Merry Christmas......

I hope all my friends are well, I had the best Christmas gift today. My first love called and wished me a "Merry Christmas," we didn't talk for long, we'll leave that for another time and another place, but my eyes were wet when I hung up, I hope her life only gets better, she deserves it...

Trailer modifications

I've been staying near the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area at my uncles, I've got full hookups 30A/water/sewer, access to Quad ATV's and a table saw....

First I added a cover to the back bathroom vent, a powered vent/fan to the front bedroom and black water vent. (now I can fully vent...)

So I went whole hog, and changed the inside of my new trailer, I added an inverter (3000 watts)
to provide 120 volts from batteries when off grid, I added storage for my mothers scooter, more storage in the empty spaces under the dinette

and a charging station/tool stand.


Click on each Thumbnail for full photo show

After all that, I added an "accumulator" pressure tank, which will assist in saving power, and keep the water pump happy, it also gives some protection against freezing by serving as an expansion tank.

Extra handholds were added throughout, the front door and in the shower, other little things like broom and mop holders, robe hooks, a small desk for the laptop and a 22 inch LCD TV.

I added a Pressure Pro RV tire monitoring system for more safety on the road..

It's been a little bit cooler, mid to low 60's during the day and low 50's to high 40's at night. One night it got to 30F degree for a short time, (nothing froze..) I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving (and Black Friday...) Since one person got trampled and killed at the Walmart nearby, and I've heard of others across the nation..

Going green in the RV?

As you know, RV's are quite green, leaving a very small carbon footprint on the earth..
They don't require much to heat or cool, just opening or closing of the windows.. Living in the RV makes it easy to recycle, (when you don't have room to store..) All the cans and bottles get separated and put in the appropriate place...
I buy green.. I bought a green dish brush even.
I started reading the back of the tag, mentally patting myself on the back for "going green" "clean water", "save trees", "conserve energy"... reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, and renew... Package is made..recycled, brush is made..recycled..blah blah blah...

WAIT A MINUTE, whats that last line? I'll tell you, MADE IN CHINA... in small print..(click to enlarge)

So the Chinese make this out of their recycled material, and send it to the U.S. they send their waste over here??? I mean, we're not sending our waste over, letting them make the brush and send it back...

They are sending their waste products to the United States, like ST (special trailer) tires, every ST trailer tire is "made in china" even Goodyear's.. Chinese put melamine in the dog food and and kill off dogs and in human food and kill off infants... I'm wondering what toys are getting recalled this year, because they are "Made in China" and painted with lead paint.. Is there no way out?? More Chinese BS

Oh yeah, I'm still near the Oregon Dunes NRA/Coos Bay, the days are 70F although the nights get to 40F, it's nice and it's good sleeping weather. ;o)

Let the good times roll...

Last month I was staying up at Neskowin Creek RV resort,(a membership park SP=K/M) on my trip down Hwy 101 to nearby Lincoln City, I came across this sign on entering Lincoln County. How appropriate... I often wonder how many cars they actually forfeit.

Travelin' the Northwest

From Birch Bay, I traveled down to Fife, WA. for a day, made some purchases at the Camping World, got some welding cable at a nearby welding shop, and stayed the night at the Camping World parking lot. It was actually very quiet, and nice.. The next morning I woke up late and traveled down to Chinook, Wa. to stay at Columbia Shores, a K/M resort I've used many times, for two weeks the cost was $14. The resort has satellite fed Wifi, so the connection can be slow at times. I made many trips to the Portside Cafe, to have "Studs Clam Chowder." I went and watched the International Kite Festival several days, although a couple were rained out. Gypsy pup decided she liked the sand and surf, so just about every day we drove out to the beach and ran, she loves chasing the ocean waves and birds. She filled my truck up with sand, but it's a small price to pay for the fun we have. I know she looks small and lost in the photo but the birds had just flown out of her reach..




Just beyond the truck in each photo you can see North Head, the southern end of the beaches of Long Beach, and Seaview, Washington.

Birch Bay and my new trailer

I've had several people ask about my new trailer, I traded down a bit, going from my 34 foot New Horizons fifth wheel (parked in Idaho at the moment) to this 22 foot travel trailer (Nash 22H), so far I'm saving over 30% on fuel and maybe more. I happened to take a photo of the travel trailer and the truck while playing around with my new camera and the panoramic software I got with it. The photo is in Beechwood Resort, a K/M resort near Birch Bay, Washington. This is where I stayed while visiting my most famous friend in nearby Bellingham. Needless to say, I had a good time the one night we went out. Just north of the resort is a small bakery that has the BEST wheat bread, home-style, I discovered it while sampling clam chowder in the area, the chowder was okay, but the home style baked bread was awesome. I've had so much chowder these past few weeks, maybe I need to rename my blog.... ClamChowderRV.com.... hmmmm... just doesn't have the same panache. By the way, Studs Clam Chowder is the best, and I've tried chowder on both coasts and places in between.. Ivars Chowder is pretty good though. Portside Cafe in Ilwaco and Loose Caboose in Long Beach, Wa. both serve Studs..

