It has generally been an inactive fire season so far in northern California. After this past week there has been some new lightning fires in northeastern California with air support dispatched out of Redding.

These are 3 Grumman S-2T air tankers owned by the State of California and operated by contract. Two of these are departing with full loads of retardant and one (in the middle) is available for dispatch. The S-2s were first introduced in 1952 and were used for anti-submarine warfare until 1976. These are converted military veterans.


This is a Lockheed P-32V Neptune air tanker owned by Neptune Aviation Services returning to Redding. These were originally introduced to military in 1947 and served as land-based naval reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. This is also a converted military aircraft. It would be interesting to be assigned to lie in the nose and look for submarines.



I was told that #10 was in the process of having one of its radial piston engines replaced (no, they weren't using a hangar to do this).

Check out about 3/4 way through this video. The kids with the Maroon shirts are from Saco.

http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/sports/local/videos/vid_1080.shtml

Chris

Stillwater, Wildcenter, Lime Rock

Megan visited the dairy farm around the corner from home. A ten year old gave us the tour of her family farm. She showed Megan the friendly cows to pet.

Day and a half old calf (standing) with mom and another unrelated calf:

All Stars finished with a 3 and 2 record.

Chris

On the way to Lime Rock. Two hay balers, 100+ hay bales.

Before the heat set in.
Dad had tequila for breakfast. Really.

The best way to move an AER-Mazda powered car.

Mika!

Cyndy is concerned that Spikey Haired Risi Guy has a bald spot. Could his days of spikey hair be numbered?


Jaguar passing Corvette.

After the heat set in. I think the heat index was 200.

Going under the bridge on the other side. New, to me, view. Under the bridge, down the hill, around the corner, this is crucial.

Winner, Klaus was really fast all weekend.

Photos from before July before Lime Rock.

Cyndy bought a huge pita at Roma's.


Made something out of this cookbook Mother gave me. It's the first something-something cookbook.

I made peanut butter macaroni.

Peanut Butter sauce
Sauced macaroni with bread crumbs.

Macaroni. One is macaroni and cheese (Palatine cheese, not Yancey's Fancy).


Yum
Lion on South Park.

Lime Rock
LMP #1
GT #45
LMPC #95
GTC #63

Today Elliot and I went to the Saratoga County Fair. It was OK, not as good as the bigger fairs. He liked the baby ducks, rabbits, and chickens. He did not like the horses, goats and sheep.

I went up to Mom and Dad's on sunday with the three kids for two days. Then left the two older ones there for the week.

Kate did "paddle for a cure" on Sunday. It was a fund raising event put on by the Rexford FD and American Cancer Society. They started from Alplaus and Kayaked east to about where Knolls is and back. We had Home Style Pizza after.

I watched "American Splendor" with Mom last night. She was right it was a good movie. I think Paul wold like it. He should do a movie about his family.

Engine bay of the santa claus Fiat with the rear body panel removed. Oliver is standing in the space where the entire exhaust system goes. The whole exhaust (header, muffler, mounting bracket)bolts directly to the engine block. It does not come in contact with any other part of the car.

cooling off on a hot day

Emerson's new chicken coop and chickens.