Sunday, December 20, 2020
Well it happened! We had to take a drive and take a Covid test. We did a drive through 30 min result test which cost $200 per person to find out it is not Covid or FLU-A&B so that was a waste of time and money! 🤦♂️ The wife has had a fever the past couple of days, and her work is a hotbed of positive results. So it’s either a false negative or our immune systems are kick ass! 😃 we’ll see in the coming days how it turns out. 😉
Monday, November 30, 2020
The demise of the Utah Monolith
The following is not my account, but one I found on a FB group for off-roading.
If you're interested in what exactly happened to the monolith keep reading because I was literally there. On Friday, 3 friends and myself drove the 6 hours down to the middle of nowhere in Utah and got to the "trailhead" around 7 PM after passing a sea of cars on our way in.
We passed one group as we hiked towards the mysterious monolith, while another group was there when we arrived, and they left pretty quick after we got there. For the next hour and 40 minutes we had the place to ourselves.
I had just finished taking some photos of the monolith under the moonlight and was taking a break, thinking about settings I needed to change for my last battery of drone flight when we heard some voices coming up the canyon. We were contemplating packing up our things as they walked up, so they could enjoy it for themselves like we did. At this point I looked down at my watch and it was 8:40 PM.
4 guys rounded the corner and 2 of them walked forward. They gave a couple of pushes on the monolith and one of them said "You better have got your pictures." He then gave it a big push, and it went over, leaning to one side. He yelled back to his other friends that they didn't need the tools. The other guy with him at the monolith then said "this is why you don't leave trash in the desert." Then all four of them came up and pushed it almost to the ground on one side, before they decided push it back the other when it then popped out and landed on the ground with a loud bang. They quickly broke it apart and as they were carrying to the wheelbarrow that they had brought one of them looked back at us all and said "Leave no trace." That was at 8:48.
If you're asking why we didn't stop them well, they were right to take it out. We stayed the night and the next day hiked to a hill top overlooking the area where we saw at least 70 different cars (and a plane) in and out. Cars parking everywhere in the delicate desert landscape. Nobody following a path or each other. We could literally see people trying to approach it from every direction to try and reach it, permanently altering the untouched landscape. Mother Nature is an artist, it's best to leave the art in the wild to her.
In today's news:
https://nypost.com/2020/12/05/artists-group-takes-credit-for-mysterious-utah-monolith/amp/
The mystery of the monolith has been solved.
The world watched in wonder when a metal monolith was discovered in the southern Utah desert last month by wildlife officials who were counting sheep from a helicopter – stumping the Bureau of Land Management.
Two weeks after it appeared, the monolith was dismantled by four men.
But then another one appeared, this time across the globe in Romania. And just like the first one, it too vanished.
“The 2.8-meter-tall structure disappeared overnight as quietly as it was erected,” local journalist Robert Iosub told Reuters.
A third one appeared Wednesday, this time a top Pine Mountain in Atascadero, California.
Nobody knew who was responsible for the mysterious structures, until now.
While the monoliths’ origin has sparked countless theories, from aliens to a marketing ploy, a small community of “stunt artists” have now seemingly claimed responsibility — and are even offering up more… for a hefty $45,000 price.
The community of artists known as The Most Famous Artist posted a photo of the monolith on their Instagram account Friday saying only “monolith-at-a-service.com.” The photo of the three-sided metal monolith included specs of the artwork noting: “Authentic dimensions and museum quality materials; edition of 3+1 artist proof; delivery and installation included; Blockchain certification of authenticity, signed and dated ‘The Most Famous Artists 2020’” – and added delivery would take 4 to 6 weeks.
Later in the day the group posted Instagram pics of articles about them from Mashable, Fox News and Artnet – before adding a post with yet another monolith, this one in Joshua Tree National Park, adding “ANOTHER Monolith outside of Joshua Tree. That makes 4. What does it mean?” At the end of the day, to provide proof, the final post featured a masked artist in the process of making one of the mythical monoliths, and poking fun of the alien conspiracies, saying: “You mean it wasn’t aliens?!”
When followers of the account asked, “Was it you?,” the account repeatedly responded: “if by you you mean us, yes.”
In an interview with Mashable, the founder of the collective, Matty Mo, who has been posting about the monolith on Twitter, said he didn’t post the Romanian monolith because: “I only had 3 spots for photos on my site.”
