WILD BURROS

(A RERUN BLOG FROM 12-2-06)

THE WILD BURROS IN THE BLACK MOUNTAINS TO OUR EAST ARE LEFT OVER FROM THE GOLD MINNING DAYS OF THE 1800’S, THEY WERE USED BY THE MINNERS TO PULL HEAVY CARTS OF ORE OUT OF THE MINES. WHEN THE GOLD MINNING PLAYED OUT THE CREATURES WERE TURNED LOSE TO ROAM WILD IN THE MOUNTAINS.

IN IT’S HAYDAY THE BLACK MOUNTAINS IN OATMAN ARIZONA AREA PRODUCED ABOUT $36 MILLION IN GOLD. TODAY THE BURROS ARE PROTECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT JUST LIKE THE WILD MUSTANGS OF NEVADA. A COUPLE OF THE CRITTERS WANDERED DOWN OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS AND DOWN TO RV PARK THIS AFTERNOON.






ON A SIDE BAR: I’M ENJOYING THE LAST OF THE WISCONSIN DEPPLER’S BABY SWISS FROM CHEESEDAYS. WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A TRIP INTO VEGAS ON THURSDAY WITH A STOP AT THE TRADER JOE’S MARKET, MAYBE I CAN FIND SOME “IMPORTED” SWISS CHEESE FROM WISCONSIN THERE…………….

HAM RADIOS

(A RERUN BLOG FROM 8/12/06)

MORE ON THE RV LIFE.............

SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH RENO NV, WE WERE TRYING TO INTERSECT WITH I-80 EAST FOR A TRIP HOME TO WISCONSIN. IN A LAST MINUTE LANE CHANGE I HIT THE ON RAMP WITH THE TRUCK AND TRAILER, BUT MARY WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH LANES IN TIME.

IN THOSE DAYS WE USED THE OLE CB RADIOS TO STAY IN TOUCH WHILE TRAVELING. IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS WE WERE TOO FAR APART AND OUT OF RADIO CONTACT AS MARY CONTINUED ON TO FIND A PLACE TO TURN AROUND AND TAKE A SECOND SHOT AT THE ON RAMP FOR I-80 EAST. AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE WE DECIDED TO BUY THE HAM RADIO BOOK AND STUDY FOR OUR HAM RADIO LIC. EXAM.

AFTER STUDYING MOST OF THE SUMMER WE TOOK THE EXAM IN DUBUQUE IOWA AND BOTH PASSED. THESES DAYS MORSE CODE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO GET A TECH. LIC.

HAM RADIO OPERATES AT A MUCH HIGHER FREQUENCY THAN CB AND GREATLY INCREASES THE RANGE. WE BOUGHT A COUPLE OF HANDHELD TRANSCEIVERS, WALKIE TALKIES, AND HAVE USED THEM IN OUR LIFE STYLE EVER SINCE. I NO LONGER HAVE TO VISIT THE GIFT SHOPS !!! MARY GOES IN AND LOOKS AS LONG AS HER LITTLE HEART DESIRES WHILE I WANDER AROUND, USUALLY IN SEARCH OF THE LOCAL WATERING HOLE.

WE ALSO USE THEM ON THE ROAD TO STAY IN TOUCH, AND ALTHOUGH WE ARE DRIVING TWO DIFFERENT VEHICLES A HALF A MILE APART WE VISIT LIKE WE ARE SITTING NEXT TO EACH OTHER IN THE SAME CAR.

NOW I KNOW MARY PLAYED FOOTBALL IN A PREVIOUS LIFE, BECAUSE WHEN FOLLOWING EACH OTHER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND I WANT TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE WITH THE TRUCK AND TRAILER I JUST RADIO TO MARY WHICH LANE I WANT TO BE IN, AND BEHIND ME SHE SWITCHES LANES AND MAKES A PERFECT BLOCK OF THE TRAFFIC WHILE I PROCEED TO PULL IN FRONT OF HER FOR THE LANE CHANGE.

WE EVEN USE THESE RADIOS AT SUPER WALMART. WE HEAD OUT IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS IN THE STORE AND START OUR SHOPPING. IF I HAVE A QUESTION ON AN ITEM ON THE LIST I JUST KEY THE RADIO AND SELECT THE CORRECT ITEM.

WE ARE SO USED TO THESE HANDY RADIOS WE DON'T EVEN THINK TWICE ABOUT STOPPING SOMEWHERE AND HEADING OFF IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TO DO WHATEVER. HOOKING BACK UP IS JUST A SIMPLE RADIO CHAT AWAY.

