Fly's Picture Place

Kat Moves

2012-02-04T10:00:00.002-07:00

Think I understand about this kitty and it's behavior. I've mentioned before this cat does not play except with it's tail. I believe it may have been a bit abused because it scares so easily and after being scared or accidentally stepping on one of it's feet it cringes in fright. She does other things too that seem odd and my brother pointed out it does so because it's the only way it can feel safe and that's exactly correct.

The other safe place besides inside here is the garage close by which has to be it's home when I'm not here and when it gets nicer out. It does venture out a bit but is slinky at all times. This kitty can hunt as I've seen it with a rabbit and a dove. This is a very nice cat.

Because of it's abused childhood Stretch forgets those times by burying it's head in the food bowl often. This cat can eat and drink I tell you. It's nice out and she's going to spend the rest of the day outside.

Yesterday was the first time I really saw this cat do something like this. At first it didn't pay attention to the laser. It took two days and finally I got it to go after it. There's more coming for sure.

Big Boy Bottle Rockets

2012-01-30T06:59:00.002-07:00

This post is here because of the interest in the pictures taken at White Sands Missile Range Museum. The first three were taken in Alamogordo at the space museum there. They do not look like the others. Don't know why the difference but they're fun to view as to me and others they don't look quite real.

Remember about being able to click on picture here not once but twice to make them larger each time.

The Other Side Of Wind

2012-01-26T08:41:00.004-07:00

Is not having any like this. 60+ out. It doesn't get much better and looks like today will be the same. YES!!

New Mexico

2012-01-17T14:57:00.001-07:00

It's the same as always in that when I get back from a trip it takes awhile to readjust and I'm still not there but already very much looking forward to the next one probably in early March - like on my B-Day when I become eligible for the old old people national pass.

Here are some pictures I picked out and it was bland because after all it is the middle of winter. Drove way too many miles and I will just say eastern New Mexico is not for me and it is just more than dirt poor out there. That is an observation only nothing more.

This was a interesting cemetery in Quay.

There were very few people around and had the state camp grounds pretty much to myself. This was at Bottomless Lakes SP.

There was no place I could find to hide and stay for the night. I did stay next to a cemetery outside of Hope, NM. One of the residents was getting ready to receive a new neighbor.

This was on the road in the mountains east of Alamogordo, NM. I belive this elk had an arrow in it's side if look closely and click twice. Something was sticking in it's side.

Oliver Lee SP was a very cool park and was named after the man who ranched here and lived in this house. Stayed three nights. It was there where I realized a lot of the people in some parks live in them and some not by choice. Grey hairs and no hairs and there may be a time this guy could do the same.

There is a hike that will take you to the top of this bad boy. I went part way as I did not feel like brutalizing myself that much.

You will not see many like this.

An obligatory White Sands photo. In my previous life sand was my nemesis. A couple hours out in this was plenty for this guy.

At the White Sands Missile Range Museum. This got here by mistake so will leave it and just say it's deceiving because this thing is only maybe two foot long.

Notice the smart ass guvmint comment at the end of this.

Quite a backdrop for this place and several of the pictures taken really show that as the header does today. Always plenty for more missiles ya see.

This was at Leasburg Dam SP north of Las Cruces. Not the nices but well done like all of them. It did snow the night I was there. This sits along side the Rio Grand River.

Many Mericuns are happy to stop and be questioned by our national zombies even well north of the border. Not this one and at least the fellow just came out the door and did not descend down the steps and let me proceed after he believed my answers to being an American and not having any passengers. It was nippy out.

Stayed three nights at Elephant Buttes SP north of Truth or Consequences. A day trip up to Monticello was very much worth it. One of the top cemetery's I have visited.

This was fun and for the first time I was inside a flock of geese when many of them took off.

Of course I the day I decided to head for home I see the best stuff like the Abo Mission here. This and two others are in the area. It is possible that in March I may return here rather than the Four Corners area but no matter what I will be back to here. This was way too cool and Abo is the least excavated plus there's other stuff as well close by.

You can read the text in the picture and it's worth it. Click click. Guess you can't but you can get a good look at what this was like.

Now you can read it.

This local fellow was looking for some attention when I went to leave. My Stretch was not at home when I got here but showed the next day and now is loving life again. He's gonna get his cat butt thrown outside here real soon.

Rangers the first place I camped returned my fee saying I must have been in Texas as they charge the entrance fee in addition to the camping fee. No I just read things wrong. But thanks guys and wherever I was people were sooo very nice.

Senior (62) and a NM resident. A 100 smacks is all you pay to camp. 225 for out of state. This is why people live there. Want electric or water it's 4 bucks and 8 with a sewer hook-up. What a deal.

Here we be like Texas. Campsites are 6-8 higher to begin with and it's like 300 for an annual pass or close to that. Senior starts at 64 and they mention something about a small discount for camping but do not explain. What is a $10 site in NM is 16-18 here on top of a day pass for walk ins. I can't afford this. Maybe they want to keep the riff raff out.

While pecking this out a favorite of mine came on and I just must be having fun I guess.

A Dinosaur Picture Song

2011-12-20T16:50:00.002-07:00

An attempt to capture images with music of a place of wonder. Video's like this are fun too.

Cross Posted @ OTC

Nice Kitty

2011-12-18T08:07:00.003-07:00

This cat showed up two five pound bags of cat food ago. I think it may be neutered as before it got here I would think there would be a pregnancy involved. It's not real young. It gets named in the video and can live here as long as it wants and get fed.

It's possible this could have been a young feral cat as it took some time to become acquainted. An unusual thing is that this cat does not play. At the end of the video she pounces and that's the first time I've seen that. It's also a good hunter which isn't all that great as already there is one less rabbit but they're trouble for the garden as well.

This cat is very gentle but still spooks easily at times and no way would it approach others unless it was real hungry like it was when it showed up.

We'll see soon enough what grows outta this. This is a pretty cool cat and it 100% grey.

On Hurt

2011-12-12T17:07:00.003-07:00

Driving the other day I wanted to follow up on the post below where Curtis actually did hurt himself and I chuckled too. I refuse to watch video of people getting hurt. This post is about something else with only three pictures.

I take pictures of just about anything that catches my eye. One of my folders is hurt pictures where two of these came from. In my former life a fact of life was that hurt was around and certainly never became a stranger for long. Just the nature of the game. There is no attempt here to gross anyone out and I don't see a time that I would use any of the others. Let's get on with it. I made these small except for the pretty one.

This happened just about three years ago. It doesn't look like much and specifics aren't important. Two of us made mistakes. We three learned from incidences such as this and I know we all reevaluated how we did things after this particular one each in his own way. My boss saw it happen and expected the worst. I was knocked out and was very lucky to walk away. Believe me the hurt was not all that bad except for an hour or so.

One of my favorite places to fish. Given the right conditions it's surreal because it is so beautiful. It was on Trout Creek that the third picture was taken coming up on six years ago.

It's not as bad as it looks. Sometimes when you fish places like this you are not always in the water. The grasses and obstacles along the bank can be deceiving and numerous. Was along the bank and the tall grass hid a depression that I slid gently into coming to rest softly with my back against dirt. I remember and had said then that was a soft landing.

Felt a tingle and looked and saw of all things a small piece of crappy wood that was in my arm. It went in then under for a bit then out again. What the hell.

In a matter of a couple seconds I grabbed it looked away and as quick as I could flicked it out. It bled just a little bit and stung maybe for 5 minutes or so. Washed it out in the creek and did a better job when I got home a few hours later as we went on fishing and had a great time YES!

Now to the meat of this. And understand this is not about me but about the whole thing being something other than what one might think. The Queen of Egypt could tell this story and I would find it interesting. It's probably boring as hell but it's what makes things go round for me.

Nothing like this ever happened and what I find soooo interesting is this - from the initial sting I never knew I owned anything like this. It never had a bandage and apparently was in a pretty safe spot on the inside of the arm. How could something like this not hurt I just don't know but it didn't. Seriously it was like it never happened.

