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Praetorium Honoris

Monday, January 21, 2019

A perfect day.....Almost

Mrs J and I have been settling into this retirement lifestyle quite nicely, thanks for asking.  Progress on her "honey-do" list has been acceptable.  Things come off the top at about the same rate as things go on the bottom.  One of our first projects involved  spending a few evenings with a folding table in front of us in the living room cataloging the pictures that Schmedly had brought to our attention a while back. 

Since these had been with the stuff I'd inherited when my Dad passed, the brief look I'd given them when they moved from his house to ours served only to categorize them as "buncha pictures" thereby relegating them to the "review when you find time" priority (formerly known as "never").  The combination of Schmedly redistributing them and "Honey, what do you want to do tomorrow?" moved the project up and is now mostly finished. 

I had thought that most of the pictures were from my lifetime, but a significant number were from before that.  (Yes, Sarge, they actually had cameras before I was born.  And fire and something other than animal fur (I would have said Bear Fur, but didn't want to offend Brother "a bear"))

Paul, is that how you close out a double side comment?

Anyhoo, back on target.

Found pictures of my parents when they were kids.  I mean, who knew that parents were once kids themselves?  I'd always thought (well while growing up anyhow) that my parents were born old.  It was kinda cool to see though, and fortunately, most of the pictures had some info on the back, names, dates, places etc.  So we've still got some researching to do.  Fortunately, Mom's siblings are still alive and one of Dad's brothers is also.

While the first part of that project is over, "Tempus fugit"  on the second part.

We've also made a big dent in the getting rid of stuff item on the list.  Enough so that one of the full storage closets has been emptied and returned to its former status of spare bedroom/exercise room. (No, it hasn't been checked out for functionality in the latter category as yet).

But, all work and no play makes juvat ....

Thursday, Mrs J declared that the two of us were going to go on a day trip.  We decided we were going to visit a small (ish) town between the Burg and Moscow on the Colorado known as Wimberly.



Thursday morning broke clear and warm, a perfect day trip kind of day.

After a short trip to be Vet to get Canine Flight a Pawdecure (somethings take on an importance of their own when you are on blood thinners, and a clawed creature paws at you to get your attention), we were off.

Having done proper pre-flight target study, we had decided that we would climb Old Baldy, visit Jacob's Well and check out Blue Hole Park.  Have some lunch and walk around the touristy section of town.

Taking the back roads from the Burg to Wimberly kept my blood pressure in check as we didn't see any traffic going our way and little going the other way.  My kind of driving!

Arrived at Old Baldy around 10, parked and looked up.  My Beloved looked at me with her YGBSM look (patent pending) as we stared upward.
The website said "only 255 steps".  Uh-Huh!

Never give up, never surrender.

So upward we went.



And upward.
Finally, with a couple of stops enroute (to take pictures of course), we made it to the top.
No, other than Mrs J and I. We were the only ones here.
The view was quite impressive.

We stayed for a bit to let the sheer beauty, as well as a considerable amount of Oxygen, be absorbed and then descended.  The handrails came in very handy to take the weight off the knees.

Back down among the living, we set off to visit Jacob's Well.

Jacob's Well is an underground spring that provides water to the surrounding land.  Discovered by Texas Settlers in the 1840's (Native Americans no doubt knew about it forever.), it was their (there?, they're?) primary water supply.

As such it was extremely important to them.  At some point in their early history, a flood occurred which deposited rocks and mud in the spring, stopping it.  The settlers were able to finally get all that out after considerable effort and so built the weir around the spring itself to protect it .  
That weir is still in use and can be seen on the far side of the spring.  The Spring is a popular swimming hole during the summer months.  The opening seen above descends about 30' straight down then angles off  down to about 120'.  There are apparently (I didn't explore it, January, you know), several caverns off to the side of the main cavern.  Some have been explored by scuba divers.  Some of whom are still in the caverns.

A very quiet, peaceful place and pleasant to visit on a warm January day.

