NOT RECOMMENDED

I got these pictures from an email. Now, tell me, would you drive your family over this OMIGOD bridge?

I think Jim and I should haul one of these behind the motor home in case we have a fight. I can send him to the "doghouse" for the night.

I'm glad Jim is a do-it-yourself kind of guy. Hey, when you are in a fix, just fix it yourself.

Do you think the Highway Patrol would stop this load as unsafe? How did that guy get on top of that load of papers anyway?

When I look at these, I wonder what happens if the cow decides to move. It doesn't look like it's tied down, nor comfortable.
 
 If the sheep bolts....? There are two of them. That guy has to be strong.

This is what used to happen here before we had OSHA. (Occupational safety laws.)

Gotta get that refrigerator home somehow.

Can't we get one more person on?  Of course, I'm poking fun, but, its truly innovative how these people from poorer countries manage to make the most of their resources. Not safe, nor recommended, but admirable even so. Especially the loads the Chinese manage on bikes. Incredible.

Load hauling at its most economical.

THE NEW WAVE ENGINE

Some of you know I own a Prius, a 2001 model, the first to come to the U.S. I still drive it an appreciate the mileage savings. However, check this out:

The wave engine pictured above was developed by Michigan State University researchers, it’s the size of a cooking pot and can burn just about any kind of fuel. It does so in a way that shaves weight from the vehicle and is up to 3.5 times more efficient than an ICE engine, meaning better fuel efficiency and up to 90% less CO2. Spinning at high speeds sends a shockwave through the device, igniting air and whatever fuel happens to be used. Simple, light, cheap, and effective.
However, it will not directly replace an engine or transmission setup, but rather it could work as a range-extender for plug-in hybrid vehicles. The Wave Disk spins very fast, generating a lot of energy from a very small package that could dramatically lower the weight of hybrid vehicles while improving the fuel efficiency. For example, a Chevy Volt typically gets around 36 MPG in charge-sustaining mode, but with a Wave Disk engine, it could get closer to 100 MPG while in charge-sustaining mode.
All of this information comes from the blog Gas.2.0

The U.S. government has invested over 2 million dollars into this green technology. How is that for a transition from big oil to whatever other innovations coming down the line.

Another busy day for me. Its nice to be able to borrow information from others. I wanna drive forever. And, get a wave in my Motor Home.

INDIA'S NEW ZERO EMISSIONS CAR

Tata Motors of India, has come up with some startling innovative automobiles. This one will make you green with envy as petrol pushes toward $5 a gallon. In India, you can buy this car for around $8,000 dollars. It  runs on compressed air. That's right. Compressed air, zero emissions.
It costs about $2 for a fill-up which will run about 10 hours, or approximately 200 miles. It has a glued body, fiberglass body instead of a welded, metal body, which is one of the reasons it won't get exported to the U S.  The 2nd biggest hurdle would be the powerful oil lobby we have here.

Its a great city car. If you don't live close enough to a station that can fill you up in 3 minutes, the six seater carries a compressor that can fill you up at home in 3 to 4 hours. Now, that's an auto to make the world a better place. In India, the Tata will be available in August of this year.

AMTRAK TO SACRAMENTO

Riding Amtrak isn't terribly exciting, but its easy, comfortable and pleasant compared to flying. I'd take it more often if it was available everywhere. Double decks with scenic windows let you enjoy the passing landscape.

Roomy seating with a plug-in for your computer and a tray. Or, you can choose a table seat for four, play cards with a friend, or write a letter, read, whatever suits you. Great for traveling with kids who can work a puzzle or use their crayons. Roomy isles let you walk from car to car, downstairs to the lavatories, one on every car, or go to the cafe car for a bite to eat. Hot food, or snack food, beer, wine. Quite a nice ride. I love Amtrak.

At one point, the train stopped at a juncture for a passing train to go by before proceeding. I looked out the window and spotted what looked like some stolen booty in the bushes. Couldn't quite make out what it was.

And, depending on he route, not all landscapes are scenic. Its part of America, but the trip from the S.F. Bay Area to Seattle is a beautiful,scenic route as is the ride across the Northern United States and Canadian Border.

