Jeep's. It turned out to be from Federal Express delivering a package from Cabela's.

Above, having egg nog and brandy in the den.

This afternoon, I poured myself an egg nog and brandy. That's one thing I really enjoy during the holiday season.  

This Morning's Snow

Now that we're getting some sunlight, the snow is more visible.

Above, the front walkway.

Above, the garage and Godzilla weathervane.

Above, the yard behind the garage and Barking Spider Acre in the background.

Above, the front yard.

Above, the deck furniture.

Above, looking east.