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I've seen only a few Black bears in the boonies around here. They are just as afraid of us as we are of them.....tho you don't wanna tussle with em'. The Grizzlies in the state are now up North in the High Cascades.....they don't play well with strangers and were eliminated down this way.
The bears ya see fishing on the tube are Kodiak Brown bears......waaay up North in Alaska and are best given all the room they want.
I don't know if you get "John West" canned salmon over there, but here they run a TV ad that features a bloke jumping into the rapids next to those bears to grab a salmon right out of ones jaws and the bears retreating from him "'cause John west only catches the best".
I don't know if you get "John West" canned salmon over there, but here they run a TV ad that features a bloke jumping into the rapids next to those bears to grab a salmon right out of ones jaws and the bears retreating from him "'cause John west only catches the best".
Then there is the true tale of a guy and his SO living with the Kodiaks....film & all. Now they are still living IN the bears.....not part of their plan, me thinks.
Them bears do have a cure for stupid.
Announcement: The PCM&T Southern Division is ready to begin in early September. My back is getting better and I didn't cancel my participation in the Nation Narrow Gauge Train Show open house series on August 27th.
The basic premise of the layout will be the Southern Division made possible by the successful mining adventure up Alaska way 9 years earlier. The PCM&T Company has closed down the played out mines in SE Alaska and has operations in warmer climes in the SW part of the lower 48. Think very little rain and the terrain that comes with it. Jim
Not so fast there, Grasshopper! I am withholding judgement at the moment.
I guess that I have seen so many deserty and dry looking model RR's that I have found the PCT&M to be a very nice refreshing change with the waterfront and great looking trees. Oh, I know that whatever Jim builds will be stunning - just expressing my thoughts a little.
Am planning to drive down and see it tomorrow morning - good Lord willing.
Not so fast there, Grasshopper! I am withholding judgement at the moment.
I guess that I have seen so many deserty and dry looking model RR's that I have found the PCT&M to be a very nice refreshing change with the waterfront and great looking trees. Oh, I know that whatever Jim builds will be stunning - just expressing my thoughts a little.
Am planning to drive down and see it tomorrow morning - good Lord willing.
I agree.
A harbor scene from the 20s would be neat.....maybe a log flume (or 2) coming down from the hills. Lots of small working harbors on the West coast back in the day. Just my opinion, but deserts don't ring my chimes.
Anything Jim did would be fine. I spent many years exploring and camping in the deserts of mostly utah, but some in arizona, nevada, and death valley california also. So that's why I like the desert and I really miss being out there.
Anything Jim did would be fine. I spent many years exploring and camping in the deserts of mostly utah, but some in arizona, nevada, and death valley california also. So that's why I like the desert and I really miss being out there.
toot, that's a great one. 'Give ya no pain.' I sure remember that song.
As for the desert it seems 50/50 on the subject. Actually the layout design is evolving to something containing the "Golden Rolling Hills of California" on the right side, to my version of a cool looking terrain, (desert?), on the left side with a dramatic transition area in the middle. Living out my final years here in SoCal and traveling around the SW I've not forgotten my Pacific Northwest roots. As this final layout will be my sixth and last in this house I'm trying to avoid the NW layout theme because I've done three of them. Eastern Woodlands I've done twice for clients and I'm not keen on blankets of trees. Kinda boring actually. Midwest is really boring so I'm content to do this layout my way, as is my style, even though "desert" terrain is not my favorite. I don't think there will be complaints when I finish my desert part. I think the reason folks get tired of seeing SoCal modeled in model railroading is because it is a boring terrain, for the most part, and easy for modelers to get it over with and be done with 'scenery.' For me it has always been about the "details," and these "details" are what will make this final layout one you will all like and enjoy. I hope! Jim
Hmmm..... Sounds like lemon trees and orange groves.... I've been to southern Cali a few times and found the Oxnard and Paso Robles areas kinda interesting like that. Sorta like a western US version of the Mediterranean.
RR, Not that SoCal for sure. Mike in the picture above has grasped my thoughts for the left side of the layout nicely I think. Thanks Mike. I like this look. Take away the three dome rocks and it is pretty much right on. I'm not trying for dramatic cliff heights this time around. I will explain later. This photo was taken in late summer so not much green. Somehow I want green and once again a Fall scheme on this layout.
Sherrel (Sirfoldalot) was down to see the layout this morning. It is about a one hour drive and he seemed think it was time well spent. Frankly I was surprised to have my Heisler pulling my work caboose around the layout for the hour we were in the train room. Not one derail or accident. It was great to actually met someone who hangs out here. I've said it before that any of you who visit San Diego County are more than welcome to come on by. It would be nice to see a new face. Jim
AND, I want to tell everyone what a great few hours we had. Jim had the strangest look on his face .. The little Heisler never hic-cupped once. It was so nice to see it chugging (sound on) thru the trees, around the curves, and across the bridges. I think it even surprised Jim.
For sure, it will bring a tear to my eyes to see the layout taken down, but I am sure that Jim will replace it with another great model. Even though I have been more into the larger riding trains, Jim has rekindled an ember in modeling that has been neglected too long. I do have a few pieces of On30 that I may try and do something with.
Guys, Jim's talents go far beyond my descriptive ability. He is truly a master!
Jim, it was a real pleasure meeting you today. I hope that we are able to do it again in the future.
(Actually, Jim, bout an hour and a half with the two crash bangers and the looky-loos to slow up everyone.)
Great pic of the desert, awe inspiring comes to mind. What struck me about the train was that even UP doesn't seem to get Armour Yellow the same tone all the time.
Sherrel, I'm glad you like the photo. It's not mine. I would give credit and compliments to the owner if I knew who. I found it on google images. Good to hear you and Jim had a nice visit.
I'm sure Jim will make a desert RR interesting without sending track in to an area that no RR engineer worth his salt (& valuing his job) would go.
Sometimes access to a mine doesn't offer much in the way of alternatives.....kinda like loggers. Dramatic rock work is very pretty, but prototypically rare for anything but mainlines. The mainline on East side of the Sierra Nevada would work.
JPIII, I know the rock work you are talking about as the first leg of my vacation was up the 395. Good stuff there.
Sherrel is alluding to the photo below as the 'last' photo. Could be, but since it is On30 I will post it know. The last photo will be HO. I think this is the pic he refers to. Jim
Jim is the person that I sent a box of wood and other details too. The way he has been building .. He probably needs more by now. He is pretty good with the scenic details as well. It's not western by any means, but he creates most of structures and scenery from local stuff from the area. I have enjoyed his build as well.
