April 29, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
April 28, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
April 27, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
April 23, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
April 21, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
April 18, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
April 16, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
April 13, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
April 12, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
April 10, 2008 - Mugu Naval Air Station
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April 9, 2008 - location: Pt Mugu Naval Air Station
I took a shower first thing this morning and then started to open the blinds in the camper when I saw a magnificent sight on the beach. A bald eagle. The eagle was standing in the water looking around. I snapped a few photos out the window and then headed outside for closer shots. Just as I was creeping onto the beach, a van drove buy and two noisy guys got out and climbed the sand berm to see the eagle. The eagle took one look at them and then took off. At least I got some shots of him in flight. The bird had a tag number 24 on each of his wings as well as a band around one ankle. He must be part of a study program. I'm going to try to find out where he's tracked out of.
We got enough done on my jeep to get it off the lift and wheel it to a spot that costs $4 per day, instead of $4 per hour on the lift. Now I'm waiting on the rear drive shaft (which should arrive today) and the emergency brake. In the meantime, I get to enjoy the beach here at the base and keep my eyes out for more birds and wildlife. There are a lot of the diving ducks out here inthe surf this morning. I imagine they must be feeding.
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April 8, 2008 - location: Pt Mugu Naval Air Station
The sun is glistening off the calm ocean as the small waves roll onto the shore. There are only a few sand pipers out there this morning. Perhaps they prefer the couldy days. The diving ducks are playing in the surf and an occasional gull flies by. I have a couple of hours to goof off before I need to be over at the hobby shop. We left my jeep up on the lift on Sunday and we want to be there when they open at 11am to get it to a point where we can roll it out into the parking lot. We should have all the parts to finish the job by tomorrow afternoon. This morning we'll put the front drive shaft in, which we had shortened by 3.5 inches at a local shop. The shifters need some more work before they're ready to go. I don't want to drive it (even though I could in front-wheel drive) until I get the rear drive shaft and emergency brake. I suppose I could drive it. I would just have to put fluid in the transfer case, which I would have to drain and re-fill later. I have also removed the upper steering control arm to replace the bushing. I could put the old bushing back in for now, but a new one is coming into the jeep dealer this afternoon. My plan is to press this new bushing in when I have the car back on the lift for the rear drive shaft and e-brake. Today I hope to be out of the shop by 2pm and will probably take tomorrow off, resuming on Thursday when they open.
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April 7, 2008 - location: Pt Mugu Naval Air Station
We had a late dinner of broilled salmon with brown rice and a mixed salad. Perfect ending to a great day. This morning Gerry and I headed over to my sister's house. Gerry took Kristopher to school while I went off with my sister to the courthouse. The judge wasn't there, so we'll be back next Monday again. Tina is working on the visitiation schedules for the father of her youngest child. It's never fun, but she's a champ. With the "free day", Tina and I elected to have breakfast at a bagel shop and then browse through a few stores before heading back to Somis. She dropped me off for my teeth cleaning and went about her normal afternoon hustle to pick up and care for her kids. Gerry picked me up from my cleaning and we ran a few errands. It felt like a real long day when I was heading out at 5pm to run errands and help move the 6 foot aquarium that Tina had left at her old house. I was back home by 7pm for the delicious dinner Gerry prepared. I feel like relaxing tonight. Perhaps the boob tube will do.
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April 6, 2008 - location: Pt Mugu Naval Air Station
Time is flying by. I guess that means I've been having fun. Well, today was certainly more like work than fun. Gerry and I endeavored to put the new tranfer case in my jeep today. We have the measurements to order the new rear driveshaft and get the front driveshaft modified. The shifters have a bit more work and we'll be back at it Tuesday morning when the hobby shop re-opens for business. We got done over there today at about 7pm and came home for dinner and I'm now ready for bed even though it's only 9pm. I suppose I'm too tired to write more and am going to sign off.
