Father Time's Truck Repairs

My neighbor stopped by yesterday and asked me to look at his truck because it was making a strange noise underneath when he stopped quickly.

After correctly propping it up, we discovered one of the muffler hangers rusted out and was broken. A quick visit to NAPA and now we have new bolts and replacement hanger. Today we will break the old bolts loose using a larger hammer and breaker bar, force the muffler back into place with an old tire jack, install the new hanger and shazam! Good as new!

It's good to have a sound understanding of physics, leverage, and center of gravity for times like this. Father Time is so lucky!

Father Time's Power Rating

I really don't believe in these "quick and dirty" psychological tests, unless they make me sound omnipotent! I found this website with tons of tests and took all of them until I found one that made me look good. (Others had me pegged as a psychopath, the color blue, zero empathy, no soul, etc. You get the drift.) So, since humility is one of my redeeming social characteristics, I proudly present the results of the Power Test. By the way, the link should take you to the site where you can spend some time finding out how dysfunctional you are too. Is this cool or what?

Your Power Level is: 75%

You're a very powerful person, and you know that all of your power comes from within. Keep on doing what you're doing, and you'll reach your goals.

How Powerful Are You?

Late Summer Respite Plans

One of the best places to relax in the whole wide world is a really cool B & B called MacCallum House in Mendocino, California. We stayed there two years ago and agreed it was one of the most relaxing, stress-free places we had ever visited. So, when we were talking about places to go for a late summer "decompression session" (which is mandatory in late September or early October), Mendocino was at the top of the list.

Why go there? Great food, an art colony, unbelievable scenery, and close access to Anderson Valley and nineteen or so wineries. How's that for openers? This message is not brought to you by the Mendocino Chamber of Commerce. Just sounds that way. An added bonus for us Northwesterners: An overnight stay in Eureka for crab cakes and a bottle of wine at our favorite harbor hangout. Bring it on!

Hope I Don't Get Shut Down

Couldn't resist this picture. Are they cool or what? I would share their name but fear big brother would shut me down. However, using their name in the comments section is legal since I have no control over that.

Father Time is a risk taker!

Almost Time To Head For The Hills

The warm weather these past few days is sending me its annual siren call; "Time to start planning that first overnight trek to your favorite secluded lake and catch some trout." The thought of fresh caught brookies for breakfast, sauted in wild onions and butter, is close to Nirvana. I didn't need a hearing aid to get the message; my first priority today was to go out to the garage storage area and break out the backpacking gear. It makes a great respite from pulling weeds, fertilizing, and trying to figure out what to plant in the garden. One of these overnight treks is as refreshing, physically and mentally, as a week in Cancun. Well, maybe not a whole week but damn close!

I Can't Believe They're Saturns!

What's going on at Saturn? Did someone decide that building cars for grandmothers wasn't profitable? At any rate, the sports car version is equipped with a 4-cyl engine. Great for Grandma you say? As they say on every cable TV show, "But wait! There's more!"
They tweaked the 4-cyl engine a tad. Like adding some neat things without adding more gas guzzling cubic inches. Goodies like a some old but super reliable tricks like a turbocharger, intercooler, variable valve timing, etc. They ended up with 260 HP and 260 ft/lbs of torque. Grandma must not be messed with or she'll blow the doors off my Sonoma!


Then they put Recaro seats on the little twirp. I last time I saw those on a "low cost" car available in America was in 1976 on Special Edition VW Scirocco's. If Saturn is successful with this car, it could be a revelation - if it sells for under $25k. I'm skeptical. The sedan looks good too. A little less HP, around 252, but what's 8 horses among friends? Watch for more good stuff from GM. The stylists and engineers are doing their job - now if the big boys join the parade, they might be a fun company again.

Mount St. Helens Meets Joe Camel

The Situation

Here's something not many of us get to see, unless you live near Mount St. Helens and get out of bed at sunrise.

St. Helens continues to spew ash while its forming a lava dome in the crater and keeping us on our toes with minor tremors (which are really exciting when hiking there!) Here, in these sunrise shots, she appears to be blowing smoke rings. Anything so benign is welcomed given recent history.

The smoke rings are formed by cooler air flowing over the crater being pushed up into the atmosphere by warm air from the crater, as it goes up and over the top. The moisture content and initial temperature are just right to cause the moisture to condense from a vapor state to small water particles at the higher altitude. Then, when the now heavier air moves past the peak on it's downward path, the particles evaporate back to an invisible vapor. Absolutely clear, right?

The two "pancakes" you see describe two layers of air, both the warmer and the heavier, thus making these awesome pictures possible.

Credit Where Credit Is Do

I did not take these pictures; however, the person who did remains unknown. A local friend sent them to me by e-mail. They are just too spectacular to keep a secret!

Father Time's First 2006 Hike

We take a time out from the "Fly Roast." How much abuse can one man take? I don't care to find out.

So....., cabin fever finally took its toll, and off I went for two days of outdoor recreation. A nearby state park has seven or eight water falls that stretch out over an 8 mile loop. To say they are spectacular at this time of year is a gross understatement! These are not my pictures, but ones provided by the local Sierra Club. The club does a great job of maintaining the network of trails that connect the falls for those who want a less strenuous hike. The falls are deep down in a basalt canyon formed thousands of years ago when we were in a rather "hot" state.

The tallest falls has a 182' drop; the lowest drops 31'. But it's the volume of water at this time of year that makes them breathtaking. The facilities are first class, and are immaculate for a state-run organization. The impact of the Sierra Club on this park is evident, given the limited resources the state government has available.

I had better stop before this sounds like a tourism ad! Suffice it to say, I returned relaxed, tired, and back where I belong as a part of nature and not just an observer.

Not A Car Or Airplane But Almost As Breathtaking

I haven't seen one of these up close since I left Michigan but it's still one of the most awesome sights in nature. No matter how technologically advanced we think we are, we can be outdone by nature in a matter of seconds. I must be going through one of my "think small" days!

Great Car Site

Found another site for car fanantics! It's called Carscoop. Check it out!

We now return you to our regularly scheduled programs (right after my nap.)