Another dry month.
Not a drop in August.
That is two months in a row.
Not good.
Well, there is September...
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Friday, August 05, 2016
Wednesday, August 03, 2016
ONE HUNDRENDED...
The 11-day streak of 100° came to an end today. It all started July 23.
The temperature gauge reached 99° today.
It has never been this hot at 3,000 feet.
Our hope is that there are no more streaks like this.
The temperature gauge reached 99° today.
It has never been this hot at 3,000 feet.
Our hope is that there are no more streaks like this.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
JDURLY...
The driest July ever...
No precipitation.
What El Nino? Maybe, El Nono!
Thirteen days of 100°+ temperatures for July. Nine days in a row since July 23.
The average high temperature for this July is 98.6°. In 2015 it was 94.9°. In 2014, 91.5°.
Then, there is August...
Yes, global warming indeed.
No precipitation.
What El Nino? Maybe, El Nono!
Thirteen days of 100°+ temperatures for July. Nine days in a row since July 23.
The average high temperature for this July is 98.6°. In 2015 it was 94.9°. In 2014, 91.5°.
Then, there is August...
Yes, global warming indeed.
Thursday, July 21, 2016
SERPA CANYON FIRE..
http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1343
The first one...
This one is 2 miles away, but if the winds pick up later in the day, the fire may spread towards us.
Mix in dead pine trees...
The first one...
This one is 2 miles away, but if the winds pick up later in the day, the fire may spread towards us.
Mix in dead pine trees...
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Thursday, June 30, 2016
J1U0N0E°...
100° days: 11 days (1, 3, 4, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
2014: 3
2015: 9
Rain: 0.34 inches (06-12-16)
2014: 0.01
2015: 0.03
June started out with a boom and ended that way. It got up to 105.1° on 06-27-16. The lowest high was 75.7 on 06-15-16. It got as low as 38.5° on 06-16-16. We live at 3,000 feet elevation.
June was a hot one for the record books. We thought that the temperaturs would be mild like it was between 06-09-16 and 06-18-16. Then 06-19-16 came around and hit hasn't dipped below 90° for a high since then.
The dogs are fine with the heat since we do have that kiddie pool. We try to limit play time to prevent them from becoming overheated.
Then there is July, August, and September...
All of the rain we received has given rise to vegetation which has now turned to beige.
What will the fire season be like this year?
2014: 3
2015: 9
Rain: 0.34 inches (06-12-16)
2014: 0.01
2015: 0.03
June started out with a boom and ended that way. It got up to 105.1° on 06-27-16. The lowest high was 75.7 on 06-15-16. It got as low as 38.5° on 06-16-16. We live at 3,000 feet elevation.
June was a hot one for the record books. We thought that the temperaturs would be mild like it was between 06-09-16 and 06-18-16. Then 06-19-16 came around and hit hasn't dipped below 90° for a high since then.
The dogs are fine with the heat since we do have that kiddie pool. We try to limit play time to prevent them from becoming overheated.
Then there is July, August, and September...
All of the rain we received has given rise to vegetation which has now turned to beige.
What will the fire season be like this year?
Friday, June 17, 2016
PRESIDENT OBAMA
The area is anticipating the arrival of the First Family this weekend.
The first family is scheduled to touch down at Castle Airport in Merced tonight, and are expected to leave Sunday afternoon.
The first visit by a U.S. President since President Kennedy in 1962.
We will NOT be going to Yosemite this weekend.
The first family is scheduled to touch down at Castle Airport in Merced tonight, and are expected to leave Sunday afternoon.
The first visit by a U.S. President since President Kennedy in 1962.
We will NOT be going to Yosemite this weekend.
Thursday, June 09, 2016
HAPPY BIRTHDAY...
Today would have been my aunt's 90th birthday.
Probably sloppin' hogs with my uncle Up There...
Probably sloppin' hogs with my uncle Up There...
Monday, May 30, 2016
OF BROTH, BUTTERFLIES, AND KIDDIE POOLS
Sasha and Drake love chicken broth with their dry dog food. It is a better alternative to the bacon fat I have been putting in their food.
