41-49-120-395-270-108

Wherever we may roam...

Those numbers above are the roads we travelled on as we made our way towards, up and back the eastern Sierra Nevada.

We "re-did" what we did Memorial Day weekend. Only this time we got more than we bargained for with the weather and took more pictures! 377 in all. Thank you, digital! And this time, I backed it up. Ain't gonna make the same mistake twice.

We started our drive at around 5:00 a.m. We needed to get some gas so we stopped in Coarsegold but all the stations were closed and the pumps inoperable.

Well, we needed gas and some coffee so we drove to Oakhurst and stopped at Vons. It is around 5:25 a.m. and the Vons Store (which has a Starbucks) doesn't open until 6:00 a.m.!!! We then drove over to the Vons gas station hoping the pumps were working although no one was in the station. I for one never knew that Vons' gas pumps still operate during after hours. My wife kept assuring me the pumps work. I pulled up to one of the pumps, inserted my Vons card, then my credit card and voila! It worked! I'll be damned! I even got three cents off per gallon using my Vons card. Oooooooooooooooooooooo...

After gassing up it was off to Yosemite National Park. Luckily the Oakhurst Starbucks was open at 5:30 a.m. So we got our ventis and our scones. I was hoping to get a sausage sandwich but they don't sell it there.

Wherever we went, rain was sure to follow...Yosemite, Mono Lake, Bodie, Bridgeport, Sonora Pass, Lee Vining. Rain mixed with a little thunder and a little snow at Sonora Pass.

Yosemite Valley overlook. We had the whole place to ourselves. As we were getting ready to leave, four cars pulled up into the parking lot.

As were were driving past Lembert Dome, I came upon a Park Ranger, who apparently pulled out from Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. I didn't know it was a Park Ranger until I mentioned something to Pam and came upon the pickup adorned with its blue and red lights. About two minutes, the ranger pulls over to the side to allow me to pass. We are driving along just doing the speed limit, when the ranger hit the lights. I pulled over and looked at Pam and wondered what this was about. To make a long story short, the ranger said he clocked me at 54 mph when I came upon him. True, I was speeding up until that point. Anyhow, I got off with just a warning. Lucky me.

This is where I got my "warning." Pam took this magnificent picture.


We arrive in Bodie around 9:20 a.m. The crowds were WAY DOWN from Memorial Day weekend. Since we already knew what pictures we wanted to re-take, we hit the town by walking at a brisk pace. Bodie is at 8,375 feet so we had to applying mountaineering breathing techniques to recover quickly from the lack of oxygen.

















These are just some of the pictures we took...

There is just something we like about this picture.

For comparison purposes only...

Just check out the lions on this billiard table.

One-armed bandit.

How many horseshoes were made?

I wonder what the coffee tasted like?

1937 Chevy.

The "Earth Friendly" house on Green Street.

At the top of this hill is a grave marker overlooking the town of Bodie.

And this is the person who it belongs to...All I know so far is that Warren Loose sued someone over a colt from a racehorse. He searched for a place to be interred and settled for the top of the hill above the cemetery for everyone to see his grave as they entered or left town.




















Web drippings. Now, that is old stuff!






















Hazmat.


1910 Maxwell radiator.


The house with a corner bay window and a porch.


The richest man in town.


The bank vault.


The man the town is named after.


A former Bodie baseball player? No inscription on the gravemarker.















The town prostitute. She was not interred within the confines of the cemetery. Guess she wasn't worthy.























The Cain house. The richest man in town.
























Leaded gas.
























The mystery light.
















































Great cellphone service.























The general store.























Merchandise in the store.
























Ground chocolate anyone?























The I.O.O.F. building.




It is here that Pam inserted the Bob Seger CD and the song "Roll Me Away" blared out of the speakers.

"Took a look down a westbound road,
Right away I made my choice
Headed out to my big four-wheeler,
I was tired of my own voice
Took a bead on the northern plains
And just rolled that power on..."








After Bodie, it was off to Sonora Pass. We decided to stop in Bridgeport to get a bite to eat. We head into Rhino's and sit down and we wait...and we wait...and we waited. Now the place is not that busy. We waited...we waited. Okay, that's enough. We go across the streed to the Sportsman Inn. Less crowded and the service was great.

We drive up the 395 to the 108 crossing and head up to the pass. We go beyond the summit and descend on the western side since Pam wanted to take a picture of a waterfall we happened upon the last time we were here. We head back up to the summit and the rain, snow and thunder make their presence felt.



"Can you like hurry up and take the damn picture before I get struck by lightning?" A loud thunderclap went off just when Pam took this picture. Scared the beejeezus out of both of us. Note the words "SLOW TRUCK" on the top of the 108. It is not on the other sign.










Leavitt Falls vista overlook.
























The view of the valley below from the Leavitt Falls Vista Point.























Looking back.

Pickel Meadow





The hot springs south of the 108 and 395 junction. Oops, forgot to change from monochrome to color.



On the 395 just west of Bridgeport. What serenity.