Mo, who once transformed the famous “Hollywood” sign in Los Angeles to read “Hollyweed,” “would neither confirm nor deny that he was taking credit, and wouldn’t share additional proof,” Mashable noted.
“I am not able to say much because of legalities of the original installation,” Mo wrote to Mashable via Twitter. “I can say we are well known for stunts of this nature and at this time we are offering authentic art objects through monoliths-as-a-service. I cannot issue additional images at this time, but I can promise more on this in the coming days and weeks.”
Meanwhile, potential collaborator Carlos Estrada noted on Instagram: “did me and @themostfamousartist make the monolith?” to which The Most Famous Artist responded in their own story: “NOT NO.”
Mashable noted that photographer Erik Junke, aka @photojunke on Instagram, could be another collaborator, adding that Junke posted images of the California desert captioned “Doorway” and “Doorway II.” The posts were also tagged “#monolith” and were included in the stories and were reposted by The Most Famous Artist and captioned: “Are people talking about monoliths or something? It’s like they didn’t see it coming.”
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Heartbreaking
CARLSBAD, Calif. — A Carlsbad woman found stabbed to death on a trail in Hosp Grove had been posting messages online, searching for a hiking partner.
Lisa Thorborg, 68, had only lived in Carlsbad about six months, before she was found stabbed to death in Hosp Grove West, just blocks away from her home on Buena Vista Way.
The former physical therapist posted on Nextdoor earlier this month, searching for a hiking buddy.
"Hiking anyone? I am looking for a friend to go hiking with. I am a moderate hiker, 68 years of age and I would love some company," Thorborg wrote on November 9.
Neighbors on Nextdoor said they reported the victim's post to Carlsbad Police investigators, who still want to question a man seen in the area Monday morning at the time of the murder.
The person wanted for questioning was described as white or Latino, 5'10" to 6'3" tall, husky, wearing black, and walking with a limp.
Neighbor Gary Dwelley called police Friday afternoon after he went for a bike ride with friends near Camp Pendleton on Las Pulgas Poad, and noticed a man acting strangely.
"We tried to talk to him. He acted very strange and then he took a swipe, almost like he's swiping us with a knife. But he didn't have knife and he did it in the air," said Dwelley.
Dwelley said one of his neighbors found Thorborg's body on the trail while hiking Monday morning with family.
"They saw somebody who they thought was sleeping. They yelled at them. They didn't move and he went over and inspected the situation -- and he was with his daughter and his granddaughter -- and he realized what the situation was and they went and they called 911," said Dwelley.
Thorborg was a former resident of Portland, Oregon. Her husband passed away in 2017 and she moved to Carlsbad in May with her daughter's family, according to her profile on Nextdoor.
Neighbors are organizing a walk to honor the victim. They will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 28 at the trailhead parking on Monroe Street in Hosp Grove. Jason @BeardedOverland www.pioneeringaz.blogspot.com
Lisa Thorborg, 68, had only lived in Carlsbad about six months, before she was found stabbed to death in Hosp Grove West, just blocks away from her home on Buena Vista Way.
The former physical therapist posted on Nextdoor earlier this month, searching for a hiking buddy.
"Hiking anyone? I am looking for a friend to go hiking with. I am a moderate hiker, 68 years of age and I would love some company," Thorborg wrote on November 9.
Neighbors on Nextdoor said they reported the victim's post to Carlsbad Police investigators, who still want to question a man seen in the area Monday morning at the time of the murder.
The person wanted for questioning was described as white or Latino, 5'10" to 6'3" tall, husky, wearing black, and walking with a limp.
Neighbor Gary Dwelley called police Friday afternoon after he went for a bike ride with friends near Camp Pendleton on Las Pulgas Poad, and noticed a man acting strangely.
"We tried to talk to him. He acted very strange and then he took a swipe, almost like he's swiping us with a knife. But he didn't have knife and he did it in the air," said Dwelley.
Dwelley said one of his neighbors found Thorborg's body on the trail while hiking Monday morning with family.
"They saw somebody who they thought was sleeping. They yelled at them. They didn't move and he went over and inspected the situation -- and he was with his daughter and his granddaughter -- and he realized what the situation was and they went and they called 911," said Dwelley.
Thorborg was a former resident of Portland, Oregon. Her husband passed away in 2017 and she moved to Carlsbad in May with her daughter's family, according to her profile on Nextdoor.