Thoroughly enjoying  ourselves to this point, we decided to head into town and find a place to eat.  Searching Google for "places to eat in Wimberly", we decided to visit the local brewery which was a few miles south of town.  We're about halfway there when Mrs J looks closer at the description and notes an important factoid.  "Opens at 2PM".  

Not wishing to wait in the parking lot for an hour and a half, we turn around and head back into town.
Re-perusing Google, we decide on the Leaning Pear.  Mrs J confirms that it is, in fact, open, so "off we go" (it's an Air Force thing)

It was a nice place, a little foo-foo-ish (but what isn't these days), but the patio was nice, the creek provided just enough background noise to cancel out other table's conversations, without interfering with our own.  I had a passable Reuben with pasta salad.  Mrs J had a BLT with Brie and Avocado (BABLT?).  Topped off with a nice glass of Albariño, a nice crisp Spanish white wine,  it was a very pleasant lunch, with a beautiful woman.

Our plan is to visit the Blue Hole regional park, walk through the tourist part of town and shop a bit, then head to our winemaker friends place and have a glass of wine with them.

Off we go....again.

Turns out the creek we had lunch next to is also the creek that serves this park and we were only a couple of hundred yards down stream from the park when we had lunch.  Arriving there in the truck, took longer than if we'd have walked.  But.....

Parked and locked the car, and walked into the park.  Nobody in the check in area except a dog, so figuring begging forgiveness is better than asking permission, we walk  by and into the park area.  There are two ladies having a picnic lunch at one of the tables.  And us.

Beautiful, quiet and peaceful.




Yes, that's the water and those are fish.

The park is maybe a couple of hundred yards long and 75 or so wide, so seeing all there was to see took around 20 minutes (especially since swimming is not authorized this time of year), so we headed back to the truck.

And saw this.


Jerks tried to bust out the front passenger window, failed somehow, so busted out the back one.  Stole a backpack with tools I keep in the truck for when I'm out and about and need pliers or something.  Maybe a couple of hundred bucks invested by me.  Pawn shop might give them ten.  Mrs J had put her wallet under the front seat.  That was gone.  

I go back to the office, and see a sign with the Sheriff's phone number on it.  I give them a call, and they said they'd have someone stop by.

I walk back to the truck.  Mrs J is talking to some people with park logos on the shirts.  They said that they'd walked around the rest of the parking lot and one other car had been broken into also.  So, we've got that going for us.

The Deputies (there were two cars, two deputies) arrived quicker than I expected (less than 15 minutes) and went about their business.  We called USAA and got the claim started.  Mrs J called the Bank, as well as the Credit Agency and got her cards stopped.  The Deputy took my statement (while I had been waiting for them, a car had driven by slowly with the passenger giving me a look over.  I'm standing next to my truck talking on a phone, it's not like I was doing anything interesting.  Probably nothing.)

It was interesting watching them dust the doors for prints.  Never seen that done before, except on NCIS.  Told them that, they laughed and said, "Just like them, without the instant results."  

Got it.

After they finished, I got the glass cleaned up.  The Park folks gave us a large garbage bag.  Jerks left me my tape gun , so we taped it up and headed for home. 

Sure makes a lot of noise, even at 40.  (Yes, we took the back roads and I pulled over to let people pass.)

USAA scheduled the glass replacement appointment for today at our house, so barring further issues, this episode should be complete today.  

Would like some advice though as I am about to go down this path and start carrying.  How do you protect the weapon?  I'm assuming some kind of safe, but any recommendations?

While you're pondering that question, here's a music video that seems appropriate for the occasion.


45 comments:

  1. Don't believe in truck guns myself so I carry the gun on me, have a carry permit. Where I go.... it goes, only way to be sure I have it when I need it. There was a you tube vid that showed how he set up a secure container under the rear truck seat but I can't remember who, should it come to me I'll post the info here. I don't open carry so it goes where ever I go, I figure if the place finds out I'm carrying they can always ask me to leave, " what sign? didn't see any sign." If you're talking home safe I've read a mechanical lock over an electronic lock might be preferred, read a numer of accounts of electronics failing. Oh....... very good flow on the post, juvat reads better than the travel section of the Sunday newspaper.