Tara said more than once her's didn't hurt. She was lying.

A Chuckle From Before

2011-12-01T17:21:00.003-07:00

As in the past life of working and the chuckles are at the expense of a friend. We both laugh hard about this. My regret is that the conservative side of me said for the longest time said no to this technique and what a huge mistake that was - huge! It's like many things - use it in moderation and it's fine. We worked so much harder than we had to. This is for problem tires only.

And a sacrifice was made.

So just how hot was it? I don't think the small explosion made the valve stem that hot but the air in the tire was and it happened when the air was escaping that it got real hot quickly. You need to stop the air or else the tire will come back off the rim which was the problem in the first place. I do not miss this at all!

Yes The Wind Can Blow Here At Times

2011-11-14T08:10:00.006-07:00

It sure can.

Geode Central

2011-11-05T06:54:00.005-07:00

A couple weeks ago went for a hike to the east three miles to the top of this mesa. Crossed the Huerferno River where you see cottonwoods.

We're on the river bottom and you can see there is not much water that flows. At one time water flowed around here a hundred years or less ago.

A while back a six mile stretch of pcv was run to get water to where it was needed from a well that produced enough to make it worthwhile. Our well is 22ft deep and is hand dug.

Quite a bit of fossil activity going on.

A small drainage on the way out to the mesa. We were talking last evening and it seems like one cottonwood tree can consume as much as 300 gallons of water a day. Years ago most trees were cut down in place like this just for that reason is my understanding.

Here is a concentration of geodes along the way but not the mother load.

This is on top now and looking to the north and the Hueferno River. There are some petroglyphs here and appears to be fairly deep.

The center of these is certainly crystalline in nature but not as pristine as you associate generally with geodes as a whole. Some do have color. What I find so interesting about these that people can not comprehend for some reason is the size and how close to round many are as you'll see.

Everything you see here is a geode.

These things are huge.

I thought we had quite a few around our place but it's nothing like this and have never seen so many hanging on the side of a drainage like this.

On the way back and the peak looking west and a bit south is Mt. Mestas

This is Greenhorn mountain a landmark for the area and lies at the very end of the Wet Mountain range.

This was quite a way from where the other geodes were. This one was ready to fallout of the bank and I one handed it slightly and it did.

Back at home and by gosh there's geodes here too.

I think this video does a better job show how many there really are. Turn the sound down because there's wind noise and me breathing, This is illustrative only and not very long.

On Pinwheels And Roundheads

2011-10-29T05:29:00.002-07:00

We've been here a bit before but not quite like this. A conversation with a newbie astronomer for the park service in Hovenweep this month prompted this post. He had not seen many petroglyphs and was unaware of these. I attempted to explain what is below in the pictures. I must be a terrible communicator or something as I could not get this across.

He said to me that pinwheels are very common in nature. One of the few things I was any good at in school was biology and pinwheels did not ring a bell. Go search yourself and there's not much there and certainly nothing that would have been seen in my opinion anyway a 1000 years or so ago when these these drawings were done in this part of the country.

Remember about clicking on the pictures twice to make them bigger each time for a real good look.

Here is another at the same place (McKee Springs) in Dinosaur National Monument. A bit different but a pinwheel none the less. The was a huge exhibit of petroglph pictures at the Anasazi Heritage Center including the figures above but not this one. No picture in that exhibit included another pinwheel and they were from all over.

What these do resemble very closely are these.

Just to the west lies the McConkie Ranch where the roundheads are found. Nowhere in that picture exhibit was there a roundhead anywhere close to these and there are three examples here one of which is very dramatic in my humble opinion which since no one knows for sure has as much merit as the big boys and more than some astronomers. A couple different vantage points for these.

This is the third.

It is these that I think are telling.

Exactly 23 miles.

To me this means whoever made the pinwheels saw that design some how in the heavens and drew what he saw. They looked through a telescope/got a ride or maybe it was a hologram but they drew what they saw for sure.

The same with the two roundheads with the one slit. These people in this case again drew what they saw. The fact these places are so close together is interesting as well. I have not seen roundheads like these anywhere else and if any one has please tell me about them.

Visitors And Change

2011-10-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

Didn't get out of my lounge clothes yesterday and I'm just fine with that. It snowed and was down in the teens but no more coming anytime soon and time to get outside. These are some shots from this morning. It will be very nice for a period. We really needed this as so many do.

The Hunted And The Hopeful

2011-10-23T16:04:00.002-07:00

I have been lax in posting but there are some things lined up. This picture from just awhile ago. It's a beautiful late October Day.

This is the first coyote I've seen in a bit over three weeks here. Antelope all the time. While bopp'in on the bike came over a hill pretty close to 15 or 20. They took off pretty fast and I made them pick it up a bit. They weren't doing 60 but they were cruising for sure.

And some others from about the same time. Nothing special. Took a huge hike yesterday which will be a post soon and it's just plain quite out there. Probably 8-10 miles worth and didn't kick anything up. But what I did find was geodes and plenty of them.

A Washington Hawthorne. It's very hard to get trees to grow here.

The Hueferno River drainage.

Was waiting for a train/trains but no. There are plenty but as yet there have been only a couple decent train pictures. It will happen. The are a bunch of places to get good ones.

That's me behind the windows.

What's left of Lascar. It's just over the hill behind our place. Don't know much about it but I believe at one time there was a post office here. ( There goes a train)

Grotto of the Redemption

2011-10-09T08:41:00.002-07:00

This is a unique place. It happens to be where I grew up although I define myself as a Rodman boy rather than from West Bend,Iowa. The 7 min video describes better than what I can much of what is going on here. It's approaching a 100 year birthday but was started ten years before that.

Some of the pictures have been around before but not all. There has not been a time hardly at all when visiting that I did not stop at the Grotto. Lived two blocks away and the town is 850 or so. It doesn't get old and is a great place to take pictures as well.

The stories that can be told I tell you. This was a play ground for this kid. The video is really good and I bet there were a few offended by a couple things in it. The pictures help bring it to life.

And In This Corner - - -

2011-10-05T07:29:00.003-07:00

Is our guy so to speak. They're around and come close make a bit of noise and look fearsome at least to me. They have never done anything bad and get out of the way.

Click on the pictures once then twice for very close inspection of the wonders of nature in this case.

Here's another and this fellow looks tough for sure.

Here he is training as they do eat and in this case it looks like a damsel fly. Then there's the other side.

While hiking I saw something on the trail. Insects like to land on trails btw. I tried to get pictures and came away with a couple passable ones before whatever this was flew away.

It was hard to tell what was really going on but it was apparent our boy was toast. This was about all this guy could carry. Couldn't fly far with this load but he did get away finally.

It would be my guess the winner could take our guy every time.

Rustling Still Goes On

2011-10-03T07:50:00.002-07:00

Because there have been numerous posts down on the Browns Park area and rustling was the game for many who lived there over the years - - - well old habits die hard. This story comes from an area very close to the park.

Pilgrim is suspected of being in possession of 36 cows and 31 calves belonging to nine different owners. He is also suspected of misbranding calves as his own. Authorities estimated the value of the stray cows and calves at $68,000, according to an arrest affidavit filed last week.

The Two - Bar / What's Left

2011-09-17T06:30:00.007-07:00

A bit of back round on this as I have been putting this off because it covers a bunch of ground and people not many know of. Two of my readers know of these and one another blogger friend Linda knows as we just read the same book "The Bassett Women" by Grace McClure that tells the incredible of Browns Park and many of the people who lived there.

If you remember the old westerns and the cattle and sheep wars that took place between the huge cattle ranchers and the little guys who raised sheep and cattle too in some cases - well this is where much of it took place and the Two-Bar was the first of them. This is also where the killer Tom Horn made several kills by shooting outstanding men in the back and leaving them lay. The Two-Bar is where Hi Bernard worked as the ranch manager and later became Ann Bassett's first husband.