Neighbors are organizing a walk to honor the victim. They will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 28 at the trailhead parking on Monroe Street in Hosp Grove. Jason @BeardedOverland www.pioneeringaz.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 26, 2020
A prayer this Thanksgiving
I woke up and read Psalms 28 this morning, imagine my surprise to read that a prominent politician tried to quote it this morning as well. I'm not surprised that they got it wrong. Our country is short on real leadership, days like today prove that. In 2020 we really need to take time, and fast, pray, and reflect not on what we lost, by what we have left. In fact we really shouldn't be feasting this year, not after losing so many fellow citizens, jobs, and basic freedoms like meeting together in church. As a nation the leadership we needed was a call not to celebrate, but mourn and ask for forgiveness. We've been though a lot this year, it's ok to reflect on that. Everyday is not guaranteed to be better than the previous.
Psalm 28:1–9 (NIV):
1 To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts.
4 Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done
and bring back on them what they deserve.
5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
and what his hands have done,
he will tear them down
and never build them up again.
6 Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Jason @BeardedOverland www.pioneeringaz.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 8, 2020
An end of an era.
Not only have we relocated, we've also moved into our first apartment, and as empty nesters! Franken-Daughter is staying behind to start her own life in Mohave county. So with no ranch work to be done, no maintenance on a house, I have a ton of extra time on my hands!
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
I literally just had this conversation yesterday with someone.
I couldn't have said it better than today's devotional from the Bible App...
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Who hasn't thought of Philippians 4:13 before a big test, meeting, or game? Maybe you were the athlete who quoted it after completing a nearly impossible feat. Or maybe it was quoted to you by an old acquaintance after they explained an, "amazing business opportunity." "Sure it sounds risky," they said, "but just like the Bible says, 'You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.'"
Too often, Philippians 4:13 is quoted for self-motivation alone. A more secular version might sound like, "If we set our mind to it, whatever it is, we'll accomplish it." Sure, "through Christ" is in our Bible version, but hopefully He's not there to just give us strength to accomplish our goals. Does Christ give us strength to do wonderful things including athletic feats? Yes. However, the original author of this coffee-mug verse wasn't trying to win the Iron Man or triple his income in as little as three months (neither of which are necessarily bad things). Paul was writing—from jail—to the church he helped start in Philippi.
If Paul had the power to do all things, wouldn't "get out of jail" be at the top of his to-do list? After all, if he could really do all things, he'd be all-powerful. The next three verses give additional meaning to verse 13. Paul described experiencing poverty, hunger, want, and despite it all, contentment. Then, he added verse 13 to basically say he could do all this only because of Christ. Paul's words were less about motivating the Philippians to accomplish great things and more about inspiring them to trust God despite horrible things. In fact, the original language reads more like, "I have strength for all things. Why? Because Jesus." (Ephesians 3:14-19)
Sunday, November 1, 2020
As the sunsets on one chapter a new one begins
As 2020 ends, we are finishing our move from the country to the big city. We started the process this past spring, by mid November we will be 100% city dwellers. That's a first for me. Going forward I'm not sure how the Blog will look, or what direction I'll go with it. Only time will tell.
It would be fitting to close the blog at this point. 12 years ago when I started it, we were moving to our ranch, now we are full circle moving to the Phoenix area. A redneck in the city, that could be interesting!
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Monday, October 12, 2020
Winding down my busy weekend... 990 miles driven in three days, two states, couch surfed and Covid BS. A quick rundown... had a medical emergency in our family Thursday, had to be in Chandler Friday, then a wedding in California on Saturday, back to Kingman on Sunday. The details, we could use some prayers for my father-n-law who had a stroke Thursday. He’s doing better, but will have some challenges ahead of him. I could also use some prayers for a job opportunity in Chandler after 6 months of looking. My cousin had a great wedding back in my hometown in Nuevo California on Saturday. That poor state is lost, you can’t even use a restroom in a fast food restaurant. I did have a great quick visit with my aunt and uncle who let me crash at their house. A quick word about the truck, after 12k miles it’s officially broken in. What a great driving truck. The Falkens are amazing tires, great off road, and comfortable on pavement. This past 990 miles I’ve gotten 20mpg on average, not bad for a full size, V8 powered 4wheel drive truck!
