The Girl and I made our way to the old Nevada Children’s Home, where we go many mornings (and evenings) for a short walk and/or play. On this particular morning, we noticed these boots next to the fire plug.
How odd…
Left Behind
Key and Lanyard
The key to my rig has been bouncing around in my pocket for a couple-three months now. I’m in the process of adjusting my EDC to better fit my lifestyle. It appears there are about three stages for my EDC. The first is the always carry and those things are on my person just about all the time. The key to my rig is one of those items.
So, I decided a month ago that my key needs a lanyard. Unfortunately, the lanyard hole was too small for standard 550 paracord. So I didn’t make any progress.
This morning, after walkies and getting my bite adjusted on the new appliance in my mouth, I had a few minutes and remembered putting a small triangular file in my portable toolkit. So, I retrieved some paracord from my kit, got the file out, did test fit to ensure my recollection was correct (measure twice, cut once) — it was — so I started to work with the file.
After about 15-minutes of cut-and-check, I was pretty sure I could pull a length of line through the lanyard hole in the key. so, I cut a piece of paracord, singed the new end, and pulled it through.
Then came the knot-experimentation phase. I tried a couple of times, then decided the project was good enough for the moment and quit. I needed to get the rig to the Toyota House for service and didn’t want to be late.
So this is my first shot at a short lanyard for my 4Runner key. I’m going to work up a finishing knot for the lanyard. Then I expect to use an S-biner or carabiner to clip the key into my new EDC kit.
I’ll get around to describing it and my other levels of EDC at some point. I’m still sorting all that out.
The Pulverizer
Tuesday evening the Girl and I went out for an evening walk. I mostly just wanted to be outdoors for a while, but also wanted to give her a chance to play, pee and poo, and to walk my regular circuit of Pokéstops.
As we rounded the north end of the Capitol Quadrangle, I noticed that Carson Street was closed and that there was heavy equipment working on the street. That was cool.
We walked a bit south, enjoying the evening air. The Girl was on the hunt for bushytails, although there aren’t many of them at the Capitol. As we exited the Capitol grounds proper, I noticed the machine. It was being pulled by a water truck (with a supply line to the machine) and was chewing up the asphaltic concrete like it was nothing. There was no bouncing, no change in the pitch of the engine to indicate an increased load — just the rumble of the cutters breaking up the pavement and chewing into the base material of the street.
The Girl rolled in the cool grass as I stood there watching the machine work. I made a short video (wished for a tripod) and shot some stills. The backlight was very strong, but I managed to pick up some of the bounce from the front of the Legislature Building. I was struck by the power of this machine.
After a few minutes, we moved on. We were both ready for supper and to settle in for the evening.
I returned in the morning to make the circuit again. Both of us needed walks. As I came around the corner, a worker greeted me. “Do you need to cross?” she asked.
“Nope… I was just admiring the grinder.”
“You mean the pulverizer?” she smiled, “that’s pretty impressive, isn’t it? After 18-years on this job I don’t notice it anymore, but it’s something how it chews up the pavement, isn’t it?”
I nodded as she petted the Girl. Then it was time to move along again, so we said “Good day!” and off we went, back to the room so I could get her vest and go find some breakfast.
What a wonderful encounter to begin the day. I’m truly thankful for such serendipities.
The Nevada Capitol Grounds
I love Nevada. It’s fun to go walk the Capitol grounds in the morning and evening.
When Pokémon Go first came out, the place was crowded with players. Lately, however, there are not very many when we go walk. The pokestops are still there and we pick up materials from them. But the players seem to have lost interest.
Still, the grounds are beautiful. I want to do some photography of the memorials on the site.
Ten
I am fascinated by texture. When the light is right and the texture pops, I will work the scene. The Girl and I have been walking the old Nevada Children’s Home in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. I passed this door dozens of times. But, one evening the sun was just right and the texture popped. I love serendipity!
