Baby Bear In The Hood

Above, a bear cub at Yellowstone Bear World in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday morning, we had a little bit of excitement in the neighborhood.

I had just gotten onto Interstate 40 to go to Gallup when my next-door neighbor called and said a baby bear was in a tree at a neighbor's down the street (about three doors away) from my home. He was concerned that the mother bear might be nearby.

Bears have been coming down from the mountains lately, probably looking for water. One was killed a month ago on I-40 and another was seen in the town of Milan (around 40 miles to the east) a couple of days ago. 

The Department of Fish and Game was called in on the baby bear and they darted her and took her away and is going to a rehabilitation center in Espinola, New Mexico. Apparently, the cub came out of Albuquerque with mom but she abandoned this one and another cub. She was already tagged.

Fish and Game was still at the neighbor's when I got back from Gallup. 

Four Mile Fire Near Jamestown

Above, a zoomed view of the fire from Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few minutes ago, I got back home from viewing (and photographing) the (now named) Four Mile Fire in the Cibola National Forest southeast of our community of Whispering Cedars.

Obviously, the fire wasn't extinguished yesterday and is looking worse than it did yesterday. 

One of our residents posted the following in our community Facebook page: 

 

At least it is moving away from Whispering Cedars. But we're going to keep an eye on it anyway.

Some photos:

Above, a zoomed view of the fire from the top of Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of the fire from the top of Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of the fire from Birch loop in Whispering Cedars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Jeep at Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an emergency vehicle parked at the top of Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A map of the fire's location:

UPDATE: 

We had some afternoon rain today, they appeared to have put out the fire. Hope so!

Fire Reported Near Jamestown

Yesterday afternoon, we had a fire "scare" (well, not exactly a scare, but something to be concerned about) in the Cibola National Forest that surrounds our Whispering Cedars subdivision in Jamestown, New Mexico.

It was a lightning-generated fire that was located to the southeast of the community. Upon hearing the news, I went outside but saw no smoke. 

Apparently, the fire has been extinguished as no further reports have been made.  Thanks to the McKinley County Fire Rescue and the U.S. Forest Service for the timely response.

I Voted!

 

Yesterday was primary election day in New Mexico. I headed down to the Whispering Cedars Fire Station to cast my vote. I was voter number 22 according to the polling place.

It makes it easier for me to vote as New Mexico's primary election day is the same as my former state of Commiefornia, the first Tuesday of June. 

Above, the Jeep at the fire station after I arrived to vote. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Meetings On Fire Prevention and the Post Office

Above, the meetings were held in the fire station conference room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, our Whispering Cedars community held two meetings down at the fire station. The first was on fire prevention and the second was on the impending closure of the community's post office at the Flying J.

On the fire portion of the meeting, we had speakers from the U.S. Forest Service, McKinley County Fire Department and on insurance. The meeting covered fire prevention measures such as brush clearance and then on evacuation. planning.

I managed to get a few Smokey Bear items:

The second meeting pertained to the planned closure of the post office and what steps we can take to keep it open. 

Afterwards, Larry Lucier, Victor Gomez and I headed to Denny's for lunch/early dinner. 

I Voted!

A little while ago, I cast my ballot vote at the Whispering Cedars Fire House polling place.

I was voter number 40. 

Here is this year's sticker:

Last Evening's Jeep Drive

Last evening, I decided to take a drive around our subdivision. First, I headed down to the Flying J to fill up the Jeep's gas tank. With my Good Sam discount, I paid $2.989/gallon.

I drove up the hill on Birch Road. On the way back down, about a block away from Whispering Cedars Road, I saw a buck deer cross the road.

I has been a while since I last saw a buck. I see does frequently. Although we have elk here, I have not seen one yet since I moved here. One of these days.

After he crossed the road, I stopped and took this photo:

 

Problem Shooters

People who use the shooting area in the Cibola National Forest next to our community are generally responsible people. The shooting area is cleaner than it used to be. Many left their junk in the area such as old television sets and the like.

There are some in our Whispering Cedars community who want the shooting area shut down. The reason is that stray bullets have entered the community. 

The photo above, Nandoh Munoz is shooting his Henry lever-action rifle. In the photo is a telephone pole at right. There is evidence of people using it as a target or mounting their targets on it.