They're playin my song......

Life is wonderful, sometimes you find great things by watching other people... I cruise my stats page, I'm amazed at what people search for that gets to my Chicken Fried RV blog. I saw this, listened to it and decided to post the link.. It kinda sums up my blog, yup.. gonna make it my theme song.




(along with Red-Neck Yacht Club)

My first YouTube video

Had to try out my new camera a Panasonic Lumix FZ18, 8.1 megapixal and 18x optical zoom.. I almost bought another Nikon, a D40, but this Leica lens on the Lumix has good resolution and the camera rates very high on all tests, so I took a chance.. I must say so far I am impressed, it's quick to start, and takes good saturated photos, I tried a movie without reading the manual, this is the result...

Gypsy is a YouTube junkie as you will see, Gypsy was rescued about 7 years ago from the Heber Utah animal shelter.



By the way, I'll be in Seattle area by June 19th, 2008. Gonna go see some old friends..

.454 Casull on a raging bull prairie dog or...

a .44 mag on a mouse?

Clearlake man injured during accidental shooting (URL)


Written by Lake County News reports
Tuesday, 08 July 2008

MENDOCINO COUNTY (California, where else?)– A Clearlake man received minor injuries after he was accidentally shot in an incident that occurred July 3 in Potter Valley.


Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office reported that the 42-year-old man – whose name has so far not been released – suffered a superficial wound to the front of his groin area and a bullet hole in his pants. (Excuse me, a superficial anything to the groin is gonna hurt.)


Smallcomb reported that on July 3 at 1:20 a.m. the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center received a cellular 911 call of an accidental shooting that occurred at a residence in the 10000 block of Highway 20 in Potter Valley, near the Lake/Mendocino County line.


The caller reported that an adult female and adult male had been shot as a result of an accident, according to Smallcomb.


When deputies arrived, they found the 43-year-old female from Potter Valley, whose name also has not been released, lying partially inside and partially outside of a travel trailer, Smallcomb said.


The female had a through-and-through gunshot wound to her right knee, Smallcomb said. At the same time they also found the wounded man.


Based on statements and physical evidence gathered at the scene, it was determined that the female was carrying a .44 magnum single-action revolver in a holster under her left arm.


Smallcomb said she stepped into the small travel trailer and had the intent to shoot mice that were apparently scurrying around on the floor of the trailer.


When she went to draw the revolver from the holster, the revolver slipped out and fell to the floor. Upon impact with the floor, Smallcomb said the revolver fired one shot, which passed through her right knee cap, then continued upward and traveled across the front of the man's pants, where it struck a set of keys that were hanging from his belt loop.


Smallcomb said the bullet then glanced off the keys and tore a hole in the man's pants, and continued to travel between the pants and a pair of shorts he was wearing.
(a .44 mag "glancing" off keys? how long did it take to make this story up?)


The bullet came to rest when it entered the coin pocket of the males pants, where it was recovered for evidence, Smallcomb said. (hmmm, keys to groin area to coin pocket....How low were these pants hanging? They just took the bullet for evidence? and left them with the gun to finish the job later...)


The female was transported by ground ambulance to the Ukiah Valley Medical Center for treatment, according to Smallcomb's report.


He added that the case was forwarded to the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office for review. (attempting to take mice out of season? SWG? (Stupid with Gun))


Readers Comments Below....

Donna Christopher - U mite be a redneck Author | 07-08-2008 09:08:55
if you go poppin' .44 cal bullets at a house mouse. Instant Karma? Humans - 0, Mouse - 2. You might want to try a mouse trap with peanut butter. I really am surprised the words alcohol and methamphetimine are not also in this article. Geesh!


Tahoe - Listen Registered | 07-08-2008 10:23:37
Can you hear the banjos playin???
kd006 - Everyone Knows... Registered | 07-08-2008 11:36:15
The proper thing to use when mouse hunting in the middle of the night is a .410 shotgun with a Maglight duct-taped under the barrel. If it were a Moose scurrying about the trailer then a .44 Mag may only be used to dispatch the Moose in a humane manner if the shotgun didn't kill it. I would like to clarify for the readers that Moose in this sense does not refer to Moose, Elks or Masons of the fraternal order variety.