This is why it's taken so long because to talk about the Two-Bar it can't be done without mentioning other people who were also major players in the history of this area. The attempt here is to put in some way life back into these people and this special place where a huge part of the the history of the West was played out for years to the enjoyment of the whole country from the east coast to the west coast.

Here are some links for more backround.

Browns Park

Ann Bassett & John Jarvie

Jarvie Ranch

Josie Bassett Morris place

A bit more

Ann Bassett

Remember about being able to click on the pictures twice to make them bigger each time to really be able to get a good view.

This picture is of the Two Bar Ranch looking to the north. The arrow points to the bunk house which will be used as a reference point.

Do not be deceived by these photos. This place was huge and the state of decay makes it hard to capture all that was happening here. This property had the capacity to handle many cattle and it did.

This taken from the hill in back looks slightly to the south west. The bunk house is the building with the stove pipe.

A peak into the bunk house looking to the east and the Green River lies just out of sight.

The bunkhouse looking through one of the many corrals.

Ora Ben Haley owned the Two-Bar the first huge cattle ranch in this part of the West. Haley was from Wyoming

Above the bunkhouse is where you will find the Gates of Lodore. Also left center on the small mesa is the Lodore school house. Close to the school house is the Lodore cemetary where several dozen lay buried. Among them John Jarvie and Sam Bassett. To the left (east) of the school house is the Browns park store.

Snapped this picture through the glass at the Museum of Northwest Colorado of Ann Bassett. Ann's first husband was Hi Bernard who was the ranch manager of the Two-Bar and was abruptly fired when it was found out.

These are a pair of here spurs owned and used by Ann Bassett that according to the curator are highly valued and this pair is one the best anywhere.

Isom Dart a cowboy from Texas who was respected by all in the area and was a huge part of the Bassett family for years. Shot in the back by Tom Horn. It seems Hi Bernard probably played a role in hiring Tom Horn to come and do his killing in Brown's Park. It needs to be noted that Ann Bassett and the Two-Bar were in a constant struggle .

Jack Rash another local highly respected cowboy shot in the back as well by Tom Horn.

The two tanks are where the Browns Park store is at. I found out last time that Isom Dart and Jack Rash are buried next to each other on the mountain behind it.

The Browns Park store.

A Google image with these places marked on them. There is one other place marked here. The Bassett Ranch and cemetery are located on private property. Not much remains of the ranch but while looking around I saw a Google map that had the Bassett cemetery marked and I have put it in the approximate location. Whether it's accurate or not I don't know. From McClure's book it seemed the two ranches were fairly close to one another.

So this is my stab at telling a bit of the story of this area and some of the people who made headlines for years across the country. The book is a worth while read and visiting this area is a real treat.

In many ways these people still roam this place. Although they're all gone now the Bassett's and the Two-Bar are still spoken about to this day.

I very much recommend a vacation to this area. One can spend days here and in Dinosaur National Monument and never see it all or become bored.

Check This Out

2011-09-11T06:47:00.002-07:00

Over at Dave's place. He's the Ranger at the Gates of Ladore in Dinosaur National Monument. He took this when I was moving during a fire in the monument. I did not know that until he told me a week ago today Watch a slide show at the gallery.

This area is where I've been hanging out recently. It's a special and fairly remote place that has much history.

It's A Man's World - - I Mean Purse

2011-08-26T14:47:00.004-07:00

This post was triggered by one from Teresa Evangeline on purses. Her place can be found in the link list as well. While writing a smart ass comment I realized I had worked myself into a corner because what I had used years ago and now are purses plain and simple. Now Teresa has more than I but here are mine and the old ones are still around too.

This is a shoulder bag made out of Kente cloth from the Keta region of Ghana,West Africa. There are different types of this cloth but this type is Ewe which is also a tribe and a very difficult language. Peace Corps types wore these very practical and functional bags every day. This is close to 35 years old and still has life. Of course it's not used everyday anymore.

This was a hand made leather maybe goat bag I picked up as well. It's still in great shape. If you had business to do this was so handy because there's a lot of paper work that goes on over there and make no mistake this purse comes in handy for that and you put your hand through the loop for the obvious reasons.

There's some things in there yet one is a immunization document and boy did you ever get a lot of shots. The worst was the quarterly 5cc of gamma globulin in a cheek of your butt. You walked around for two days with a huge lump and it hurt. I don't think it's like that now. The other is a 100 CFA note pronounced seefa. Back then it was like 230 CFA to $1. Not sure but I don't think it's change drastically over the years unlike Ghana's cedi which I have none of. I always thought these notes were good looking money

From 35 years ago to present day I'm still carrying and packing. This is actually a fishing device that I use to carry all kinds of things and camera stuff is the big item. I do hike with this but anymore if going very far will take a small back pack and transfer to it. This doesn't carry enough liquids when it's warm and it's starting to get heavy as well. See the rock - picked it up out in Dinosaur last weekend. Just the corner was sticking out in this gray crappy dirt. It's very smooth/heavy and who knows maybe it's a dinosaur belly stone. It would hurt bad if this thing ever turned up missing.

These all are tools and no matter what design they make life easier. Of course girls use these for fashion purposes as well. I have not crossed that threshold.

Dinosaur National Championships

2011-08-22T20:16:00.016-07:00

Drove up to the launch site for hang gliders and found this. There must have been 150 acres up on top of Blue Mountain that accommodated this event so long ago. You can go here to view some pictures from that era.

This is one of the many camp sites on the mountain and where I was spending the night. It was real nice. Was looking forward to taking some morning pictures.

There were some clouds way out in the distance all day long and about 6:30 the wind came up and I crawled into the Element to not venture out again till around till about 9:30 when I left. There was lightning all over coming straight towards me and here I was sitting at the highest point around. Should have rode it out but bailed instead. It only takes a couple minutes to load up sloppily.

Knew there was an overlook not far down the road and that's where I went.

It was a good view as well. No one drove in.It was a beautiful morning and the wind shook the car for a long time and it rained. Couldn't really tell that in the morning. Slept real good.

This is Blue Mountain. The pictures above were taken quite a bit to the right.

This is inside Dinosaur National Monument. I am so impressed with this park and the area around it. There are several weeks worth of adventure here.

Josie Morris Not Wales

2011-08-21T16:40:00.002-07:00

Originally posted @OTC on 5/20/11 it needs to be here as well.

You had to be tough to live out here by yourself for years miles from nowhere and this women was just that. Use your imagination. She used two box canyons to corral her animals one which had a spring. This is also where these grow only.

You are looking at one of the box canyons above this building. The other is a ways to the right (east) of this one.

The exact location of this site is lower center right.

The Wayback Machine

2011-08-08T06:58:00.001-07:00

This weekend at my aunt's in Casper some new pictures showed up. Below are some of them with a lot of unknowns except pretty much everyone here is a relative. There are some short explanations.

This picture is not a new one but is my grandfather and his twin brother who immigrated from Switzerland when they were 14 after their mother died. Several others came afterwards and not all at the same time and that included their father as well. My great grandfather never learned to speak English and was loved by the kids at school because he always had candy. He was also known to have the best garden in town and my grandpa's were huge producers as I remember. My grandfather is on the left and his name was John.

We were also looking at old documents including ship manifestos and the like. This stuff is getting old and a lot of it is in German.

On his wedding day.

I never got to know my grandmother as she died of cancer when I was two. These kids do not look like my dad and his brother and sister but it's almost has to be. The aunt I visited was not yet born.

Take a look at this crew. That's grandpa top left as he's a dead giveaway with his pipe. We were hardly sure of any of these kids but this is quite a picture.

I already forgot who this was but included it because I like it.

We're not sure who this was and they may or may not be related. Interesting though.