Sasha and Drake enjoy chasing the butterflies fluttering in our backyard. It is a sight to behold as they try to capture one. Quite hilarious sight to see as they chase them down.
When my MIL got us a kiddie pool last year, the dogs were reluctant to get in. They would rather drink from it than play in it. Well, this year, we filled up the kiddie pool and the dogs were more than anxious to dive in and have a grand old time. The recent rains flooded our seasonal creeks and we turned the dogs loose in the water. This year, the kiddie pool will definitely get more use out of those two.
Sasha and Drake enjoy chasing the butterflies fluttering in our backyard. It is a sight to behold as they try to capture one. Quite hilarious sight to see as they chase them down.
When my MIL got us a kiddie pool last year, the dogs were reluctant to get in. They would rather drink from it than play in it. Well, this year, we filled up the kiddie pool and the dogs were more than anxious to dive in and have a grand old time. The recent rains flooded our seasonal creeks and we turned the dogs loose in the water. This year, the kiddie pool will definitely get more use out of those two.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
FIRST GRASSFIRE..
The first grassfire was spotted on the southbound 41 near Road 200 this morning during our commute to work...
A cigarette? Perhaps...
With all of this El Nino rain, the grass and brush grow taller...
When the rain stops everything dries...
Along with the dying ponderosa pines due to the bark beetle infestation, a powder keg is waiting to explode...
All it takes is one lightning strike, one ember, one careless cigarette flung out of a vehicle...
It was unnerving in 2014 when we had the Junction and Courtney fire near our home...
We are hoping for a "wet" summer...
A cigarette? Perhaps...
With all of this El Nino rain, the grass and brush grow taller...
When the rain stops everything dries...
Along with the dying ponderosa pines due to the bark beetle infestation, a powder keg is waiting to explode...
All it takes is one lightning strike, one ember, one careless cigarette flung out of a vehicle...
It was unnerving in 2014 when we had the Junction and Courtney fire near our home...
We are hoping for a "wet" summer...
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
VIVA LAS VEGAS!
For the first time, my wife and I drove a Chrysler 200 rental car to Las Vegas and stayed at the Marriott Grand Chateau while on company business.
I was not impressed with Las Vegas. The food at Bubba Gump's was good and the service was great.
While my wife "worked," I dined at the Flamingo, at Pete Rose's Bar and Grill, and at the Harley-Davidson Café. The service sucked and the food was terrible.
The prices for the all-you-can-eat buffets in the other casinos were over $25.00.
When we left Vegas on Wednesday, May 11, we stopped at South Point Hotel Casino and Spa. I was impressed, especially when I saw the marquee display the all-you-can-eat buffets at very reasonable prices!
Hmmm...maybe next time.
I was not impressed with Las Vegas. The food at Bubba Gump's was good and the service was great.
While my wife "worked," I dined at the Flamingo, at Pete Rose's Bar and Grill, and at the Harley-Davidson Café. The service sucked and the food was terrible.
The prices for the all-you-can-eat buffets in the other casinos were over $25.00.
When we left Vegas on Wednesday, May 11, we stopped at South Point Hotel Casino and Spa. I was impressed, especially when I saw the marquee display the all-you-can-eat buffets at very reasonable prices!
Hmmm...maybe next time.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
FINALLY IN FLIGHT.
While my wife and I were fishing just west of Miller's Landing at Bass Lake, I spotted something I had never seen in the wild. I have seen them in pictures...
I spotted a bald eagle in the trees. I kept noticing it was diving towards the road. I had remembered I spotted a dead grey squirrel in the road near the spot the eagle was. I assumed it was road kill.
I alerted my wife to the spectacle. It was perched in one of the pines, then it would swoop down to the road a couple of times. Whenever a car approached it flew back up into the pines. I thought may it was a young eagle taking to flight for the first time.
It swooped down one more time and took to flight. It started to fly towards us and we noticed it had that grey squirrel in its talons.
What a magnificent sight to see our national symbol in the wild. It was incredible.
I spotted a bald eagle in the trees. I kept noticing it was diving towards the road. I had remembered I spotted a dead grey squirrel in the road near the spot the eagle was. I assumed it was road kill.
