Thursday, July 23, 2026

New Tent

Jessica, my hospice nurse, enjoys going to estate sales. Five months ago I mentioned my interest in a sleeved tent. Today it was delivered...brand - as in never opened - new! 

I tightened up the bungee cord in the poles but otherwise it's ready to go. 



Coleman Go! 4-person.















Chaco Canyon is the destination but we're thinking of one or two test runs. The National Forest campgrounds, there're two, along the Jemez River feature pit toilets are only $2.50 for seniors and there's a noisy little river (for aqua enthusiasts, dogs and what have you.)

The Ojito Wilderness is free, doesn't have weird-smelling asphalt and best of all, no neighbors. 

Remembering Al Christensen

Al didn't post to his blog on any kind of regular basis, but after the better part of a month and no replies to my or other peoples' inquiries, i filed a missing persons report with the Sheriff in Crescent City, California and with the State Highway Patrol. He turned up (dead) in Arcata, California where he'd gone to get checked for a uti. Somehow, probably due to some minor surgery, sepsis got loose, and it was soon over.

Details here...

https://albertsturkey.blogspot.com/2025/08/al-christensen-died.html?m=1



Rereading this post,

https://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/2025/07/what-view.html?m=0

i found my comment w the coordinates to the turnoff to the Elwha River area. Pursuing it further led to this Youtube video 



about the dams being taken out after the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's lobbying culminated in the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act of 1992.

Signed by President George H.W. Bush (41st prez from '89 to '93, a.k.a. Bush the Elder, of all people!!), this federal law authorized the government to buy out the dams and dismantle them specifically to restore the native ecosystem and protect tribal treaty rights.

Al's last post on July 23rd, 2025, conveyed his laid-back style & showed him chillin' somewhere among the big trees.

https://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/2025/07/i-talk-to-trees-but-they-dont-listen-to.html?m=0

Gone, but not forgotten.

And, at least as far as rivers go, it appears reincarnation is a fact. ✨


Monday, July 20, 2026

"Jugz" he wuz known as...

 ...in them days. No one wanted to see his though.



There're 3 melons hiding amongst the foliage at the bottom of the photo.



Hints of a cob








 




Hiding in upper left





Saturday, July 18, 2026

Treasure Tray

few weeks in the making, it arrived today. I'd requested it for a selection of tiny treasures i found in a big arroyo at the foot of the Sandias. How did a deposit of tiny shells get in that arroyo?








Thursday, July 16, 2026

SR Shelves

Efforts to bring the Smirket Room (SR) online as a maker space took a major leap forward w the addition of Eric Montoya's custom-crafted shelves.



Eric is a retired engineer from Sandia Labs. He has extensive experience in all aspects of residential construction and has a complete wood-working shop. This, his latest contribution, helps maximize storage for boxes of  small items.


Joinery you'd expect from an engineer.





A facing to hide the unfinished edge of the plywood.





Two removable shelves made it easier to move the unit into place.




Finished plywood adds a level of aesthetic appeal.