Sunday Morning Walkies
The Girl and I woke about our usual time. She retired early last night, tired and sore. She’s walking with a noticeable limp and was lagging behind me badly during errands yesterday afternoon. She was not interested in much walking last night, so we stayed in. I had laid in some provisions for the next week or so, and was prepared to feed myself (as well as the Girl).
I slept pretty well, especially given that we upped our distances the last couple of days. That’s why we’re both tired — I’m challenging us physically with distance and pace. That’s good for both of us, I think.
This morning we rose and I did my morning thing, some meditation, some coffee, and time to wake. Then we took off walking. I elected to go by the old orphanage to give her some time off-lead. We walked through the Capitol grounds for some exercise and to collect a few Pokémon Go items, plus the grounds are beautiful and I enjoy them.
While there, we visited with another walker who was also picking up Pokémon Go items. We bumped into each other on the other side of the circuit about the time the deer showed up.
The take-away message to me is to start carrying the real camera along on my walks. Hrm…
I’ve been walking past Mom and Pop’s Diner for years, never stopping in. I decided that this morning I would. So, we crossed Carson Street and stepped inside. Because we were walking, I didn’t have the Girl’s vest on her, so I announced that she’s a service dog. I got no hassle. And, of course, the Girl behaved just like she’s supposed to.
The place has a neat vibe. Breakfast was good and the Girl has the remains of my ham to add to her kibbles for a few more meals. I’m glad I stopped in.
All in all, it was a good morning. We had great walkies, a fun encounter with a herd of deer, and good food. Life is good.
Nevada Children’s Home
Friday morning, the Girl and I were out early for a short walk. We crossed Stewart Street (always risky) and walked through the fire station parking lot. I turned her off leash so she could hunt the ground squirrels (which are far too clever for her).
The morning light was gorgeous, so I stopped to make an image of the main quadrangle. It’s a place where we play on many afternoons. There are sometimes other dogs who play too. It’s a great place and I love it.
Newport, Oregon
On my way home from Washington, I drove down US 101 through Forks, Washington and on down to the Oregon coast. I spent one evening in Newport, Oregon. We arrived relatively late (I misjudged my ETA) and didn’t have much time before dusk.
But the next morning the Girl and I got out and walked down to the beach. It was cool and foggy that morning. There were a few hardy souls out on the beach, some surf fishing, others playing with their dogs or jogging, and a few just walking along the wet part of the sand, enjoying the sound of the Pacific Ocean.
I brought the Girl’s Chucker and we spent some time playing fetch in the sand. It was fun to throw the ball hard and watch her dig to chase it, then hockey-stop to grab the ball.
After a few runs, she got the knack of picking up the ball without getting too much sand in her mouth. Apparently, she doesn’t like the grittiness of the sand.
There was a bit of sniffing about the rocks as well. I know there were new smells for her there. After a bit, I chased her out of my frame and made a few captures.
Of all the oceans I’ve visited over the years, it’s still the Pacific Ocean that I like the best.
Rules of War
From a web site I sometimes read, 21 Brutal Rules of War. In it are some very wry observations on combat. The irony is quite thick and well worth the few minutes to read.
The Miner
While I’m staying in Carson City, I walk the loop around the Nevada Capitol nearly every day. Part of the reason is to give both the Girl and me some exercise. Part of the reason is to collect some items for Pokémon Go.
When we walk through the quadrangle, I’m impressed by the serenity there. Even during the big initial rush of Pokémon Go players, the place has a sense of reverence. There are a number of statues there that I think would be excellent subjects for some evening photography and lightpainting. I might just have to do some of that.
This morning we passed by the Capitol Quad again on our morning walk. The morning was gorgeous, cool, calm, peaceful, and quiet. The construction on Carson Street continues, but the noise seemed abated this morning.
The Girl was engaged and calm.
We paused for a few minutes at the Nevada Miner Memorial, reflecting on the importance of mining to this state. I made a few captures in the morning mixed light. And then we moved on.
It’s a good day.