This is my Aunt Bernie and she still smiles as well and as often as she did back then.

We think this may be Grandpa's oldest brother. He died in Winnemucca, Nevada but was not buried there. I'm trying to find out more about him.

Take Your Choice - Dugout/Soddy/Mudhut

2011-08-03T15:11:00.006-07:00

Mr. Jarvie himself built and lived in this at his ranch in Utah very close to the NW boundary of Dinosaur National Monument. The pictures of this came out pretty good and you can actually get a sense of what is was like inside. It's cool to be able to enter all the buildings at this site and handle any thing you see and there's a bunch and I like that.

This was also used by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

The last three pictures are of a soddy replica in Iowa. I understand that over the years this structure has required a lot of work. I don't think that is the case with the dugout. I did not ask but chances are good many of the items at Jarvie's ranch were his.

I'll end by saying this and I mean it and it's an observation only. While working on the south side of Chicago in the middle 80's around the projects that I would take a mud hut out in the bush in West Africa over what I saw there. I've been in some pretty snazzy ones. Nicer than the above.

If there was a choice to be made it would be something like this -
1. Mud hut in West Africa
2. Dugout because it's less work than a soddy.
3. Soddy
4. Anywhere but the Projects

Meet Ann Bassett

2011-07-27T04:13:00.004-07:00

I found this person and her story very interesting. Her own words about Browns Park.
"every sage brush,gulch and rock had a meaning of it's own and each blade of grass or scrubby cedar was a symphony". But there's a lot more to this. Read the text under this picture.

This girl at the age of 15 started hanging with the big name outlaws of the time. Butch Cassidy and others as well. Her sister did the same. Another picture of Ms. Bassett below. The man has nothing to do with this. There was a man hung from the limb you see here and there were clothes that she wore in the cases and that's what prompted me to start thinking a bit.

Her clothing was key. She was very attractive and the clothes in the cases were extremely nice. The way they were displayed I did not take a picture and this girl was tiny. Charged with rustling twice but never convicted. Looking at the pictures and clothes it was obvious this girl had a bit of culture. I don't think Ann Bassett chewed tobacco and cussed a blue streak. The guys sought her out and I'd bet good money they acted like gentlemen when they were around these two sisters. I urge you to go here and read this very interesting story about this women and the outlaws of the time not even that long ago. She died in 1956 in Browns Park where she eventually married.

Some other pictures. One is a repetition. These were taken last Saturday 7/23.

Flowers Because It's Fun

2011-07-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

These are all recent but it's the one at the bottom I like. Took it yesterday at a place where I swear has the highest populations of columbines anywhere. It was so pretty and I haven't been able to capture that with a picture. It was overcast but I did catch a fish. I was the first that fished where I did yesterday. It's not too bad to get around but the water is just too high and fast yet. Going somewhere just now where it is fish able.

I'm a sucker for flower pictures too and right now with the late spring there are massive amounts of them. One of the fringe benefits of living in and around mountains and higher elevations. I'm okay with that rather than the other - - - which is white.

He's Got Pigs On His Mind

2011-07-08T15:52:00.002-07:00

Whistle pigs AKA marmots. Hahns likes high places anyway and all he can do is look and quiver. He's such a good pooch and got to come to work today. The screen stays on as he could go out of there so easy. A fan of Hill Street Blues will remember when the dog jumped out the window. This has nothing to do with the quality of the picture or me but it has a lot do about other things. Stuff like this is fun and when I look at these I have to laugh a bit.

Can't Help It

2011-07-03T07:32:00.001-07:00

I find myself fascinated with getting good pictures of dragonflies because when you look at them it's like being transported into a different world. It's fun damn it!

Denver Billbug

2011-07-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

This is going to be real short. My friend is taking an online turf grass course and right now it's entomology time for him. He found these on our golf course just yesterday and they can be harmful if there are enough of them. You can read more here if you would like to learn more. You do not spray for them but endorse the help of other insects which I like.

Took a dozen or so pictures and I'm glad I got these two. This is a real ugly bug but the reason for these is the red ring on this creature in the bottom picture.We're not sure what is hanging on to the bottom of this. I don't think it's young but to me it looks like mites.

I find this interesting.

From Today 6/14/11

2011-06-14T14:38:00.002-07:00

Took a a couple minutes and came away with these and it's not often I get this many decent pictures in a row. Some of these are so vibrant it's like you can jump right into them. The tulip is not from today.

Remember about being able to click twice on these each time making them much larger. You can really look around then.

Rising Waters

2011-06-04T07:02:00.003-07:00

Runoff has begun and minor flooding is happening around the area.

From just a bit ago.

Fairly heavy frosts the last two mornings.

What Curiosity Gets You

2011-05-22T15:35:00.002-07:00

The first of April I took this picture along with others on the Colorado River Road. Later looking at the pictures these two places interested me particularly the one on the left as it looked like a natural dam. That's what I did today as the sun came out. For awhile anyway. Went up there and looked.

There it is. Closer than before

Even closer.

It is a natural diversion and possibly over the thousands of years maybe once in awhile it would get plugged up during a gully washer and some would spill over the top. Then again maybe not.

The other place the second arrow pointed to looks just like it does in the first picture. A small faily flat pasture like area behind a rock escarpment.

So what did curiosity get me today? Some times it can be a bunch but not today. That's just fine. It was hard to get to the first place and took a long time. It was still fun and did come away with a couple keepers like this.

Art On A Ledge Too

2011-05-18T05:08:00.002-07:00

This was fun to find. I think this video does better than the pictures as the ledge is too narrow to get very far away. There were one set of old foot prints. No many are going to make the effort to get to these and others that I came across let alone look for and find out of the way presents left from the past.

No Be Nameless Any More

2011-05-10T05:37:00.001-07:00

Last year while hiking to explore these different rock formations came across this. It looked like two birds with their beaks together. I thought about giving it a name then but that seemed a bit strange. I was unable the first time to view this from the ground below which is one of the things I wanted to do last weekend and did.

The formation on the right changes a bit from below but the one on the left still looks like a bird.

On the way back to the car a Dinosaur Park ranger stopped and chatted with me and asked if I'd been to the arch. I asked him if it had a name and he said no.

Because it takes a lot more effort to see this from the bottom and it looks more like two birds kissing from the top and the fact it does not have a name it does now.

The name I've given it is "The Kissing Birds Arch",

Why not!

Love The Signs

2011-05-01T09:15:00.008-07:00

5/9/11 There is an update with the last picture.

I do enjoy the old signs along the roadside and in this case it's mostly hotel old and new. Cannot help but to think of the times gone buy and all the stories that could be told. This first one is in Thompson,UT just west of Grand Junction. There might be a couple people living here. Click on the picture to make it bigger and again to make it huge.

This is in beautiful down town Maybell,Co.

I'm unable to separate the two pictures above but the "Lazy X" motel is in Vernal,UT and I'm glad to have come across the "Four Winds" which is somewhere in the Four Corners area. The Sweetwater resort is off the Colorado River Road almost in the Flattops Wilderness area. The last picture is not from here and a friends photo from Costa Rica. It's a great picture and it's got plenty signs and a volcano.

Teresa left a comment and she also sent me her picture of the "Four Winds". I'm told it is just outside Durango on the way to Cortez. Thank you for that. Here it is.

Butler Wash Ruins

2011-04-21T05:09:00.004-07:00

This is a ruin seen some time ago and wanted to get close to it by coming up the drainage. Did that last week and this turned out to be one of the easiest climbs of several I did last week around Cedar Mesa in Utah.

The easy came after I quit thinking about the best way to get there as it was hard till then.

From The Window II

2011-04-08T04:44:00.001-07:00

You never know what you might see from the windows at my work place. It can be similar certain times of the year as with the low level clouds seen in pictures toward the bottom. There are more of these and some better. Next time there will be more green.

