On the way back from the valley a few days ago, Damsel snapped this photo of the front wheel of an eighteen wheeler. The operator had replaced the lug nuts with this exotic array of spiked cones that reminded me of the Ben Hur Chariot Race where the evil Massala had extended axles on his chariot designed to rip out the spokes of competing chariots. Click on the image to enlarge.
When McDonalds remodeled their restaurant near the Hassayampa River, they installed a new bronze artwork entitled “Lucky Strike” to depict the old mining days and our town’s heritage. I snapped this photo today on our way to the Wickenburg Sportsmen’s Club for some target practice. Click on the image to enlarge.
When I checked the PO Box today, I discovered that the Scorpion UV flashlights had arrived. We drove home and I opened up the package to find these little, but powerful, units.
The light is powered by three AAA batteries. There are 32 UV LEDs that produce a very bright reflection when directed toward items that fluoresce in UV light. I found a few things in the office that lit up nicely under the UV light.
Image: one of the new UV Flashlights. Click to enlarge.
We’re anxious for nightfall so we can take the UV lights outside and see if there are any fluorescent critters around, or, maybe some fluorescent minerals around the area. It will be interesting to see what glows in the dark.
After we ordered the Smith & Wesson tactical flashlights (right), Cheaper than Dirt offered their “Guard Dog” 240 lumen tacticals (left) for $19.95. Of course, we had to order them as well. Click on the image to enlarge.
And, after Crotalus suggested UV illumination for lighting up scorpions after dark, we ordered a couple of Scorpion Master 32 LED Ultraviolet Flashlights.
I do believe that we will eventually get a couple of the tactical SureFire flashlights as well. We will outfit ourselves as necessary for our personal defense.
We attended a class yesterday devoted to home protection and gun safety. One of the topics they taught had to do with equipment for the home. Of course, we already have firearms but we need to research some of the other tactical gear that we ought to have on hand.
UPDATE Image: Smith & Wesson Galaxy 13 LED Flashlight. This is the model we ordered.
The course instructor advised that if we’re going to have firearms handy that it is a very good idea to have a high-quality flashlight on hand to aid in locating and identifying potential targets. Not the cheap Chinese crap that you find at the discount stores, but a good, reliable and BRIGHT tactical flashlight similar to those used by military and law enforcement. Pursuant to that end, I have started a ‘wish list’ on a well-known on-line retailer site where I have entered several candidate flashlights. Over the next few days, Damsel and I will down-select to a single flashlight and then order two of them. One for her and one for myself.
We have been up and down US 60 between Wickenburg and the Phoenix Metro area a lot since the new house project started. Earlier this month, we passed the first train we have seen on the BNSF rails that parallel the road. This one was hauling rolls of sheet metal and some other big metal products. I sure like the paint job on the locomotives. Photo credit Damsel – click to enlarge.
When we were in Wickenburg earlier this month, Damsel ordered all of the appliances for the new house. There is an appliance store in town where our contractor recommended we order the new equipment.
The kitchen appliances will all be stainless steel. Damsel ordered a 23 cubic foot stainless side-by-side freezer and fridge. The microwave sits over the five burner stainless range and oven which is a one-piece built in unit, as is the dishwasher. We will have a stainless two-tub sink under the kitchen window.
I went on to Lowe’s virtual room designer and built the kitchen seen here. Our actual kitchen will not be quite as wide as this model but the appliances will be placed roughly as shown. Our cabinets will probably look a bit different than those pictured here since we went with a rustic southwestern finish.
Click on the image to enlarge.
