Tag Archives: travel

Windshield Defrosters Wanted

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I went out to get in my car this morning and saw an 1/8 of an inch of ice. (Now I wonder where that came from) As I worked on the ice, I was reminded of something I was told that they do in Alaska.

First, they winterized their cars. They have a heater under the battery and engine block. That way when they turn the key to start the car it won’t just sit there and look at you. I was also told that a heater is also in the cabin to keep the vinyl from cracking. Just going on 2nd hand info. Sounds good to me.

Of course the heaters aren’t much good unless they have some electricity. Therefore, most of the businesses have outlets to plug the cars into. So you get out of your car and plug it into the outlet. When you get back to your car when it’s 2 or 3 below 0, you will still have an operating car, and maybe not so cold in the cabin.

Alright. Here in the Midsouth, we don’t need all that stuff, but it would be nice. The two main things I’m concerned about having a clear windshield and a reasonably warm cabin. Is that too much to expect?

Those restaurants that had the plugins would likely have maybe a bigger drawing. All that would be needed is a small heating element in the cooling system and a little pump to circulate the fluid. The fan is already there. It would just need a little electricity to run it. I suspect the whole thing could work off a twelve volt outlet. I mean, all we need is a little heat.

Okay. If that’s too much, let’s do this. A small heating pad, like the ones you buy when your hip is sore. It would need to be about as long as the window is wide and it would have to be well insulated. Finally, it need only be heated to 50 degrees. That would be enough to prevent the window from icing over. Ice melts above 32 degrees.

You put the pad over the window and plug it in before leaving the car. Upon return, you come out to a nice clear windshield. Well, either that or a missing pad. I suspect some people would be prone to take them.

Not all solutions are perfect.

EV Update

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It has been well over a year now since I purchased my Nissan EV. So far my experience has been very good, though my 200 mile max range does have its frustrations. I would strongly urge, if you do a lot of driving, get a car with at least 300 mile maximum range.

As a little reminder, 200 mile max range is misleading. They suggest that you not normally charge it past 80% to make the batteries last longer. Also you should get it recharged on or before it goes below 10%. This really only gives you a 70% range, effectively, that 200 mile range becomes 140 miles.

Generally, this is not a problem for me as I rarely go more than 10 miles on any one trip. Mostly the 200 mile range is fine for me. However, there are times I need to go a distance of over 50 miles. In such cases, I rent a regular car.

Secondly, the ambient temperature has a large effect. Last autumn, I actually made a ten mile trip where the computer reported that I got 5.1 miles per KW Hour. It was because my speed was a relatively constant 45 MPH and the outdoor temp was about 65. I needed neither heat nor cooling.

So how does that figure in theory if I could always get that kind of milage? Yep. I ran the numbers. Almost 450 miles on one charge. Now I could live with that.

Most of the time, the mileage is between 2.5 and 3.5 miles per KW hour. Well, I’ll let you figure that one out. I don’t much want to. The hitch is… I have not a clue how that converts to miles per gallon.

Whatever, oddly, the cold seems to effect it more than the heat. My best guess, a lot of energy goes into defrosting the windshield. I’m working on that. I might start keeping a hair dryer in the car. That way I could heat the car as well as clarify my windows before I start the car.

Perhaps my most irritating discovery is that the FOBs are very expensive. I know. I tried to replace a lost one. You want to know, don’t ask. I asked about getting one on the internet. They said they didn’t always work. I interpreted that as, they will make sure it won’t. In other words, they have the monopoly on the things.

Might I suggest, make a third FOB a part of the contract. That does not just mean EVs but all makes and models that have FOBs. At any rate, either don’t lose the FOBs or don’t get a car that uses them. Hate to say it, but they really have the owner over a barrel. In the case of my Nissan, without the FOB, what I have is a big piece of steal. At least with my old Chevy, I can go back to using my key, which I did.

Nonetheless, I have not given up yet. I have found the FOBs on the internet for 80 dollars. All I need to do is find someone who will make an honest effort to connect the FOB and car.

By the way, if I knew about the FOB problem, I would not have bought the car. I don’t like anyone doing business like that with me.