The community is directly in the line-of-fire behind the pole and some stray bullets have hit some homes or narrowly missed people who were outside. Thankfully, this has been a rare occurrence. It boggles the mind how some people have a definite lack of common sense or are just plain stupid. There is a hill beyond the shooting area that allows for safe shooting. 

Above, the hill beyond the targets allows for safe shooting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It would behoove our community members to occasionally patrol the shooting area, whenever there are shooters there, to make sure they aren't shooting at the telephone pole or targets on them. If they are found to be doing so, either give them a warning or call the McKinley County Sheriff.

The problem is mainly caused by outsiders who don't live in the community.

The Shooting Area

Above, the shooting area before the spools got smashed.by vandals. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I was shown the property I bought in the Whispering Cedars subdivision in Jamestown, New Mexico by the realtor, one of the things mentioned was that there was a shooting area near the community.

It is actually on Cibola National Forest property and set aside for target shooting. It is about a mile west of the community. It is accessible by dirt roads. It is not recommended to drive with low clearance vehicles. My Jeep and Larry Lucier's bus drive just fine on the roads.

Right now, it is likely the roads are too muddy to drive on from the rains and snow we've been getting.

When I first moved here, there were some large wooden spools that served as tables. Unfortunately, some idiot took it upon themselves to smash them. That led me to buy a portable table to use.

There is a tall hill that backs the shooting area. 

Below are two aerial views of the shooting area. The first shows its proximity to the community. The second shows a closer view.

Jeep Drive Today

Today was spent grocery shopping in Gallup (after breakfast at the El Rancho Hotel) and then doing some Jeep driving.

The temperature was a bit warmer today than yesterday, otherwise I would have done some Jeep driving on my birthday.

It is now around 54°.

Above, up at the top of Whispering Cedars Road.

Pipe Break Fixed

The pipe break near the fire station has been fixed. The water is back on.

There's air in the lines, but that should be resolved as time goes on. There's some rust in the water, but that's also resolving.

A big "thank-you" to the Whispering Cedars Water Association repair crew for getting on it right away.

Nandoh Munoz posted this photo on Facebook of the repairs in progress. The fire station is in the background.

 

Water Leak Near The Fire Station

Above, the water tank that feeds our end of the subdivision. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like the water will be turned off for the better part of the day today.

A water leak has sprung up near the fire station, so the water will have to be shut off while repairs are made. 

This may be the first water leak we've had on our end (green water tank) of the subdivision since I've moved here. The others have been further up the hill that is fed by the white water tank. 

I'll have to jump into the shower before the water is shut off.  

Icy Drive

It will be nice when the roads in our subdivision thaw out. Despite several days since the last snow, it has been too cold for the roads to thaw out.

I had to go a mile up the hill to the Lucier's to drop off some items to Larry Lucier. The roads up there were more icy than the ones in my vicinity. They are about 200 feet higher than I am.

On the way back, I cut across from Birch Road to Whispering Cedars Road on Hemlock Road. I took the photo below that shows how ice the roads here are. It is a good thing the Mustang has a manual transmission, I was able to drive in low gear with ease.

We were lucky that the storm that came into the state last evening by-passed us.

Above, eastbound on Hemlock Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cruisin' Around

Above, a stop at the community bulletin board. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we'll probably be getting rain or snow showers starting Thursday and I will be busy in Gallup for most of tomorrow, I figured that I would get the Jeep (and myself) some exercise today.

The weather was decent enough today, at around 61° with some clouds, for a drive. The wind wasn't too bad either. 

I drove around our subdivision and vicinity. 

Cooler With Possible Rain This Weekend

Above, after yesterday's Jeep drive.

Yesterday wasn't too bad temperature-wise. However, it is around 35° outside now, at least that's according to the National Weather Service.

It got to around 71° outside yesterday, so I got Jeep out and did some driving around our Whispering Cedars subdivision.

It is going to get cooler over the weekend with the possibility of some rain (again!). But, at least it is not going to snow (yet). But it won't be long from now.

The National Weather Service weekend forecast:

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Breezy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Sunday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Sunday Night

A chance of rain showers before midnight, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday

A chance of snow showers before noon, then a slight chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Emergency Fire Meeting and National Forest Closure

Above, the Jamestown fire station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Saturday's breakfast/coffee gathering at the Flying J will be preempted by a community-wide emergency meeting at the Jamestown fire station at 10:00.

