Travel trailer giganticus.

During my aforementioned short trip to southern Colorado, a thought on a commonality occurred to me. Let's examine this thought together.

To no surprise to anyone who is even barely conscious, travel trailers abound on the highways in summer. This is hardly a new phenomenon. I remember seeing pictures of travel trailers from the 1930s, and they probably existed even earlier. They can be a great comfort when experiencing the outdoors. I'm not a tent snob who rails against travel trailers; someday, in fact, I hope to own one, albeit a very compact one, and that is the point of this post.

How large does a travel trailer need to be to enjoy nature? Apparently, as big as possible. Now, I can see needing a travel trailer of 20' or more for a family with lots of kids (4+), something more and more rare in today's self-centered America, or for retirees who live in their trailers for extended periods to chase warm weather during the winter, but for the average vacation or long-weekend tripper, what the heck?!?! If you go to the forest, or a KOA campground, does the wheeled equivalent of your house need follow behind you? The point of a vacation is NOT to spend time in your temporary quarters, but to be outside of them as much as possible, enjoying a new environment and partaking in different activities. Other than as a place to eat, sleep, perform ablutions, and seek shelter from inclement weather, a travel trailer is a lousy place to spend an outing.

I strongly suspect that one of the reasons for the proliferation of whale-size travel trailers is simply because people don't stop to think about what they need, not what the marketers insist they need through subtle advertising. This is a problem common to practically all consumerism in America, not just travel trailers. Heck, look at what's happened to the size of houses over the last 20 years. They've gotten so large that they contain whole areas a family may not visit for days. The point is not that people shouldn't have the choice to purchase these products, but that they are not critically examining their true needs. Bigger is not necessarily better; what best fits individual needs, convention be damned, is better.

Another reason, of course, is that old human desire of emblazoned status. The bigger, longer, or fancier his (fill in the blank) is, the more that person believes himself to be esteemed, and, unfortunately, he's probably correct.

I could go on speaking in generalities, but, instead, I'll speak to this issue from the point of view of my needs in the realm of travel trailers.

Since our family consists only of father, mother, son, and family dog (we married late and started a family late, so more children, although not unwanted, are an unlikely event--does that make us self-centered?), we can get by with either a medium-size tent trailer or a 15' travel trailer. Some of our camping will be of the boondocking variety and the rest will be at a campground, so an on board toilet/shower would be useful, but we could make do without this convenience, at least for short trips. In the kitchen, some type of stove is necessary, but a microwave is not, especially since we don't even have one at home; an oven will not be needed; a small sink/faucet set up completes the kitchen necessities. Other necessaries include a dining table, AC power hookup, beds, the ability to add air conditioning (this is especially useful when staying in humid areas of the country), and an overall light weight and compact, maneuverable size. So, with these needs in mind, plus our philosophy that vacations/outings are about getting away from the (temporary or permanent) abode, we now have a pretty good idea of what we need in a trailer. See how easy that was?

Thanks for reading this far as I take American consumer behavior to task, otherwise known as pissing into the wind.


Take care,
DAL357

It's been a while.

As my many reader (that's not a typo) have no doubt noticed, it's been a while since my last post. That's due to a couple of reasons. One, my ability to connect to the 'Net did not exist for nearly the last week due to a Qwest-purchased DSL modem that is no longer under warranty that failed. Qwest was happy to replace the modem, for SIXTY! bucks, but at least the new modem is twice as fast as the old one, so I suppose I shouldn't complain too much. Two, I refuse to live for a blog, as so many others seem to do. I'll post when I feel like it, but cyberspace doesn't rule my life, and I feel sad for those who allow it to. Pahnyahtnah (Russian for understood)?

On Monday, June 25, I went to help a friend realize his dream in southern Colorado. This friend, whom I'll call Roger, bought some land outside of La Veta and is building a house on it. While building it, he's been living in a rented cabin with all of his worldly possessions. I went to help him move some of his heavier goods (furniture, large, free-standing power tools, etc.). When I left on Wednesday, we had moved the majority of the items that required the attention of more than one person into his partially-completed home. Mission accomplished.