We spend the night in Lee Vining. On the horizon, a storm is looming just above the lake and moving towards us. We stop at Bodie Mike's to grab a bite to eat and the rains came down. They had a problem with cooking Pam's salmon dinner. Apparently the cooks were used to cooking with farm-raised salmon and just happened they decided to cook with wild salmon this particular evening. The proprietor kept coming back and telling us they were having difficulty cooking the salmon. Kept falling apart. They finally got it right and told us the salmon dinner was no charge. We did leave a good tip. Note to self: Order salmon next time.

On Sunday, May 31, Pam and I walk the Lee Vining Creek Trail. After having breakfast at Nicely's, it was time to conclude our trip with our drive up Tioga Pass through Yosemite and then home. Happened to be that the proprietor from last night was working the morning shift as well. We joked about there wasn't any salmon on the breakfast menu.

Lee Vining Creek

Overlooking Mono Lake.


Tuolumne River overfloweth.






















We get to Tuolumne Meadows and lo and behold there was another Park Ranger facing in the opposite direction off to the side in between the numerous cars near the Cathedral Peaks trailhead. We get to Olmsted Point and it starts to pour, but it was only for a short while.

We stopped at a roadside waterfall near White Wolf...

























Then stopped to take some pictures of a blonde black bear resting in a meadow near Crane Flat...

There is a blonde black bear in here somewhere...If you click and enlarge the photo the bear is just a light brown speck between the upright and leaning pine trees.

Wherever I may roam...

IN THE BEGINNING...

On the first day, God created the dog and said: "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of 20 years."

The dog said: "That's a long time to be barking. How about only 10 years and I'll give you back the other 10?"

God agreed.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said:

"Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a 20-year life span.'

The monkey said: "Monkey tricks for 20 years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back 10 like the dog did?

God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow and said: "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of 60 years."

The cow said: "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for 60 years! How about 20 and I'll give back the other 40?"

God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created humans and said: "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you 20 years."

But the human said: "Only 20 years? Could you possibly give me my 20, plus the 40 the cow gave back, plus the 10 the monkey gave back, and plus the 10 the dog gave back? That makes 80, okay?"

"Okay," answered God, "You asked for it. You got it."

That is why for our first 20 years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves.

For the next 40 years we slave in the sun to support our family.

For the next 10 years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren.

For the last 10 years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life...live it!

Have fun...

A LA ANDY ROONEY

So I get this letter in the mail from Chevrolet.

On the front is the trademark Chevrolet "bowtie" and "CHEVY" in the upper left corner of the envelope.

On the upper right "Presorted First-Class Mail U.S. Postage Paid General Motors."

On the back, "P.O. box 909978, Milwaukee, WI 53209."

Down on the bottom are "375612:S01A P00004 0001** -P01054 3817 A." Guess it must be some routing info.

Now in the front they can't even spell my name right! CHEEZITS GRIPES!

Well, the letter is on "nice" letterhead. Has a nice feel to it. Strathmore texture. It has the "fake" signature. Guess Ed Peper, North America Vice President, Chevrolet, doesn't want to sign it personally, so he spells my name wrong.

Anyhow, the letter goes to say...
"For nearly 10 decades..."
Can't they say "For nearly 100 years..." ?

Blah blah blah
"...As everyone knows these are turbulent times...Chevrolet is focues on being your car company...committed to fulfilling your transportation needs in sales and service...both now and in the future..."
Can't even spell my name right.

Blah blah blah
"...we are reengineering our showroom - with cars like our award-winning Malibu...with America's Best Truck, Silverado...with the newest star in family vehicles, the 8-passenger Traverse...and twith the 21st century sports car, Camaro..."
Yep, they are reengineering their showrooms all right...Closing 1,100 of the dealerships. Now that's "reengineering."

Blah blah blah
"...Our 2010 Equinox will head to your local Chevy dealer this summer..."
Equinox means "equal night." Why not Solstice? Wait! Solstice is a Pontiac. Pontiac is history. Is there a seasonal connection?

Blah blah blah
"...two more exciting products are scheduled to begin production next year - first is the awesome new Cruze, our new entry in the Compact Car segment...Then, we will begin production of the Chevy Volt, the world's first Extended-Range Electric Vehicle. Volt is tomorrow's hope for an energy-challenged world...and the embodiment of the new Chevrolet. And all thes new products are just the beginning..."
What are those cars I see on the road that look no bigger than my backpack? The Smart Fortwo looks like if it had a head-on collision with a grasshopper it would lose! Okay, so they are "green," but are they safe? Cruze will become "Cruzhed" and Volt will become "Whatt."

Blah blah blah
"...we deeply appreciate your business. I'll stay in touch on all the happenings at Chevrolet. In the meantime, if you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact Chevy Customer Service at cac@chevrolet.com..."
Maybe Ed "Doctor" Peper will correctly spell my name on the next series of correspondence.

Blah blah blah
"...we look forward to celebrating our centennial with you in 2011."
Gosh, I can't wait for 01-01-11. Once the largest employer of over 618,000 now just around 88,000. When is the world going to end according to the Mayan calendar? 12-21-12.

As the late Bob Hope would sing, "Thanks for the memories..."

Wait!

Bob Hope endorsed Dodge and Chrysler.

There is a connection here somewhere...

LO(O)SE (THE) CHANGE

One of my small goals months ago was to empty out the change jar.