On the positive side, I am very pleased with the wipers. This might seem a small thing, but I am rarely able to keep the same windshield wipers more that 3 or 4 months before they start streaking on me. I just had these replaced the other day and the original ones were holding up pretty well.

As far as the first year in wear and tear, it is as good as new. If I paid for a good detailing, it would be difficult to tell it from new. It could very easily out last me. Well, I guess that doesn’t say much. I am 78.

Albuquerque, NM

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Albuquerque, NM has to be one of the best kept secrets as a place to visit in the country. I would have never discovered it but I stayed there one time during one of my many trips back and forth on I-40. I stopped at a motel and looked out at the near distance and saw one of the most beautiful mountains I ever saw.

The sun, as usual was setting in the west and it set the mountain aglow, almost as if on fire. It seemed an impossible picture. If I had a couple million in my back pocket, I would love to buy a home near that mountain. I would love to see the vision of that mountain almost on a daily afternoon.

Unfortunately, between one thing and the other, I was never able to move there and likely never will.

By the way, later, I found out that the mountain, Sandia Peak, has a tram going to the top. So it is, you can enter the tram at about 5000 feet above sea level and get out about 10,000 feet above sea level (not exact numbers but pretty close.)

Indeed, most people don’t think of Albuquerque as being so high but it is. Fewer people think of it being at the base of such a huge mountain, but it is.

It is also somewhat odd. The west side of the mountain is just almost vertical while the east side is something of a gentle slope, where some folks actually ski. That’s right. You can ski in central New Mexico and the land there is magnificent.

Oddly, there are hiking trails on the west side that are marked out. As you can well imagine, some of the trails are more difficult than others. Moreover, if I could have, when I was younger, I would have loved to explore some of them. Of course, the problem was that, whenever I went through Albuquerque, I was always on my way through. I could never take the time to explore the mountain or the city.

Many times, I wished I had spent a week or two there. I regret I didn’t. However, I did take the tram to the top and back twice. Both times I had a sandwich and soda in the restaurant at the top. After, I hiked a little of the trail that goes along the ridge.

As I said, if I, could I would make that trip at least once a week. I would never tire of it one bit.

However, I must admit, if I moved there, I would likely have learn how to spell it. Quite frankly, I don’t know if I could ever manage that.

Rollercoasters & Me

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In my young youth (I know – redundant. Don’t care), we lived in Orange County and we went to Long Beach every 4th of July. Now why did we do that? They had the best fireworks in the area of course. By the way, they also had a nice beach, which we made sure to use until we were well worn out and tanned. It was a blast. Wouldn’t really mind doing it today, but I would suspect that it is too crowded. Nonetheless, there was, maybe is, a very nice amusement park that had lots of fun rides.

Back then, we didn’t have much money, same as now. Mostly, we just walked around. However, we did go on a few rides and through a few fun houses. Thinking back over it, it was more fun than Disneyland and far less expensive. I just didn’t know better then.

In the park, they had a rollercoaster they called the Cyclone. I was too young to ride it. They had one of those signs, “You must be this tall to ride,” or something like that. I longed so much to ride that roller coaster. It looked like so much fun.

Finally, one year I was tall enough. I rode the coaster and it was the last time I ever rode any coaster. There are people who rode that thing with their hands up in the air instead of holding on. Seemed strange to me. However, I guess it does make sense. If that thing went off the track, holding on wouldn’t help much. And by the way, since I rode it, I heard on the news that it did go off the track a couple of times.

Even now, I can remember getting in the coaster. The operator pushed a lever forward and we rolled forward a little. Then there was the clanking. We were pulled by a chain to the top of the first hill. I think it was about worst part. By the time we got to the top, it was a long ways down up there. I think this is when I discovered I have this fear of heights.

There was a bit of an allusion. I knew at the other side of the hill, the track continued but it didn’t look like it. I held on for dear life hoping against hope that the track did continue. I mean I knew it was there. I had watched it hundreds of times. Still, there was that allusion.

I understand why people go on roller coasters. I really do. Some folks love the feeling utter fear. The more they fear, the more they love it. Me, I think I will remain happy to keep my feet on the ground and watch.

Other rides, as the Matterhorn at Disneyland, I’ll ride. That is different. Rollercoasters, never again.