Looking forward to Labor Day, let's see who can top this or the burning boat.



kd006 - Feeling Lucky? Registered | 07-08-2008 13:41:44
Overheard just before:

"But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, mouse?"



John - Second attempt Registered | 07-08-2008 15:03:14
I bet this was the same folks who burnt their boat to a crisp with the fireworks.


Fran - A Better Mousetrap? Registered | 07-08-2008 16:10:53
That was one magic bullet!
I thought for a minute I'd stumbled on one of those forwarded urban legends with a moral something like "So you think YOU'VE had a bad day?"
And it will be a great story to tell the Social Worker when they try to sign up for IHSS.
I will admit to having once shot a pocket gopher with a 16 g shotgun, but that was after it had eaten half my garden. There was collateral damage. Several zuccinis that the gopher hadn't already eaten died as a result of the violence.

You know this would never happen in the Heber Valley....

New trailer....

With the price of diesel skyrocketing, the miles I've accumulated on the fifth wheel (she 's gettin' loose in places.) I decided to get a new (smaller) trailer, I want to cut down on the wind load and weight.

I'll place my fifth wheel either on the coast, or down south..(haven't decided exactly where yet) and use the small trailer for trips around the country..

I looked at this trailer...



Then thought maybe not, I'd have too much fun.

So I'm headed out to look at trailers from Craigslist.org in the Idaho area this weekend..

Do you realize how mortal you are?

A couple of weeks ago, I went up to Hailey, Idaho, with my mother, and with some relatives to decorate graves (Memorial Day.) I walked over to the graves of my grandmother and aunt, and saw something that made my heart quiver and travel up into my throat....

Reflecting on my life, I've had good friends and a lot of good times, I remember the good times better, and the bad times don't seem to matter, I've always been that way, I don't stay down very long, I know some people that make a life of putting you down and being down, I feel sorry for them.

I remember my first love, and other loves, but can hardly remember bad things about love and lovers. There are some I don't think about any more and some I think about every day, only they know why. By the way, my first love dedicated a song to me on the radio in 1986, "Thats What Friends Are For" (Dionne Warwick and friends)

Does it sound like I'm getting a bit philosophical? I'm probably closer to my death than my birth, and that just hits a person hard, as you come to realize it. I'm expecting many more sunsets, and love, and plan to travel more... sometimes you just gotta sit and think...

Here is what got me thinking........


All nice and pretty, this gravestone is already laid in the Hailey Idaho Cemetery, it's been bought and paid for, as has the plot itself. All paperwork is in the a firesafe in Hagerman, ID ( Cuz Jamie knows where) Just in case something goes wrong, I want someone to know, to care, and see I'm put in the right place. :0)

By the way, I've decided I want "Loving Her Was Easier" (than anything I've ever do again) (Kris Kristofferson) sung at my funeral. (Dedicated to my famous friend)

and one other song to send me on my way, "Angels Watching Over Me" (Amy Grant.)

Friends

In the last two weeks, I have been incredibly lucky finding two friends from college days.. And another from work.. One started me skiing, the other I took skiing and maybe started skiing, (it's been a long time,) the third I skied and raced against.
All are still incredible and have done much with their lives. Each helping humanity in their own way. I feel honored to know them and count them as friends.

The first, whom I knew quite well, has become internationally famous as an actress. From humble beginnings in Utah, through college in Rock Springs, Wy. and onto the University of Utah. There she gave great performances in local theaters, including the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Ut. She eventually left Utah and went to Southern California, where all promising actors go, I guess. She called me on Saturday, (5/24) after hiking in the mountains, and told me about her life since I had last seen her in SoCal/2002. Such a gripping story, but alas, it is hers to tell, when and if she wishes. I still hope she publishes her poems and some more of her art. I have told her, no matter how famous she becomes, she will still be in my heart.

Onto the second, growing up in western Wyoming, and going to college in Rock Springs, Wy., then moving out into the world into Respiratory Therapy. I happened to be on the Internet reading about the first (famous) friend (FFF) and a chance comment left in a blog caught my eye, (an indication FFF was known to the second person,) through the comment section and subsequent emails, I think communication has once again been established. It will be fascinating to hear this story also.

The third person, (from work) will be met in warmer climes in the coming year, I hope, maybe sooner as you never can tell...... (it's cooler in August in Washington State) :o)

Quotes from/for PCPD

This first is for Lloyd.. Although I didn't say it, I'll copy it and give the quote it's/he's due..

"Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on."

Robert Kennedy (1925-1968)

Other famous quotes......

"Give me a way to win"

"Is it the red book or the blue book today?"

"What about Bob?"

"The square footage of the house, and the further it is up the hill, is directly related to the attention given to a complaint by police administration."

"On any given day, on any given call, my status as a "golden boy" can be changed"
(sorry to see you go but glad you got out of there..RK)

"Do you have a gold card, Sir?"

"He was drunk and he didn't obey me"
(reason given by "cluster" after pepper spraying a man, then doing a cite and release)



Hopefully I'll get some anonymous help here.....

I spent some time

Spent some time mapping all the places I've been with my trailer, and how many miles I've put on it, and on my truck...

I bought my GMC Sierra Duramax/Allison pickup in March 2004 and now have just over 101,000 miles on it, my first tank of diesel in Kellogg, Idaho cost me $1.83 a gallon.... (4.69 gal today)

I picked up the trailer in Houston, Tx. in April 2005, what a fun trip with a friend, although it could have turned out better, we had fun.... That first trip with the trailer from Houston to Hagerman, Id. was 2160 miles in less than a week. Since I bought the trailer I have put 27,120 miles on it. I've spent about $4000 on upgrades, ($1600 LP genset, $750 rubber pin box, $440 in new rims, $440 in new tires, $300 Surge/Overvoltage Guard, and a few odds and ends.)

I really have enjoyed it all, I've learned a few things, made some new friends and renewed some old friendships.... I look back on my life and pity people who don't take a chance, that always play it safe, those who don't stop and smell the roses..... Slow down, take a look around, and appreciate what you have..

Love and Bless y'all...

Pet Peeves (Flossing)

The following scenario is a true story......Layton, Utah, Gary, a friend of my paintball teams captain, worked as a manager at Ultimate Electronics. He was finishing his house, and was hanging some of the drywall while alone. The walls were finished, but while trying to hang the overhead, he decided to use the only table in the basement at the time, a pingpong table... Needless to say, it collapsed with the weight, he fell and broke both collarbones and wrists attempting to catch himself. At this point his loving wife takes him to the hospital, where he gets the works, he is placed in a upper body cast from the neck to just above the waist, with both arms forward and out. (reminding me of the lumbering monsters in old movies.)

His loving wife now has to do everything for him, feed him, drive him, and various other things...... About all he can do is click the remote and watch TV, he can't even use a mouse to play on the net.
One night in the first week, she sees him settled in with a Big Gulp and the remote, she tells him she's heading for the store and will be gone just a short while. Fine, everything's cool, UNTIL the Big Gulp is about finished, he wanders into the bathroom. Now picture this, he can't hold himself because his arms/hands are about three feet apart in the upper body cast, so he has to sit and hope it drops enough to hit the toilet, he manages to squirm around enough to get it in. BUT.. while sitting there another natural urge overtakes him, fine, he takes a dump also, after all it's natural....

On getting up, he finds he has managed to close the bathroom door behind him, he doesn't know if his wife is home or not, BUT.. he has another problem, he can't wipe himself, his arms/hands are solidly placed a waist level in front of him... he can't open the door, cause his fingers can't grasp the doorknob, he tries his mouth to open the door to yell for his wife to help....if she's even home.. He can't get the door open, and he's made the room very soundproof because it's close to the downstairs family room.

He's in a quandary, he finally cleans himself up a bit by draping ends of one of the nice bath towels over each hand, stepping over it and using a see saw (flossing) motion.
He leaves the towel in the bathtub, as it's now stinky, eventually his wife comes looking for him, and saves him from the bathroom. Of course, she's not happy with the towel or the bathtub, but after the explanation admits he had no choice......


And that leads me to a new "Pet Peeve"..

I know when you're on the road, you've never used a public bathroom, but if you did, have you ever looked at the bathroom tissue, besides being shiny, made from recycled materials, and placed in a can that only distributes 3 squares at a time, it is only about 3 inches wide, get real, Wal-mart, Target, Flying J.. it's just not fair, do the American public a favor, replace your floss with a brand name.

Should I feel hurt? or is this too funny?

I found a neat video of racing RV's, I sent it to some people I know who RV, and would get a kick out of it.

Lo and behold, the emails I sent to people at parkcity.org were all returned. with the following message.......

