Builds My '78 FJ40 "44" (3 Viewers)

[4Cruisers]

Another thing - I've always noticed a blue haze in your pics . Is that an anomoly from the camera or is that just a normal haze across a vast distance ?

Unfortunately it's called pollution. The long-distance photos are mostly looking out over the Las Vegas Valley. Especially this time of year, inversion layers develop in the atmosphere that trap pollutants in the lower layers. Pretty common in a lot of cities in the southwest like Tucson and Albuquerque.

 

[Weber Sarge]

I wondered if it was just the usual smog - sad to see that in such a beautiful place so far out from the crowd. We can get some amazingly clear days here in the Midwest , just depends on the weather.

Sarge

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Far better scenery than what I've had this week - Wednesday and Thursday was on the bathroom floor restructuring the sub floor and repairing the leaky toilet. Nothing like having the crapper come loose under you first thing in the morning. Two days working on my knees and bent over in a pretzel - I'm broken now and can't even lay down to sleep, lol.

I feel your pain... at least you will be able to enjoy a stable throne, once you can use it again

What have the temps been lately out there ?

Pretty much like this... Today is basically the same as yesterday... But, you can see, we have a COLD front coming... I hate seeing it warm up this much already, it will be warm enough for snakes before long and I think we'll probably have a record hot summer...

Another thing - I've always noticed a blue haze in your pics . Is that an anomoly from the camera or is that just a normal haze across a vast distance ?

There's almost always a haze over the Las Vegas Valley... on the few days there isn't, it's gorgeous!! Also, I haven't been carrying my camera lately... Just using my iPhone and the best views have been into the sun, more or less.

I see the boys are smiling - dogs when excercising are sure a lot happier.

OH, they had a ball... Would have been more fun with rabbits, but we didn't see any on the ridges... I wanted to stay out of the drainages, too brushy this time. Teddy runs to keep up with Chester and then whimpers when Chester continues on... Like, "why do you keep leaving me?".

I missed my "come" command in this video, but you can see that Teddy responds really well... And that Chester was getting tired of being called back... For NOTHING!!

 

[waiting for time]

Has Teddy earned a place in your sig yet?

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Has Teddy earned a place in your sig yet?

Why, yes Michael... He's there... Now!!

Thanks for pointing it out!!

I changed my avatar too, to include Teddy... Neither appear to be really happy this morning. I'm replacing a split tie rod boot and they want me to play with them.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Cold front - pfft. Low 20*'s here for highs next week and it's been crazy windy here, last two days were over 30mph. We need more fans built - they aren't knocking the winds down enough here and over the years it's gotten worse as folks aren't planting trees to replace ones that are cut down.

Teddy is picking up some steam now at that age - won't be long and Chester will be trying to keep up with him, lol. Glad to hear he's taking well to training - seems some of the Golden mixes can be either really good or really bad with it and varies a lot.

Been looking more into the Golden mixes of various flavors .Many of the traits in the Golden Chow are compatible with us and our GSD, others are not and it would highly depend on which side the pup favors. Seems there isn't too many educated breeders that are doing consistent lines with predictable results - as happens a lot with mixed breed desireability and too many folks just wanting looks only and being so profit-driven. I hate how people just want to make puppies and money - not many breeders are in it for making a high quality dog and the reason I went with a well-established German line for our shepherd instead of the American bred lines. Our last GSD was a half US, half German dog and he had some traits I was not happy with - he could be quite treacherous and not very loyal. He was an otherwise good dog and did his job well but the loyalty thing was a problem - he would occasionally just take off and having a 125-140lb animal with teeth like that isn't good on the loose. Leukemia finally got him at 10yrs of age, it broke my heart because up until that time he was perfectly healthy and very strong - no signs of slowing down which was rare. Once it started - he was gone in less than 3 months and it cost us a lot of money figuring out the problem, it was far too late by then. Sam was a rare black and silver - and a very handsome dog, still miss him to this day. Toby has been so good it's crazy - easy to train, probably more intelligent than I am and I trust him without question . Breeding really does count - sometimes you get lucky but that's generally not the case. Your pup looks like a great candidate - he should work out very well and already shows great diversity, glad to see that.

Sad about that haze, your pics are otherwise amazing - love seeing those wide-open spaces and the terrain, thanks for that.