None are very recent but I can tell you this. There is just under 30" outside this window now some places more. There's 140 some of snow pack on Mt. Werner. There are 160 maybe 170" just to the north on Buff Pass. A local retired water guy says he's never seen this much snow around and this is not a record snow year. It is very fair to say that we are three weeks behind in things we do outside normally this time of year.

Runoff is going to be very interesting. You can hear the water and the boulders crashing down Fish Creek from 200 yards away easy when it's roaring. Runoff has not even begun. Yes very interesting.

And a sucker hole is just that. You get them a bunch in NW Colorado.

Pictures From 4/3/11

2011-04-04T05:32:00.003-07:00

Trappers Lake

2011-04-01T15:09:00.001-07:00

Trappers Lake is found between Yampa and Meeker in the Flattops Wilderness Area a distance of about 80 miles that goes over two passes Dunkley and Ripple Creek. Over eight years ago a fire devastated this area as can be seen in the pictures but it is still one of the prettiest places anywhere. The lake is packed full of native cutthroat trout and has a a dozen or so very rustic cabins to stay in plus a couple small campgrounds.

The people who pioneered here were hardy souls at the least as the only way in here when the snow flies is by snowcat or snowmobile. This is where the White River begins and flows west to Meeker. There is hardly any public access to this river as the wealthy own most all the land and they do not like to share. This is a very special area and the poor video is used only to illustrate the size of things.

What Hungry Elk Do

2011-03-25T15:58:00.003-07:00

They eat whatever they can and in this case it is the bark off of trees. Elk have never wintered in this area since I've been here. Let's just say it's a long time. We know there's one for sure that did not make it. There is a lot of tree damage like this. It was a long tough winter for everyone and it's not done yet. These animals get to do pretty much whatever they want and that's as it should be. In addition they are on their own as well.

That's over 30" or more you see here and it's snowing hard right now. The sun will not be seen for several days either. It hasn't been seen that much period. 384 total on the mountain in the back round with 118' sno-pack which is the most I can remember. This run off could be real serious if conditions come together. The picture above was taken Jan 6th and they left the area about two weeks later. The others were taken today.

Spiders But Just Pictures

2011-03-12T08:34:00.001-07:00

We take pictures of everything. Spiders don't bother me much and at the very bottom is a feisty one for sure. This particular one is a wolf spider and have to admit a bit of eeee when I saw this I did not know what this was at first and flicked it or something and immediately realized it was the "mother load" as at least twice as many babies jumped off as what are being carried. This thing was huge. Remember about clicking on the picture to make them bigger.

Not the best picture but like the color.

As with this one. Talk about matching colors with these two. The yellow one was brought in to me ans was of course released. Green and a yellow spider. That's cool!

I don't know the name of this one but I'll say it's a type of horn spider. Reminds me of those huge barn spiders back in the mid west but different and not quite as big. They just keep to themselves and not seen anywhere else except for in the windows downstairs and not up where it's brighter.

Then there is this fellow. He's a jumper and a aggressive defender/fighter. These are a "jumping " spider which there are many of. The short video shows what I mean but you have to watch closely as these guys are quick.

Bones From Yesterday 6/18/09

2011-03-03T05:35:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of posts over at OTC and by no means are they all political. There are enough that you don't always remember what you've done. Rummaging around OTC looking for other things you run across things such as this post originally done on 6/18/09. It's good enough to be here and here it's not always the best that gets posted.

What I like about this is the flower pictures. I look at these and just keep looking. Again when clicked on these get bigger just once and that size is huge.

Yea even an old dog gets a bone now and then. I do not fancy myself a photographer or a movie maker of any sorts. I enjoy it a bunch trying to take pictures that are interesting to me and videos that are different as well something not seen else where. It's just fun.

All this stuff was done yesterday in one area. Click on the flower pictures as the clarity is amazing.

I must have columbine myelitis as I do not tire of these flowers and enjoy seeing them in places like this so that is the reason for the video.

This creek is still roaring from runoff. The reason for this video is the intensity of the water and the fact most of the trees are gone having been removed because of beetle kill. Last year the houses would not have been able to be seen. I like the one at the very end.

On a sad note last Saturday a women lost her life in this creek above here. Also on the same day in Wyoming another local lost his life as well in fast and dangerous water in a canoe.

This because you'll not see this anywhere else.

Click on these and take a good look and maybe try one for a screen saver for a day or so. The centaurea/mountain bluet in the first picture have been battered by rain and some hail. This is my favorite color of blue.

Pagoda Cemetery Along The Williams Fork

2011-02-26T06:44:00.008-07:00

A picture post done at OTC on 11/16/08 that was titled "Pictures And Video From Today". There are also pictures from a museum started by a man that lived here. He moved the Pagoda store to that museum and talk about a walk back in time. I am unable to make these picture larger so you have to click on them to see them better.At the very bottom is a video of a huge elk named Clyde. Clyde killed a man a few years ago who was feeding him. He was just doing what elk do. That was a bad deal all the way around.

Here is a video just sent to me with people who are not very smart getting close to bull elk in Estes Park. It's scary and some are very lucky they did not get killed as well.

It was so nice today I should have been wearing shorts. Not much color but I like this area a lot. The rich have found it. This is the east fork of the Williams Fork River south of Hayden,CO.

An interesting little cemetery that rivals any I saw along the Mississippi.

There's a very nice picture of this women on the headstone.

If ever I was to build a house it would have a command post on the top like this one and that's where I'd be hanging out.

This is inside the Wyman Museum. I had never visited until today and I was impressed. This museum is fun and informative.

One can spend several hours here without any problem.

This guy will be up on Saturday.

A bit of reverse engineering for moving hay. The building on the left behind the muffler was the Pagoda store which was located across the road from the cemetery and moved to the site of the museum.

A 360 degree video showing just where this cemetery sits.

Here is Clyde the pet elk who was bugling but not when I did this. He is one big boy.

Cycle Of Life

2011-02-19T10:52:00.002-07:00

Went to the statue folder for today's post. This group of bronzes is called "The Cycle of Life" are right where I work and I love these things. The bird is not there as it's been stolen at least four times.

I just walk down to these and there is always a opportunity to take a picture. There's flower and insects and light and weather conditions that are constantly changing. I'll be down visiting a bunch this year as well.

We have been known to dress these guys up n Halloween well just because. Cops don't care as they know we'll clean up the next day.

Meet Hahns The Pooch

2011-02-09T15:54:00.001-07:00

I like this dog a bunch and he's a pure bred lab seven months old. He minds so well but on a couple of occasions has roamed too far so you know what that means.

Initially his nose was coal black but we think the cold and having it buried in the snow made it so very pink. This is not much of a post but can't get fired up about much when you've had 300" of snow and all there is white.

But for those of you who love the dogs there is something here for you.

Good Times Fishing

2011-01-26T06:06:00.005-07:00

The first movie ever done by me as almost identical to this one except that some of the pictures are different and the song is the same. That was uploaded to Google video years ago. Google video is a thing of the past.

I do have a new camcorder that does Hi-Def videos that I can't wait to use when some colors appear that are not white. One of the benefits is that the changes made to Windows Movie Maker enhanced any pictures used in a video as well to such an extent they look almost as good as if I was viewing them directly from my picture file on my own computer screen.

To see that effect click on the far right icon to get a full screen and click on the numbers to the left of that icon and choose 720. Let it load a bit and then view. I think it looks pretty decent and wonder what you think and how it played for you.

You may not see the numbers until the video is started. How I wish I would have had this camera this summer but they just came out with it.

From Odds & Ends

2011-01-16T08:55:00.008-07:00

UPDATE 1/17/11

There are several new pictures at the bottom that show where the bridge to nowhere actually ends.

I have been in the process of categorizing my pictures in a different way. There are 47 different folders and some go several different places. It's just at times as there are so many and don't know what to do sometimes but know they need to go somewhere and "Odds & Ends" is the go to place. Not much rhyme or reason but in this post most are from the same area.