After constant visits to Starbucks and Whole Foods, gone are all the pennies, nickels, dimes. FINALLY!

I have saved the quarters for last since you can use them for laundry, showers, and car washes when out hiking, campin and driving.

Life...live it.

Have fun.

PHOTO (O)OPS!

After all the hours and weekends preparing for the opening of the new Social Security Administration office, I decided she needed to be "kidnapped."

So on Saturday, May 23, we left home at 7:14 a.m. and drove down to Fresno and stopped at Whole Foods to have breakfast. As we sat and ate our breakfast burritos, I called my in-laws and left a voicemail message to negotiate a "ransom," but I they didn't reply to my call. Now, this is their daughter we are talking about!

We drove up the 99 to Manteca. Holiday traffic was considerably light. We opted to take the 120 East instead of the 108 through Modesto.

We hit bumper-to-bumper along the way. Oakdale was a bad traffic jam where the 120 and 108 meet. Figures. EVERYONE IS GOING TO YOSEMITE, RIGHT?! At least we hoped since we were headed in the "other" direction. We went beyond the turnoff, went down a couple city streets and got back on 108.

We made it passed Sonora without further traffic.

We stop at Sonora Pass for some photo opportunities and to walk on the snow. On the ride down, we stopped at the Marine Corps Mountain Warefare Training Center, then drove down and spent the night in Bridgeport. We have dinner at Rhino's and then retire for the evening.

The sign of the times in Bridgeport is "For Sale." A couple of eating establishments in town are for sale, Bridgeport Inn and the Jolly Kone.

On Sunday, May 24, we gassed up at the Shell station. Gas was $3.499 per gallon for regular unleaded! I wonder if the gas price "spiked" due to the Memorial Day weekend?

We ate an early breakfast at the Bridgeport Inn and headed over to Bodie State Park for three hours, before the holiday crowds came. What a place.

We then headed to Lee Vining and stopped to get a cup of coffee and then it was up Tioga Road through Yosemite National Park. Quite a bit of snow near the east entrance. The Tuolumne Campground and Grill was still closed.

In two days, we took a lot of pictures. Sonora Pass, Bridgeport, Bodie, Yosemite. All beautiful pictures.

On Monday, May 25, we wanted to show our family the pictures of our trip. I got everything hooked up and ready to go. I wanted to eliminate the "border" stuff so I referred to the manual. I didn't see anything so I went to FORMAT. Hit OK and ...





















Gone.

All pictures...

Gone.





















"NO IMAGE"

Say what?

Cannot "UNDO." Ain't no "UNDO" button or function.

What I did was done.

$h!+.
(Plus other expletives of my choosing! )

I didn't read the fine print. Well, I only saw what I wanted to see.

Oh, well.

Once before, never again.

This weekend we are retracing our route in the opposite direction.

We will go through Yosemite National Park via Tioga Pass, then stop at Bodie for pictures (we know what shots we want), then head up to Bridgeport and up to Sonora Pass and turn around and probably stop in Bridgeport again.

We can leave Friday night and car camp somewhere in YNP or we can leave early Saturday morning.

I think Friday night would be more exciting.

POWER OUTAGE?

Last night there was a power outage and we weren't aware nor affected by it.

My wife and I got home after another long day of work. We had just taken our showers and were in the kitchen and dining room area when there was a knock on the door at about 6:00 p.m.

It was our neighbor, Mickey.

He asked if our electricity was out, because his was.

My wife and I turned toward each other and just smiled.

I gave Mickey the grand tour. He was impressed with our setup.

Living off the grid.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

Just doing the math here on this...

Under the new vehicle standards, U.S. passenger vehicles and light trucks must average 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, which President Obama said would save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the program.

The plan was praised by automakers and environmentalists but means higher price tags for consumers. Officials said they would recoup the money with lower fuel costs.

The new program, the administration said, will add about $600 to the price of producing a vehicle compared to current law. This requires automakers to achieve a fleet average of 35 mpg by 2020, a 40 percent increase over today's performance.

The plan could cut deeply into voracious U.S. gasoline demand, dealing another blow to a refining sector hard hit by recession and bracing for more climate legislation.

...2016...How about NOW! Why wait 7 years? The automakers are holding out.

...higher price tags for consumers...$600.00? Really now?

...recoup the money with lower fuel costs...Who are these officials? Okay, gas is around $2.529 per gallon here in the valley. It was $1.879 back on January 5, 2009. Am I missing something here?

...automakers to achieve a fleet average of 35 mpg by 2020, a 40 percent increase over today's performance...Okay, now, if cars and trucks become more fuel efficient, that means Americans will be stopping less to refuel during commutes or vacations. Money in the pocket? Not for long.

...refining sector hit hard by recession...Okay, I interpret this meaning that oil companies will argue that they should increase the price of gasoline since Americans will be buying less and to keep from laying off workers. Wait, oh, that's why the gas prices are going up. Ain't nobody refining!

Solving for "x"...problem solved...the moonshiners were onto something: White lightning...aka ethanol.

OPENING DAY

At 9:00 a.m., the "new" Fresno SSA office is open to the public.

IF APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAYFLOWERS

Then what do mayflowers bring?

