Archive for June, 2007

Eeeek a Bear!

Thursday, June 21st, 2007

While riding The Beast (my ATV) up Schweitzer Mountain about 5 miles from our rental home I saw a fairly large bear coming out of the woods. For fear of getting eaten and getting run over by the truck that was following me I kept going. However, on the way back down I was able to see the bear again and this time I caught a picture on my cell-phone camera. Anyone who has ever taken a picture with their cell phone knows that the quality stinks. However, using powerful computer software and a little creative license I was able to enhance the image to show a nice clear shot of the bear. Here is the original bear image with an inset that shows the bear in full detail.
Bear with inset

Yes sir, this is the picture of a black blob (no really, it’s a bear) about 50 yards away. Inset shows detail.

Observations of Small Town Living (OOSTL)

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

When Idahoans pick up a can of spray paint and want to make their mark by vandalizing something, this is what it looks like. See inset in image.

graffiti.jpg
(click to enlarge)

You might notice the logging truck. You don’t see those very often in larger towns. Logging is one of the largest industries here.

Observations of Small Town Living (OOSTL)

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

This observation comes from all the way back when we first arrived in Idaho. I noticed this on some highways but until recently couldn’t figure out what it could be. Take a look at the grooves in the pavement in this picture (click it to enlarge).

road-grooves.jpg
(click to enlarge)

What could cause these grooves? The concrete on the highway wasn’t driven on when wet or of lower quality than I’m used to. No, this is a result of studded snow tires wearing away the pavement. Studs and chains are legal and sometimes chains are required if you plan on driving out into the mountains. In Illinois there aren’t any real hills to climb and therefore studs are almost unheard of. And chains? Most folks from Illinois don’t even know what they look like much less how to put them on.

The deck is going in this week

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

There’s been a lot of work done to the house but most of it doesn’t show as much as the deck. You will probably notice the deck in progress, sliding glass doors below deck, siding below the deck. Inside we have electricity, much of the HVAC, and plumbing going in. There’s much to do on the inside but for now that will have to wait. Jenny and I are very excited and are hoping to move in some time in July. We’ll see how that goes.

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Observations of Small Town Living (OOSTL)

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

We’ve all heard of a “savings and loan” but Jenny and I got a chuckle from the flexibility of this entrepreneur. Welcome to Idaho!

guns and loan sign

It really doesn’t bother us that Idaho has a reputation for some rough, socially outcast and downright radical groups. Frankly, we’ve not found any of those. Maybe it’s a conspiracy where by a radical-isolationist government promotes Northern Idaho as a radical, conspiracy driven, isolationistic community to keep the nut jobs out of here.

Current House pix

Monday, June 4th, 2007

From the side where the front door is, it’s a wee little cottage. As you come around to the prow that faces the valley you get some perspective of how much effort we put into getting the most glass facing (East to) the view of the valley. Finally you can see where the trapezoidal windows till be going in the prow by the peak of the roof. Coming soon is the deck that will wrap from the front door around the prow to the back of the house.

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Observations of Small Town Living (OOSTL)

Friday, June 1st, 2007

Todays Observation of Small Town Living comes as a result of calling our Cable TV and Internet company to report an outage. Those of you from large towns will read in amazement in this conversation with the Cable Internet tech support call.

Ring…Ring…”Northland Cable tech support, this is Stacy. How can I help you?

Thomas, “Hello, I’d like to report an outage.”

Stacy, “What is your last name?

Thomas, “Leo”

Stacy, “OK,” 5 second pause, “On Humbird Avenue?

Stunned Thomas, “Yes!”

If at this point your jaw isn’t on your desk then you’ve never called your cable internet company for help. Now that’s personal service. For those who were wondering, 30 minutes later, we were back on the net.