Now that the sun is (somewhat) up, I took a look outside at last night's snowfall.
Supposedly, we're to get more from this storm today. There is also another storm coming in around Wednesday/Thursday.
I took a couple of pictures of the front yard a few minutes ago:
Finally, we have some actual measurable snow.
I took a look (and a couple of pictures) outside and it appears we've received about an inch to an inch and a half of the white stuff.
This will make the drive eight miles today to the post office in Continental Divide to mail my bills and pick up my mail.
Looks like I'll have to get my snow shovel out of the garage.
Here's today's snow (so far):
Finally, we received our first snow of the season. It came overnight.
It wasn't much, maybe a trace. I was able to see it once the sun came up.
I did manage to take this photo of it:
| Above, the front yard this evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I had to go to Thoreau (about 14 miles east) to pick up some groceries and have an early dinner at Lil's Cafe. On the way, I did get some snow shower pelting in Coolidge, but that only lasted a minute or so.
I understand that another storm is coming in on Saturday. Maybe we'll get our first snow then. According to the National Weather Service, there's a 70% chance of rain/snow.
| Above, snow on November 9, 2020. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Snow has started falling this afternoon in the Williams and Flagstaff areas of Arizona. That means it will reach here either tonight or tomorrow. Well, usually.
According to the National Weather Service the brunt of the storm will hit here on Thursday.
Here's their forecast:
The above accident happened last night just down the hill from our community.
Apparently, a wrong-way drunk driver collided with a semi-truck on the eastbound Interstate 40 lanes. Another semi-truck was also involved. It was hit by the first semi. One lane in each direction were closed for several hours.
I was able to see a long line of stopped vehicles in the eastbound lanes from my kitchen window.
For details, go here.
Last night, I stayed up to watch the signing of the bill ending the Democrats' government shutdown by President Trump.
While up, I also went outside to see if there's any visible aurora.
Well, the bill signing went off without a hitch, putting an end to the shutdown.
Unfortunately, there was no aurora that I could see. I walked to a part of my front yard where no lights could wash out any views. There was no aurora that I could see.
I took the photo below from my porch.
Since Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest will be closed to vehicles starting December 15 for the winter, I took another drive into the canyon for fun yesterday. I might as well ger as much driving as I can while I can.
I didn't see anyone else in the canyon during the drive. I stopped at an empty campsite and took the photo below.
| Above, looks like I'll have to get out the snow shovel from the garage. |
It looks like autumn rain is coming later this week and, along with that, the first chance of snow showers.
A few weeks have passed since our last rain, so any precipitation is most welcome.
According to the National Weather Service:
This evening, following dinner, I decided to take a little sunset drive in the area near the shooting area of the Cibola National Forest. At the shooting area, there were two parties of shooters.
It was clear out and the cars on Interstate 40 had their lights on as did the Flying J Travel Center.
I stopped and took a few photos.
Here's some:
| Above, yours truly in Six Mile Canyon yesterday. |
I figured that since the Six Mile Canyon Road will be closed as of December 15 for the winter, I'd best get some recreational driving in while I can.
I saw nobody else in the canyon, so I had it all to myself. I also saw no cattle in the canyon.
I drove in and stopped at the windmill and tanks along the way. I took a few pictures and after several minutes, I headed further into the canyon.
I reached the grassy valley, which is roughly the half way point to McGaffey Lake further south. After driving the road inside the valley, I headed back out towards Jamestown.
All in all, it was a pleasant ride. I will be doing more driving in the canyon (weather permitting) until the road is closed for the winter season.
Some photos:
| Above, yours truly with the Winchester 94. Photo by Larry Lucier. |
If we have more nice days like this we may be able to do some more shooting before winter weather hits.
Four of us did some target practice: Roger, Larry, Victor and me. I confined my shooting to my Ruger 10/22 and my Winchester 94. Both worked flawlessly.