HEAT! Yes, HEAT. Right now it is 103° degrees (97° in the shade). Spring had come and gone.

Yesterday, it was time to take off the canvas cover to the swamp cooler. Used the leafblower to blow out the dust and debris before turning it on. Didn't want all of that stuff blowing into the house. Before winter set in and after the final days of warm weather had passed, the cooler was drained, unplugged, and the fanbelt removed.

Well, to my dismay, I couldn't find the drain plug so I had to go to the hardware store. I found two that would work and came back home. Much to my dismay, the damn things didn't fit. So, off I went back to the hardware store.

I ask the guy, "Hey, I have a one-inch drain, it says here '1-inch' but the damn is '1-1/2"' in diameter. I have a plug here that is 3/4 inch and it lists '1-inch.' What's wrong with this picture?"

Anyhow, I got the plug I wanted.

Turned the water on. No leaks.

Got back up on the ladder to hook up the pump. All plugged in. All systems ready to go. I tell my wife, "Flick the switch!"

Voila!

"IT'S ALIVE!!!"

But wait! My wife tells me the cooler is still blowing hot air.

WHAT?

I go back outside and up the ladder. The "whatchmahcallits" (cooler pads) are still bone dry. I disconnect the hose from the pump. No water coming out (yes, it is still in the water). Frozen pump.

The pump had been sitting dry over the course of these months. I took the pump out and put it in a plastic coffee can with water and CLR and let it sit overnight.

So, here we are Saturday night. The house is hot, but thankfully there is a good breeze. A warm breeze, but it is a relief.

This morning I plugged in the pump. Nothing. It's purring like a kitten, but it ain't working.

Back to the hardware store. They only had one pump and it was the WRONG kind!

Damnit.

I have to drive into Oakhurst True Value. They had a great selection. But which one?

"Eeny meeny miney moe. Catch a pump by its hose outlet."

Out of the four I picked the third biggest. What the hell, it can't hurt.

Drive back home. I turn on the water to fill up the reservoir. I climb up the ladder to install the pump.

Uh oh.

The hose is just a bit too short, but I feel it can still work. If it works its way loose we will know when nothing but hot air is pumped throughout the house.

I go into the house to turn it on.

IT'S ALIVE!

All systems are go. The cooler pads are getting soaked. I race back inside to feel the fruits of my labor.

Ah.................................................

Cool moist air...

Everybody happy.

CLOSED

The Fresno Social Security Administration office on Shaw and West is closed to the public today in order to move what is left to the new office.



Now, if you look closely at the black strip at the bottom of the new office picture you will see http://www.socialsecurity.com/.

Well, it should be http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ or http://www.ssa.gov/.

Big difference in websites if you click on the links.

And to think this was created by none other than the Social Security Administration AREA DIRECTOR'S public relations department here in downtown Fresno!

Oh, and the "800" number? The Fresno office has its own toll-free number 866-902-7313.

At least the office hours are correct!

Hey, I didn't sign off on the work order!

Oh, well. Hopefully, no one else noticed. Yeah, right!

But it is a nice picture!!!

Another thing. If you click on the map to view a larger version and look at the top of the map you will see "LOCATED BEHIND WAL-MART." Yup, Wal-Mart. I am going to leave it at that.

And one more thing. The new office is located next to a mortuary. Already, the owner is upset about the light that illuminates the American flag at night. He says it "disturbs" his business. DISTURBS HIS BUSINESS? Okay. What type of clientele "visit" mortuaries? I am going to leave it at that, again.

THE END

The Fresno Social Security Administration office on Shaw and Palm closed its doors for the very last time at 4:00 p.m.

Some have worked here since this office opened up in 1975.

A new location means new spirit. A revitalization.

It was fun here.




It will be fun at the new location...


Again.

WHAT TO DO...

with all this empty space in the waning days of your last days of an "old" office?

















Simple, have the Assistant District Manager coordinate a Hawaiian-themed beach party, print up some nametag labels with your birth name translated into Hawaiian, leis, bring in a pool volleyball net and throw in some beach balls, bocce balls, limbo music, catered food and refreshments, balloons, and...

Sorry, no sand, because we have to clean this place up before we turn over the keys to the owner and...

Sorry, no water, but someone suggested setting the sprinklers on (jokingly, of course) and...

Sorry, no palm trees either, and...



Hang loose and have fun!


























Who says government employees can't have fun once in a while?

FIREBREAK

In keeping in compliance of the fire code, I have to clear 100 feet of brush from the house by June 1.

Last year, I had to mow our property THREE times!

Told myself and convince my wife, I ain't gonna do that again this year! Let the stuff grow and then cut it ONCE!

"Good" in some respects where the tall grass is dry.

"Bad" when the tall grass is still green from any runoff.

This rainy season was sort of unexpected. Periods of rain. Periods of dry spells. When the rains returned after the dry spells, it resulted in new growth from the seeds of the old growth.

What I wound up doing was the green stuff "halfway down" to dry out the growth, hopefuly. What I didn't cut, gets whacked next week. I am hoping that the warm weather this week will do the trick for my next "honey do" next weekend.

It's no easy task when you have hilly terrain. One hundred feet doesn't seem much, but when you have to mark it out, you say, "Damn! I gotta cut that much?"