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    1. My intent was to carry as much as possible, but sometimes it's just not. I had a friend who carries always, who came and visited. We went to the Nimitz, a no carry facility. He took his off and put it in the trunk of his car. That's not really an option in a truck, so I was wondering how those situations might be handled. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

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    2. Try "BCtruck, how to construct a hidden compartment in your truck," it's an 11-18-2015 video, might help. Also try googling "hidden truck compartments". Agree with earlier comments on thieves, it seems there is always some a-hole waiting around to do nefarious deeds. PITA to have to deal with credit cards and ID along with window replacement. Good luck there Sir Retired.

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    3. Interesting, but I'm not sure that would be secure enough. This might be worth investigating further though.

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  2. Safest place is on you. There are holsters that don't look like holsters. I've used a few of them. One was my favorite, but I don't go afoot as much as I used to.

    Consider a dash cam, with an inward facing camera, too. Be a good witness, yadda yadda.

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    1. A dash cam might be a bit more info than I'd necessarily want available. The problem is the pistol analogy. "You don't need a pistol til you need a pistol, then you need it bad."

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  3. Well that sucks.

    When it comes to thieves, I'm with the Arabs.

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    1. I hear ya. But, on the bright side, Mrs J authorized a tool buying trip to Lowes. So....I got that going for me! ;-)

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  4. If you have a small pistol you might want to take a look at "Sneaky Pete" holsters. They look like an overgrown smartphone case and are actually fairly unobtrusive. If you are interested in a cleaver way to keep one, or two, pistols handy in the home I suggest you take a look at Tacticaltraps.com. They make a very nice product, and they have a great sale going on at the moment.

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  5. My condolences on your truck being broken into. Have had some t happen, also had the house burglarized. Agree with OAFS that the arabs got that part right, at least under some circumstances. The worst part if the sense of being violated. Also agree about carrying your gun on you if at all possible - but may not be that comfortable at first. A good (not cheap) holster and belt will help in the comfort department, but it's still going to be a lump someplace. There are small sturdy gun safes that can be bolted into your vehicle, but still best to take gun with you. Oh yeah, hope they catch the bastards!

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    1. Thanks, Tom. It's been going through my head, that if we'd just have come back a bit sooner...which is followed by "we might have met them face to face and you're 63 not 23". So, once the glass guys get her and the truck is back in business, things should be back to normal. And, as I told Sarge, I've got a date with the tool department at Lowes.

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  6. Replies
    1. Not exactly what I said when I saw the window, but essentially my feelings.

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  7. Really sorry about your truck. Shitheads are everywhere. Oh, yes it's "Their". :-)

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    1. Yep...Thanks.

      I know....just pimping a friend. :-)

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  8. Depending on how often you need a full bed, a tool box behind the cab is fairly secure. Use round head bolts from the bottom with the nuts inside the locked area. A visit to your local locksmith to upgrade the OEM locks would be a good next step.

    https://www.homedepot.com/b/Automotive-Cargo-Management-Truck-Tool-Boxes/Husky/N-5yc1vZc23lZrd?cm_mmc=SEM%7CG%7CBase%7CPB%7CMulti%7CHusky%7CBT3%7CDSA%7CCatch+All%7c71700000023577655%7c58700002495773633%7c39700021474223105&ds_rl=1178140&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-JXiBRCpARIsAGqF8wXlh9h1Gnky2wOuQaCwZW0254wDtcga4nIFCG4a2HHfmvZ0UrrWaFwaApAuEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

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    1. The Juvat Moving Company has been pretty busy over the last few years, but I've been considering that option. Thanks and roger on the upgraded locks.

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    2. Make sure you get a metal, and a decently heavy metal, tool box. No plastic. It will also give you a place to store your tools and such, thus giving the Canine Flight more cab room. Mount it with really good bolts, of course.

      And make sure you check the way the lid fits. You don't want a leaky box, nor an air-tight box. It needs to be just-right.

      And, really, the Nimitz museum is gun-free? Does anyone else see the strange issue here? Texas law says if they're posted the only thing they can do is ask you to leave.