Redoubtable Roger's Retreat

I also went to the area to do a little solo camping, but the weather was uncooperative, a not-too-unusual occurrence in Colorado, so that didn't happen. Maybe it's just me, but I don't enjoy heavy rain while camping.

One bright spot, though, aside from the friendly visit, was seeing my first bear in the wild. While taking a scenic drive through the area mountains and valleys, I spotted a wide, black form about 150 yards to my right in a field. I quickly pulled over and, sure enough, it was a bear. I snatched the camera and snapped a photo and then traded the camera for my binocular. What appeared to be an ink-black black bear from a distance turned out to be a dark-brown black bear with a wide arse and body (I mean female-Wal-mart-shopper wide) and a tan muzzle. The bear was on the very edge of the field, near the forest line, and he only stayed exposed for perhaps a minute, then he waddled into the woods. Although I've never seen a black bear in the flesh, save the zoo, I've seen enough hunting photos of harvested black bears to know that this was a large, mature bear. I count myself lucky to have seen this animal.

See the bear? I took the photo and I can't, but he's there, somewhere, right of center.

Take care,
DAL357

The right way, and the WNBR way

If you've kept up on current events--something not quite as essential for being an intelligent being as conventional wisdom demands (too much information can actually clutter clear thinking, but that's an issue for another place and time)--no doubt the World Naked Bike Ride day http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/ has caught your attention. I suspect that this is just a cheap stunt designed to draw attention to this organization's causes: the lack of bike-friendly roads, cities, and facilities, and, more ominously, the environmental degradation, they claim, caused by the automobile.

Let's take a look at the first cause. Yes, I have to agree that bicycles get the short shrift in most Western countries. Why? Because they are less efficient than automobiles in most cases, short trips through crowded streets excepted. The majority has spoken, and what they've chosen, right or wrong, is the car. That doesn't mean there isn't a place for bikes, and cities should recognize that for certain areas they can be a viable alternative to autos, and plan new streets/facilities accordingly.

The second cause, really, is a separate issue that doesn't belong anywhere in the organization's platform. If they are serious about getting better amenities for bicyclists in the Western world, pulling this dead-whale issue will only hurt and marginalize their quest. Those who might have looked with interest and sympathy at WNBR's concerns are going to be non-plussed by the environmental component of their agenda. Cars are here to stay, like it or not, so get over it.

But, in the end, this organization isn't actually serious about much of anything. If they were, a silly stunt like a worldwide naked bike ride day, which occurred on June 9, 2007, would not have happened. Serious people don't effect change like this, they use the political process. Sure, that takes years, lots of money, patience, and intelligence, but it's the only real way to do things, short of brute force. All WNBR has done with this act is categorize themselves as fringe wackos and alienate the very people they need on their side, the majority. Biking is a good idea in some instances, especially in the more densely populated areas, but with a yahoo organization like this speaking for biking, don't look for bikes, bikers, and biking to get the recognition and amenities they might deserve otherwise.

Take care,
DAL357

A Rifleman's Poem

A Rifleman's Poem: If You Do Your Part, I'll Finish What You Start


All of you shooters
Please gather 'round
'cause there's much more to shooting
Than just fury and sound


Yes, it's been said
And it is no lie
That some rounds shoot flatter
And faster they fly


But in the hands of a man
Who knows how to shoot
He hits what he aims at
All else is moot


Don't think the ballistics
Of any rifle can
Compensate for skill
In a poorly-trained man


An accurate rifle
A precise scope
Are wasted on the man
Who does not know his dope


Perfect practice is key
To gaining the skill
Of using one shot
To make a clean kill


A bolt-action rifle
Of, say, thirty-ought-six
Can teach a smart shooter
All kinds of tricks