According to the Jamestown community Facebook page, the meeting is to discuss a disaster plan for our community and surrounding neighbors.  This is in response to our drought and potential EXTREME fire danger. We plan to have a representative from the Forest Service, the Sheriffs Department and the Fire Department.  

Starting tomorrow, the Cibola National Forest (which includes Six Mile Canyon in the Mt. Taylor Ranger District) will be subject to a Stage 3 closure due to extreme fire danger. The map below shows the Mt. Taylor Ranger District.

According to KOB 4 News:

SANTA FE, N.M. — The U.S. Forest Service announced a forest-wide closure order will be issued for the Santa Fe National Forest and the Carson National Forest, effective Thursday morning.

The Cibola National Forest will also be implementing a Stage 3 forest closure for the Mt. Taylor, Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts.

The orders will be in effect starting at 8 a.m. on May 19. During the closure, public access will be prohibited due to the ongoing active wildfires and extreme fire danger.

All National Forest System lands, recreation sites, roads, trails and trailheads within the restricted boundaries will be closed to the general public. County and state roads that cross through the closed lands will remain open to vehicles and businesses in nearby communities.

Violating the order carries a Class B misdemeanor, which includes as much as a $5,000 fine for individuals/$10,000 for organizations and/or up to six months’ imprisonment.

To read more, go here. 

Bear Reported In Community

Above, a North American black bear at Yellowstone Bear World. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One thing people living out in the country know is that wildlife sometimes venture into rural communities. 

There's been a bear reported in our Whispering Cedars community in Jamestown, New Mexico. Our community is right up against the Cibola National Forest.

Scott, one of our community leaders, posted this on Facebook today:

It’s been reported that there is a bear that is visiting places with livestock and killing chickens and ducks. Just a heads up ppl. We do live in the country so beware.

I was riding my mini-bike in Barking Spider Acre this morning and spotted a number of deer tracks. There weren't there two days ago when I last rode there.

There's also cougars in the national forest, along with deer and elk.

Well Pump Replaced

Above, the green tank serves the lower section of Whispering Cedars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, well.

The saga over the community well pump appears to be over.

The well for the Whispering Cedars community has two pumps. One gave out last week and the other is slated to be replaced in the not-too-distant future. The well pumps water from the underground aquifer.

Two days ago, the busted pump was replaced, but a line came apart in the well house about 11:15 PM and the well had to be shut off. Repairs to the busted line took place yesterday and since then, the upper water tank was refilling.

In general, the well feeds the white upper tank, which then feeds to the lower (or green) tank. I get my water from the green tank. Luckily, the green tank had enough water in it (plus conserving), so we down at the lower section of the community wasn't affected as much. From what I understand, the tank capacities are: Green Tank, 100,000 gallon capacity; the white tank has a capacity of 50,000 gallons.

So, sometime today, the folks who get their water from the white tank will be able to use their water normally. No reports of any more problems have surfaced.

The water board for the community are all volunteers and we appreciate their service.

House For Sale

While driving around the community today, I spotted a for sale sign in front of a house on Whispering Cedars Road at Birch Road. It is directly across from what some wags call "The Schumacher Convention Center". 😜

A little while ago, I took a drive and took some photos of the house. From the outside, it looks to be in good shape. I was unable to see the inside.

Here they are (the last photo has the phone number):

Phone: (505) 801-2000.

Exploring The Iyanbito Side

Above, looking west on the service road alongside of I-40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After picking up today's mail down at the Flying J, I decided to do some Jeep exploring on the Iyanbito (north) side of Interstate 40. It was a nice day at 56°.

The area is checkered with sections of the Navajo Nation. The Iyanbito Chapter across Interstate 40 from Jamestown is one of them.

A service road is accessible from the access road to the Flying J and it parallels Interstate 40 and dead ends about 3/4 of a mile west. The road was heavily used by the road crews working on Interstate 40 and our bridge. But there's a road that goes along a perimeter fence to the north. I took the road up to where there is heavy brush next to one of the two railroad tracks and turned around. 

Naturally, I took some photos of my little venture.  

Above, driving north on the road next to a perimeter fence. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, driving south on the road next to the perimeter fence. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, looking towards the mothballed refinery and the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, on the road next to the perimeter fence. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of our Whispering Cedars community across I-40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, heading east towards the Flying J on the service road with I-40 at right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, on the service road looking west. Photo by Armand Vaquer.