First stop, my daughter's in Sacramento. She and grandson Theo playing two square on the driveway. I was pleased to have not missed the daffodils in bloom as I have the last two years.

Then, it was necessary to bring my Prius to a Toyota Dealership for a new starter battery, a small 12 volt battery that needed a special installation.  (Special equals expensive.)
Oh, well, an ho-hum. Not quite home yet. I'm here in Sacramento to see a specialist about my shoulder. Hoping for good news, but it is not sounding promising. Life is ever changing. I'll keep posting.

LAKE HAVASU, AZ.

 Lake Havasu was named for local Indians. The lake itself was formed by damming the Colorado River. Beautiful canyon country plus water, drew people to the area. Then when an entrepreneur developer bought the London Bridge and rebuilt part of it in Arizona, its charm and quaintness brought the real population rush.

Many communities established themselves around this beautiful lake. Like other parts of Arizona, the weather attracts Westerners who spend retirement winters here and live in a more northern clime. The attraction for snow birds and RVers is obvious. Like us, people enjoy the beauty and quiet serenity.

We left the area yesterday and spent the night in Yuma. We'll be here for several days. We are still experiencing a low signal. 

GETTING READY TO HIT THE ROAD

Yesterday,  Jim and I began loading the motor home for his departure on the 29th. It is necessary to have everything I need in the motor home that I cannot carry in my  luggage. My art work takes up a good bit of space, but its important to me.

 These tea pots have remained unfinished since I met Jim. My medium is papier mache, decoupage and some metal, twig and fabric art.
Son Doug built new shelving in the motor home and we've changed things around a bit. Yesterday we worked on how to make the new space work.
Earlier this year, I carted a different papier mache project all across the U.S. and brought it home untouched.
This coming year, our pace will slow and we will spend more time at each stop, giving me a chance to do more than read and bike and enjoy nature. I'm looking forward to the relaxation, slower pace, and dedicating some time to soul saving sanity, my art work.
Wish me luck.

PHOTO MODE

Since I'm in photo mode, especially old photos, I thought I'd share some of those I get in my email. This one is especially worth viewing,  even if you've already seen it.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=12c1712c64833fc9&mt=application/vnd.ms-powerpoint&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D90181bad59%26view%3Datt%26th%3D12c1712c64833fc9%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dattd%26realattid%3D721653a70c376642_0.1%26zw&sig=AHIEtbSZEyVXzctpHdTxQhBq5N35o9NwMQ

Jim is still scanning for me from my own old photos. Loooong project.
Here a couple photos from our trip:

From the Louisiana State Capitol

 The old capitol building rotunda.

A drawing of the assassination of Huey Long.  We visited there in March of this year.

KARATE, A FAMILY AFFAIR

 After an appointment in Sacramento, I managed to spend a couple hours with grandsons Owen and Theo at their Karate lessons. Its very much a family affair. My perception was that Karate is a "fighting" exercise taught for defense. Besides defense, good sportsmanship, politeness, camaraderie, balance, coordination, strength, competition and exercise are among its many benefits.

 Kids of all ages line up and learn the moves in a fast pace. To be quick, to be sharp, to never be caught unaware of your surroundings or danger. Girls and boys both find karate appealing.

 More experienced, older kids help younger kids become adept in flash tests.

 Then in sparring gear, students go one on one, all ages, all sizes mix it up. Owen, left,  is known for his ability to kick high and maintain his balance.

During the sparring matches, protective gear, and care not to kick or punch vulnerable places is the method used in training. Here father's and sons, mother's and daughters all participate as a family. This class has a handicapped kid with half and arm is adept at self defense and assumes a great measure of pride in his physical agility and ability. If you've never thought of Karate for your kids, you may want to reconsider. Not everyone is suited to traditional sports, but Karate seems to fit every size and ability.

CRITTERS I'VE MET

Growing up in the country gave me a deep appreciation for the critters we share the planet with. On our trip, I can't say we viewed a lot of wildlife, but we did run into these gorgeous pelicans in Venice, LA.

 

Our campsite was visited by this group of javelinas at Big Bend National Park in Texas.

Also this handsome coyote, fearless in bright daylight.

In Louisiana's Bayou Signette State Pk. a busy armadillo regularly passed through the campsites. 

