OAUSA Net - April 16, 2020 - Activities for Corona Times

[DaveK]

Activities for Corona Times

*****Please Note: There is no net for April 9,2020, as this is Easter week. This Net Preview is for April 16, 2020.*****

As we flatten the curve, it seems that we have a whole lot more time on our hands than back when things were, "normal." We quickly discovered that there's only so much you can do around the home before cabin fever starts to set in. Staying at home, staring at the walls, is not the answer. You don't want to be like Gertrude, who was quarantined at home with her Hubby, when she started knitting something special for him:

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So, this net will be an opportunity for everyone to chip in and let others know how to spend some of your free time. And, despite the fact that many stores, parks, beaches, amusement parks, and others may be closed, there are still many things that you and the family can still do, without suffering the fate of Gertrude's Hubby.

[Voodoo Blue 57]

Here are some of the things I've been doing to keep busy.

Neighbor Time
Two weeks ago my wife and I were discussing our "Cabin Fever" so on Friday we send a text message to our neighbors asking them to join use on our driveway for a "Happy Friday Get Together". We will provide chairs that are spaced about 7 feet apart. Both my immediate neighbors are Widows. One has her daughter living with her and the other has her granddaughter and great granddaughters living with her. And another neighbor works in a hospital and was telling us about her work environment. We had a total of 9 people, just below CDC guide lines and it was fun catching up and sharing Covid-19 stories.

Masks
My wife sews and she has been making masks for our friends and taking limited requests from neighbors, family and friends. Our neighbor who works in a hospital asked my wife to make some masks for her colleagues, the nurses were/are limited to one mask a day. Her sister is also making masks. I've been delivering the masks to friends (curbside pickup only) and mailing some at the post office to others.

Exercise

I have about a 2 mile loop that I try to walk, staying away from other people, weather permitting 3 or 4 times a week.

Small Neighborly things
During the last rainy period I brought in 5 of my neighbor's trash cans. I was already in my rain gear and it seemed like a nice gesture so they would not have to get wet. I also police the house across the street that is currently vacant.

Garden

I've had small gardens in the past but this year we had a large tree removed from the corner of our yard and in it's place we planted a few fruit trees. We started planting the trees in February before the Covid-19 and could pick them up at the nursery. In the first picture you can see can see our fruit trees in the background, Apple, Peach, Plum, and Pluot. There is also an Avocado tree just to the middle left. The raised bed has 3 Tomato plants and the pot to the left of it has Parsley and Cilantro. The trellises in the background have beans growing on them. Everything is pretty young.

In the second picture the left raised bed are Zucchini plants and the right one has lettuce, onions, and bell peppers.

Armstrong Nursery has curbside pickup. They are a little more expensive than the box store but they are employee owned and need all the help they can get during these times. We place our order online, they called to discuss choices and varieties and we placed the order. I also knew my neighbor was looking for garden plants so I called her and was able to pick her order up with mine.

These are just a few of the things that are occupying my time.

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[lrsrngr]

Although I continue to work, I have been able to do the following recently:

9th Circuit Court Hearing on the 10 round magazine ban. Virginia Duncan v. Xavier Becerra (04/02/2020):

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhlsgZU ... e=emb_logo
or
Listen: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/ ... -55376.mp3

Bought at discount, from Gigaparts, 2x-refurbished Bioenno 12 volt/9AH batteries capable of 18 amp draw, and put them in parallel and prepared them for solar charge as well.

Dismount battery pack.

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Added 12 volt light plug.

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Simple voltage check.

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Repurposed CD Case.

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Weight is the same as one SLA battery, much more battery to weight ratio.

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Conducted a crossband repeat exercise for the Red-Eye Breakfast group on 04/05/20. Video of exercise found here: https://www.facebook.com/Riverside.ECG/ ... 07421/?t=0

An example of the stations able to speak through the crossband repeat station.

