Washington politicians are debating the scope of defense cuts. I would like to propose one minor addition to the defense budget. These photos depict the golf driving range at Naval Air Station Fallon. It is 250 yards long, but has a rock surface that cannot possibly provide realistic bounce characteristics to a golf ball. And the rest room facilities are at best, well, primitive. Now, I understand that golf driving ranges don't necessarily contribute directly to the national security of the USA, but physiological testing has conclusively proven that improved eye-hand coordination is important to flying high performance jets, and steroscopic vision and depth of field analysis is critical to high speed dog fights in Mach 2 jet fighters. I submit that the combat readiness of our fighter pilots is being degraded by these poor facilities at Fallon.
I think I'll write a letter to Harry Reid, Senior Senator from Nevada and Senate Majority Leader. Maybe it will help him get a grip on real issues rather than the fantasies he's been having lately regarding Mitt's taxes....
Now for Villagers who are interested in business opportunities and possibly expanding their horizons out west, we saw a sign advertising 3 acre ranchettes for only $9,950. Here is the location, west of Emigrant Pass. We obviously have an opportunity here to get in on the ground floor before the rush begins. Heck, in 20 or 30 years there will may even be a Wal-Mart here...
and then, maybe not...
One of the constants about boats and RV’s is the need to keep on top of maintenance issues. Today it was replacing the fresh water pump, which after almost 10 years had finally given up the ghost. This becomes rather important when the toilet won't flush. The hardest part was gathering all the right tools, parts, and fittings, and putting everything back together so it didn’t leak... and of course it required a lot of bending over, which wasn’t exactly easy on my old back. But the job’s done... now, what’s next on the list????
Okay, for all you world travelers... who has been to the Elko, Nevada, Western Folklife Center for the Annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering? It's been held for 27 years, and celebrates cowboy poetry, movies, traditions, etc. Held in January and February, next year's celebration will see a special visit by the butteri, Italian cowboys from southern Tuscany. I have to admit to not reading a lot of cowboy poetry, but I happened on this one by Arthur Chapman that I really liked:
Men in the rough—on the trails all new-broken—
Those are the friends we remember with tears;
Few are the words that such comrades have spoken—
Deeds are their tributes that last through the years.
Men in the rough—sons of prairie and mountain—
Children of nature, warm-hearted, clear eyed;
Friendship with them is a never-sealed fountain;
Strangers are they to the altars of pride.
Men in the rough—curt of speech to their fellows—
Ready in everything, save to deceive;
Theirs are the friendships that time only mellows,
And death cannot sever the bonds that they weave.
From Out where the West Begins, 1917
For more info on the Cowboy Poetry Gathering and cowboy poetry in general, please see
http://www.cowboypoetry.com
http://westernfolklife.org
The F-4 Phantom may be old but it's on my bucket list to get a ride in one. It's like and old muscle car - full of brute force and character! Appreciate your updates and safe travels! Brad B
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