Revival - Chris McClarney There’s no denying that very regularly we, not only as individuals, but as a community of people who make up the Church, face struggles and tragedies that target us both mentally and spiritually, especially when it comes to our trust in the absolute redeeming power of God. We live in a time where fear is constantly being projected onto us through news outlets and social media, and anxiety is becoming so commonplace that we’ve begun to ignore its presence in our day to day lives. Not only are we facing tragedies on a worldwide scale, but in our personal lives as well, as we are often confronted by death and disease. In these times of trials and suffering, we begin asking a lot of questions: Why is this happening? Why did God allow this?
Friday, September 25, 2020
Some ideas are better than others!
A few days ago I came across a post on social media of a Jeep stuck in the badlands of Southern California. Being from that area I recognized the trail as being a popular mountain biking and motorcycle destination. Someone had made a very bad decision on taking their Jeep there! Now the original post was “How are they going to recover it?” It wouldn’t have been that hard to recover, so a large group went up and did just that!
Just a reminder that 4 wheel drive doesn’t mean you can go anywhere, it just means you can get stuck better! Keep in mind the #OverlandBound words of wisdom... “It doesn’t matter what you drive, but it does matter where you drive it!”
Thursday, September 24, 2020
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, but only saps today of its strength.” ― A.J. Cronin ———————— It’s been almost 30 days since my last post. I’ve been busy living between two houses 300miles apart, getting hurt at work due to the stupid mask mandate, taking care of the family and just living life in between. But I have stolen a few minutes here and there to hang out in the desert and talk to the wildlife.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Wow!
Per Scanner: Units in El Dorado Fire Division Q (Quebec) have located a person who has been out in the forest since August. The subject is significantly malnourished but is ambulatory. Will be bringing him in for evaluation and care. [BRIEFING MAP]
Monday, August 31, 2020
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Sunday, August 23, 2020
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Saturday, August 15, 2020
Hanging out at the homestead this evening, it was a hot one today, 113 on the porch! I hear we’re looking at seven days more of this heat until there’s relief. The desert rats out their love this, I’m not a fan. I’m getting by with plenty of ice cold beer and dreaming of forested mountains and snow fed streams!
Friday, August 14, 2020
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Sunday, August 2, 2020
I was just talking about this yesterday... and since it’s hot here’s a cool picture 😂 Life Principle 28: No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith. In Hebrews 10:25, the author makes it clear that believers should not stop meeting together. God wants us to regularly meet with other believers—He wants His people in church! There are those, however, who don’t take this admonition seriously. I’ve often heard this refrain: “I can worship God at home. I don’t need to go to church.” Many believe the sole reason we meet together is to worship—and understandably so. After all, we call it a worship service. If worship were the only reason we’re commanded to meet, then those who claim they can worship at home would have a strong argument. But worship isn't the sole reason. Nor is it so we can be taught God’s truth. We can turn on our radios, televisions, and visit websites to hear sound biblical teaching. On the surface, it seems that anything we can do at church we can do just as well at home. So why are we commanded to meet? Why go to church? The writer of Hebrews says it’s to safeguard against drifting. We’re the body of Christ, and when we’re with other believers, we’re doing what comes naturally and what we’ll do for eternity—being together in His presence. We make up the church, and together we provide strength for one another through prayer, fellowship, and encouragement. Enemy forces are always at work around us, seeking to blow us off course. Sheer individual commitment is not enough to keep us in line. We need the presence and accountability of other believers—and they need us. When we surrender our lives to Christ, He uses us in countless ways we may never know. The accountability and encouragement found in church anchor us against the tides that work to sweep us away. To neglect the regular assembly of fellow Christians is to miss out on this essential element in the development of our faith. Regular church attendance should never be viewed as something you do to gain God’s merit. Instead, it should provide the catalyst for spiritual growth.
Saturday, August 1, 2020
Life Principle 27: Prayer is life’s greatest time saver. Change is never easy, especially when our choices affect other people. Change means important decisions will be made—which introduces the possibility of terrible mistakes and ongoing consequences. When we make those choices without seeking the Lord’s leadership, we are headed for disaster. But when we pray to God, requesting His guidance and committing ourselves to His will, He moves in astounding ways to help us. Prayer is always life’s greatest time saver. The Lord knows exactly what you need, and He will always answer your prayers as is absolutely best for you. Therefore, spend time listening to Him, receiving His wisdom and direction, and drinking in His presence and power. Be quiet before Him, rest in Him, and allow Him to order your steps. He will keep you from moving in the wrong direction or from wasting your time doing useless things. Are you willing to stop and listen to Him? Are you ready for Him to make you the most fruitful you can possibly be? Then no matter what you face, commit yourself to His schedule, wisdom, provision, and guidance through prayer. You will find that your time with Him is the best investment you will ever make.