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A little reading as well. Based on the a series of books written around mid-2000 by Matthew Bracken, a former Navy SEAL. The series eerily depicts a breakdown of our liberties and the circumstances that lead up to an even deeper and darker polarization of the United States of America. https://www.amazon.com/Enemies-Trilogy-3-Book/dp/B00XLWG14I

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[toms]

New Bytes BLM CA April 9, 2020

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BLM Lands, Trails Open but Campgrounds Closed
The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed all developed campgrounds and developed recreation sites in California, to help limit the spread of COVID-19. The closure is in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and with the Governor’s shelter in place order. The closure will remain in effect until conditions allow for safe use of the recreation areas. (SCV News)
Related: For closure updates visit: (BLM CA website https://www.blm.gov/site-page/blm-calif ... 19-updates)

https://www.blm.gov/site-page/blm-calif ... 19-updates

Visitors may continue to enjoy BLM-managed public lands in a safe and responsible manner. We recommend visiting areas close to home while avoiding very popular or crowded locations where social distancing may be difficult and limiting group activities to members of your household. Please note that existing rules and regulations apply. Entrance fees have been waived. Other fees, such as cabin rentals, group day use, and use of special areas will remain in effect.

[k9atk]

Please check inn
K9atk brian
K9fog trish
Kd0exi cheyenne
Kd0rha tyler
Kd0gpe austin
Lots of family time shooting board games and working most all the family works in healthcare

[DaveK]

FEDERAL AND STATE PARKS

While State and Federal campgrounds are closed, not all parks are, especially where the parks are dissected by large and frequently used public highways and where dispersed camping is allowed.

ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK

Previous to about a week ago, this list included the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Although the Park's established campgrounds were all closed, the remainder of the park, including it's nearly 600 miles of dirt trails, remained open. As of April 3, 2020 however, EVERYTHING is now closed, and it so states on their website. When it will re-open is not known, and given the uncertainty of the Corona, you should check the Park website before venturing out, see: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638. To the extent that some of these restrictions are lifted, Anza Borrego is a great get-away, even if the social distancing thing is still in effect. We did this trip, just before the new rules were put into effect.


ON THE ROAD

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ON THE TRAIL TO CAMP

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CAMP

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PLANT LIFE

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SOLAR AND WIND POWERED HAM SHACK

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EAST MOJAVE DESERT (including The Mojave National Preserve)

As of April 9, 2020, the situation for the Mojave Preserve is somewhat different than Anza Borrego. As things presently stand, all established campgrounds, visitor centers, and the Kelso Depot are closed. But, dispersed camping, with the proper "social distancing" guidelines in effect, is still allowed. Their website states this:

The following precautions are being taken due to the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19).

Kelso Depot Visitor Center Museum, Hole in the Wall Information Center, and Barstow contact station are closed.
Hole in the Wall, Mid Hills and Black Canyon Group and Equestrian campgrounds are closed.
Zzyzx Desert Research Facility and day use area is closed to visitors.
Park Rangers and NPS Staff who are working in the Mojave Preserve will maintain social distancing of six feet or more.

So, at least as of now, the Park is open, but before you hit the road, check with the Preserve website for the most up to date alerts, see: https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/conditions.htm. I should mention that, at least as of today (4/9/20), there is no way to actually talk to ANYONE at any of the locations in the Preserve where phone contact could be made.

One of the benefits of enjoying any park that will allow a visit during "Corona" Times, is the almost complete solitude that you will find. Crowds will be drastically reduced, and in many cases, non-existent. While that is good, it does carry some risks. If you get stuck, if your vehicle breaks down, or if you need medical help, you may find that getting assistance will be harder, and perhaps, much harder, to obtain. Traveling with more than one vehicle is advisable.

If you can safely make it out to the Preserve, the rewards will be fantastic - the weather will be great, spring desert flowers will be in bloom, the night skies will be great for star parties, and, as always, the scenery will be spectacular.


CAMP

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SCENERY

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PETROGLYPHS

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VIEWS FROM TABLE TOP MOUNTAIN

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[toms]

Dry Practice

This a good time to improve your shooting skills with dry practice. Dry practice with your firearm is a proven method to help you shoot better.

You can practice presentation; stance, grip, sight alignment, trigger control and reset, etc.
You can also practice malfunction clearing. failure to fire; stove pipe, and double feed.

