We're leaving

 

…on a jet …..  bus.

 

On the road again.  It’s a slow boat to Phoenix; we’re going to take weeks to get there.

North through Falfurrias, fuel in Premont, on past Alice, George West, and Three Rivers.  We’re at Choke Canyon State Park (again).

 

2017 Arizona Trip Map

 

 

Working our way along back roads; we won’t see any freeways for days.  We don’t know how much internet we’re going to get before we get back to a more civilized path.  Good reception here at Choke, but don’t know about the next two stops: Lost Maples and South Llano River.  Stay tuned, but don’t worry if we go dark for a couple days.

 

The best advice we’ve receive on the scope/rifle invention is that we should be careful where we show it.  If a Border Patrol agent comes around a bend in the trail and sees us aiming it in his direction, there could be a problem.  Perhaps we should rethink our invention.

 

I just had an idea

 

Scopes are great; much more powerful than binoculars, but they’re cumbersome on a tripod; not terrible, but if I’m going to walk in a mile or two to look at something, I generally choose not to lug the scope.

 

How about we put a scope on a rifle stock?  It would have three points to steady it; two hand-holds and a shoulder.  It would be steadier still if one could rest an elbow or two on something.  It wouldn’t be as steady as a tripod by any means; no way could a person hold it firm enough for 60 power, but it might be useful on its lowest power, 20X, and that’s a lot more magnification than 8X binoculars.  With a strap on it, it could be slung across a shoulder and carried for miles.  I know from prior experience that it’s possible to march many miles with a rifle slung across a shoulder.

 

Now we just need a name for it.  Click and release rifle?  Assault scope?

 

Morning light

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh fish for breakfast

 

An osprey flew overhead, across the river, and landed.

 

He was carrying a load, so I put the telephoto lens on him

 

Yup.  Fresh fish for breakfast.  A Big breakfast.

 

Love the little birds

 

Black-crested titmouse.

 

 

 

Verdin.

 

 

Bewick’s wren.

 

 

 

Perspective

 

I offered to look at a smart car with my wife.

 

She refuses to ride in anything she could pick up and throw!

 

 

Sometimes I create my own stress

My flaw is impatience.

 

Standing in line is my nemesis.

 

I understand that sometimes you have to wait your turn.  I get that.  Waiting in lines that don’t need to be like they are though, make me crazy.  As a business person, I’ve always felt that being on time was a professional courtesy and a sign of respect.  If someone is five or ten minutes late to a meeting, they’ve already lost me.  If the doctor can’t see me until 11:00, don’t make my appointment for 10:00.  Make it for 11:00.  I’ll be on time!

 

Waiting in a medical office just makes me crazy.  I know what the process is here; they stack up the waiting room with people, then call back a constant stream of patients as they’re ready for them.  It’s the most efficient way for the doctor.  I’m good for the first fifteen or twenty minutes of waiting, but by half an hour into it, I’m feeling offended and disrespected.  I get all up in my head, and by 45 minutes I’m furious and storm out.

 

So far as I can tell, that doesn’t accomplish anything positive.  I’m still left with the condition that drew me there in the first place.  Now I (we) have to try again with same doctor, or change doctors and start all over.

 

It’s not the smartest thing I do.