In our new lawless society, I guess anything is possible
While most of the paint was removed, the area still has some paint remaining on the sandstone. Graffiti and other forms of damage to parks are harmful and illegal. Repair of vandalized sites is costly and time consuming. The staff often cannot restore sites and resources to their former condition.
If you have information that could help identify those responsible, please contact us. This information could help investigators. Callers don't have to identify who they are but are asked to share what they know so rangers can prevent this from happening in the future.
Tip Line: (888) 653-0009
Friday, July 31, 2020
It’s hot! We are currently suffering through a heat wave in northwest Arizona, it was 101 at 9 am today, with a high of 116 predicted. Now it didn’t get that hot, the highest I saw was 108, but that’s still hot, and we haven’t had any significant rain this season, inconvenient for us, but for the neighbors both big and small it’s life threatening. I put out some extra water to help, hopefully we all get through this together.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Friday, July 24, 2020
Today is Pioneer Day... what is Pioneer Day? It is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in the American state of Utah, with some celebrations taking place in regions of surrounding states originally settled by Mormon pioneers. It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847 so who cares? It’s kinda cool to take the day and remember the hardships that those early settlers faced in 1847. I had two families that were in the “Brigham train” that arrived that day. In fact the Westover and Bartholomew marriage was the first one recorded in the Great Salt Lake Valley... they were my great, great, great something or others. So today as I traveled in comfort with entertainment, air conditioning, and at seventy miles an hour, I thought about the those tired, stressed, hungry pioneers here to start a new life. From my homestead to yours, have a great Pioneer Day.
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
I was hanging with neighbors the other dayyyy. Ok I may have binged watch every Letterkenny episode there is, love that show, but I did hangout with the horses a little yesterday morning having a cup of coffee, and offered a few horse treats. They’re great company and never interrupt your stories, that’s important in a neighbor!
Monday, July 13, 2020
Just enjoying a hot Arizona evening! It was triple digits again today, with little relief insight, but it makes for a nice sunset to sit and read a little😉 ———— Remember this Christians: God has put a limit on all adversity. Because you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit is living inside of you, and He knows how much you can bear. The psalmist said: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Ps. 34:19). And, “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust” (Ps. 103:13-14). Through adversity, God is molding you into a mature and effective servant. When you know Christ as your Savior, God sees you as a saint—sometimes struggling, sometimes falling, but justified, redeemed, forgiven, and reconciled to Him. He sees a person full of His unconditional love, indwelt by His presence, sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, whose name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. No matter what dark moments you may walk through, be confident He’s going to bring you into the light. And when He does, it will certainly be worth it.
Saturday, July 11, 2020
I may not have all the goodies, I’m more of a keep it simple person, but my truck shares some very cool DNA with some other trucks out there. One such truck is owned by @swellrunner who I just received this cool patch from 😉 if you’re not following him you should! I suggest you check him out, you might want to pickup a patch as well 😊 ————- On a side note, I also received a new bottle of Off-Grid beard oil from @overlandbeardcompany and holy cow is it ever good! I highly recommend it to my bearded friends. —————- Ok that’s my product placement and endorsement for the week 🤪 hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Local SAR rescue FOUND: MISSING PERSON / BLACK ROCK MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA STRIP
Just after noon on Monday (7/6), Lance Bush was located alive by the DPS Ranger Helicopter. Search and rescue teams had been searching for him in the vastly rugged wilderness area since early Sunday (7/5) morning. He had been in the area with a friend and had walked away from the vehicle he was riding in with only a bottle of Gatorade. Unable to locate him, his friend called the Mohave County Sheriff's Office for help – activating search and rescue. Search teams responded to the area early Sunday morning and began a route and location search for him. Between the ground teams and air teams thoroughly searching the remote area of the county, he was located in Sullivan Canyon and had traveled about 9 miles from where he was last seen. He had no supplies with him and was very fortunate to be found alive. He was very dehydrated and was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Great job by everyone!
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Searchers find body of hunter reported missing in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2021/08/22/searchers-find...
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Our Oklahoma adventure has come to an abrupt end. By Monday we will be back in Arizona to mend some broken wings and plan our next escapade!...