But first he must learn
What it can and can't do
And his limitations
When his scope he looks through


Take care of your rifle
Treat it like your pet
And when its time comes to serve you
It won't forget


Listen to your rifle
You'll hear a refrain
And after every shot
You'll hear it again


"If you do your part,
I'll finish what you start."
If you want to shoot well
Learn this by heart


DAL357
Copyright 2003




Take care,
DAL357

Notes from the hunting journal--2/10/07

You will all be disappointed, no doubt, to learn that this is the final entry from my hunting journal for the 2006/2007 small game season. Don't despair, though, as there will be future entries, providence willing.

2-10-07: Went to trusty, ol' area XX, accompanied by John Alpeter and his son, Matt. The morning started off chilly, but warmed quickly as the sun rose, necessitating me shedding my coat and sweater. With three hunters walking abreast, we were able to cover a much larger field of view and, as a result, we probably kicked up as many rabbits as I had previously seen during the entire season. The exact number escapes me, but we three must have fired at around 10 rabbits, and we harvested five (I shot three, but I gave one to John--his family is bigger than mine). While walking back to the cars, I saw a jackrabbit about 20 yards ahead of me. For a split second, I thought it was a dog because it was so tall. I snapped a shot off at it, but missed (surprised?), and it turned on the speed and disappeared.

John and I talked after the hunt about going out again before the season ended on Feb. 28, but illness intervened for both of us and we didn't get around to it.

That's it for the 2006/2007 small game season. The 2007/2008 season starting in October is anxiously anticipated.

Gun: Remington 870 12 ga.
Ammo: my reloads w/#6 shot
Total shots: at least 5 or 6 (me), but not sure
Rabbits: 3 (me), 5 total


Take care,
DAL357

What a wonderful world it would be!

I've been saying for years that we should go back to being isolationists. Let the rest of the world swirl in the toilet bowl it's always swam in, and this includes those supposed "advanced" idiots that make up Europe. If you are constantly consorting with moronic ideas, philosophies, and countries, it's only a matter of time before these contagions infect you (we already have the initial symptoms). By rising above this lunacy, by allowing the rest of the world to do what it's always done, namely, adhere to fanciful beliefs and unworkable social systems, and in the process commit suicide, we will inoculate ourselves.

I wish I had written this; it is so simple, logical, realistic, and, as the Brits say, spot on, that it must give any reasonably intelligent person pause to wonder why it's so difficult for our "leaders" to see its wisdom.

By the way, don't ever expect anyone in either the Democratic or Republican party (two sides of the same coin, really) to take action on any of this, or even to acknowledge the existence of these ideas. They have a vested interest in keeping things the way they are and acting as if our present course is the only way possible. If any of what follows is ever to be enacted, it will have to be an outside-the-mainstream party that does it.

Enjoy what follows.

*****

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?

My fellow Americans, as you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed.

Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.

This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days.

It is now time to begin the reckoning. Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there.

The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.

Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war.

The American people are no longer going to pour money into third-world hellholes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.

Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.

In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.

Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China.

I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis.

I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York!

A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.

Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security.

Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty--starting now.

We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska--which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there. They care.

It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, "darn tootin'."

Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America.

To the nations on List 1, a final thought: Thank you, guys; we owe you and we won't forget.

To the nations on List 2, a final thought: You might want to learn to speak Arabic.

God bless America . Thank you and good night.

*****

Take care,
DAL357

For those left behind

Life is for the living
Death is for the dead
Honor those who’ve fallen
By living life instead

Enjoy the things that they cannot
A child, a joke, night thunder
For mourning those gone endlessly
Belittles life’s fine wonder

Paint not a picture of a saint
With noble tales so tall
But remember them lovingly
Complete with faults and all

Honor that you loved and knew them
In heart may they dwell
And show the affection due them
By living your life well


DAL357
Copyright 2007

Take care,
DAL357