This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification

Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:

**********@parkcity.org

Technical details of permanent failure:
PERM_FAILURE: Gmail tried to deliver your message, but it was rejected by the recipient domain. The error that the other server returned was: 551 551 Mailhost is on our global blacklist (Mode: normal). We recommend contacting the other email provider for further information about the cause of this error. Thanks for your continued support. (state 14)



My email address was rejected? by parkcity.org? PERM FAILURE?

A fine example of Park City Municipal/Police Department constipation or obstipation?

This is just too funny, it looks like Park City municipal is scared of me sending emails to some of my old friends..... Or is this part of the general fear of the unknown, am I going to send them virii, worms, trojans, or some such..... yeah, yeah, I gonna DOS them, DDOS em or make the entire Park City network a robot site bending to my will...

Is this another example of the ostrich effect (putting their head in the sand?), I figured the new IT department would know better by now, they were much much smarter than the old Daughtee/Sunday combination.

So I just used another email address to let everyone know, you can't ban them all guys...

BTW, if you say your just banning all gmail addresses, you are losing the ability to recieve messages from millions of Gmail users, do you really want to do that?


P.S. On followup, a nice IT person at recipient Park City Muni unblocked gmail after one of the email recipients complained. It was possibly an over-enthusiastic spam filter....

A quick run to Idaho

So here I am, back in Idaho and it's cold, now, as most of you know I like cool weather, as long as I don't have to shovel any snow. I'm only saying it's cold because I had to winterize the trailer to make it to Idaho. (drain water tanks, water heater, house lines and put RV antifreeze in the P-traps. About 10 gallons of water in bottles for the toilet.)

I stayed in the warmth of Southern Nevada as long as I could, I returned to the Oasis RV Resort from the Main Street Station, then I went up to Mesquite, NV. Oasis RV park for a week. I kept watching the weather, snow and rain across Utah, Nevada and Idaho hoping for a warming trend as a sign to return to the north........ It didn't happen...... Moms taxes and medical appointments could wait no longer, we had to return..... I left Mesquite fully intending to stay in Salt Lake that evening....

Blam, whap whap whap made it's appearance, another tire blew??? Mile marker 147 on Northbound I-15 about 2pm, I was at the side of the road, waiting once again for the Good Sam Emergency people to come change my tire, I realize I can change it in less then 10 minutes, given the tools I have and the on-board generator, besides a 2000 watt inverter on the truck to run my electric impact wrench. I've got a 12 ton hydraulic jack, that the tow truck operators usually resort to, since the ones they have don't go as high. But I wait, cause I paid for the damn thing (Emergency Road Service), I might as well use it.

The tow truck driver arrives, with a air jack, he puts it under the trailer on the axle, I stop him, ummm, you can't do that, he wants to know why, I tell him about Dexter axles, thay are just tubes with rubber rope in them and how they bend very easily. I let him know that I would like new axles, but felt it necessary to warn him anyway. Now, guess what, his jack can't reach the trailer frame, so he borrows two of my blocks to raise his jack up enough. He does have an air impact wrench and makes short work of the tire change. I ask him what he's torquing the lugs to and get told he doesn't have a torque wrench on the truck. I offer him mine and tell him a 100 ft-lbs is fine. He wants to discuss it, saying most 8 lug wheels are much higher, I agree I tell him, but those are usually 9/16 or 5/8 lugs. I politely point out the 1/2 in lugs he just worked with, he considers the point and gives in. Then we have a small discussion about drive axles and trailer axles and the needs of transferring engine torque versus load weight. He takes off and I limp into Payson Utah Walmart, they agree once more it's a road hazard that blew the tire and give me a new tire free of charge...... (since I paid the $9.76 road hazard warranty in 2005.) We stayed the night in the parking lot with Walmarts permission, I ran the generator for a while to warm up using the electric heaters, and taking about 15 minutes to change the new tire and spare back.. (in my shorts and sandals.)

The next morning I got up about 9am (it's a quiet store lot,) and drove into Salt Lake, I parked at Camping World and unhooked. I had a list of things I needed to do, haircut/style at Bella Mia (thanks Jen, I think this makes it about 13 years of haircuts), taxes to PC accountant, alignment check at the local Firestone store, Crown Burger (should be outlawed), Mountain America to check on real estate loans (personal loans are cheaper), Convergys, (drop off a care package...No hug, and yes, I'm whining......)

I make it back to Camping World around 6:30, shop until they close getting some supplies. I hook up and take off to Idaho, it's still cold.... I get into Hagerman at my moms house about 1am. Time for a well deserved rest...


I tucked the trailer in beside the house instead of parking it out front like I usually do, I think it's a sign I'm gonna be here a while doing yardwork.....;o)

Just a tale of woe, hope and perseverance..