Note, when it got good and dark, we were all entertained by a great firework show. Then it seemed forever leaving Long Beach. For some reason, it seemed everyone else decided to leave same time we did.

And yes, you can call me coward. Yes, when I went to Nam as a Marine, I was afeared, but not as much as when I was on that rollercoaster.

Flight?

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Thousands of years ago, birds learned how to take flight. It took us many eons after. As the flies and bees were hovering around, man was still proud that he could go about 50 mph on wheels. And here’s something for you, we still don’t have a clue how a fly lands on the ceiling up-side-down. I’m not sure we will ever figure that one out and I am not sure that they even have brains. That is something of a blow to man’s ego.

Inadvertently, they discovered that the one most scary part of a pilot’s mission is the return to the carrier and putting his plane back down on the deck. This, of course, after years of practice. Can you imagine if we had to land upside down, you know, like the fly.

There is no telling how long man tried to copy the birds. Of course there are some images back from the middle ages. However, there were no photographs of anyone soaring through the sky. I suspect there were many instances of failure.

Some have suggested that before the original sin, man was able to fly. I don’t know. Don’t ask me to confirm that one way or the other. I wasn’t there. I don’t know anyone to ask. However, the Bible does say that Adam was given dominion over all the animals. The question arises, if Adam was to have dominion over the birds, how was that without him being able to fly?

You have no idea how many times that I have dreamed I could fly. You know the bad thing about that. I always wake up. I often wonder if flying would be anything like what it felt like in my dreams.

Wouldn’t it be slick to be able to go up to 5 or 10 thousand feet and look down on the world as the birds do? Now here’s a question. If I could fly, would I be able to land on a ceiling stay there up-side-down? Lacking the proper feet for the task, I think I might land and then immediately fall.

If we were able to fly, can you imagine if God had allowed us to continue to fly after Adam ate the fruit? It didn’t take a generation for the first killing. If we could fly, I’m not sure we would have lasted until the flood. The mid-air flights and murders would be very common.

If God took away our ability to fly, I don’t think that was all. To be sure, the Bible does say Adam had dominion. There is no telling what other abilities He originally provided.

My guess is, when we go to heaven, we again have these abilities again. Who knows? Maybe we will again fly like the birds, but without wings. Perhaps I will be able to even land on the ceiling.

Cars and Pickups

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If you would like a guy feel good, complement him on his truck or car, especially if he has a big nice pickup. They can’t help it. Let’s face it, when a man goes out and gets himself a big pickup, it is something of an extension of himself.

I say this because I have complemented a number of them and you can always tell, the appreciation of the compliment is genuine. Nonetheless, me with my desire to be humorous, one day I offered to trade a man my HHR for his huge beautiful pickup. With a smile, he said, “No thanks. I already have one.”

Who would have thought that, his other vehicle really was a Chevy HHR. Never would have figured on that.

My experience has made me wonder though. Would that billionaire like it if I complimented him on his limo? Would he like it if told him I like his jet? Do you suppose he would laugh if I offered to trade my HHR for his 100 foot yacht?

While we are on the subject, I will have to start keeping a bucket of sudsy water next to my electric car. Being as I never go into gas stations, the windows never get cleaned. I tried hitting the window cleaner button today and all it did was rearrange the mud on the window. Where did all that dirt come from. I had to get the Windex and paper towels out to get it done right before we could go eat. That is sort of one of those things you don’t consider when you buy an electric car.

We don’t go out at night much. Yesterday, we went out to dinner late. When we got in the car, I noticed there was no courtesy light. It was dark in my Nissan as we got in. Now that did not make sense. All cars have courtesy lights.

I made do until we got home and investigated. I do keep a flashlight in may car and I used it in my search. I noted two large lights in the back but I could find no way to turn them on. Now I was really confused. It didn’t make sense. I finally found the switch above the rearview mirror. Now you will be happy to know, when I open the door, the lights come on. After a year, I am no longer in the dark.

However, it does make me wonder. If I took it to the dealer, would they have been able to point me to it. Sometimes I think they just overengineer things. I guess, if we didn’t go out for a late diner, I might not have ever known where that switch was.

I wonder if they do that sort of thing in the pickups.