I alerted my wife to the spectacle. It was perched in one of the pines, then it would swoop down to the road a couple of times. Whenever a car approached it flew back up into the pines. I thought may it was a young eagle taking to flight for the first time.
It swooped down one more time and took to flight. It started to fly towards us and we noticed it had that grey squirrel in its talons.
What a magnificent sight to see our national symbol in the wild. It was incredible.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
INCORRIGIBLE...
We are contemplating turning Drake in to the kennel.
Escape antics. Nothing could keep him in. When he is with me, he is always by my side, just like Sasha. It is when he is left alone, he scampers off. No fence can keep him in. No gate could keep him in. As skinny as he is, he can wriggle his way in or out of any enclosure. My MIL has a small doggie door for the cats, Pixie and Ziggy, and for the dog, Toby. These pets are half the size of Drake, but yet Drake manages to wriggle his way in. He climbs the wire fencing around our property as if it were a cargo net for me.
Aggressive behavior. When we first got Drake, he was timid and shy. One day back in November 2015, a person delivered a cord of wood for us. We, at least I, thought Drake would turn and run away. He did not. He almost bit the person in the groin area. At first we thought the person was bitten, but there were no signs of any bite marks.
Also, whenever family and friends come over, Drake becomes aggressive...barking and baring his teeth. We had to constantly warn folks not to approach him unless my wife and I are present. Once he got to know you all was okay.
Whenever he breaks free, it is a matter of time when one of our neighbors or a total stranger is bitten by him and a lawsuit ensues.
He and Sasha are constantly playing together. It will be sad to let him go. Sasha would not have a play partner. When we turn them loose in the ravine, they run rampant. They play their version of tag and romp through the creek. They are like dogs possessed, but they always have a wonderful time when we turn them loose.
There is Toby as a potential playmate, but he is a small dog and does not possess enough energy to play with Sasha who is twice his size.
It would break our hearts to take Drake away. When we got Sasha back in April 2015, the handler told us that her brother was trying to prevent the handler from taking Sasha away. After leaving the pound, we decided to turn around and get him.
Electric fence is an option, but what if that doesn't work. We contemplated enclosed dog runs, but that wouldn't be right. We contemplated tying him up around the tree when he is left unsupervised, but that is no way to treat a dog.
Then there are the coyotes at night. If Drake is out and about, we don't know if he is able to defend himself or get attacked and killed.
We do have neighbors with high-powered rifles. What if he strays too close and they shoot him?
We just cannot keep him anymore.
Escape antics. Nothing could keep him in. When he is with me, he is always by my side, just like Sasha. It is when he is left alone, he scampers off. No fence can keep him in. No gate could keep him in. As skinny as he is, he can wriggle his way in or out of any enclosure. My MIL has a small doggie door for the cats, Pixie and Ziggy, and for the dog, Toby. These pets are half the size of Drake, but yet Drake manages to wriggle his way in. He climbs the wire fencing around our property as if it were a cargo net for me.
Aggressive behavior. When we first got Drake, he was timid and shy. One day back in November 2015, a person delivered a cord of wood for us. We, at least I, thought Drake would turn and run away. He did not. He almost bit the person in the groin area. At first we thought the person was bitten, but there were no signs of any bite marks.
Also, whenever family and friends come over, Drake becomes aggressive...barking and baring his teeth. We had to constantly warn folks not to approach him unless my wife and I are present. Once he got to know you all was okay.
Whenever he breaks free, it is a matter of time when one of our neighbors or a total stranger is bitten by him and a lawsuit ensues.
He and Sasha are constantly playing together. It will be sad to let him go. Sasha would not have a play partner. When we turn them loose in the ravine, they run rampant. They play their version of tag and romp through the creek. They are like dogs possessed, but they always have a wonderful time when we turn them loose.
There is Toby as a potential playmate, but he is a small dog and does not possess enough energy to play with Sasha who is twice his size.
It would break our hearts to take Drake away. When we got Sasha back in April 2015, the handler told us that her brother was trying to prevent the handler from taking Sasha away. After leaving the pound, we decided to turn around and get him.