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    3. Oh, forgot to add. That's what the idjits at the PD I worked at did. For really good guns and such, they'd mount one of those heavy duty steel contractor boxes in the back.

      Don't put any hidden panels or small vaults in the cab itself. That's inviting sumdood with a crowbar, or an occasional anal-sphincter law dude, to want to go busting into things.

      Next time you take a walk, have a small day-pack that her purse is in, and some water. Don't leave the truck without it. Being on your meds means you need pretty near instant access to water when you need it.

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    4. I'm not real sure about the Nimitz, since I don't have a CCW yet. However, when we got done with the tour, both of my Friends rearmed from the trunk and one of them used to work there, so....

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    5. I thought about that as I was researching the options mentioned by other folks here. Lots of pro's and con's both ways, but a bed mounted tool box is decidedly a possibility, if not a probability.

      I'm up with the water thing. This is Texas and I very rarely go anywhere without at least a few bottles. Any lengthy trip, say Big Bend, has at least enough water for everybody to have a gallon a day. Just because....

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  9. Noisy Rottweiler in the truck bed works, too.
    Just sayin’

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    1. The Canine Flight might object with the introduction of a heavy fighter-bomber chassis. Messes up the mojo.

      Though my experience with the Rotties is they are, when raised properly, big black and tan piles of mush, that weigh a lot and like laps...

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    2. Little Juvat and DIL have one they adopted from Death Row. Great Dog. He would come stay with us when they would go on mini vacations, until we found out that he REALLY, REALLY doesn't like cats. Other than that, he put up with the yips and yaps of Canine flight, would just sigh and lay down and take a nap. Pretty soon the others would be gathered round him also napping.

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  10. Well...what a lousy end to a lovely day!

    My ex, who always drove a pickup, whenever we got a new one, always went and had the windows tinted so that just a causal walk-by wouldn't allow folks to see what was inside, or at lest not easily.
    If you have a cap, tint those windows also. And I really like the idea of the locked bolted-down tool box in the bed.
    Anything that can slow down a crook gives you more time to surprise him. Or to see him, and call the cops.

    If you are going to go around surprising folks, definitely want to have a CCW, and be willing to use it if indicated.

    Well, at least you can have some fun at the local tool palace!

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    1. The windows are tinted, Suz. And I really don't think they spent much time in the whole caper. Got the purse and the tool bag, but left behind the GPS and my iPad which weren't quite as visible (In the armrest compartment and tucked between the driver and passenger seats respectively).

      Next to the last paragraph is the kicker isn't it?

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  11. You're in Texas. You can carry a sword now. Though, for walking, a nice boar spear is more useful. Staff and pokey thing all in one. Would help with the feral pig problem, too.

    And, yes, if a nice rural area like that has been affected by Moscow on the.. you need to be strapped and stay out of places that are gun-free.

    And open carry is more comfortable with our Taft style bodies than CCW. Texas has allowed that since 2015 so, well, indulge. Get one of those Rugers in .30cal Carbine. They supposedly are nice shooters and also make quite a flamethrower!

    Up here (over here, down here) in Gainesville we are surrounded by springs. Ginnie Springs being one of them. Blue Springs (which puts out salt water!) And other wonderful examples of Karst geology like Devil's Millhopper. Most of the deep springs also have their human sacrifices located somewhere in the system, because idiots forget to use string, watch their air usage, panic and other stupid idiotic things.

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    1. The problem with pigs is there's never just one, so a one shot spear is not optimum. 20mm Vulcan with HEI and AP on it would be a nice addition to the vehicle though.

      Some people just never grasp the concept that just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean that you SHOULD do it.

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  12. Well, $%#!! That said--

    I was an FFL (in Kalifornia no less) for almost 20 years. Had my CCW as well. I need to get off my rear and get my Texas CHL. Here's my 2 cents.

    Don't leave valuables in your vehicle. Yeah I know, not always an option. So, I vote for something like a bed mounted tool box that is bolted to the vehicle and cannot be remove with a pry bar, and does not scream "gun in here!". Looks like a beautiful view from the top of that hill. Lots of steps. Twisted ankle on the way down? God forbid. Keep in mind you may not return to your vehicle as soon as you intended.