The Benefit of a Plan “B”

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Somewhere around 2010 they shut down the shuttle program, in essence discounting the most of the space program.

To most of us, it was a small thing. However, it was then that thousands discovered that they had no plan “B.” Many had families. The vast majority had bills, big bills. They likely had a little savings, not nearly enough. Many panicked. Many went down to the local hamburger place and found out that that plan “B” wouldn’t work. They weren’t hiring. Worse, the restaurants were making their money off the those that were were working for NASA. …And now, very few were working for NASA. And it was even worse. Had they got hired on and worked 60 hour weeks, they would not make the house payment. Just can’t do that on minimum wage.

It was something of a local depression. They all would have gladly sold apples but no one was buying apples. They would have gone into construction, but there were suddenly many vacancies. There was no need to build new homes. People were leaving by the thousands. It would have been a real good time to have a bunch of money to invest in real estate. The depression of land values was short. A person with a little spare change in his pocket had the chance to buy low and sell high.

Nonetheless, back to my point. It was those who had the good Plan “B” that did well. Unfortunately, there were not many. I mean, where does an aeronautic engineer go to find a job. They had one possible employer and there just weren’t many other places hiring.

I don’t know, but I would guess that most of those who had houses left. In many cases, they likely simply abandoned their homes, unable to sell them. I don’t know. It might have been one of those times it would have been better to rent. That way, it would be landlords who would be the losers when everyone started moving out.

I don’t have any idea what they all did, but I can guess it was whatever they could find, even if it was digging ditches. There is no telling how far they move from their former homes before they could find someone who would hire them.

It was worse than the catch 22. No one wanted to hire someone they knew would have to train, and then lose the instant someone starts building rockets again. It is the perfect example of being overqualified. So, suddenly, they wished they learned how to build houses, did plumbing or air conditioning in their spare time. At least then, they could go to an employer and say I already know how….

I was one of those who didn’t have a Plan “B,” though not part of the space program. I was making good money repairing computers. Then one day, I was called into the boss’s office in the late 1980’s. Need I say more.

In one day, the corporation of UNISYS decreased its employees by twenty percent. It was devastating not just to me, but to the rest of the20%. But I did see it coming. I hoped to avoid it, but hope just does not always work.

Oh, and by the way, my oldest son just started college. Wish I had had a plan “B.” They come in so handy when things suddenly happen, even when it isn’t so sudden.

My Wallet

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Perhaps, not as much as I get older. Many moons ago, I had orders to go to Japan. I started the trip by going about 50 miles to an Air Force base in Southern California. I left in plenty of time to make it. However, that changed in a micro-second when I noticed I had left my wallet at home.

It was very close to being the most panicked as I ever was. It was a time I really didn’t need my driver’s license that much as I would not need it for a long time. However, it had my military ID. That is no minor oops.

My orders had an emergency number on it to call should I not be able to arrive on time. I called it. I explained my situation to the understanding woman. She calmed my nerves and said, it was okay. There was actually some slack time built into the orders. She told me I had plenty of time to return home and get my wallet. I did it and actually still had to wait a short time for my plane after I arrived at the air base.

It is perhaps one of the biggest arguments against public transportation. Had I taken a bus, I would have had to leave the wallet behind. Returning to my house would not have been an option. My wallet would have stayed in the US while I went to Japan.

I seldom go anywhere without my wallet. It has become more attached to me than my cell phone and that is saying a lot. Even so, any time I forget it or misplace it, it generates an instant empty feeling in my belly.

Even so, I guess my nephew topped me. My nephew, after finishing Army boot camp was coming home when pick-pocketed. He told me about it. They didn’t get anything. He had some of his money in a shirt pocket, some in his socks, some here, some there. He laughed it off. There was no money, no credit cards. He did report the incident to the police, but all he had to replace were his military ID, his driver’s license and his social security card. Well, he did need to get another wallet. However, a couple of weeks later, the wallet was found and returned, with the social security card, license and military ID.

His method did make me think a little. Like maybe I should carry my wallet as a prop and carry my money and such hidden elsewhere, maybe in my sock. I decided against that. I guess old habits are hard to change. I don’t totally know why, but it gives me a little comfort when I pat that rear pocket and I feel the wallet there.