So, put up and shut up. Crank up the Stihl FS-55 RC with the PolyCut thermoplastic blades and let it do its thing. I also fitted the cutting head with some nylon line to give me extra cutting power. Nice!

I had to strap on my ice crampons in order to dig my feet into the slope to get a solid base while operating the weedeater. Even so, the crampons offer little "digging in" since dirt is dirt and ice are different "compositions." Then I got to thinking that I didn't want to destroy the slope, because when the rains return, I am going to have a serious problem with erosion and I don't want that. Don't want the pool winding up at the bottom of the ravine.

I went back to the garage and pulled out my climbing gear. I hooked up some quickdraws, daisy chains, slings, static rope for use with my harness and our metal fence. Now, I am cooking with gas! Clip, "clip," unclip, clip, "clip." I had to use extreme caution not to get near my ropes if you know what I mean.

Why is it that when you plan for a major project (i.e. moving, mowing, etc.) the temperature goes above and beyond 95°? Earlier in the week, the temperatures were in the low to mid 80s. Sucks!
Anyhow, back to the rest of the story...

My hiking gear really came in handy doing this chore. My Camelbak FlashFlo hip pack was great! I was able to sip while I zipped. My wicking long-sleeved shirt blocked out the UV and kept me cool during my breaks. My wide-brimmed hat protected my face and head and kept me cool.

Now, as for the divots I left behind, I found some oak saplings and transplanted them on the slope. I ran some drip irrigation hose from the main line of the rain collection reservoir down to the saplings. My hope is the oaks take root in the exposed areas.

Oh, yeah...

The temperatures are forecasted to reach the 100s this weekend May 16 and 17!

$(weat)h!+

"Honey, what is that buzzing noise at this ungodly morning hour?"

Good thing my neighbors are few and very far between.










Progress is slow, but every swath of the weedeather gets the desired results...it ain't easy. The long brush at the bottom will not need to be trimmed. That is where the steep slope begins. I may strap on my climbing harness and use climbing rope to maneuver my way around. It is the only way.

MOVING DAY

Goodbye, Shaw and West...
Hello, Locust and Palm!






















Today, the movers come to the "old" Fresno Social Security Office to take the desks and chairs and disassemble the cubicles to take to the "new" office.

There is a lot of "stuff" to move and disassemble.

And to reassemble...
Before...

After...















There is still a lot of work to do for "opening day" on May 18, but the movers and assemblers are on target and on time. There was concern that the cubicle colors would not match the carpet. Well, they do. In fact, they complement each other.

Both offices will be closed to the public on Friday, May 15.

THINGS WE LIKE TO SEE

The alarm in the "off" position. We love our weekends. On the weekends we don't hike, we stay in bed. Getting up every weekday morning at 4:00 a.m. and getting home around 5:00 p.m. does take a toll on you. When we retire, clocks will be banished in the house. Our cars will have the time set to another time. We won't know what time it is unless we turn on the computer or the television, or hear it on the radio, or see the time displayed in public. Time will not ru(i)n our lives in retirement.





Twenty-five pound bags of organic brown rice. Got this one at Whole Foods for a little under $28.00. After finishing off the last 20-pound bag of white rice earlier this year (at the insistence of my wife), this is my (our) preferred food of choice. No more purchases of those 2-pound bags for $3.79. We currently use the 2-pound bags for our training hikes. We stuff our packs and off we go! Soon, those 2-pound bags will disappear. Make room for the big guy. We have been searching the web for bulk deals. Yeah, bulk deals my @$$! They nab you for $20+ for shipping! So for now, as long as Whole Foods stocks it, we will keep buying it.

DUH

At first I wanted to post this as either "It Pays to Advertise?" or "Darwin Award Winner."

I opted for "Duh."

Here's why...

A 20-year-old Mendota man, Israel Ramirez, was locked up once again after being charged with stealing his prisoner t-shirt from a previous stint at the Fresno County Jail.

Ramirez was arrested last week on suspicion of child abuse and possession of marijuana.

After he was released from jail last Thursday, police said he nearly caused a collision with a Fresno County Sheriff's deputy while riding his 20-inch chrome bicycle.

Deputies then noticed that he was wearing a white t-shirt ("market value" approximately $400.00) with "PRISONER" printed in black on the back. Police said the shirt was from the Fresno County Jail and he had concealed it under his Southpole clothing when he was released.

He wanted to take it home because it looked "cool."

The man was then sent back to jail and booked on felony charges of receiving stolen property.

Maybe in this case, it DOESN'T pay to advertise.

"I went to Fresno County Jail and all I got was this t-shirt! Pretty cool, huh?"

"Pretty cool? DUH!" is more like it.

I bet he is wearing that same t-shirt right now. Wait! He can't! It's evidence against him!

Definitely wearing one of the many the Fresno County Jail prisoner t-shirts has to offer.

Probably one embroidered with his name on it!

The following is taken from The Smoking Gun.

SWINE FLU DEFENSE

Wash your hands often.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Avoid crowded city conditions.

Postpone any and all travel to Mexico.

Get plenty of sleep.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Be careful with whom who you associate.

and don’t....