I filled up five water bottles to use as targets. The .22 caliber (the Ruger) rounds just punched small holes in them, but the .30-30 caliber (the Winchester) blasted them apart. The hits were entertaining to watch.
Afterwards, three of us headed to the Flying J for some coffee.
Naturally, some photos were taken while we were out:
| Above, some of our targets. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, Victor with his Carcano. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, Roger with his Glock pistol. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, Larry shooting his Henry .22 lever-action. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, two blasted water bottles. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, yours truly with the Ruger 10/22. Photo by Larry Lucier. |
| Above, the guns and ammo are ready to go. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The weather should be favorable as it will be in the high 60s or the low 70s. The wind is forecast to be around 7 mph.
I have gathered the rifles I am planning to use along with the ammo. All I'll need to do is load the car with the guns and targets. We should have a good time shooting today.
I am just going to shoot with the Winchester 94 and the Ruger 10/22 today.
| Above, the pine tree and Jeep yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
That afternoon, I sprayed as much of the tree as I could reach with some emphasis on the trunk along with the branches. Hopefully, it will take care of the problem.
I am also hopeful that the nighttime freezing temperatures will also kill off the mites.
| Above, the tall pine tree is the one with the mites. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
He looked over the tree and reported that it has mites, not bores (i.e., bark beetles). They carry a product called 38 Plus that should take care of the problem.
As they are closed on Sundays, I'll have to go into Gallup tomorrow and pick up some 38 Plus.
Hopefully, the freezing temperatures we've been having at night will help the tree.
I have a space heater going next to me but that isn't helping much. Now I know why.
It is 31° outside.
Brrr!
| Above, Russell and I at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup last year. |
Our Jamestown, New Mexico group received some sad news yesterday. One of our friends, Russell Azbill, was found deceased near his home's front porch. He either died yesterday morning or yesterday night.
He may have been heading to his main outer gate to retrieve a package when stricken and was turning back to go back into the house when he fell.
Another friend, who was to take him to a doctor appointment was trying to reach him by phone. He went to Russell's home where he found his body on the ground just inside an inner gate at the house.
| Above, Russell and the Jamestown group at Grandpa's Grill September 6. |
We last saw Russell on Tuesday at our regular coffee gathering at Denny's at the Flying J. He was in good spirits and said he was feeling pretty good. He had several medical issues and had a heart attack a few months ago, which he seemed to have recovered from.
Russell was a writer, a racecar enthusiast and interested in UFOs, Bigfoot and other paranormal topics. He and I regularly swapped UFO and Bigfoot stories on Messenger. He last sent me a text on Messenger October 6 on Funny Car Acronyms. He has one published book, Darkest Hour. He was working on another book at the time of his death.
He is survived by two brothers and his dogs, Watson and Derek. He will be missed.
| Above, the distressed tree five years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The other day, I noticed that some sections of needles and branches of the tallest (about 60 feet) pine tree in my front yard are turning brown.
This happened to the pinon pine I had near the house in the inner yard. It eventually died and I had it *(and another tree that died) cut down and removed.
I called a local nursery in Gallup to see if there is a local arborist who can diagnose and save the tree. They have someone on staff that does, but he won't be available until next week.
In the meantime, yesterday I sprayed some pesticide I had on the tree in case it is bark beetles. Hopefully, it will help arrest any further damage to the tree until the arborist can get here.
Apparently, the drought has caused an increase in bark beetle activity all around the Southwest.
| Above, the longhorns at Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
There are a few more homes in the subdivision. One of them, a double-wide mobile home, sat in two sections while a foundation was being built.
| Above, one of the longhorns giving me a look-over. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, the cattle near the entrance to Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, the cattle with Whispering Cedars in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, the Jeep on Six Mile Canyon Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, in Six Mile Canyon five years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Since I haven't been in Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest near our subdivision all summer, I was hoping to do so yesterday.
But, Mother Nature had other plans as it rained yesterday.
Today seems like it will be having decent enough weather to take a drive into the canyon. The next rain may be coming Sunday night.
According to the National Weather Service for this weekend: