Tractor Supply Company Is An RVer’s Best Friend

Above, the Gallup Tractor Supply store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Every so often, I will head into Gallup to the Tractor Supply store for different things. It is usually pet supplies that I get there.

Most recently (last year), they had a sale on gallon-sized RV anti-freeze solution. I ended up buying two. I also bought a new lawn/patio chair.

My biggest purchase there was seven years ago when I bought my Bad Boy Zero-turn mower and the Coleman mini-bike.

Tractor Supply has other things available and RV Travel posted an article on why it is an RVer's best friend. I recently noticed that they also sell ammunition.

They begin it with:

If you spend any time traveling by RV, you quickly learn that not all stores are created equal. Some are great for groceries, others for gear, and a select few become go-to stops for just about everything. Tractor Supply Company falls firmly into that last category.

Whether you’re parked at a campground or boondocking off a back road, this retailer is one you’ll want on your radar. 

To read the full article, go here. 

Finished Mowing

Above, I took this shot as I was heading out to the post office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I finished up with the mowing of Barking Spider Acre.

I had to quit the day before when I saw lightning and heard thunder not too far away. The day was clear, although we did get some rain in the afternoon. 

We're definitely in monsoon season.  

First Mow Of The Year

Above, having a brew after mowing yesterday.

Since we came off a relatively dry winter and spring, it was only yesterday that Barking Spider Acre got its first mow. Grass and brush were not so plentiful or high this season.

After getting a new battery for the mower, I took the mower out and started mowing. I only did about half when I saw lightning and heard thunder to the south over the Zuni Mountains. That's when I decided to stop. I will likely finish mowing either today or tomorrow. Monsoon season has arrived.

The mower worked fine yesterday. It started immediately after I installed the new battery. The last battery lasted six years, so I figure I got my money's worth out of it.

When It Rains, It Pours

Above, the Jeep, mini bike, mower and Mustang a few years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sometimes, when it rains, it pours.

That is what happened this past week when I was driving home from Thoreau, New Mexico in the Mustang. It started running hot. I managed to get it to the Flying J and got some coolant as the coolant level inside the radiator dropped.

Once I got the coolant into the radiator, everything seemed fine, and that was the case for the next few days. Then it started running hotter again. I put more coolant in and most, if not all, ended up dripping on the garage floor. There appears to be a leak (from what I can tell) at the bottom of the radiator. It have to get it to the mechanic's.

The Jeep has been in the mechanic's since a week ago Monday. They've been too busy to get to it. I got a call from them yesterday and it turned out the problem was that there was corrosion to where the grounding wires (or whatever) were connected, which fried the battery and the battery cables. In other words, inadequate grounding. They replaced those and set up new grounding. It seems to be working fine now and will be ready Tuesday (as Monday is a holiday) for me to bring the Mustang in and pick up the Jeep. A vehicle swap! (Yes, I told them about the problem with the Mustang.)

In the meantime, I have been using the mini bike or the motorhome for transportation in the interim. I joked to a friend, if those get disabled, I can always use the zero-turn riding mower to get around until Tuesday. It is good to have backups, eh?  

I was going to go to the grand re-opening of Meteor City Trading Post on Monday. But given the expenses of the vehicle repairs and it usually costs around $130 to fill the motorhome's gas tank (55 gallons), I decided to forego the trip. The trading post is about 160 miles from home. 

Preparing For The Arctic Front

Above, while running the mower, Jeep and mini bike.

Since we're supposed to get an Arctic Front pass through New Mexico this weekend and into next week (mainly in the central and eastern regions), I figured I'd best fire up the Jeep, mini bike and mower to keep their batteries in running condition. No snow is in the forecast.

We're going to see single-digit temperatures according to the National Weather Service:

This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 19. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 4. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 8.

M.L.King Day

Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 2.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 44.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 11.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.

The Jeep and mini bike started up fine, but the mower needed a jump start. 

Mowed The Inner Yard

Above, after mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

About a half hour ago, I finished mowing and weeding the inner yard around the house.

I had to open the back gate next to the utility road to get the mower into the yard. Weeds had grown to about 2-3 feet tall from the monsoon rains we've been getting. I had to be careful as there were many obstacles in the way (such as rocks) of the zero-turn mower. 

Above, kicking back after the yardwork. 

But once I got it in, it was an easy task to get the yard mowed. After I was done with that part, I got out the weed-whacker to clean up the areas the mower couldn't get to.

When I finished about a half hour later, I relaxed over an Alien Amber Ale and a cigar. 

Above, the front yard after mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing I did the yard when I did, it started clouding up and it is likely we'll have a thunderstorm or two within hours.

Mowed The Yard

Above, after the mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we had a bit of a break the monsoon rains (we've gotten a lot), I took the opportunity to mow Barking Spider Acre yesterday evening.

I usually mow in the morning, but since it was cloudy and cool, it was the perfect conditions to mow. The ground was a little soft, but not muddy. The brush was getting thick on the ground. It is very green in the area from all the monsoon rains we've been getting.

Above, the area in and around Jamestown is green from the monsoon rains. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did have a little problem while mowing the front along the road. The mower got stuck in the soft dirt near the drainage ditch that parallels the road. But I was able to pull it out with the Jeep in short order and I finished the mowing.

Once done, I relaxed over a bottle of Alien Amber Ale on the deck.

Above, it's Alien time.

We'll be celebrating Independence Day at Martin Link's on Thursday. His backyard is on a hilltop and we get great views of fireworks, even some from Window Rock, Arizona miles away.

First Mow of the Year

Above, Barking Spider Acre after mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it may rain this coming week, I figured that today would be a good day to mow Barking Spider Acre.

I got the Jeep fired up and took it down to the Flying J for our Saturday gathering at Denny's.

Above, after coming home from the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Later, I cleaned the inside of The Beast (the motorhome) and took it into Gallup to a coin-operated car wash and washed the outside of it.

I then put it into the GOCO Beast Barn once I got back home. 

Afterwards, I got the mower started and mowed Barking Spider Acre and some areas of the front yard. I will be doing some more trimming of weeds tomorrow in the front yard. This is the first mow of the year. 

After I was done, I popped open an Alien Amber Ale. 

Ran The Mower, Mini-Bike and Baton Found

As planned, I went out to the garage to fire up the mini-bike and mower. 

The mini-bike started after a few pulls. The mower, however, needed a jump start from my battery charger as I hadn't started it in over a month and a half. After about five minutes on the charger, the mower started.

I ran both for several minutes (the mower over 20 minutes). 

While both motors were running, I looked around the garage for my old PR24 aluminum side handle baton. I mentioned in an earlier post about California's billy club ban being struck down. I knew my police PR24 baton was in the garage somewhere.

Actually, it was easy to find. It was on a shelf next to my patrol gear bag. 

Here's photo of it:

Fired Up The Toys

Above, relaxing in the den after running the Jeep and the other toys.

As yesterday's temperature got close to 50°, it was a good opportunity to fire up the Jeep, mini bike and zero-turn mower and run them for a while. 

It had been over a week since I started the Jeep. After starting it up, I took it for a spin around a few blocks. 

I did all this after going down to Denny's at the Flying J for lunch of salad and Coke. 

After running the toys, I headed inside to relax over a cup of coffee. 

Mowing Done

Above, Alien time after I was done mowing.

Before it got hot yesterday, I mowed Barking Spider Acre in the morning. 

The brush was mainly on the roadway in front of the GOCO Beast Barn (RV garage). It took about an hour and a half before I finished it. That was partly due to the zero-turn mower getting stuck and slid into a drainage ditch in front of the house. Normally, when the mower gets stuck, I use the Jeep to pull it out. But since I am having fuel pump problems with the Jeep that's keeping it from starting, I had to use the Mustang instead. 

Thankfully, it wasn't too far into the ditch and I got it out quickly. 

Before:

After:

Gotta Mow This Morning

Above, the most brush is on Barking Spider Road in from of the Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it is going to be around 96° in Jamestown today, I have to do some mowing this morning before it get hot.

The weather will be hot this week, but we're also supposed to get monsoon thunderstorms coming in.

According to the National Weather Service:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Monday

Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the evening.

Tuesday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the morning.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Wednesday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Friday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Friday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Saturday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Above, the GOCO Beast Barn from the rear. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finished Mowing Before Downpours

Above, the field after mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two days ago, I started mowing Barking Spider Acre. The recent rains have accelerated plant growth. 

I was almost halfway done when I spotted a lightning bolt to the south. It must have been a half mile (or less) away. That was my cue to stop the mowing and to get the mower and Jeep into the garage.

Yesterday, I finished mowing in the morning. It was a good thing I did finish it when I did as we had more lightning and downpours in the afternoon. 

During this, I spent part of the afternoon watching movies, one of which was Clint Eastwood's Mystic River (2003) that starred Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn and Tim Robbins.   

We're supposed to get more thunderstorms in the afternoon today. Many are wondering if we are having an early monsoon season. Last year was dry at this time until the first monsoon rain that arrived on July 18. We've had a lot of precipitation in the area since then. It looks like this will be a wet year.

According to the National Weather Service, today and tonight in Jamestown will look like this:

Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Aborted Mowing

Above, approaching storm clouds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I started to mow Barking Spider Acre. The recent rains have accelerated week growth. 

I was about half way through the mowing when I spotted a bolt of lightning to the south about a quarter to a half mile away. That did it. I proceeded to put the mower and Jeep into the garage.

It was a good thing I put everything away when I did. Right after doing so, it started raining.

I will probably finish mowing today or tomorrow, provided the ground isn't muddy.

The area is starting to really "green up" from the rains we've been getting.

Lightning and mowing is definitely not a good mix!

Yard Work

Above, Barking Spider Acre after finishing mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With today's temperatures in the 70s (it is forecast to hit 81° tomorrow), I decided to break out the mower and mow Barking Spider Acre.

The shrubs and grass were starting to get taller from all of the snow and rain we received during the monsoon season and winter snows. I was going to wait another week or two, but I decided to get on it today.

It was a nice day to ride the mower. After I was done, I chatted with my neighbor Mike for awhile. 

After that, I settled on the deck with some Alien Amber Ale. All in all, a good day.

UPDATE (4:30/23):

The temperature forecast has been revised down to 78°.

Ran The Toys Today

Above, the toys got a workout today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since today's temperature was in the lower 60s today, I took the opportunity to fire up the mower, mini bike and Jeep.

The Jeep is still running with no pep, but it was enough to tamp down some ruts in Barking Spider Acre that were left a month ago by the motorhome. The ground was soggy at the time from all the snows and the motorhome almost got stuck in the mud. Thankfully it didn't but it left some ruts in the ground.

The Jeep came in handy to tamp the ruts down and it also provided the opportunity to run it a while to give the battery a good charge.

The mower started with no problem as I did run it a few weeks ago (after jump-starting it). 

I had to put air in the back tire of the mini bike. It has a slow leak. A few months ago, I bought an air compressor that runs on house current. It filled the tire quickly. After doing so, I gave it a good workout. I did run out of gas in it, but I had some in the garage and filled the tank and it fired right up.

We're supposed to be getting some warmer weather (in the 70s) this coming week, which will be nice for a change.

Indoor Day

Above, mowing season is over. This is the time of year when
nothing grows. I'll fire up the mower at least once a month.

It appears that I will likely be staying inside today, except for heading down to the post office at the Flying J.

We're supposed to get rain today and the possiblity of snow showers tonight and tomorrow. The snow we got a week ago is completely gone. 

From the National Weather Service:

 Overnight

Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then showers likely. High near 44. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night

A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of snow showers before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 38. West wind 10 to 20 mph.

At Home

I just received several photos from Jessica. They were taken at home the day after we got back from Navajo Lake State Park.

The first one has me on the mower heading over to Barking Spider Acre and the second has me in the Jeep after backing it out of the garage.

Yardwork

Above, the front yard after mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With all the monsoon rains we've been getting, it is no surprise how the plants outside grew. 

The yard was beginning to look like a tropical rainforest. 

Before it got worse, I decided to do some yard work, which included trimming and mowing the inner yard (that is on the front and east side of the house). 

Above, another view of the front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The mower would not fit through the gates, so I had to drive it down the street and around the corner to the utility road that is in back of the property. I have a back gate at the utility road that is wide enough for the mower to drive through.

Above, the view from the deck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

That was no problem. But since the back yard is hilly and rocky, it would not be easy to drive the mower through to get to the front and side areas. After a couple of close calls (of getting stuck), the mower made it in. This is the first time I brought the mower into the fenced inner yard.

Once I got the mower inside the yard, I proceeded to mow it. Had I used my string trimmer instead, the chore would take hours or days to get done. 

Above, yard work done, now it's Alien times.

After I finished, I drove the mower to the back gate (and almost getting stuck again) and back out though to the utility road. Mission accomplished!

When I was done putting the mower back into the garage, it was Alien (Amber Ale) time!

It Reached 61° Today

Above, toys in the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was a real nice day to sit outside on the deck.

It reached past 60° for the first time this year. It actually hit 61°.

Following our group's breakfast/coffee gathering at Denny's in the Flying J, I did some mini-bike riding around the neighborhood. Then, I settled down and relaxed on the deck and listened to the soundtrack to No Time To Die.on CD. It arrived yesterday in the mail.

Above, Nandoh's sign next to a shooting area access road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is supposed to reach around 64° later this week. 

Soon, Six Mile Canyon will be open to vehicles. 

Spring is just around the corner!