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April 3, 2008 - location: Pt Mugu Naval Air Station
The rain came last night as promised. By dinner time the mist was beginning to fall and became a steady rain that lasted into the night. Rain is necessary and this was a good storm because it was gentle and wetting. There seem to be a greater number of sand pipers
sticking their beaks into the sand in search of food or standing huddled with one foot tucked up and their heads turned away from the moisture-laden breeze. They work along the edge of the water and occasionally flee to avoid getting swamped. This beach has the neatest duck-like birds. I have not noticed them anywhere else. Rain or shine, they like to swim in the water in the zone where even the youngest child could play without having water past their knees. When a young child would go running back to shore to escape a breaking wave, these birds dive into the wave, like a well-practiced surfer avoiding the turbulence. The first time I noticed one, I saw it calmly swimming along as a wave approached. I expected the bird to spread it's wings and fly away, but instead the wave broke right over it and the bird disappeared. I figured the bird drowned. Silly me. These birds love the waves and are seldom seen out beyond the wave zone. I'm not sure if they are in search of food, or just thrills, or if perhaps the wave offers some sort of safety from predators. At any rate, they are fun to watch and a smile crosses my face when I see them emerge from the white-water.
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April 2, 2008 - location: Pt Mugu Naval Air Station
I awoke once again to the soothing sound of the ocean and found within its rythmic movements the strength to rise out of bed and tackle the day. My day is a leisurely one, so I didn't need much motivation. First there was a walk with the dogs. We went down to the point to watch the seals and allow the dogs plenty of exercise. Then I cooked breakfast of sausage, eggs, and melted cheese on an onion roll with fresh strawberries on the side. Gerry is working on setting up his new computer while I sit here watching the ocean ebb and flow as the tide begins its outward movement. A seal frolicks in the surf and curiously eyes the occasional person passing by as they stride along the beach in search of exercise. There are a few clouds and I have heard rain is predicted for this afternoon. We will be at the hobby shop then, working on jeep parts. Gerry wants to get his new front and rear end taken apart so he can see what kind of shape all the parts are in. These are the ones he bought in Bakersfield on Saturday. I am going to help take the front apart because I may use some of the parts. Then I'll jack my jeep up and take the front and rear wheels off to look at what is required to change out front hubs and wheel bolt patterns all around. If I end up making the conversion, I can use Gerry's tires and wheels while his jeep is apart. This will allow me to test out bigger tires as he runs 35" tires versus my 33" tires. I hope to know if I'm going to the wider bolt pattern today.
Yesterday was a good day. I helped my sister, Tina, out for a few hours with her new place. Her son, Kris, and I put together everyone's beds while Tina worked in the kitchen. She should have her place together in a few days. It's going to look really nice when she's done. I hope they are happy there.
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April 1, 2008 - location: Pt Mugu Naval Air Station
We arrived here at the coast yesterday and were delighted to find that our timing was perfect to obtain our favorite ocean-side campsite just as the previous camper was pulling out. What luck! I am sitting here watching the waves break along the shore as the birds scurry to and fro in search of delicious morcels living in the tidal zone sand. I presume it is sand crabs they are chasing with their long beaks below the surface.
I was exhausted last night when we finished dinner at 8:30pm and I went off to bed shortly there after. We left Edwards Air Force Base in the morning and drove to Camarillo and then out to Pt Mugu. After setting up camp we had lunch and then drove back into Camarillo to help my sister with her move. Gerry headed over to the new place with Kristopher and Timmy to unload the moving truck while Tina, my dad, and I worked away at cleaning out Tina's garage and doing the final cleaning on the house. At the end of the day we drove away from the house with only two things remaining. There is a large fish tank in the garage and her tent trailer is parked in the neighbor's driveway. There is still much work to do as Tina's new place is mostly full of stacked boxes. I plan to go over this afternoon and see what I can do to help her. In the meantime I will relax by the seashore and do some preliminary checking on my jeep to see if I can use some of Gerry's excess parts to convert my jeep to premium hubs and a larger bolt pattern on the wheels.
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