WTFO

On our drive to work, we heard on the radio that one of the local hospitals is having a Dollars for Diapers campaign trying to raise $30,000 for families who cannot afford diapers for their babies.


Can't...afford...diapers?



We couldn't believe what we heard.



Hey, sage advice to all you families who cannot afford diapers, food and clothing:


STOP HAVING BABIES!!!

ZEITGEIST

The Movie.

Interesting...

ENGINEERING MARVEL

Before...

After (halfway there)...















Well, maybe not, but it's partially done. All we have to do is fill in the cracks with mortar and cement to keep the sand from being washed away during the seasonal rains. Then there is the pergola and arbor and handrails to complete the project. We want to get this done before the Memorial Day weekend because we got some hiking to do in preparation for our trip to Japan to climb Fuji-san in July!

We have to admit it does look a helluva lot better than the wood! Even the in-laws were impressed.

It was fun doing this project. Thankfully the weather cooperated. We thought on Friday, April 24, we would get hit by the major storm that was moving through the area but it missed us to the north and south and all we got was a few sprinkles.

We still have one 60 pound sack of sand and three garden wall blocks left over! This will carry over to our next paver project when we get rid of the ugly peeler logs and railroad ties and expand the herbal garden (see the sage and terra cotta pot on the left behind me). We calculate we will need between 90 and 100 6-inch blocks to finish. Nothing like a good workout. It is just a matter of bringing up (or deliver) at least two and a half pallets of blocks.

OPENING SOON

Fresno's new Social Security Administration Office will open soon on West Locust Avenue near the intersection of Herndon and Palm. The current office, located on Shaw and West, will be vacated after over 30 years of use.


























The office spaces...The District Manager's office is on the right where the chair is. The Assistant District Manager's office is adjacent to the left. The remaining carpeted area will consist of cubicles for the employees.

The Main Lobby. The armed guard station will be located at the double windows.

The main entrance to the lobby looking back at a different angle.

The "windows" have electronic retractable windows. In case of a power outage, there is a backup power supply ensure all windows are secured.

EARTH DAY 2009

Our new fig tree planted over a month ago is sprouting in our back garden...





























Gilroy, CA has got its claim to garlic, now it is going to be our turn.
















When I lived in southern California, I made it a commitment to commute by bicycle on this particular day no matter what. It would take me approximately 30 minutes to ride the 5 miles or so to work without breaking out in a sweat.

Now living in northern California, my wife and I commute 30 miles by car one way. We live too far from work to strap on our helmets, get on our bicycles and ride "downhill." Just the thought of going "uphill" at the end of a long day makes us cringe. We'd never make it home on time to get to bed!

Being off the grid, we have contributed in a huge way. Not just for one day, but for everyday. We feel good about that, because we are not alone. We are in good company.

So, do what must be done today. Take the time to smell the flowers.

Better yet, why not plant something?

Happy Earth Day!

HIGH HEAT

Nope, I am not talking fastballs here...

We got a dose of the 90s today...

95°

And this is only April 20.

The surrounding hills are slowly tranforming from the luscious green to the "fire hazard" tan.

Speaking of high, I did not know 4/20 was celebrated.

FIRST CONFIRMED KILL

My wife and stepdaughter went to the garage to rearrange things in preparation for the "gar(b)age sale."

I was in the house when my wife had this "look" on her face. A face of fear.

She went on to tell me that when she opened up the main door to the garage, she saw something fall down in the corner. Jingles the Wonderdog went in to investigate and started barking. My wife went to the scene of the commotion and noticed a rattlesnake slithering around in the corner and then disappeared.

I went down to the greenhouse and grabbed the drain spade and walked over to the garage door area. JayMi was holding Jingles who was squirming and whining in her arms. I told her to put the dog in the enclosed garden area until I found the snake. As soon as she did that and walked away, Jingles started whining and barking more. My wife told JayMi to stay close to Jingles.

I got on my hands and knees hoping to spot the elusive rattler. I moved the air compressor out of the way to get to the other "stuff" that amassed in that corner where the snake was.

My wife said, "Maybe he is under the generator."

I reached down to grab the handle of the generator and pulled it back towards me.

Lo and behold, there it was all coiled up. Hissing and rattling. Approximately 18 inches in length. Western diamondback.

The first poke with the spade resulted in hitting its body. Now, it is really pissed. The next strike with the spade point resulted in decapitation. Body still moving and the head still flicking the tongue.

It was a meaty rattler. "Hey, let's say we gut it, boil it and de-bone it. Sautee some garlic with some extra virgin olive oil in a wok with some Chinese snow peas, bean sprouts, shredded carrots and some organic Asian noodles?"

My recipe suggestion was overturned by a majority of two squeamish faces.

"Throw it in the garbage can!"

"No, it will stink by the time the garbage man comes on Friday. I will throw the body down the hill."

"Throw the head away in the garbage?"

"Yeah, that's okay."

My wife grabs a spade to pick up the severed head. As I made my way towards the hill, I hear this scream.

Turns out the severed head flipped over in the spade and startling my wife and JayMi.

How that snake "fell" is anyone's guess. It had to be warming itself up with the heat reflecting off the garage door and concrete. Upon investigating, at the bottom of the garage door and the jamb, there is this small space large enough for a small animal to make its way into the gargage. Guess it got caught somehow when the garage door was opened. Who knows.