This is a not very good picture of an underground coal fire in western Colorado. There are a number of these.

I like this picture taken at the McConkie Ranch just out side of Vernal,Utah. I wanted to get up to the building but that was not allowed. The fact they let you on their property to view the amazing Rock Art is more than enough.

An abandoned coal mine and the ridge at the right is in Dinosaur National Monument. This picture and all the others are in Utah. Remember about being able to click on the pictures to make then huge.

A power plant using coal out in the middle of nowhere. On the other side of the snow capped mountains lies Salt Lake.

I tried to find where this rock came from on the cliff face but couldn't.

This horse fly was just hovering in front of me so of course you take a picture.

I like this bridge and it's a real nice one where the road ends four miles away. It's true.

The old and the new.

I spent quite a bit of time around here. There was a small camp site with bathrooms the land donated and facilities maintained by a nearby rancher that gave access to the White River. That's real nice.

This is just above the bridge. Click on this as there's a lot going on. I count at least eight contrails and think the tin cans are real old and have nothing to do with the men that worked on this bridge to nowhere.

I just like this picture. Can't wait for flowers to be in bloom once again. It's probably going to snow 20" in the next day or so.

New pictures in response to a comment. There is a story here about this bridge and the dead end road. This bridge is maybe five miles south of Bonanza,Utah. No man's land.

Kids & Fish

2011-01-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

These kids are way too cute. No more needs to said.

It's Caddyshack Time

2011-01-01T14:57:00.002-07:00

What can you say. Those responsible are at the bottom It's easy to tell. Feelings were the only thing hurt.

Xmas Cruise

2010-12-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

Traveled down to the front range over the holiday weekend and on Xmas went for a ride ending up maybe 50 miles east of Denver. This particular picture is maybe 10 miles north of Silverthorne. The weather was so nice and no snow unlike the high country here. The sno-pack around Steamboat Springs is at 150% of average.

The resident cat Tigger. He's a good kitty.

I enjoy close ups and and given the blandness outside I'm looking for color. This is kinda fun to look at for a bit.

This shot could be from a bunch of places some far away but it's here in Colorado.

It seemed we had to go a long ways before we really got away from city influence and there were many structures like this. These are not houses when built this large and elaborate.

Remember about clicking on the pictures once and then twice if you want as they get bigger each time. I like the clouds in this one.

We saw two pheasants and having grown up in pheasant country it is always a pleasure to see one of these birds. The more the merrier as far as I'm concerned.

I like this one as well if the tree wasn't quite centered it would be better. In the next you can tell we are quite a ways from the mountains.

This was once a community as there was a couple small buildings as well.

This was a post office at another place like Leader. The name escapes me. There are not many people out here. There were more at one time but agricultural practices changed that.

The directory. Some families have been here as you may well imagine for generations.

We were treated to a pretty decent sunset when we started our return west.

Trains Along The Colorado

2010-12-12T11:21:00.002-07:00

River that is with one exception. Most were taken between state highway 131 and Interstate 70 at the Dotsero exit. A 35 mile stretch of road that follows the Colorado River and is called the Colorado River Road. The first two pictures are the exceptions to that. The first is the Colorado at State Bridge showing highway 131 bridge. The second was taken at Trinidad,Co which is a few miles north of the New Mexico state line on Interstate 25.

This is probably my favorite place as I have fished here so much. It's very special.

I like this picture a lot. The area above the train and to the north is known to the locals as Sunnyside because it does not snow there.

Highway 1 California

2010-12-03T16:13:00.001-07:00

These are a few pictures taken on 3/24/09 driving along the ocean from Monterey to Santa Barbara a road never traveled by me. Totally enjoyed this and hope sometime to return when there is more time. California has always held a fascination to me because of the car culture,music and of course the ocean. After this trip for the longest time I felt a sincere need to move here. Maybe I should. Time is running out.

The last picture was taken in Pismo Beach. Had heard about this place and I ended the day there and stayed the night. I don't have to think as I know I could live there. Some of these pictures let me relive that day again.

Wupatki National Monument

2010-11-26T16:47:00.003-07:00

At the end of March 2009 revisited Wupatki National Monument for the what ever number of times because it is at the top of the list for favorite places to go that doesn't get old. Located just north of Flagstaff, Arizona it is on a 30 some mile loop road where in lies another National Monument.

There is a lot going on out here and you can get an idea of that by taking a close look at the first picture which is of the main ruins a short walk from the visitors center.There are ruins just along the road requiring only short walks to explore. What's better is to take walks away from the main sites and you will find many things if you have a observant eye. It's fun. Most of these are meant to be illustrative with a couple that are pretty good but when you click on them and they get bigger they're all fun to look at.

Panoramas pass all.

The black rocks are cinder rocks at a ruin built on a higher part of the valley floor called the Citadel.

This picture shows one of the reasons why Wupatki is different. This is a ball court the only one I've seen. When you are viewing it around it and particularly in it envision what it must have been like with a game being played. This is cool stuff.

Directly behind where you see the sign just a few yards is a blow hole another thing that is unique at least it's the only one of those I've been around as well. There isn't a picture but at the link there is.

Look what we have here. A picture of the very same blow hole courtesy of Cujo and Dana. Thank you so much! It's working quite nicely as you can see. It goes the other way as well.

This is what much of the terrain looks like .

Here is the reason for the cinder rocks and the blackness of the ground. The other monument is Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. There are volcanoes that popped off all over the place here and the picture at the top shows that.

Just Flowers

2010-11-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

In a conversation with a flower person I came here to show examples of just that and used the flower tags on the right. There weren't that many to be seen. I like flower pictures and I like taking them. It's just fun even though you might have a picture already of the same thing but they're so pretty you just have to take a picture or two-maybe three.

Of course looking at flowers has nothing to do with the 74" of snow on the mountain and that spring seems like a lifetime away. Nope it's just flowers.

Before There Was I80 There Was Ole's And So Many Others

2010-11-14T07:42:00.008-07:00

In many ways Highway 30 across Nebraska is similar to Route 66. These pictures were taken driving west. Some buildings go way back and all the neon is gone for the most part. So many roll their noses in disgust over the thought of driving across Nebraska. I detest attitudes like that as there is plenty to keep the imagination running full tilt.

The "Big Mamou" takes the prize if there was one for best name even though it must not go way back. It helps this route to the West from times gone by traveled by millions both ways live. I remember as a kid and a young adult how vibrant it was here. Ole's sign is probably the best. These pictures were taken last Friday the 15th. The pictures are more illustrative but there are a couple that have a bit of merit. After all most are window pictures.

There is a bit of text and want you to understand that in Iowa everyone was a farmer. Once the state line was crossed into Nebraska you were a rancher/cowboy. That's just the way it was back then.

This place goes way back. Use your imagination and you can see Bonnie&Clyde parked here.

This was in Lexington and I can not make out the word.

This is a huge icon for anyone who travels east and west across the country on I80 located in Paxton which has a population of 634 if I remember correctly. I wanted lunch. They weren't open like before. I think they don't have to open for lunch now or something like that. This was not the building I remember.

In any case it's full of big game. Pretty damn interesting and a fun place to have lunch if this type of thing doesn't bother you. There's a story as well.

This is a good one as I believe Ole's has been in business since the 30's.

I see Bonnie again.

Some of these places are no paradise that's for sure. I stayed in one in Grand Island. This is not open.

This was out in the middle of nowhere. To think that this provided a lively hood for a few people is interesting.

There were pumps in front of here at one time.

This and Oly's are real icons of the time. The stories that could be told about this if you could talk to the old timers. Notice the Caddy poking it's nose out. There was another as well. Not period but they fit.

Can't see what this says but it's from way back.

I saw a number of these in various states. This one is one of the better ones and might be in Ogallala. There were maybe 15 drive-ins seen on this trip with a handful still open.

