Tuesday Torque: 1901 Royal Enfield Quadricycle

 Thank You, Merle! 

Snakes Alive!

 You had better keep a Cutter Snake Bite Kit handy when you camp out!

Weekend Steam II: Canadian Pacific # 2816 Departs The Twin Cities, May 5, 2024

 Many Thanks, Merle!

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Weekend Steam: A Maine Two-Footer!

 This is not one that Merle sent. He sent a link to a Trains.com video and while looking at that page, a Maine two-footer video showed up. I couldn't resist. Thanks for the rabbit hole, Merle!

If you want to know some fascinating history, The Maine Two-Footers, by Linwood Moody, 1959, is an excellent resource. I bought this book way back when I was in high school, and my dad kept it next to his easy chair. He never tired of looking at the photos and reading the stories of these tiny narrow gauge trains.  Here Is Where You Can Get Yours!Here Is Where You Can Get Yours!

New Thrills Every Day! Our First New Mower Since 2006!

 We have been hauling the Grasshopper back and forth through the country to mow two places, and we finally broke down and bought a second mower.  We did our research online and called two dealers to see what was out there. The second one offered a really big discount, so we made a deal. Life is good.

While we were still at the dealer we bought a couple oil filters for our new toy and inquired about the recommended oil. We were pointed to Kubota branded oil, and I read the label. Kubota is still adding zinc, an anti-wear additive that has been removed from most automotive oils, because it is bad for catalytic converters. We will be running the Kubota oil, at least until the engine is well broken in. It pays to read the label!

New Chainsaw Chaps!

 New equipment is always a thrill!

Fascinating History: Horsa Gliders

 One of the foresters I knew flew a Horsa glider into Normandy on D-Day. It stopped in a hedgerow, breaking one of his legs. He was wounded by machine gun fire when he got out of his glider, and that was the end of the war for him. He was a fascinating man who grew up on a little 40 acre farm in Jefferson County, Illinois, and was well known in the field of conservation.  Look up Sylvan Runkel on the Internet.

Tuesday Torque: Fordson Crawlers?

 I had never heard of Fordson Crawlers, but they are out there, and now we are all educated, thanks to Merle and his Internet explorations. Thank You, Merle!

Rolling Thunder!

 A nasty squall line rolled through tonight, necessitating a move to the basement until it passed. We set up exercise pens in the library and moved all the dogs down, and then back up again when it was over. It was a challenge for me with the bradycardia and heart block issues I am experiencing, but I am feeling OK now.  Only eleven more days until I see a cardiologist.

Weekend Steam II: Western Maryland 1309, The Beast Is Back!

 Great engine, Merle! Thank You!

Dynamic braking by the Diesel to test 1309.

Weekend Steam: Scott-Carver Threshers, Jordan, Minnesota

 Merles spotted another great engine show, in Jordan, Minnesota. The only problem I see is that this show is not in the same time frame as the show at Rollag, and it is a long way from where we live. The Corliss you see at the end of the news report powered an ammonia compressor for refrigeration.  Thank You, Merle!

I am pretty sure that this Advance Rumely is the engine I learned on, many years ago!

Wildlife Resort

 It is a rare day when we don't see any wildlife in our back yard. The Toms stayed way back, but I got a few photos. Mama Deer and her yearling let me get some good shots. Mama looks to be pregnant, and I think the yearling is, too.