Electric fence is an option, but what if that doesn't work. We contemplated enclosed dog runs, but that wouldn't be right. We contemplated tying him up around the tree when he is left unsupervised, but that is no way to treat a dog.
Then there are the coyotes at night. If Drake is out and about, we don't know if he is able to defend himself or get attacked and killed.
We do have neighbors with high-powered rifles. What if he strays too close and they shoot him?
We just cannot keep him anymore.
Saturday, April 09, 2016
7 DOG YEARS LATER...
Seven dog years have passed since we got Sasha and Drake.
The two have been a wonderful addition to our family.
No shoes or slippers have ever been destroyed. They love pig ears, peanut butter snacks, chewy bones.
Sasha is a water dog. She loves to squat down in it and chomp at the water. Drake is not so much a water dog, but he will jump in and jump out of the water.
Drake was almost renamed "Houdini." He has managed on several occasions to climb the wire fencing around the yard and roam about. Our concern is that he may hang himself while trying to get out, or once he does, we fear he may attack other dogs or people. Drake is not comfortable around strangers. He wasn't comfortable with me at first but wherever I go, he is right there beside me. We have tethered him around a tree as punishment, but he manages to wriggle free from his collar. We thought of taking him back to the pound, but somehow we just can't bear to do that.
Although we haven't taken them camping with us yet, there will be a time when we do.
The two have been a wonderful addition to our family.
No shoes or slippers have ever been destroyed. They love pig ears, peanut butter snacks, chewy bones.
Sasha is a water dog. She loves to squat down in it and chomp at the water. Drake is not so much a water dog, but he will jump in and jump out of the water.
Drake was almost renamed "Houdini." He has managed on several occasions to climb the wire fencing around the yard and roam about. Our concern is that he may hang himself while trying to get out, or once he does, we fear he may attack other dogs or people. Drake is not comfortable around strangers. He wasn't comfortable with me at first but wherever I go, he is right there beside me. We have tethered him around a tree as punishment, but he manages to wriggle free from his collar. We thought of taking him back to the pound, but somehow we just can't bear to do that.
Although we haven't taken them camping with us yet, there will be a time when we do.
Friday, April 08, 2016
CHOPPED
One of many of the majestic ponderosa pines that surround our property has been chopped down due to the bark beetle. It was one of many of the ponderosa pines up and down our street that were cut down. The tree that was chopped down near us was #26.
Two ponderosa pines on our property are also infested and it will be a matter of time when they, too, will have to be chopped down.
It is not known at this time if #27 and #28 will be marked on our property.
It is also not known if there already exists a #27 and beyond along our street.
Two ponderosa pines on our property are also infested and it will be a matter of time when they, too, will have to be chopped down.
It is not known at this time if #27 and #28 will be marked on our property.
It is also not known if there already exists a #27 and beyond along our street.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
MIRACLE MARCH MONSOONAL MAKEUP MADNESS...
9.30 inches.
Yes, it is a lot of rain for the month of March around here.
But these rains since November 2015 are NOT enough to put a dent in the four-year drought.
We need four more years of "wet."
Yes, it is a lot of rain for the month of March around here.
But these rains since November 2015 are NOT enough to put a dent in the four-year drought.
We need four more years of "wet."
Tuesday, March 01, 2016
FEBRUARY FIZZLED...
Only 1.40 inches fell in our neck of the woods as compared to 5.20 inches in 2014 and 3.11 inches in 2015.
NAME CHANGING OF THE GUARD...
Ahwahnee Hotel: Majestic Yosemite Hotel.
Yosemite Lodge at the Falls: Yosemite Valley Lodge
Wawona Hotel: Big Trees Lodge
Curry Village: Half Dome Village
Badger Pass Ski Area: Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area
We will still refer to them by their original names.
Delaware North should just let it go. They can claim it was their legacy in Yosemite.
Yosemite Lodge at the Falls: Yosemite Valley Lodge
Wawona Hotel: Big Trees Lodge
Curry Village: Half Dome Village
Badger Pass Ski Area: Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area
We will still refer to them by their original names.
Delaware North should just let it go. They can claim it was their legacy in Yosemite.
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