Remodeled but you can bet this place pumped gas for years.

I don't know what the heck this is but I like it. Only the parrot knows.

It's About Color

2010-11-04T17:30:00.000-07:00

These pictures come from a folder labeled Color. These caught my eye because of the intensity of the color or diversity of it. Most of these were taken fairly recently. Even though I have viewed these several times or more I still enjoy looking at them. What can I say. Pictures are fun.

Bandelier A Year Ago

2010-10-31T09:30:00.007-07:00

Not quite a year ago visited Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. It was a nice day getting late into November and was there just a short time. Very interesting and saw just a tiny bit. Hope to get back there soon and spend a bunch more time looking around.

There are ruins but as you see they lived in the sandstone cliff faces as well. Some of these ladder pictures from the inside I like a lot.

Decided to start putting a picture from the current post at the top of the page.

There is another another similar to this below but I like the different perspective of the same picture even though it's subtle.

This is the one. It almost seems someone could be living here.

I like the effect from roof timbers. They make these buildings seem to still be alive.

There's something about this picture. Some how it looks almost surreal. Remember these can be clicked on twice to make them bigger each time.

Have never been inside of anything even close to what we found here. There are several pictures close to the same but each different and I like them all. Each one seems to be very intense and then being able to see structures as well below.

The holes you see are to support roof timbers.

It had been a while since I viewed these and forgot about this one. Didn't think it that good but looking at this again I like it a bunch. Wish there was a columbine in there instead of ice but still.

Tumacacori National Historical Park

2010-10-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

This park is located just north of Nogales and much more can be found at the link below.

Settlement at Tumacacori dates back at least to the early 17th century, when this was the site of a Pima Indian village in north Mexico.

There are many pictures here. Some are illustrative as in the dioramas showing what the inside looked like 250 years ago. It's easy to envision what it must have been like as much is still in place.

This is the only time I have taken so many pictures that were keepers. The colors here are impressive and I have not tired looking at these. Hope you enjoy them and if you should happen to share them tell 'em you got them here. Thanks

Dragonfly's For George

2010-10-17T07:43:00.002-07:00

This one's for you my friend. After talking with you I went and looked at these again and WOW there are some others that are pretty cool as well. So here they all are and you or anyone are welcome to any or all of them. Remember that if you save these click on them twice and save the largest one not what you see in the post as those are very small files.

Seen Friday Thru Sunday

2010-10-11T17:10:00.005-07:00

A ride taken this past weekend. I am not happy with what I'm seeing with my pictures but here are a few that are worth looking at. This first one is south of Westcliff I believe. Covered over 700 miles including another cruise on Saturday to La Veta and Cuchara.

The next three pictures are in La Veta's cemetery and the mountain is one of the Spanish Peaks.

We take pictures of anything and this photo probably represents just that.

It's hard to get pictures of these two and even the black one by it's self. I have neither. The gray cat is the mother of the other.

It can be so pretty around the ranch at times and my whole life for the most part I have lived close to railroad tracks. I love the sound of trains. They can put me to sleep just like that. I like this picture but must take time and get down to the tracks. That is a must do.

A tree close to the house and I just like the color.

An Abbey and winery located in of Canyon City.

The train that runs out to the Royal Gorge.

The Royal Gorge with the tracks at the bottom. It was 21 smacks to get in the door. That got you a ride in the car in the picture below this one.

Most of the mountains and they are along the way all the time had a dusting. It was real nice in Hueferno County back at home in Steamboat Spring I guess it wasn't so nice as the mountain had it's first dusting as well.

Stopped in Salida and got my favorite for years-a chicken burrito with green chili. I love this chili at the Back Roads Grille.

If it weren't for the wires this picture could almost be period. This is maybe 10 miles south of Buena Vista.

Count real close how many tunnels you see here. On the Arkansas River just north of Buena Vista.

Plain Old Tractors Except For

2010-10-07T17:05:00.010-07:00

On the way to another place ran across these. I should have taken more time. I like the colors and attempted to capture certain aspects of these magnificent machines some of which I was actively involved with operating and working on them. Did I mention I'm a Deere guy? Have a couple newer Deere's at work and sometimes just not that impressed. New or old manufacturers have got this down.

Never around crawlers that much but the one above sure is pretty.

This a Model 40 I believe one that was not common where I was living.

There's some thing about the green and Oliver has some impressive iron as well. Their in-line OHV six cylinder is one of the smoothest idling motors I've ever been around.

Then there's the red. The ones I worked on. I think this was an H that was in great shape. I did not see this run. Take a look at that bad boy in the back. He's coming up. Remember how you can click on the picture to make them bigger twice.

There are many things that are unique about each manufacturer's tractors. Here for instance the gear shift lever and the way it operated. If I remember right when you put it in reverse you had to be careful or you could get it in the --well you know where. The throttle at the top and the way it clicked.The operating panel that's not seen well here with an ammeter,light switch and on off switch. Down at the bottom middle is the choke and there's another some place you pulled that engaged the starter. And then there's the unique sounds from these machines each has.

This is a Massey Harris and they are around for sure and are very good tractors.

This is from a John Deere A with the choke at the left and if you had electric start you used your left foot for that. If you didn't you hand started it with the fly wheel having to do a couple of operations one of which was opening pet cocks to each of the two cylinders to relieve some of the compression of the huge pistons.

This is the tractor on the trailer from the picture above. I think it was a 730 as in the video below. No matter what this thing is huge and was maybe one of the biggest of the day late 50's.

The round thing houses the clutch pack which is operated with a long lever on the right side. In the front of the cylinder that rotates when the motor is running is a brake pad that stops the rotation when the clutch is disengaged so changing gears can be made easier. Most all tractor's had foot operated clutches and Deere changed that with a "New Generation" in '62.

What you see here is a "pony motor" that is used in this case to start these things. This was unique in that this motor was a OHV V4. You can see two of the spark plugs on the right bank of the motor. It got the job done but is not what you may think it to be. These motors did not run very well and came apart plus were very expensive to repair. Some cried themselves to sleep when they saw the repair bill. These motors ran on gas.

This is what came after the H's and the M's from Farmall. Pretty interesting control panel and the gauge on the right is the only original. First tachometer that also included ground speed which is important to know at times. But more important are the three levers on the right. Hydraulic controls at your fingertips. This made life much easier.

Something else that was just huge in the industry was Farmall's "Torque Amplifier". No one else had anything close to this. Say you were plowing and there was an area that the soil was very tough to plow. If you needed to change gears you had to stop. With this pull back on the lever and reduce your gear ratio by 22% or something like that-get through the tough spot - release the lever and you're back to plowing without missing a beat. Pretty cool for its day.

This video below shows a man starting up one of these monster diesels using a pony motor. The whole thing is good and is six minutes long. He finally climbs into the seat about four minutes or so if you want to scroll over to that.

I mentioned above about hand starting these motors. If you've never seen this take 40 seconds and watch this. This tractor I believe was Deere's biggest of that time period. The smaller tractors that hand cranked of course turned over easier. As battery's and electric components became better that era came to an end. My guess in the very early 60's. This is a gas motor as well. These D Models were never made into diesels. The clicking noise you here is the magneto-the device that makes the spark.

A Pictorial Hike

2010-10-03T09:32:00.010-07:00

Probably 17 years ago while traveling Phil and I came across a ruin located in this formation below directly in the center. Remember about clicking on the pictures twice to make make them huge as to be able to really look around.

In any case back then we climbed to the top and took some pictures. That was really something. In all those years we always wanted to revisit this ruin and we did so this last March in 010. Armed with a digital camera we documented our little journey and made a short film about it here. The second one of this hike is here.

This was another fun experience and another ruin was found. We figured the Indians entered from the back side and decided we wanted to come back and do that which we did and what these many pictures show or at least attempt to as just did not do so well in that respect. Except for the first the others were all taken the day we made this hike last Tuesday the 27th of Sept 010.

