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.

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Above, one of the escapees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night, I was all set to spend the evening watching two hours of Antiques Roadshow when a pack of four dogs were running around our street.

I didn't recognize them but they were hanging around my neighbor's horse pen. Concerned that they may attack the horses, I fired of some firecrackers that sent them running to another neighbor's horse pen. I notified my neighbor, who was coming home from work in Arizona. He wondered if they were his dogs, I said I didn't think so as I heard barking coming from his yard. But, I decided to check. Sure enough those were his dogs running loose.

So, I spent the evening getting them back to his yard. I thought an unsecured gate was were they got out, but it turned out that a wooden fence around his house was broken through. They were running around the community near Nandoh's and the shooting range. There's a saying about "herding cats", but herding dogs isn't any easier either. Luckily, the area were in had new perimeter fencing installed, so there was little chance they would be able to get onto the highway from there.

I followed two of them from the road to the shooting area and up Whispering Cedars Road to West Blue Cedar Road and home in the car. 

Above, you can barely see them, but I am following a St. Bernard and a
German Shepherd up Whispering Cedars Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After getting the dogs back in the yard, I waited for my neighbor to get home. After he got home, he found the spot where they got out.

Well, at least the dogs are securely at home now. At least last night wasn't too cold out during all this.

I did manage to catch one hour of Antiques Roadshow.

Good Jeepin' Weather

Above, the view from the gate at the top of Mustang Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today turned out to be one of the warmest or THE warmest days in weeks. It got to 57°. So I thought I'd take the opportunity to take the Jeep out for some driving.

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

I drove on Six Mile Canyon Road until I reached the spot where the Interstate 40 culvert is located. I found the road washed out and deeply muddy. The Jeep probably would have made it across, but I elected to turn around and avoid getting stuck or the Jeep getting too muddy (especially since I am refraining from using the garden hose to keep the faucet from freezing and bursting from overnight frigid temperatures).

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

I drove over to the shooting range and the area near it. I stopped to relax while having Coke.

From there, I headed over to Mesa Ridge Ranch (the neighboring subdivision). It had been months since I was last there. The view at the top of Mustang Road (at the gate) of Cibola National Forest was an enjoyable one.

Above, Cibola National Forest from the Mustang Road gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After that, I headed back to our community and drove up Birch Road and the Birch Road loop before heading back home.

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

It was an enjoyable drive.