    I agree with STxAR, the best place for your weapon is on you. CCW holster design has come a long ways. You might also look at CCW vests.

    If Mrs J. is considering any of this, here is an excellent source of info---

    https://www.corneredcat.com/

    This is just satisfying to watch--

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=365&v=xoxhDk-hwuo

    For the home, I'm in favor of motion detectors wired to claymores, but that's just me.

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    1. I think I'm leaning towards the tool box in the bed route, thanks to all your (all ya'lls) comments.

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    2. The problem with Claymores is the motion detector. How do you set them so Nocturnal Cats (Schmedly I talkin' bout you) don't set them off, and more importantly, who tests them? Honey, I need you to do me a favor.

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    3. The youtube video was pretty funny, and yes satisfying.

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    4. Ha. Claymores. Just got this image of some remote robot arm with large 5' swords...

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  13. Terrible way to end the day and I offer you my sympathy. At least USAA is easy to work with.
    I've been to those spots in Wimberly and think they're great! An additional spot to check out is Hamilton Pool northwest of Dripping Springs; it's off of RR3238 and almost at the Pedernales River. It's a county park and parking is limited to what fits in the parking lot so get there early. Wear good hiking shoes and the short hike to the pool is wonderful! The gravel beach has one comfortable rock against which to lean so again, get there early and enjoy the morning. By noon, I was always ready to leave and head towards Driftwood and eat at the Salt Lick Barbeque. Best to you. - Barry

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    1. Hamilton Pool is definitely on the day trip list. As is Bend State park. The Salt Lick catered my Daughter and Son in Law's rehearsal dinner. I'm always up for them. Thanks.

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  14. "And fire and something other than animal fur (I would have said Bear Fur, but didn't want to offend Brother "a bear"))"

    Well, that is certainly an acceptable way to do it; however, I prefer to use the other two options ( i.e. { and [ ) that are located to the right of the ' p ' on the key board. If you have more than three parenthetical comments within a sentence, you are on your own.

    Your response to Captain Steve was very heart warming to me. Thanks, me too.

    I can but echo the sentiments of earlier commenters about your day trip, dang.

    Thanks for the post.
    Paul L. Quandt

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  15. Great story about a great day, up until that last part. Dirty rotten s0nsab1tc#es. Me hates them I do. Two schools of thought on those tinted windows- neither are perfect. On one hand they might deter a criminal from seeing anything so they move on, or they think there's something hidden that's worth taking. Clear windows- they can see nothing of value, but then again, there's always that center console and glove box though. I hope the NCIS guys catch 'em and you get Mrs. J's cancelled credit cards and old driver's licence that's probably in process of being renewed anyway. harumph. Big PITA. Did I mention that I hates them criminals?

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    1. Argh, I do know how to spell license, but my computer doesn't. I am now wondering what the Texas law says about your ability to stop them, with gun or without. Here's in California? I probably have to unlock the doors for them and give them a head start before I can call the cops.

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    2. You can't detain them. Bad things happen if that happens. Nor can you shoot the thieving dogs. Now, if they had a gun (conveniently located in a secret compartment with none of your DNA on it, no, too risky...) it's fair game if they present a clear and present danger. But expect to get your ass sued off and the rest of you thrown in jail just because.

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  16. "Here's in California? I probably have to unlock the doors for them and give them a head start before I can call the cops."

    And, Tuna, you still live in Commiefornia because?

    Paul

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    1. Work and weather Paul. "Here's" just yet another typo- should have been just "here."

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  17. Definitely https://www.corneredcat.com/ for your SO. Kathy is good people, and teaches a helluva class if you ever get the chance. Something like this under the seat would work if you can't carry on your person- https://www.bulldogcases.com/product/personal-car-vault-with-mounting-bracket-2/

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  18. Damn, dude! That sucks. It's epidenic in a lot of national parks too. Scumbags know that visitors leave lots of nice stuff in their vehicles and usually won't be available for prosecution since most are from out of town.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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