MANY AREAS HAVE REPEATERS, SAY FOR EXAMPLE IN LACROSSE THERE IS A REPEATER HIGH ON ONE OF THE BLUFFS. WE CAN TALK TO EACH OTHER WITH THESES SMALL RADIOS ANYWHERE IN TOWN. OUT WEST WITH THESE REPEATERS LOCATED ON MOUNTAIN TOPS THE RANGE IS ABOUT 50 MILES. MARY CAN BE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AT THE CARSON CITY WALMART AND I CAN BE SITTING IN THE CAMPER AT LAKE TAHOE, 30 MILES APART AND STILL USE THESE HANDHELD RADIOS.

WE ALSO USE THESE RADIOS AND REPEATERS WHILE OUT MOUNTAIN HIKING. WE ARE MORE APT TO HIT A REPEATER THAN A CELL PHONE TOWER IF ONE OF US WERE TO FALL AND NEED MEDICAL HELP.

BRIQUETAS DE CARBON

WRITTEN BY REX

REMEMBER WHEN POTATO CHIPS WERE A NICKLE A BAG? NOW A BAG TWICE THAT SIZE IS $1.19? REMEMBER WHEN A THREE POUND CAN OF COFFEE WEIGHED THREE POUNDS INTEAD OF TWO POUNDS, TWO AND A HALF OUNCES?

THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW ME, KNOW THAT I HAVE A FETISH ABOUT CHARCOAL. I COUNT THEM OUT WHEN I COOK OUTSIDE, I CLOSE THE VENTS ON THE SMOKEY JOE TO PUT THEM OUT SO I CAN SAVE THEM FOR THE NEXT TIME I COOK-OUT, I KEEP MY “USED” CHARCOAL IN TIGHTLY TWISTED WALMART BAG, I ALWAYS HAVE AN EXTRA BAG STASHED LIKE AN ADDICT STASHES CIGARETTES OR BOOZE, COME TO THINK ABOUT IT, MY CIGARETTS, 30 PACK OF MILWAUKEE’S BEST, AND MY EXTRA BAG OF CHARCOAL ALL HAVE ASSIGNED SPOTS IN THE BACK OF MY PICK-UP TRUCK. BUT LET’S NOT GET OFF TOPIC…………….

A 10LB BAG OF KINGSFORD CHARCOAL NOW WEIGHS 9LBS !!!!!

BUT IT’S NEW AND IMPROVED. JUST HOW THE HELL TO YOU IMPROVE CHARCOAL?

CHARCOAL HAS BEEN THE SAME SINCE THE 1900’S WHEN JACK DANIEL’S USED IT TO FILTER HIS FAMOUS No.7 BEFORE PUTTING IT IN OAK BARRELS TO AGE.

THE HISTORY OF CHARCOAL, AND THE HENERY FORD STORY IS NOW GONE FROM THE BAG, AND INSTEAD THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE BILINGUAL

(A RERUN POST, ORIGINALLY POSTED 6-29-06)

THE PUNCH LINE
"Very cold in Washington. In fact, with the wind chill, President Bush's approval rating reached minus 13." -- Conan O'Brien

SUPER BOWL

(A RERUN BLOG FROM LAST YEAR'S SUPER BOWL, THIS YEAR WE WILL BE WORKING AT THE CASINO AS USUAL ON A HOLIDAY)



FUNNY HOW SUPER BOWL SUNDAY HAS BECOME AN UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL HOLIDAY. THE TIMING IS PERFECT, RIGHT BETWEEN NEW YEAR'S EVE AND SPRING, AND AT THE HEIGHT OF CABIN FEVER.

THOSE OTHER HOLIDAYS, LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, AND PRESIDENTS DAY, ( SCREW VALENTINES DAY) JUST DON'T CUT IT. THE POST OFFICE AND BANKS ARE CLOSED, FURNITURE IS ON SALE, BUT SUPER BOWL SUNDAY IS A HOLIDAY TO EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY. I THINK IT'S GREAT !!


IT'S GOOD FOR THE CASINO BUSINESS, AS FOLKS LOVE TO BET ON THE OUTCOME, AND JUST THINK ABOUT THE FOOD CONSUMED, BOTH IN STORE SHOPPING FOR PARTIES, AND TAKE OUT.

IT'S BEEN AN ODD YEAR FOR MARY AND I, FIRST WORKING FOUR DAYS A WEEK LAST SUMMER WHILE AT LAKE TAHOE, THEN HAVING MY MOTHER (FAMILY) AROUND AT CHRISTMAS, AND CHRISTMAS EVE OFF, TAKING A WEEK "OFF" DURING THE WINTER FOR VEGAS 80, AND NOW, SUPER BOWL SUNDAY OFF.

WHAT THE HELL, LET'S NOT QUESTION OUR GOOD LUCK FOR A CHANGE! WE SPENT THE PRE-GAME VISITING MY MOTHER WITH A QUICK SHOPPING TRIP, AND BEER IN LAUGHLIN, AND THEN GOT BACK IN TIME TO WATCH THE FIRST HALF OVER COCKTAILS WITH THE NEIGHBORS, STEVE AND MERYL, IN CAMP.