I'm headed back for the heating pad - be a few more days before this lets up again but at least the job is done. Careful relying on cortisone shots - my orthopedic surgeon is no fan of the stuff and will only use it very short term, there are associated risks with it and using it too often can lead to some serious damage. Glad it does help your knees - it didn't make even the slightest difference in mine.

Sarge

 

[65swb45]

Cold front - pfft. Low 20*'s here for highs next week and it's been crazy windy here, last two days were over 30mph. We need more fans built - they aren't knocking the winds down enough here and over the years it's gotten worse as folks aren't planting trees to replace ones that are cut down.

Teddy is picking up some steam now at that age - won't be long and Chester will be trying to keep up with him, lol. Glad to hear he's taking well to training - seems some of the Golden mixes can be either really good or really bad with it and varies a lot.

Been looking more into the Golden mixes of various flavors .Many of the traits in the Golden Chow are compatible with us and our GSD, others are not and it would highly depend on which side the pup favors. Seems there isn't too many educated breeders that are doing consistent lines with predictable results - as happens a lot with mixed breed desireability and too many folks just wanting looks only and being so profit-driven. I hate how people just want to make puppies and money - not many breeders are in it for making a high quality dog and the reason I went with a well-established German line for our shepherd instead of the American bred lines. Our last GSD was a half US, half German dog and he had some traits I was not happy with - he could be quite treacherous and not very loyal. He was an otherwise good dog and did his job well but the loyalty thing was a problem - he would occasionally just take off and having a 125-140lb animal with teeth like that isn't good on the loose. Leukemia finally got him at 10yrs of age, it broke my heart because up until that time he was perfectly healthy and very strong - no signs of slowing down which was rare. Once it started - he was gone in less than 3 months and it cost us a lot of money figuring out the problem, it was far too late by then. Sam was a rare black and silver - and a very handsome dog, still miss him to this day. Toby has been so good it's crazy - easy to train, probably more intelligent than I am and I trust him without question . Breeding really does count - sometimes you get lucky but that's generally not the case. Your pup looks like a great candidate - he should work out very well and already shows great diversity, glad to see that.

Sad about that haze, your pics are otherwise amazing - love seeing those wide-open spaces and the terrain, thanks for that.

I'm headed back for the heating pad - be a few more days before this lets up again but at least the job is done. Careful relying on cortisone shots - my orthopedic surgeon is no fan of the stuff and will only use it very short term, there are associated risks with it and using it too often can lead to some serious damage. Glad it does help your knees - it didn't make even the slightest difference in mine.

Sarge

I’ve been hearing a bit about those cortisone shots hanging around on the volleyball courts lately. It’s not like there hasn’t been talk about it before. But to me it was like when the grownups talk on Charlie Brown: Wah,wa,wah , wa wa wa. Now my body is telling me to start paying attention and listen. Definitely two camps.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I’ve had cortisone injections on both shoulders (AC joints) and both hands... and epidurals on my back, from orthopaedists.

My orthopaedic surgeons would only give three injections, for an issue... then on to the knife.

Surgeons like to operate... doctors always push their specialty.

These shots are from my rheumatologist. He assures my they are safe for my patelleas... the tissue that allows smooth sliding of the knee cap is deteriorating anyway. He does a lot of testing to prevent tissue, liver and kidney damage.

But, I appreciate your warnings... sure feel good today though!!

 

[Weber Sarge]

I think his biggest concern is long term damage to bone structure and resulting pitting - he said they've more than once had to close and re-open again later when a custom half-joint wouldn't work due to odd wear/pitting from cortisone shot usage being so highly abused . With all the bs I went through with mine and having each knee cap ground/sanded/polished twice now I'm done - and it's coming back again. That grinding not only feels weird but causes a lot of damage over time that they cannot fix later. Due to surrounding tissue damage new joints are pretty much out of the question as well - and that comes from two of the top orthopedic specialists in the nation, lovely. It's irritating to watch them repair our sports heros and send them back out to play like nothing happened, but us working-class mules are evidently disposable. Those guys do pay a price later in life - most can barely walk and some are downright crippled permanently.

One thing - how is that pup responding to you when others are around, or lots of distractions ? It's a common issue with any dog to ignore the owner and turn their attention to more excited people or activity - but some breeds are far worse than others. My GSD will push his luck with it at times when we have a lot of visitors, but knows when I make one gesture he's in trouble - the ears go flat and he obeys immediately, he hates being reprimanded.

Sarge

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Teddy is actually responding really well around others... To MY commands... but, Dianna needs to work more with him, so that he responds well to her too.

