Animal Cruelty

Toad Armageddon

My air conditioner creates a small pool of water as it removes humidity from the air. In as much as water is a scarce commodity here in the desert, I thought this would be a good place to setup my trail cam. When I checked the footage this morning, I was surprised and somewhat shocked at what I saw...

Here's an informative article on how desert toads are able to live in such a dry and hot environment.

Arizona Sunset

Arizona has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the country. Here's what I was able to capture yesterday evening from my front porch...

Great way to end the day

Salesman of the Year

Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, has been named "Salesman of the Year" by U-Haul...

Toad Invasion

The recent rains have brought out the toads in large numbers. I don't mind the toads as they eat insects, it's what they leave behind on the carport that's the problem.

PS - checkout this monster..

Click on image to enlarge

America's Most Wanted 4x4

For you "High Rollers" out there who want to upgrade your Jeep's powertrain or simply want to buy a new, high-end Jeep, visit America's Most Wanted 4x4.

Costs more than my Jeep

Costs more than my house

Guess I am going to have to buy more lottery tickets!

Late Bloomers

Just when I think all the cacti including the iconic saguaro have blossomed, I discover these late bloomers on my walk this morning...

I find it ironic that such ugly plants can produce such beautiful, almost iridescent blossoms.

Scorpion

When I opened my front door this morning, this was waiting for me on the top step of the stairs...

Where To Grow Old

According to the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 78.6 years (76.1 years for men and 81.1 years for women). However, in New Jersey the voter rolls have 2,400 registrants 105 years old or older. You may want to move there to extend your life expectancy!

SiriusXM

My new car came with a free 90 day subscription to SiriusXM radio. A couple of weeks before the expiration date, I started getting emails asking if I would like to renew the service. Each subsequent offer was slightly better than the one before it. Yesterday's offer was the best to date and included a free Echo Dot smart speaker (currently sells for $39.99 on Amazon).

I went ahead and renewed the service in part because I wanted to compare the Amazon Echo Dot to my Google Mini. I guess the moral of the story is to wait until the last moment to see if you are getting the best deal.

Free Sauna

No need to join an expensive health club for a sauna. Come to southern Arizona and enjoy the dry heat for free...

The month of May was not too bad this year, but June is shaping up to be a scorcher. Hope to be heading somewhere cooler in the near future.

Golf Course Hazard

Playing golf here at the Arizonian has some unique challenges...

Rattlesnake track across the putting area

Why?

My car is still new enough that I try to park away from other vehicles to keep it from getting banged up. Yet much to my surprise and disappointment, people will park right beside me regardless of where I park...

Dwarf Car Museum

The Dwarf Car Museum south of Maricopa, Arizona is one of the most unique car museums I have visited. The owner, Ernie Adams, builds miniature versions of classic cars from scrap materials. He built his first dwarf car in 1965 using the metal from nine old refrigerators. I was told the cars have engines and can be driven (assuming you could fit into one).

Click on photos to enlarge

Flakka Dance

Flakka is a highly addictive narcotic that people use to obtain a cheap, quick, and euphoric high. One of its side effects is to cause some individuals to act like zombies. In looking at YouTube videos of addicts under the influence of the drug, I came across this macabre but strangely entertaining video...

Warning: this video may not be suitable for all audiences as it contains graphic images of some future Democrat presidential candidates

The Silence Is Deafening

The park is emptying out as the snowbirds return home for the summer. The first thing I have noticed is how much quieter it is, particularly, at night. Although I enjoy the winter season when the park is full and there are a lot of activities, it is a nice change of pace to enjoy the area with less people. I can even go to a restaurant without having to wait in line for a table.

Fortunately, my neighbors are still here for a couple more weeks and we have been taking advantage of the nice weather to get together for "Happy Hour(s)" and dinner...

Lexus ES 300h

I am hoping to do some extensive traveling this summer and although the Jeep would do the miles, it is not known for its long distance comfort or fuel economy. After doing my due diligence, I chose to purchase a Lexus ES 300h. It is a non-plugin hybrid that combines an electric motor with a four cylinder gasoline engine to achieve 44 miles/gallon overall.

My first impressions are 1) this is one of the quietest and most comfortable vehicles I have driven and 2) it is a computer on wheels that will require a while to learn how to navigate all of the electronics (click here to see an in-depth tutorial). Surprisingly, the ES 300h was around $5,000 cheaper than a new Jeep Rubicon Unlimited. Who would have thought you could buy a Lexus for less money than a Jeep!

PS - keeping the Jeep for future off-road adventures 😎

Fuel Efficient Vehicle

Yesterday, when I filled up the Jeep, gas was $4.29/gallon. Gas Buddy predicts it may go over $5.00/gallon now that Biden has banned the importation of Russian oil. It's beginning to look like this may be the vehicle of the future...

Yabba-Dabba-Doo

Drill, Baby, Drill

In my opinion, we need to drill for more oil and gas here in the USA in order to make our country energy independent again. It solves so many of our problems. Until China, India and Russia quit building new coal fired power plants, our current administration's war on fossil fuels in the name of "climate change" is simply a futile effort that hurts our country's economy and position of power in the world. An abundant, affordable source of energy is the basis for a modern economy to grow and prosper. Even Elon Musk, perhaps, the smartest man on the planet and a proponent of electric vehicles, believes we should increase domestic production.

King of the Hammers

If you have ever wondered what it is like to run King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California, here is a video of a young couple I follow on YouTube...

Badge of Honor

Jeep has a "Badge of Honor" app that allows you to earn badges by running select trails across the nation. It has maps, information, highlights, difficulty ratings and user photos of the trails so you know what to expect before you head out. Over the last year or so, I collected badges in Colorado and Utah but just recently got around to mounting them on my Jeep...

It's a fun way to explore some of the best trails in the country

Life Is Good

I had a lunch with Terry & Gail (my favorite Alpine, UT couple) at Joe's Real BBQ in Gilbert, AZ. Gilbert is a quintessential yuppie town in that they converted a lot of the old buildings into unique restaurants and shops. After lunch we went for a walk and got our first hint that Gail wanted some ice cream...

So, we turned on the siren and flashing lights and headed to the nearest yogurt shop...

After a couple weeks of cool weather, we are back in the 70s with blue, cloudless skies that makes for great days to be outside.

COVID-19 Test Kit

I just received my at home COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test kit and am pleased to report that I tested negative for the virus. I find it ironic that the kit was "Made in China", the same country that developed the virus with the help of funding by Fauci and NIH and then let it loose on the world. I wonder if "the big guy is still getting his cut".

COVID Testing

Old Mines

Today's ride consisted of a number of unnamed trails south of the Florence-Kelvin Highway where we explored old, abandoned mine sites/sights...

Click on photos to enlarge