HERE WE ARE IN THE NEIGHBOR'S MOTORHOME ENJOYING CHICKEN WINGS AND THE SUPER BOWL GAME.

THE SECOND HALF FOUND MARY DOING WHAT SHE ENJOYS, AND DOES BEST, COOKING IN CAMP.

SO WE'RE IN NEVADA, DID I BET ON THE SUPER BOWL? NO I DIDN'T, BUT MARY HAD BALLS ENOUGH TO BET ON THE GIANTS TO WIN, STRAIGHT TICKET, NO POINTS.

WAIT, WAIT ..... WHAT ABOUT THAT NEW AVATAR AT THE TOP?

WELL, IT COULD BE REX IN HIS YOUNGEST DAYS, BUT ACTUALLY IT'S A NEW PHOTO OF MY GRANDSON, EDDIE, AND I THINK HE LOOKS LIKE HIS GRANDPA MIKE.


THE PUNCH LINE

"Today is Oprah's 55th birthday. When are they going to make this an official holiday? I feel bad for her pal, Stedman. What do you get the woman who has her own president?" - Jimmy Kimmel.

Wisconsin Deer Hunting

EDITOR'S NOTE: TODAY'S BLOG IS A "RERUN BLOG" BY UNCLE HANS ORGINALLY POSTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. BECAUSE OF IT'S UNIQUE ORIGINAL TITLE, "HOLY WEEK" THIS POST IS ONE OF THE MOST READ AND SEARCHED ENTRIES OF THE BLOG.

One of the joys of living in northern Wisconsin is deer hunting season, more commonly referred to as Holy Week. Almost all normal life grinds to a halt as the men dress up in blaze orange and hit the woods. There is a party atmosphere all week (10 days, actually) and the bars all have specials, Hunter's dinners, Hunter's Balls, Deer Hunting Widow's balls, Buck Boards (like super bowl boards, but betting on the biggest buck, where, who, etc). We are roughly in the middle of it right now. Here I am dressed to go out to a bar for the night. The shoes are a spoof or joke as everyone knows I don't hunt. They usually get a few laughs as blaze orange penny loafers are not that common.....

..........The shirt is very interesting. It belonged to our mother, who hunted with the guys in the 50's. The state legislature decreed around 1950 that hunters wear red to cut down on the accidental shooting deaths that happen during deer hunting. The clothing manufacturers had not yet got the idea that this law opened up a whole new field of red colored outerwear, so no red heavy coats or parkas were available yet (blaze orange became state mandated "fashion" a few years later). One had to buy a red flannel shirt, split it at the seams to expand it, and wear it over your heavy coat.

Here you can see that sides and arms are split and connected by shoe strings to keep it together when you wear it over the top of everything else. This shirt has some bloodstains on the sleeves, presumably from field dressing a deer. It makes a great conversation piece and I wear it every year to one night out (we generally are out about 6 of the 10 nights)..............

(P.S. I have a feeling red outerwear WAS available then, my parents were just to poor and/or cheap to buy it for just a few days a year)

............the neatest thing, however, is the tag on the back. I love the date. Who the hell was taking care of me? I was a two year old, probably left alone with a box of cereal to entertain me for a week. The tags were cloth then, and attached to your back in some manner. Mother chose to sew this baby on, although it looks like she had been seriously drinking that afternoon. Maybe the blood on the sleeves was from a sewing machine injury!!.......

Soon another Holy Week will be history and all those bothersome naked women will disappear from our taverns. They are so irritating. The regulators of this blog and the "Church Ladies" in general would faint dead away if I tried to post pictures of the whipped cream wrestling last night at one of our neighborhood bars ..........tsk, tsk

Uncle Hans

HAM RADIOS

(A RE-RUN POST ORIGINALLY POSTED AUGUST 12, 2006)

MORE ON THE RV LIFE.............

SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH RENO NV, WE WERE TRYING TO INTERSECT WITH I-80 EAST FOR A TRIP HOME TO WISCONSIN. IN A LAST MINUTE LANE CHANGE I HIT THE ON RAMP WITH THE TRUCK AND TRAILER, BUT MARY WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH LANES IN TIME. IN THOSE DAYS WE USED THE OLE CB RADIOS TO STAY IN TOUCH WHILE TRAVELING. IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS WE WERE TOO FAR APART AND OUT OF RADIO CONTACT AS MARY CONTINUED ON TO FIND A PLACE TO TURN AROUND AND TAKE A SECOND SHOT AT THE ON RAMP FOR I-80 EAST.

AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE WE DECIDED TO BUY THE HAM RADIO BOOK AND STUDY FOR OUR HAM RADIO LIC. EXAM. AFTER STUDYING MOST OF THE SUMMER WE TOOK THE EXAM IN DUBUQUE IOWA AND BOTH PASSED. THESES DAYS MORSE CODE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO GET A TECH. LIC.HAM RADIO OPERATES AT A MUCH HIGHER FREQUENCY THAN CB AND GREATLY INCREASES THE RANGE.WE BOUGHT A COUPLE OF HANDHELD TRANSCEIVERS, WALKIE TALKIES, AND HAVE USED THEM IN OUR LIFE STYLE EVER SINCE. I NO LONGER HAVE TO VISIT THE GIFT SHOPS !!! MARY GOES IN AND LOOKS AS LONG AS HER LITTLE HEART DESIRES WHILE I WANDER AROUND, USUALLY IN SEARCH OF THE LOCAL WATERING HOLE.

WE ALSO USE THEM ON THE ROAD TO STAY IN TOUCH, AND ALTHOUGH WE ARE DRIVING TWO DIFFERENT VEHICLES A HALF A MILE APART WE VISIT LIKE WE ARE SITTING NEXT TO EACH OTHER IN THE SAME CAR. NOW I KNOW MARY PLAYED FOOTBALL IN A PREVIOUS LIFE, BECAUSE WHEN FOLLOWING EACH OTHER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND I WANT TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE WITH THE TRUCK AND TRAILER I JUST RADIO TO MARY WHICH LANE I WANT TO BE IN, AND BEHIND ME SHE SWITCHES LANES AND MAKES A PERFECT BLOCK OF THE TRAFFIC WHILE I PROCEED TO PULL IN FRONT OF HER FOR THE LANE CHANGE.

WE EVEN USE THESE RADIOS AT SUPER WALMART. WE HEAD OUT IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS IN THE STORE AND START OUR SHOPPING. IF I HAVE A QUESTION ON AN ITEM ON THE LIST I JUST KEY THE RADIO AND SELECT THE CORRECT ITEM. WE ARE SO USED TO THESE HANDY RADIOS WE DON'T EVEN THINK TWICE ABOUT STOPPING SOMEWHERE AND HEADING OFF IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TO DO WHATEVER. HOOKING BACK UP IS JUST A SIMPLE RADIO CHAT AWAY.

MANY AREAS HAVE REPEATERS, SAY FOR EXAMPLE IN LACROSSE THERE IS A REPEATER HIGH ON ONE OF THE BLUFFS. WE CAN TALK TO EACH OTHER WITH THESES SMALL RADIOS ANYWHERE IN TOWN. OUT WEST WITH THESE REPEATERS LOCATED ON MOUNTAIN TOPS THE RANGE IS ABOUT 50 MILES. MARY CAN BE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AT THE CARSON CITY WALMART AND I CAN BE SITTING IN THE CAMPER AT LAKE TAHOE, 30 MILES APART AND STILL USE THESE HANDHELD RADIOS.

WE ALSO USE THESE RADIOS AND REPEATERS WHILE OUT MOUNTAIN HIKING. WE ARE MORE APT TO HIT A REPEATER THAN A CELL PHONE TOWER IF ONE OF US WERE TO FALL AND NEED MEDICAL HELP.

Put A Cork In It

MARY HAS BEEN AFTER ME TO REPOST SOME OF OUR FAVORITE BLOGS ON THOSE SLOW BLOG DAYS WHEN WE CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING INTERESTING TO WRITE ABOUT.

SO ENJOY THIS RERUN ORGINALLY POSTED JANUARY 5, 2007.

This post may not be suitable for all readers......some may find the content disturbing. So if you are faint of heart or have a problem with, dare I say it..flatulence...please discontinue reading and sign off NOW!

I must admit to suffering from flatulence on occasion(I don't feel so embarrassed since Dr. Oz explained it, and even Oprah suffers from it), Rex has made the comment "put a cork in it".

Since Rex and I have hooked up and he introduced me to the RV lifestyle, he has always said if there is anything I didn't want to do just let him know. In all this time there has been only one area of RV life I refuse to get involved with......I don't do sewer anything.

Every week Rex empties the holding tank (a sewer thing) and fills the tank with water to rinse it. The easiest way to do that is to depress the toilet pedal to fill the tank with water. Well no one is going to hold that pedal down long enough to fill it so we have to find something to hold it down with..

As you can see Rex's first solution to that problem was to carry in a HEAVY battery to hold it down. After getting battery acid on two of his favorite western shirts and wrecking them, he decided to try a different heavy item to hold down the pedal.


I really can't understand why this solution didn't occur to him first. After all beer is near and dear to his heart. The beer works great.

Now there comes a Saturday (which is holding tank emptying day) and we don't have a case of either beer or diet pepsi around. Wow this is a problem, the tank waits for no man.
So he asked me if I could think of something else to use. We as I have mentioned before I do not do sewer stuff.....but I did look the situation over and here is my solution.


















PUT A CORK IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!