This place is located in the Valley of the Gods north west of Bluff,Utah. Getting to this is difficult at best no matter from which side you enter. There will be some type of film as well but not for a bit.

This is pretty much where we started from which is on the plateau above the valley. Balance Rock was a reference point but the fact of the matter is we missed this the first day and went past this outcrop the first day not by a bit but by over a mile and this was the second try. And yes we did not have a GPS. The distance is around 2.5 miles maybe a bit more. It's tough no matter which way you come in.

The were small fish hook cactus up here not seen by me anywhere else around Natural Bridges. This was the first place I noticed them It was very much like the desert in areas of Arizona up here. Liked it a lot.

Then came upon this array of ball cactus. It had rained about a week before and plants were healthy and there was a green tint many places. Not bad for almost October.

Then the Mickey Mouses! These things were huge up here compared to other places.

What it looked like walking out and down to the end.

Saw some small birds and a few lizards is all.

You see the standing water above. In the next formation to the left in the the first picture here take a look at the next picture and the pointer arrow. We don't think there were that many people living out here and that is why we also believe this ruin was used for observation and the second was a place to live. But if there was anyone out there on this one after a rain I bet there may have been a pool party. I did not see this until I looked at the pictures when I got home.

In addition the humps you see in the back round are Comb Ridge.

It was just plain pretty up there.

Not everywhere but many places you can find chips like these from making tools and arrowheads.

Pottery laying just like it was.

Good stuff and like the top piece the best.

Still a long way away.

A slick rock highway that narrows down as we approach the end.

Were not sure if we would be able to get up this narrow part as you were not going around the ends.

This is the slot one has to take and it's pretty easy. Had to turn sideways once. But still it's a long descent to the end. Compare the next several pictures to get a better idea. Just did not do well on these pictures. This is the only way to get out there from this side. Imagine all those who passed before us.

Real close to the end and stop at the second ruin for a couple better pictures than the first time.

On the right center is where the final climb down is made.

It's right in the middle but yet there is still a another level to go to and a traverse across a small bowl to get out there. No pictures as I handed the camera off to Phil for a video.

So we're here and this is what you see from there and what is cool is the wood in the construction of this.

The following seven pictures are from the trip in March. They are so much better. Want to say nothing was touched or removed from this site. Our footprint was very minimal but have to admit to losing a red rag out of my pocket and a pair of cheap reading glasses. Feel kinda bad about that. Someday someone will find this stuff and say some dumb shit was littering and they'll be partially right.

Here's Phil and I as we start our way up and back to the starting point. I see I still have that rag in my pocket.

Initially we were a bit secretive about where this is but now since it is so difficult to do there are just not that many who can or would even consider doing this if any blogger buddies would want more info I'd give it to them. I don't want much more than this in a day. It took 7+ hours to do this. The fiasco miss the day before included the fact we did not have enough water. Brought more this day and it still could have used more.

But the good part is going back again to the same general area and will use the camp ground at Natural Bridges as base. What is out there is the Grand Gulch with so many ruins accessible by backpacking or long day hikes only. Spring can not get here fast enough for me.

Lori Darlin

2010-09-29T19:25:00.005-07:00

While hiking In Natural Bridges National Monument met Lori on the trail to Sipapu Bridge. It was a very pleasant surprise and in a short time talked about a number of things. It was so much fun but she could not continue to the Horse Collar Ruins.

Just recently watched Lonesome Dove and Gus is a favorite character and because of the way he speaks to Lori why Lori Darlin these pictures are for you with a thank you for taking the time to chat and I hope you get to see these.

Most taken here were not very good and in fact the whole trip this past week the pictures and video we did leave a lot to be desired and below are a few of the better ones from this hike.

I know the ones I took with your camera were terrible and I didn't do much better with mine. Conditions in the canyon was just hard and did not figure that out until returning home late this afternoon.

There will be some type of short film but it will take a while to piece it together as again not too good of job. But there are a number of pictures that will be worth looking at for later.

This debris was 10-12 feet high on this tree. A deluge of .18" of rain causes a gully washer in these areas.

You can click on these twice to make them bigger.

This ruin is called the Horse Collar Ruin for the obvious reason.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 700-1000 years old and possibly more.

These were 75' give or take from the bottom of the wash.

And one from on top of the mesa above Valley of the Gods.

Lonesome Roads

2010-09-20T04:51:00.000-07:00

Took a ride north of Craig,Colorado to the Wyoming state line then east and south to home. It was over 200 miles mostly on gravel or worse. Saw some good stuff as is generally the case. This is an interesting read. This was hard core Indian country around here and then the cowboys came.

These are the rocks.

Don't forget about the pictures getting bigger if you click on them.

The high point on the left is Serviceberry Mountain and Bakers Peak and Little Emerson Peak can be seen through the trees.

The text below represent another post from Outta the Cornfield that was titled "Two Singles and a Triple" which will help you understand what you're reading. All the pictures were taken today but wanted to put more here at the picture place.

Probably not what you're thinking but seriously this was a first on a cruise around the back country and briefly touching Wyoming today.

I came across this second but what we're talking about is the outhouse just to the left of this building.

You see these conveniences quite a bit and actually this one below is unique to me as well. On each side the is a single seater. Pretty dismal inside. What's different is the middle. Separate from the crappers themselves. I think that may have been where clothes were washed something like that.

First had seen this in the distance and drove the two miles or so out to it and at one time there was a lot going on and probably cattle maybe sheep. The outhouse is the building on the right. The main living quarters was the building in the middle.

Looking through the front door of the house. Not a whole hell of a lot out here and a long way from anywhere.

Here she is the triple of the day and truthfully I've never seen one. See a lot of doubles but never this. You better be friends with who you're sitting next to in one of these things that's for damn sure.

I don't have a picture at least one that I can find of the two story crapper on what used to be the stage coach stop between Buena Vista and Aspen I believe. It's called Innisbrook with a two story hotel. Went out in an enclosed walkway. It's on the Colorado Trail which I worked on over a weekend a long time ago and need to go back and see this again. It's on the south side of Twin Lakes. If I remember correctly seating capacity with that baby was a dozen or so.

It was a beautiful fall day.

The rest of these pictures reflect fall colors and landscapes of Northwest Colorado.

Pictures From This Weekend - 09/11/10

2010-09-12T16:15:00.004-07:00

The Utah ruins trip has been delayed until the weekend of the 25th. The nights will be a bit colder and the days bit shorter as well but it will be fine and until then just gotta wait.

So stuck around here and these are a few things I took pictures of. Actually came away with a few pretty decent ones. I'm lucky I got the fish that I did but I climbed a lot more than I fished.

There happens to a coyote on the left of the first picture and even with the naked eye it looked like there was white on the end of the tail. Still think it was a Wiley. It's a bit odd as the white is visible.

Remember the clicking of the picture to make them big and then bigger.

I like both of these even though they are close to the same.

Did not do well on this one chance of the train on George Loves Bridge. Wasn't ready and needed to be standing where the picture was taken below.

This is the reason for the name we know it by.

When I came down from above I walked up this major watershed in between the red rocks. It's difficult to capture what this was like but as I gained in elevation it turned into a rock highway and that was pretty cool along with other erosion features.

As I walked and climbed up it was narrow in places with trees and the bank of course on both sides. If it wasn't rock it was hard red sand/dirt. Came upon some type of footprint of some sort that was not from a Bambi. Well what crossed my mind was mountain lion and there are bunches around this area - bunches. I'd been at this a long time and went down the drainage and even though I was really tired----

Caught this good looking feller.

These are from today and actually not that far from town. On some of these county roads not all are maintained completely so hardly anyone lives on those sections and they are easily passable unless wet or snow covered.

Don't people go for rides anymore. I saw a lot of cool stuff this afternoon and I was the only one anywhere.

I like this picture.

Cross posted @ One Fly's Picture Place