why i HATE trip reports

February 18, 2016BackpackingCarey's Castle, Joshua Tree, keep secret places secretNick Gatel

Okay, I’m really pissed off.

I have pontificated here many times about finding and keeping secret places secret. In that article I mentioned that one of the places I have hiked to many times and never, ever disclosed how to get there is Carey’s Castle in Joshua Tree National Park. In that post I chastised a unethical author who included directions to this site in a trail guide. That author is an asshole. And worse than this author is the prick who posted GPS tracks to Carey’s Castle. Most hikers don’t have the skill to locate Carey’s Castle on their own, which is why directions to the site should never have been published – ever!

On Monday of this week, Joshua Tree National Park closed the area containing Carey’s Castle and his abandoned mine.

Continue reading why i HATE trip reports →

I’m Officially Retired

February 17, 2016General TalkretirementNick Gatel

Today I received my first Social Security payment.

Not a check, but a direct deposit into my bank account. So the Government of the United States now classifies me as retired. As much as I am generally frustrated with our Government, the experience with the Social Security Administration (SSA) has not been what I anticipated.

Continue reading I’m Officially Retired →

Another Day in Paradise

February 14, 2016General TalkNick Gatel

San Jacinto Sunset — Sitting in our backyard watching the sun set behind the San Jacinto Mountains.

This weekend I thought we were going camping, but instead I had to deal with some irrigation problems and then do our income tax return. All in all a good weekend. When you’re retired you don’t feel guilty about 4 hour “work days.” This evening we sat in our backyard and watched the sun set behind the San Jacinto Mountains. Once it got dark, I checked the temperature – a balmy 79 F. Much better than what I had been dealing with the past three winters.

Continue reading Another Day in Paradise →

Air Force One in Palm Springs

February 12, 2016General TalkAir Force OneNick Gatel

“Salute the rank, not the man.”

Maj. Richard Winters

Band of Brothers

Today Joyce wanted us to have lunch together and watch President Obama land at the Palm Springs Airport, which is only a couple miles from our house.

The President’s views on just about everything and mine are diametrically opposed, just about 100% of the time. But I learned in the military that you respect the rank and he is our Commander in Chief. Given that, it was exciting to watch Air Force One land. Besides, it dismissed me from the Honey Do List, and I couldn’t go hiking on the trails leading out of Palm Springs into the San Jacinto Mountains… the Police shut down access for security reasons. Too bad I don’t have a camera with a large telephoto lens.

Landing with the Santa Rosa Mountains in the background

Air Force One — San Jacinto Mountains in the background

Energy Upgrade: Stats Thru Month 5

February 11, 2016General TalkHome Energy UpgradeNick Gatel

In January I wrote that home solar might be lipstick on a pig, and it makes more sense to make a home energy efficient before even considering solar. I also promised to post monthly updates on our utility bills.

Here is month 5: