July 2008

Outa Here

We’re outa here – the vacation starts today and we’re heading toward some of America’s most beautiful scenery. Here’s the route we picked . . .

route

We should be at Zion National Park this evening. We will be posting daily with something of interest from the road.

Delay Train

The other day, I posted a picture of a colorful sunrise. In that article, I mentioned the fact that I leave the house early so I can get to work early and come home early. Today it was not to be . . .

delay-train

Note that this is the END of the train as it moved from right to left. There were two locomotives on this end and three on the other end of the train. It took eight minutes for the train to pass at a speed of about 15 MPH.

But, I was only a few minutes later than usual and we’re going to be on vacation next week. After that, there are only 379 calendar days left until my planned retirement date which is only 239 estimated working days to go, but then, who’s counting?

Warthog Progress Report

HawgWe reported on feeding problems with the Warthog and promised to make a progress report. This is an interim report. There will be a follow up.

First, I replaced the springs in the magazines thinking that would improve the feed of rounds into the chamber. Next, thanks to Kerby, the Para representative who contacted us about our problems, we watched a video of Todd Jarrett giving some shooting tips for short-barreled .45s. In the video, Todd demonstrated the classic ‘stovepipe’ that occurs when the gun is not properly supported by the shooter and then demonstrated how to hold the gun.

Image: Looking into the Warthog’s chamber.

Sunday, when we went to the range, we had new magazine springs and newly-acquired advice on shooting the weapon. We both shot the gun and we both experienced misfeeds even when bracing the gun as advised.

I spoke with with the Para representative today and we agreed to send the gun into the shop for a closer look at the problem. We think that this time, armed with more data, they can pinpoint the problem and get it resolved. We’re hoping so. Damsel loves the little gun even if it has been a bit temperamental.

Reading Material

Mandatory reading – paperweight optional.

I’m enjoying reading “Effective Handgun Defense” (ISBN: 0-87349-899-2), by Frank W. James, who points out in the book that he is no kin to the 19th century outlaw brothers. The book is more than just tactics and has a very interesting history section. It’s amply illustrated and filled with plenty of good information.

defense

After the Cleanup

These are the firearms we took to the indoor target range today. All except for the little Airweight J-frame, that is – but it is a good-looking gun, so I put it on the table.

Don’t read anything into the table cover. It’s all I had that would fit the new folding utility table that we use on the patio when we clean up.

firearms

Click the image for bigger.

Tony Snow — 1955 – 2008

Damsel and I mourn the passing of Tony Snow. The Nation and the media world have lost an extraordinary human being. Tony’s wife and children have lost a wonderful husband and father. God bless Tony’s family and friends in their time of loss.

tonysnow.jpg

Sunrise

I generally head for the office early in the morning, often arriving before 0630. Today, unlike most spring and summer days in this area, there was a beautiful sunrise. Our norm for this time of the year is coastal low clouds and fog, burning off late in the morning. I stopped the car and snapped this view over (yet another) construction site on the way to work.

sunrise

As is generally the case, you can click on the image to see the really big version.