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In order to dry practice safely follow these rules:

Set a reasonable time limit -15 to 20 minutes each day.

Pick a location and only do it there. This should be an area that you are not likely to be disturbed and no one will walk in front of the muzzle – even if it is unloaded.

Unload the firearm, all magazines, your pockets, and any thing else with ammo in it and place it in a separate area – preferably another room.

Do another muzzle check , mag check to be sure the firearm is unloaded

Place your dry practice target in a place that in the event of a negligent discharge the bullet will not cause damage or injury.

Actually, have a dry practice target. Even if it is a yellow sticky note. Only use it as a target. Do not use the TV or a light switch. Some day you may walk by the light switch and without thinking shoot it.

When you are done take the target down, leave the practice area and say My dry practice session is done.

Wait half an hour before reloading live ammo. The transition from dry practice to load is the most dangerous time.

[toms]

NESSMUK

Excerpt from Woodcraft by Nessmuk.

“When the mountain streams are frozen and the Nor'land winds are out;
when the winter winds are drifting the bitter sleet and snow; when winter rains are making
out-of-door life unendurable; when season, weather and law combine to make it "close
time" for beast, bird and man, it is well that a few congenial spirits should, at some favorite
trysting place, gather around the glowing stove and exchange yarns, opinions and
experiences. Perhaps no two will exactly agree on the best ground for an outing, on the
flies, rods, reels, guns, etc., or half a dozen other points that may be discussed.”

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George Washington Sears (1821 – 1890) was a sportswriter for Forest and Stream magazine in the 1880s and an early conservationist.
His pen name was "Nessmuk". He took his pen name from a Native American who had befriended him in early childhood.
Sears wrote Woodcraft, a book on camping, in 1884.
Sears was 5 feet 3 inches tall and 103 pounds.

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Horace Kephart dedicated his book Camping and woodcraft (1917) to Messmuk.

“to THE SHADE OF NESSMUK in the HAPPY HUNTING GROUND”

Both of these books are a study of how camping was done years ago. Much is still relevant.
Kephart's book is well over 800 or 900 pages and best purchased. There are paper back reprints at a reasonable price.

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Nessmuk's book is about 70 pages and you can find the entire text online. So I recommend you use this down time to read it.

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/34607/3 ... 4607-h.htm

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org

[KK6DYO]

While supposedly an “essential” employee, I’m also in a CDC “high risk” category, so I’ve been avoiding people to the extent possible and staying at home. I’ve burned through all of my remaining paid leave now, and am now starting a work project that my management is graciously allowing me to perform from home.

Certainly been following whatever COVID-19 stories and data that I can find to figure out how to stay safe (the “mask or not to mask” question now seems to have an answer) and do my own assessment of when “the curve” has flattened. The typical cumulative count curve and data that are usually presented (the scary rising curves below) seem designed to frighten, while the daily change curve hopefully is telling a different story (U.S. data); only time will tell.

From https://www.newsbreak.com/topics/coronavirus:

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Also following what’s going on with the economy, hoping that the cure hasn’t been worse than the disease. I believe in the U.S. economy and believe it will be better—certainly much better than now—within a reasonable amount of time, so have been taking advantage of low stock prices.

I’ve made simple quantity foods (cook once, eat many) in the Dutch oven: lasagna, beef stroganoff, and a pot roast.

I’ve reloaded a number of “ladders” (loads with incrementally increasing the powder charges) in various calibers and have been to a shooting range a number of times for testing. Thankfully, the President has classified shooting ranges as “essential”. Also enjoying how quick the trip to the range is these days.

Chronographing heavy 2400 load in S&W 69 (COVID mask in place):

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Food for thought:

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[AK6DH]

I've mostly been "working" from home, my company has me doing online training to renew some of my certifications.
Otherwise, the poppies West of Lancaster are in full bloom. The Actual Poppy Reserve and parking lot are closed, but there are legal places to park along the side of the road. People seemed to be keeping their distance while enjoying the views.

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These should keep me out of trouble for a while! Or maybe make me spend more money.

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