We hiked this morning... Same place as last time.

This is the first time Dianna has gone with us, since we got Teddy. She was really tickled to see him in those boots (he's a cute little devil and has already learned, from Chester, to search out all shade) and to see how well he responds off leash.

He did great, for both of us... And, more importantly, Chester chased two 'roos, err, yuge jack rabbits... They are both passed out on the cool tile right now.

I'd really hate to see one of those jacks turn on Chester... It would scare the hell out of him!!

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

HAPPY BIRF DAY DANNY!

J

 

[Solace in Solitude]

HAPPY BIRF DAY DANNY!

J

Thank you Jason!!

It's been a fine BARK day... We had a nice hike and a nice nap... Now, we're looking forward to full bowls and playtime!!

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Thank you Jason!!

It's been a fine BARK day... We had a nice hike and a nice nap... Now, we're looking forward to full bowls and playtime!!

Well good to hear my friend! Have a great day!

Jason

 

[mrboatman]

Congrats on another year of being vertical when you want and getting out and enjoying yourself. !!
JP

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Congrats on another year of being vertical when you want and getting out and enjoying yourself. !!
JP

Thanks JP!!

 

[waiting for time]

Happy B’day Danny, although it is already the day after here.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Happy B’day Danny, although it is already the day after here.

Thanks Michael!!

 

[Weber Sarge]

Happy Birthday !

If he's a bit hesitant with her it's just a lack of time with "mom" alone , no big deal. I would bet if one of those big jacks turned and faced the pup it would be a priceless moment for sure - keep the camera ready, lol. Pretty great birthday, spending it out and about on a hike - we all need special days like that just to clear the noise. I'd like to get out this spring and see if the old hunting area by the abandoned tracks/woods still has that huge stand of black berries - used to love going out there and trying to beat the local birds to them.

Now that the second dog is gone, my wife (Diane) has been paying a lot more attention to Toby - he's loving that and turning into somewhat of a traitor . He wants her to feed him/treats and go outside so he can spend longer patrolling the area. I'm a bit jealous, really - he's always basically been my dog or at least I've worked with him a lot more. We got several inches of snow last night again and temps are pretty cold today - need to fix a hydraulic hose on the Horse and get it back in service - Toby loves to herd that thing in the snow. -4*F right now and a high of 14*, guess I'll find out if the new Rocky boots are really going to work with keeping my feet warm and not frostbite them again, lol. That shepherd has been so bored this winter from all the super cold weather - we've ran well below normal for most of January and this month looks like it may be the same thing again, not to mention all the days of high winds above 30mph.

Sarge

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thanks Sarge!!

Hope your boots live up to your expectations... no one should suffer frozen toes!!

About 3 years ago, I went camping, with my son-in-law, in an actual campground... called Pine Creek, in Monitor Valley, NV, in late May.

It was in the 90s here and there was no precipitation in any forecast.

We arrived at the ~20 site campground, with 3 vault toilets, and had the whole place to ourselves.

We set up our tents and organized the campsite, then headed out on a hike toward some tall peak.

It was VERY hot and, about a mile into the hike, I gripped my right trek pole and screamed in pain... having fractured the tip of my right elbow off, simply by gripping hard, along with tearing loose most of the tricep tendon fibers.

I told Tommy to go on... I was going to just sit still for a while, then start back to camp.

He caught up to me before I reached camp and I fashioned a sling and spent the afternoon being as still as I could.

It cooled down as the sun set behind that tall peak and we retired to our tents.

About 2am the wind came up and it started sleeting/hailing (pea sized)... by morning, we had several inches of snow on the ground and the temperature had dropped significantly.

I had brought summer boots and spent 3 days trying to keep my feet warm enough to not hurt... I now have insulated winter boots and, when in doubt, wear them.

I’d rather have hot feet than cold feet!!

We returned home, I had my elbow checked and was told, “you’re too old for surgery... there are enough fibers still connected to allow the tendon to grow back”.

So, we went back up to the Reese River Valley, to a really nice dispersed campsite that I had camped in before... spent a week there... and fell on my bad elbow twice... it was still better than sitting at home.

My tricep tendon regenerated, but perpetually throbs and aches and will never be as strong as before... regardless, I have full use of my arm... just tires fast.

I shared this picture of the avulsion bleed before, but today’s show and tell...

 

[4Cruisers]

Ouch!