THUD THUD Clank CRASH

I'm still in Las Vegas, currently residing at the Main Street Station RV park. Ok, it's a parking lot with hookups, and at six in the morning I was awoken with loud crashes and screeches. I look out the window and see a nearby building being demolished, it even looks like a nice sunrise (something I don't see a lot of.) I walked out and took a few photos, when my flash went off, a couple of workers ran and got a fire hose and began watering down the building. (guilty conscience?) I went back in my condo on wheels and put in earplugs (memories of sleeping after graveyard shift) and slept peacefully till noon. Fremont Street Experience and Light Show is less than three blocks away, so we went and experienced it for about 4 shows during an evening. I'm waiting for the northern US to warm up, and I'll head north, theres things to to do and people to see, passports to pick up and puppy dogs to get checked out by the vet.

Sunsets

I just sat out and watched my last sunset this year in Quartzsite, it was nothing spectacular, some nice color and a few westbound neon jet contrails.


I've spent many evenings watching the sunset and appreciating God's splendor and man's contribution of some smog. The colors touch something in the soul. I realized I've missed sunsets every evening for 16 years working in Park City, there are no sunsets, the sun just disappears behind the mountain and the coolness settles in. I did have some great sunrises on graveyard shift, but theres nothing like a good sunset.

My final week in QZ

I'm leaving Quartzsite on March 9th, my birthday and heading to Las Vegas. It's been fun, I didn't upgrade nearly as much this year, I did all the big stuff last year. I worked on my metal awning covers a bit, making them a bit more sturdy. I did invest in some more tools, still a lot of tool venders in town for some reason. I cleaned and polished the truck and trailer some. It's hard with the water here leaving large salt spots if you don't dry it off immediately, it felt like a losing battle. I did some work on the internet situation, getting a wireless print server and modifying it to receive wifi internet to multiple computers in the trailer. It's using the print server backwards from what it was meant to be, but it works very well and will work well in long term situations. It's not the quickest setup I've used. I need to hack the code a bit and make it more user friendly.

Here is a map to where I've been staying, there is a gray rooftop in the lower left quadrant near the cross roads, a brown rectangle just to the left (concrete slab) I'm parked about 20 feet west (left) of the "slab", last year I was parked on the slab,


View Larger Map

Another pepper spray SAVE in California

Yes, I sell pepper spray and tasers..... with results like this, why don't you carry pepper spray with you all the time. It's legal and can save you....

Woman drives off El Segundo attacker

By Larry Altman, Staff Writer

Article Launched: 03/01/2008 04:19:21 PM PST

A sexual-assault victim used pepper spray to fend off an assailant who grabbed her and pinned her to the ground as she walked in El Segundo, police said Saturday. The attack occurred at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday as she walked at Franklin Avenue and Richmond Street, close to the city's downtown area and near a residential area of condominiums, apartments and houses. Detectives released a sketch of the suspect in the hope someone can identify him. "We are really just seeking anyone's help," El Segundo police Lt. Bob Turnbull said. "It's a very good composite. Hopefully someone will see that composite and give us some leads." As the 20-year-old woman walked, the assailant grabbed her from behind, spun her around and forced her to the ground between two parked cars. He straddled her and assaulted her through her clothes, Turnbull said. The victim pulled out pepper spray in defense and aimed it at the man. He became overwhelmed, coughed, gagged and ran away. The victim told police the man was white, about 30 years old, 6 feet tall, and about 200 pounds. He had brown eyes and dark brown hair, cut short on the sides and parted on the top. He has a goatee on an unshaven face, a weathered facial complexion, a muscular build and a fat stomach. He was wearing a gray T-shirt and blue jeans. Turnbull said the scariest part of the attack was that it occurred in broad daylight. Despite that, nobody witnessed the assault.

Anyone with information about the attack was asked to call El Segundo police Detective Ken Mulroney at 310-524-2200.

larry.altman@dailybreeze.com

A star appeared in the sky

Sometimes in this world there are events that affect a lot of people. RVers everywhere will feel the loss of Dave Baleria. He was a great instructor, an avid RVer and a brother in blue. Many RVers have listened to him over the years on issues like self-defense and being practical roaming the heartland, during Life on Wheels courses. A prayer goes out to speed him on his way to the great campground in the sky, where he will be watching over us all.

Avoid - Escape - WIN are the watchwords we all remember.

Reno pepper spray sales up......

