Good Day For A Jeep Drive

Above, the Jeep at the shooting area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As it was 60° outside yesterday afternoon, I decided to take a Jeep drive around the community and the dirt roads that lead to and from the shooting area. I also went down to the Flying J to pick up a gallon of water (for coffee). 

Nobody was around the shooting area and I had the roads all to myself. 

I figured that since we may be getting some snow mid-week, I may as well do some recreational driving while I could

According to the National Weather Service for Jamestown:

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday

Partly sunny, with a high near 48. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 46.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of showers after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Wednesday Night

A slight chance of rain showers before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday

A chance of rain and snow showers, mainly after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night

A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Of course, I took some photos while at the shooting area.

More Targets

Well, if there's anything good about this election, I have a few more campaign signs to use for target practice at the shooting area.

That's better than paying for targets.

Above, the Jamestown shooting area three years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 

Meanwhile, At The Corral

Above, the Jeep at the corral today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the first time since I had the Jeep's brakes done, I took a drive in it over to the corral and entrance gate to Six Mile Canyon.

Due to extreme fire danger, the Cibola National Forest is closed. Six Mile Canyon is part of the national forest as is the shooting area. 

Above, yours truly at the corral.

The gate was locked shut and there's a big notice posted indicating Six Mile Canyon was closed. There was also a big sign at the shooting area as well.

Above, the national forest closure sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Speaking of the shooting area, I observed a vehicle there and notified the McKinley County Sheriff. We were requested to do so at last Saturday's meeting. The vehicle left before the sheriff arrived (he responded in eight minutes). I was about to cancel the call but he arrived before I could do so. We chatted a bit. 

Above, the Jeep and corral from inside the gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the way home, I stopped at friend Nandoh's house and we visited a bit. He was working on his 1964 Jeep CJ5. 

Above, the shooting area closure sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The little rain we had yesterday did wonders with the dust that was in the air. The air was nice and fresh despite the winds we are having today. The temperature was in the 60s, but it is to get warmer out tomorrow.

The Emergency Disaster Planning Meeting Was Held

Above, the Whispering Cedars Fire Station where the meeting was held. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Emergency Disaster Planning Meeting was held this morning at the Whispering Cedars Fire Station.

We were in the station's conference room, which wasn't big enough to hold everybody. Why they didn't hold it in the main section where the fire vehicles are kept is beyond me. We had a meeting there a few years ago and it worked out just fine.

The agenda wasn't exactly followed, but most everything on it were addressed by the end of the meeting.

Unfortunately, some of the speakers had a habit of giving long, detailed answers to simple questions. It was a case of "ask him the time and he'll give you the history of watch-making." Oh, well.

At least we found that no prescribed fires are planned for the area. That's comforting to hear. A prescribed burn got out of control near Santa Fe (and is still burning) and merged with another fire.

Interestingly, the juniper and pinon pines in the area usually have around 100% moisture content during normal years. Now they are in the 80s (I think 87% was stated). They need moisture to make sap to fight bark beetles.

We do have a CodeRed alert system in McKinley County. Access to it is through the county website. All one has to do is go to the website and register, which I found to be easy. I registered while at the meeting.

There are currently no evacuation plans, but those are being formulated now. As for livestock and pets, there is the possibility of using the Red Rock Park stables or the Prewitt Fairgrounds stables. They are working on that as well. The main problem is transporting the animals out of danger.

The main bone of contention was the shooting area on National Forest land. It needs to be closed for the duration of the National Forest Stage 3 fire restrictions (closure) that the rest of the Cibola National Forest is under.

One oddity of New Mexico. Fireworks are sold year-round, and not even the governor can halt sales. 

Authorities can "recommend" evacuation, but they cannot force anyone to evacuate in a disaster in New Mexico if they refuse to leave. Interesting.

I talked to one of the guest speakers after the meeting. I spoke with McKinley County Commissioner Billy Moore about freeway signs for Interstate 40. There are no signs pointing the way to Jamestown, just "Refinery". Since we don't live in "Refinery, New Mexico", we need signs for Jamestown. He gave me the contact person information at the New Mexico Department of Transportation to get freeway signs.

It was a useful meeting.

Today's Morning Ride

Above, yours truly at the Six Mile Canyon gate.

Since we're being blessed with some warmer weather this week, I decided to take a morning ride on the mini-bike today.

First off, I rode over to the shooting range and found, to my disgust, the old spools we used as tables were vandalized by some asshole(s). I don't know what motivates people to do stupid things. I took a photo and immediately posted it to our community Facebook page.

Above, the vandalized spools at the shooting range. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After that, I went on to the locked gate to Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. It will be closed to vehicles up to March 31. Last year, it was opened early. Maybe the forest rangers will do so again this year.

Above, the corral and the locked gate to Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Depending on how much cash I have left over after paying bills, I will get the Jeep to the mechanic's to get the brakes fixed. I fired it up, along with my mower, yesterday and ran it for a while. It seems to be in good running order, except for the brakes. Hopefully, it won't cost too much to get the brakes fixed.

I will do some more riding this afternoon. It is expected to get to around 63° later today.

A Ride To The Shooting Area

Above, the shooting area. Our residences are behind the hill on the right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it has been a while since I last went over to the shooting area near our community (it is located on Cibola National Forest property), I took a little ride on the mini bike over there yesterday.

Surprisingly, considering the amount of use the shooting area gets, the ground wasn't too badly littered with spent bullet casings. Maybe many users are reloaders and gathered up the brass shells.

Above, the view towards the target area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The old wooden spools we use as tables could use some replacing as the ones we have are getting old.  

Good Day For Cruisin' Around

Above, while The Beast was running, I took this picture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since today's weather is clear and at 50°, it was a good day to take the Jeep out for some drives around the community and over near the shooting area and the corral at the entrance to Six Mile Canyon. The drive was good upper body exercise for me and a good charge to the Jeep's battery. 

Before doing so, I headed over to the GOCO Beast Barn to start up The Beast in order to charge up the chassis battery. It started immediately and I let it run for a while. 

Above, picture taken during my afternoon coffee break. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sierra spent most of the day sleeping under the falsa blanket that's on top of my comforter. She finally got up a few minutes ago. Such a hard life.

After driving around, I relaxed with a cigar and a cup of coffee on the deck. Not a bad day!