Everyone is safe and Jingles got a reward of bacon treats. Maybe I should have let him eat the snake. Jingles the Rattlesnake Killer! Probably a mongoose in his previous life.

One less rattler in the world. Where there is one, there will be others. It is that time of year again.

We will just have to be extra careful when we are outside.

STEP ONE TWO, STEP ONE TWO

Ah, the joys of home ownership...

We decided it was time to replace the rotting rickety wooden treads on the back steps leadint to the garage with retaining wall brick to give it that eco-friendly look. It was a safety hazard and we thought it was best to renovate with our own know-how. When you have elderly people around, the main concern is safety. And in between the treads, there is space big enough for a rattler to hide. All it takes is just one person walking down and they get bitten in the ankle.

The demolition was the easy part. The rotting wood made for easy work with the crowbar and pick axe. Some treads just split and fell apart with relative ease. Two treads held together. Those can be recycled for another project. The other rotten strips can be salvaged as well. The splintered pieces got tossed into the burn pile.

I had to break out the reciprocating saw to cut through some screws and some bolts. Other than that, pretty easy.

Then there was the hard part...thirty bricks weighing at least 50 pounds a piece and moving 12 60-pound sacks of sand. Set, move, adjust, set, level, move, tweak, sweat, cuss, re-set, measure, scoop, scrape, sweat, brush, cuss some more, water break, coffee break, more set, adjust...

We left the stringers in place so that we can add a handrailing.

The muscles are sore. My right shoulder and wrist hurt. My back is fine.
The pain wanes with every brick down and set in place. One brick down. One brick closer.

We will finish the project by erecting an arbor and a pergola.

At the bottom right of the picture, we will have our serenity garden with waterfall and small pond. The bottom left is still yet to be decided.

At the end of the day, looking good and still standing.

NORMAN CLYDE

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COUNTY OF INYO EASTERN CALIFORNIA MUSEUM

Museum Explores Legendary Life of Climber
Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2009
By Marek Warszawski / The Fresno Bee

















Legendary Sierra mountaineer Norman Clyde leans on his ice axe in this undated photo. Clyde, who is credited with more first ascents than anyone else in the Sierra Nevada, is the subject of an extensive exhibit that opens Saturday at the Eastern California Museum in Independence. Nearly 40 years after his death, Clyde remains a bit of a mystery among an abundance of personalities in Sierra mountaineering and rock climbing.

John Muir, Clarence King, Royal Robbins. The history of Sierra Nevada mountaineering and rock climbing is filled with legendary names and legendary feats.

But when stories get passed around a campfire on cold nights at high elevations, one name towers above them all: Norman Clyde.

Simply put, anyone who stands atop a Sierra peak is following in Clyde's footsteps, whether they realize it or not.

Legendary Sierra mountaineer Norman Clyde leans on his ice axe in this undated photo. Clyde, who is credited with more first ascents than anyone else in the Sierra Nevada, is the subject of an extensive exhibit that opens Saturday at the Eastern California Museum in Independence.

Nearly 40 years after his death, Clyde remains a bit of a mystery among an abundance of personalities in Sierra mountaineering and rock climbing.

In a mountaineering career that spanned several decades, Clyde is credited with roughly 130 first ascents -- far more than anyone else -- and pioneered just as many new routes on peaks that had already been climbed.

But because Clyde was a recluse, had a gruff demeanor and didn't trumpet his own accomplishments, much less is known about him than other mountaineers of his stature. Nearly 40 years after his death, he remains a bit of a mystery.

That's where the Eastern California Museum, located in Independence, helps fill in the blanks. The museum's newest exhibit, "Norman Clyde of the High Sierra," opens Saturday and will be on display throughout the year.

"Norman Clyde was without question the most prolific climber in Sierra history," said Andy Selters, a Bishop-based climber, author and photographer who curated the exhibit.

"He climbed everything. It's fair to say that he climbed every significant peak in the Sierra, and some that aren't so significant."

The museum's display includes more than 50 photographs, numerous personal belongings, including his trademark campaign hat and ice axe, and a 7-foot-long satellite image of the High Sierra marked with 100 of Clyde's first ascents.

Just as notable as the number of peaks Clyde climbed is the manner in which he climbed them.

Clyde's customary 90-pound backpacks, stuffed with cast-iron skillets, canned food, fishing reels and hardcover volumes of classic literature, written in Greek and Latin, are as legendary as his climbs.

We're not talking about backpacks with fitted internal frames, foam-padded hip belts and load compression straps. The kind of pack Clyde lugged around was basically a wooden board with a duffel bag lashed to it.

He became known as "the pack that walks like a man."

"He was like a traveling Winnebago," Selters said.

Clyde spent his first summer in the Sierra in 1914 -- the same year Muir died. Following his wife's death in 1919 of tuberculosis, Clyde threw himself into mountaineering. To get nearer to the peaks he loved, he became principal of Owens Valley School in Independence.