Daily writing prompt
What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?
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Can We Survive the McClellan Effect

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Others may have used the term, but as far as I know, I am the first to coin the term McClellan effect. Just what is the effect and why is it? When the south took up arms and attacked the north in their effort to begin their own nation, General George B. McClellan managed to somewhat fight back the attack. However, he did not take advantage of situation. Eventually, Abe Lincoln fired him. That is history. Most fifth or sixth graders in a good school system knows this.

For this reason, I feel he is best suited to name the effect after. McClellan was considered a good leader by many, until he had to lead. Some folks claim that the civil war would not have lasted as long and the loss of life would not have been so great if Lincoln dismissed him earlier. It turned out, McClellan was more politician than soldier. He preferred his recognition to doing his job. He totally enjoyed moving in the political people in Washington but he knew not how to fight a war.

He was a good peacetime general, but when the cannon fire started, his lack of skill could be easily seen by, well by a sixth grader.

I have no idea why it is, but during peace time, we turn the military over to the McClellans. It is why I call it the McClellan effect. Even during the short WW I, the leadership changed drastically. Eisenhower started WW II as a colonel. He climbed the rung pretty fast, to the point of heading all allied forces in Europe. How many generals of the McClellan type did he pass on the way up. Most likely as he passed them, they asked what that was that passed so fast.

Not all of the good generals made it to the top. They made a movie about him. If you get the chance, you need to see it, “The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell.” They tossed him out of the Army for having the nerve to suggest that planes can destroy even the biggest battleship. That angered a bunch of Navy admirals, even though everything he said was totally right. I don’t know how many of those admirals were honored but the B-25 was named in honor of Gen. Mitchell, the plane used by Doolittle in the raid over Tokyo.

Billy Mitchell was one of those generals who could not survive the politics of peacetime while the admirals did. I wonder just how many men died because of that.

Now, we are in a quasi peace time. It is an environment in which only the political generals survive. it makes me wonder just how many Billy Mitchells we have lost. If I were appointed sec. of Defense, the first thing I would do would be to fire all four and three star generals. From where I sit, none of them are any better leaders than I was. They do know how to say, “Yes sir,” to Old Joe though. And now our armed forces are degrading to far worse than when Reagan became president. Then again, I guess they can’t be totally guilty when you consider what they have for a commander in general.

The problem is, should we ever suffer another Pearl Harbor, would we be able to overcome the McClellan effect long enough to get the good generals in a place where they will do us any good. We might not have months. We might not have days. We might not even have hours.

Worth Repeating, Maybe

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It has been a while since I last said anything about our trip to the Grand Canyon. You know, not everyone gets to see the Grand Canyon. I have been there three times. And yes it is a big hole the ground.

We were at the overlook near the hotel and looking at the plateau that was somewhere half-way down. We were looking at it for 3 or 4 minutes when a stranger off to my right that said, “There are people down there!” Exact words.

I squinted and strained my eyes and saw no one. I turned to the woman and asked, “Where?”

She pointed out a landmark and she said that they were just a little past that. Again, I strained my eyes and sure enough. I still wouldn’t have seen them but they were moving. Again, I remind you, the plateau is only about half way to the bottom. If somehow I were suspended above the canyon at the current altitude in a way that I could see the river, there is simply no way I’d have been able to see a person, maybe with a telescope. As I said, it is a big hole.

When we first arrived to the first lookout, my wife and my sons started watching squirrels. I couldn’t get them to look at the canyon. I mean we have squirrels at home, by the dozens. They were getting the chance of a lifetime to see the canyon and all they wanted to see was squirrels.

Well, at least they were Grand Canyon squirrels. I should have taken movies of them. I could have sold it, you know. I could have advertised, “genuine Grand Canyon squirrels.” I mean my wife and kids liked watching them. Why not others?

A side note, people are permitted to walk to the bottom of the canyon. However, they do need to check-in before they start. Also, everything that goes down must be carried back up. No littering allowed. The fines are very stiff.

Finally, another caution. It is much easier going down than coming back up. It has often been compared to climbing a mountain in reverse. That trail coming back up is the same, but it will seem very much more longer.

Daily writing prompt
Describe your most memorable vacation.
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