Taser, pepper spray sales soar

Siobhan McAndrew (SMCANDRE@RGJ.COM)
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
February 20, 2008

Area retailers said they can't keep up with the demand for pepper spray.

Local sporting good stores and gun shops have sold thousands of the aerosol spray canisters that can incapacitate an attacker by causing temporary blindness, difficulty breathing, a runny nose and coughing.

The killing of Brianna Denison by what police say is a serial rapist has many young women looking for any line of defense, retail clerks said.

"We probably sell 30 to 40 of them a day," said Robert Currier of the Scotland Yard Spy Shop on Virginia Street. "We have a list of 30 people who have already paid and are waiting for us to stock it again."

The REI store has been turning away customers looking for a spray used to fend off bear attacks as a method of defense.

"Bear spray is not for anyone looking for a product for personal safety," said James Hedges, a manager at REI.

Sports Authority's two Reno locations have been out of pepper spray for a few days; ABC Lock and Glass in Sparks said its stock of more than 1,000 canisters ran out this weekend.

David Currier, owner of the Scotland Yard Spy Shop, drove Tuesday to Sacramento to get 160 canisters after selling almost 400.

The most popular model is a half-ounce canister in a leather case that can be attached to a key chain.

The spray, made from resins found in a variety of peppers including cayenne and chilis, can be a great defense, experts said.

"When people have trained to use it and are using a good product, it works great," Tracy Hawkins, a safety trainer and owner of the Safety and Security Source in Kansas City, Mo., adding that personal alarms also are effective.

"People discount them because they say car alarms just go off in a parking lot and no one pays attention, Hawkins said. "The fact that the car is still in the parking lot proves it works."

Pistol and stun gun sales have increased at local gun shops.

"We have had probably two or three times more people in here looking at guns because of Brianna Denison," said Marion Morreale of the Gun Trader on Plumb Lane.

She said the most popular item has been the Five-Shot .38 revolver that sells for $640.

The C2, a civilian-use Taser designed for women, has been a popular item at Mark Fore & Strike, a sporting goods store on Kietzke Lane.

Reno police recommend that buyers of defense weapons get training.

"I was talking to a young woman the other day who purchased pepper spray and she had no idea how you were supposed to use it," Reno police officer Kellie Fox said. "If you don't know how to use something or you're not comfortable with it, it's not going to help."

Personal weapon rules
Pepper spray: Can be used by anyone 18 and older who is not a felon. No more than 2 fluid ounces of pepper spray can be carried for self-defense. Tear gas, commonly called Mace, sells as a pepper spray product. Some companies still make a product that is a combination of tear gas and pepper spray. Police stopped using tear gas because it causes severe pain and can aggravate more than incapacitate an assailant.
Pistol: Can be purchased by anyone older than 21 after a state and federal background check and must be registered, unless purchased from a private seller. Local gun shops said the background check should take no more than an hour.
Taser or stun gun: Legal to carry in Nevada. Cannot be used by anyone younger than 18 or anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment, is a fugitive, has been arrested or convicted of drug use or possession, is an illegal immigrant, is committed to a mental institution or has been convicted of domestic violence.

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080220/NEWS01/802200444/1016/NEWS

Women with Protection.......

Weapons For Women

News story





Reported By: Katie Brace

A mother and daughter found murdered outside the Town Center Mall.

Shopper says, "I'm concerned about my safety with what's going on and everything."

Another woman last seen alive leaving the shopping center. Plus, reports of two other attacks.

Shopper says, "I carry pepper spray now and I have a pocket knife."

When it comes to having extra protection and a feeling of security, Joe Rice at Delray Shooting Center is getting a lot more questions these days.

Joe Rice, manager of Delray Shooting Center, says, "We appear to be doing more Taser purchases, more pepper spray purchases and our concealed weapons classes have been full."

In the non-lethal weapons market. Taser is trying to capture your attention with its sultry advertising. Its range of stylish colors doesn’t hurt. At 350 to 400 dollars, it’s not cheap.

Joe Rice says, "It's a decent alternative to buying a gun for someone who doesn't want to buy a gun."

The Taser will buy you time, only if you hit your mark. And, you only have one shot.

Joe Rice says, "You would Tase the person and drop the item to ground. It will operate for thirty seconds you run away."

With the Taser you can stand about 15 feet away, it’s much different than this…stun gun.

Nick Lipschultz, P.A.R. Firearms & Supplies, says, "If someone grabs you push into them and start zapping until they fall to the ground and run." "A football player will go down in five seconds."

Susan Lipschultz, P.A.R. Firearms & Supplies, says, "Unless there in a really heavy jacket, it's going to go through denim it's going to go through clothing."