At Jean LaFitte National Park, this beautiful fat squirrel. 

 This picture was also from Jean LaFitte. Its always a thrill to see wildlife. (More on this tomorrow.)

MUSEUM Of NORTHWEST COLORADO, COWBOY AND GUNFIGHTER MUSEUM

Whenever I visit a museum, I hope to see something different. That was the case, here. Instead of Black Bart, and Joaquin Murietta, local gold rush desperadoes, I heard for the first time about Bob Meldrum, Harry Tracy and David Lant. There were others, no doubt, but Bob Meldrum was particularly intriguing because he was an excellent artist and would draw the scene of his crimes while idling in jail. He also served as a lawman among his many other trades.

Those who were there claimed his depiction of the bartender he shot was a very good likeness.

He was a Marshall when he killed his fifteenth man, young Chick Bowen. He was locked in his own jail and later transferred to prison. He didn't escape charges on this killing.
We were happily taking pictures on the ground floor before entering an upstairs room full of spurs, saddles, horse gear and such. I never did see the sign that asked that no photos be taken in this particular room, which I also learned later is a separate museum, The Cowboy And Gunfighter Museum. I took  several  pictures. Most docents warn you in case you don't see the sign, so I will not include any of them in my blog. There were interesting artifacts in the local part of the  museum, anyway. 

The leather tooling and silver work is beautifully done for an object that had utilitarian use.This is a Spanish spur type.

Notice the silver hearts on this smaller set of spurs, along with the rich leather work.

A later spur made with chrome instead of costly silver. A unique design and a sign of things to follow.

This finely tooled leather saddle was made by a blind man-story follows:

Never had I seen a stand up cash register in all of the museums I've visited. An early, unique type.
 
  Built like a dresser, it was operated standing up with multiple drawers below the cash drawer.

 Our family used an ice box in the late 1940's. This museum had one open to view the inside. Ours had the ice on top instead of the side. Melted ice water drained down the back into a bottom tray that needed periodic emptying. The family sized milk pail is an interesting piece, too.

A beautiful Indian feather bonnet.

Magnificent beading on it; in perfect shape. Beautiful piece I had only seen in pictures before.

Thrift is a given in the old days but this beats all. Women saved strands of hair. I knew this, but, a hair jar? Never would have imagined it, but it makes sense.

Girls my age actually wore a "rat" to give long hair some loft around the face. You could only buy them in black, if I remember correctly. It was made of a net covered stuffing of some sort, and pinned close to the scalp with "bobbie pins". Then your hair fell over it and covered up the rat. Or, you could form a bun and wrap real hair around the rat.

I had never heard of round bottomed buckets before, either. It seems everyone has use for a bucket and the local town folks would borrow one of the fire buckets with every intention of returning it promptly, which led to bucket less fire trucks. Rounding the bottoms made them pretty useless for anything but fighting fires.

This gas pump from 1924  still works. Gas was sold for 7 cents a gallon, with an additional 3 cents tax.

The museum has a Buffalo Bill Cody saddle and a pair of his fancy gloves. This type of beaded glove, made by Utes and Shoshones was very popular and there are several pairs in the museum. What I didn't know about Buffalo Bill Cody was that during his buffalo hunting days, he realized what a wasteful slaughter it was. He became a conservationist and felt that Indian Heritage should be protected. He was an advocate for hunting seasons, unheard of at the time.
Another thing  the Museum of Northwest Colorado did well is their treatment of local school pictures. An old classroom set up takes up one part of the basement.  The walls are lined with school pictures of all the kids who attended school in Craig.

High School yearbooks sit on a table with chairs around for anyone to browse through and find their parents, or pals. Nicely done.
The museum also has an 11 by 16 foot canvas painted of Craig, Colorado in 1895. Too big to capture on camera, but a real beauty.
Do make it a point to visit this place if you find yourself in northern Colorado west of Steamboat Springs. The Cowboy and Gunfighter Museum has a huge array of guns, some famous pieces; interesting saddles, chaps, leather goods. A huge number of spurs with the history and makers. Photos of real cowboys of Colorado, rodeo gear, whips, grand beaded belts and gloves, and so on. Great Western Americana.
www.museumnwco.org