In 1925 alone, Clyde recorded 48 climbs, 22 of which were first ascents. But while he felt at home in the mountains, he didn't fare as well in general society. On Halloween night 1928, Clyde fired a shot from his Colt .45 into the car of a local teenager who Clyde had reason to believe was on his way to vandalize the school. Under pressure, he resigned as principal and never again held a full-time job.

Included in the exhibit are articles from the local newspaper and minutes of the school board meeting that followed the shooting incident.

"They didn't file charges against him as long as he quit," Selters said. "He had a temper. That's pretty clear."

Clyde typically spent his summers at a high-elevation base camp in order to be closer to the peaks he loved. In winter, he found work as a caretaker of summer lodges and explored the snow-covered wilderness on skis.

Although Clyde was well known during his lifetime, he refused to capitalize on his fame by writing personal accounts of his climbs that surely would've sold well. Instead, his published works are focused entirely on mountains, their individual characteristics and the views afforded from their summits.

"It was very intentional," Selters said. "He did not want to write his story into the mountains, and it's not entirely clear why. I guess he felt the mountains were the story, and his personal recollections shouldn't detract from that."

Photographs of Clyde taken in his 70s show him with a straight back and crystal clear eyes. Even some of the surliness of his younger years is said to have faded.

When Clyde died in 1972 at age 87, just two years beyond his last climb, friends quietly scattered his ashes across the summit of an unnamed peak that Clyde used to gaze upon from his ranch outside Big Pine.

Later, it was christened Norman Clyde Peak. A fitting tribute for a man who dedicated his life to mountains as few have or ever will.

EWD

I do it. My wife does it. I'm sure all of us have done it. I'm sure all of us do it everyday.

Guilty in the first degree...

EWD...Eating while driving. If you keep one hand on the steering wheel while you stuff your face I see no problem as long as you keep an eye on the road, too.

Now, here is what we witnessed this morning on our commute to work this morning.

An Acura merged on to the southbound 41 just north of the Fresno County line. I moved over to the number one lane to allow it to merge.

I caught up to the Acura. I noticed out of the corner of my eye a woman eating. Not a sandwich. Not a burrito. Not a banana.

She was eating a BOWL OF OATMEAL! My wife verified that discovery.

My wife and I have see women applying mascara while driving, we see people STILL talking on their cellphones, dogs riding in the driver's lap (I actually witnessed a parrot on a driver's shoulder just last Saturday), but never, and I mean never, had we ever seen anyone eating a bowl of oatmeal on their way to work.

What compelled this driver to eat her breakfast on the road? I do not know. Maybe she hit the snooze button on her alarm one too many times. Maybe it was a way to enjoy a meal in solitude while listening to talk radio. Maybe she does it all the time. Who knows? Anyhow, I wished I had my camera to record this event.

Anyhow, where was I? Oh yeah...

While cruising at 70 mph (yes, I was speeding), she had her bowl perched in the center of the steering wheel above the airbag. Her little fingers were holding the steering wheel while her forefingers and thumbs were balancing the bowl. She was eating with her right hand. She was eating as if she were sitting at the breakfast table. Whether she had a crossword puzzle, raisins and cinnamon, and a glass of orange juice to go with that breakfast is anyone's guess.

I passed by her as she slowed down, then she speeds up and passes me in the number two lane. I was still going 70 mph and she had to be doing 80 while still eating. We started to come up on slower traffic and she almost rearends a white Honda. Oh no, there goes the gene pool. I pass by the slower traffic and noticed in my rearview that she moves over to the passing lane with one car between us.

Maybe I should slam on my brakes? Naw. Maybe she is done eating? I wonder if she packed along a toothbrush.

Anyhow, my lane proceeds along and when we got into Fresno where the freeway becomes three lanes I stayed in the middle lane and I see the Acura in my rearview. Yes, she is still eating. I didn't ask my wife how big the bowl was. Must be a slow eater. Cold oatmeal. Yuck.

As we make our way to the Shaw exit and she comes whizzing by me STILL EATING!

A chuckle for the day.

Now, what if she spilled that bowl of oatmeal in her lap? What if she was going to meet with a very important client at 8:00 a.m.? Try explaining the blob of oatmeal on your dress!

Cellphones. Texting. I bet "eating" hits the lawbooks in California.

A bill is being proposed in the state of Texas. It is HB 738.

"Inattentive Driving."

Hmmmmm...

What is "interacting with a vehicle passenger?"

Guess that is what the rest areas and turnouts are for!

I am going to leave it at that!

I'm hungry...

Maybe a breakfast burrito from Whole Foods!

1.75

Sunrise on our 1.75 anniversary!

EASTER 2009

Happy Easter from all of us to all of you.














Front (l to r): Some guy, my BroHammy-in-law, my beautiful wife, BriTt, NaNa, JayMi, PaPou, TheeOs, NaTaLe, TomMy, Tre, ChrisTn. Jingles the Wonderdog was off-camera searching for orts.

We had our fill of lamb, potatoes, salad, Easter bread, deviled eggs, ambrosia, feta cheese, olives, green beans, carrot cake, and strawberry shortcake.

Decided to clean the weapons in preparation for the feral pig hunt. Nothing like feral pig sausage for breakfast, not to mention feral pig ham steaks and ribs. Doesn't get any more organic than that.

It was a great Easter.

Hope yours was great, too!