There’s one product dealers say can potentially disable attacker for up to an hour.

Nick Lipschultz says, "The oil sticks to them and doesn't wipe away."

Kimber’s LifeAct is relatively new on the market. It’s an oil based pepper spray that can be used further away than the aerosol pepper spray you’re probably used to seeing.

Susan Lipschultz says, “Step in spray and leave."

Dealers say it uses a charge like a firearm and is less likely to blow back on your face.

Reporter asks, “If someone wore a mask or glasses?”

Joe Rice says, "It would go around glasses it could go through a mask." “I would rate this up there in the realm as pretty high up in the range of non lethal weapons.”

Dealers say just pulling out one of these weapons can be a deterrent. They also say it can make women more confident making them less likely to be attacked. But, if you’re attacked don’t hesitate.

Susan Lipschultz says, "The biggest mistake is not having the frame of mind, as Nick, said to realize if you're in that situation you have to take action."

Whatever the weapon, the key is you feel comfortable with your choice, so you don’t become a victim.

Lake Havasu City

I'm in Quartzsite AZ since the first part of January, lots of Flea Markets, swap meets, the QIA PowWow (rock, gem and mineral show) and the BigTent RV Show with all the newest stuff in RVing, that you so desperately need. All I bought was some cinnamon bread, some AmsOil MPHD, and a few LED lights that work great and take very little power from the battery.


I took a trip up to Lake Havasu City, to see the sights, London Bridge, and all that. I never got a good shot of the most photographed thing in LHC, but took photo's of the sunset near the lake.

I'll be meandering north about the first week of March.

Forces..... of Nature?

Up in Wisconsin where the ice grows deep, a GM Duramax owner tests the ice with his truck. Looks very serene there under the ice, kinda quiet and cold.



And now, they just had to pull it out.......




Coming to you from The Diesel Place

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=207320

Mysterious Forces in the Universe, Tires and Hazards

I've spent a year and a half on the road, and mysterious forces are at work. I put over 25,000 miles on the trailer, even more on the truck and even after careful maintenance some things just happen.

1. On the first day leaving Coos Bay, Or. the trailer blew a tire, tore up a little of the trailer and put us on the side of the interstate for an hour during evening traffic. We were 10 miles short of our destination in Talent, Or. I called up the Good Sam Emergency Center and they sent out the Tow Truck, we replaced the tire on the side of the road and I limped into Talent. Too late to get into the park, so I camped at Walmart (after asking permission.) I took my blown tire to Walmart, I had originally bought it in 2005 at the St. George, Utah Walmart for $93 and spent $9.76 for the "road hazard" warranty. The tire guy took one look at the shredded tire, the exceptionally good tread depth and said " yep, it was something on the road"" rear tire right?" "We'll cover it, no charge." whoohoooo, they did, and had the tire in stock, saved me $110, although I did pay $13.33 for the new road hazard and lifetime balancing.

2. I've backed my fifth wheel over a hundred times, I've gone almost 90 degrees a few times, I've never had any trouble with the short bed, I even have a slider in my truck, I've used it a couple times just to figure it out. But.... While in Ventura, Ca. I was backing my trailer into a very tight spot, and BAM, my rear window shattered. 96,000 miles and I lose a window. $155 later the truck has a new window, minus all my stickers. The white cardboard kept the glass from flying into the back seat.





3. On leaving CatSpa with the trailer, you have to hand in your parking pass/survey. I pulled in close to the security hut so I could hand it in. Before pulling away, I figured I was too close to the hut to let the trailer pass by safely, so I back up about a foot to get a better angle. Hmmm, I forgot it's a security hut....... Backing up that foot punctured my right rear tire on the tire ripper placed there for just that purpose, reminds me of a certain wooden bar that swings up but people manage to hit all the time. At least the bar doesn't really stop anyone. Now why is that?

A RV park has a tire ripper that will stop a vehicle in it's tracks with the push of a button.....

A county jail has a wooden bar that doesn't stop anything unless you hit the brake....


By the way, a tire ripper is a "road hazard" and the $193 Michelan was replaced free at Discount Tire, although it took $24 for the new warranty.

Laf, it reminds me of putting up my Internet Satellite on April 1st one year.

Like I said "mysterious forces at work......"

Happy New Year

to all the people that communicated with me over the last year. It's good to hear from the old job once in a while. From the old area once in a while and from good friends. May you all retire happy and early. I've had so much fun, seeing places around the country, meeting new friends and contacting old ones. God Bless