R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 148
November 2, 2016
The Beauty of the Catwalk — Part 2
The Canyon
Along the Catwalk Trail the hiker will find colorful placards explaining both the history and the geology of the area. The area in and around the Gila National Forest is home to not one, but rather four supervolcanoes. For more on these massive explosive calderas, see Supervolcano – Wikipedia.
A Local Geology Lesson
I mentioned in previous articles in this series that the Catwalk started out as a support for a pipe carrying water for a lumber operation. And here’s what appears to b...
October 31, 2016
The Beauty of the Catwalk — Part 1
The Catwalk
This hike along the Catwalk Trail offers absolutely stunning views and photo opportunities. New formations lurk around every corner, and current views change to reveal totally different perspectives and sights with a mere change of just a few short feet. Indeed, the following sight revealed itself to Ursula only through a break in the trees above:
Man wearing a miner’s helmet?
It’s definitely a good thing that the federal government recognized the Catwalk was something worthy of p...
October 28, 2016
Fun Photo Friday — Favorite Shots on the Road to the Catwalk
Road to Catwalk
Most of the shots presented today are from the road trip between Silver City and the Catwalk. Hope you enjoy the show:
Whitewater Creek
Road to Catwalk
Catwalk
Red Cliffs
Road to Catwalk
Moon Ranch
Filed under: Automobiles and Driving, Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Catwalk, Catwalk Recreational Area, Fun Photo Friday, Gila National Forest, photography, R. Doug Wicker, scenic driving, Silver City, travel, travel photography, vacation
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October 26, 2016
Hiking the Catwalk
The original “Catwalk” supported waterlines instead of tourists
Whitewater Canyon was once home to a lumber operation, and water was needed to generate power for the mill. Thus in 1893 was born “The Catwalk,” a narrow wooden walkway suspended from metal anchors and supports driven into the sheer walls lining the canyon. Initially the Catwalk supported a 4-inch/10-centimeter pipeline. In 1897 the Catwalk supported a larger 18-inch/46-centimeter pipeline. That old wooden structure has been dest...
October 24, 2016
The Road from Silver City to the Catwalk
Along the road to Catwalk Recreation Area
Starting from Silver City and heading west and then north along U.S. 180 one can reach the Catwalk Recreation Area in about an hour and fifteen minutes. It’s a 66-mile drive through some very beautiful ranch land with spectacular formations along the way.
Along the road to Catwalk Recreation Area
In some areas it’s also a lot greener than you would think.
Along the road to Catwalk Recreation Area
Of course I also mentioned that this is ranch land. Her...
October 21, 2016
Fun Food Friday — Gourmet Dining at Café 1Zero6 in Silver City
Café 1Zero6 — 106 N. Texas St., Silver City, NM
Ever go to a restaurant that was so good that you said, “We’ll be back . . . tomorrow!” Café 1Zero6 is that kind of restaurant. Chef-owner Jake Politte has a real winner on his hands with this hidden little gem on a Silver City side street one block off the main drag.
Café 1Zero6 — Intimate interior
Café 1Zero6 is only open three evenings a week — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Reservations only. You order online or by phone a day in advance from...
October 19, 2016
The Street Art of Silver City
Silver City mural
The downtown area of Silver City has some really great architectural details, and lots of colorful street art.
Old brick building with Art Deco lights
Here’s an interesting example of Southwestern colors on a Southwestern style building:
Southwester colors and style
I found this wall particularly fun to photograph:
A lot of diversity symbolism in this piece
Old West imagery — Look for the image of Billy the Kid
A tribute to the Southwest’s Mexican heritage — Culinary, cultur...
October 17, 2016
Road Trip — Silver City by way of Pinos Altos
Silver City Street Art
As my birthday approached Ursula decided to surprise me this year with a little road trip. We would be exploring the area in and around college town/art community of Silver City, New Mexico, while staying in a rustic cabin in nearby former mining town of Pinos Altos. Also on the agenda would be an excursion and hike along the famous, recently reopened Catwalk Trail (all next week) in the Gila National Forest as well as a tasty celebratory dinner at a truly gourmet estab...
October 14, 2016
Comparing M1 Carbines — The new Inland vs. the 3rd Generation Universal
Today we compare the new Inland Manufacturing M1 Carbine:
Inland M1 Carbine with oiler and sling
to the third generation M1 Carbine produced by Universal Firearms:
Universal M1 Carbine — 3rd Generation
The new Inland M1 Carbine (discussed on Wednesday’s blog article) is a true copy of the original M1 Carbines manufactured during World War II. Indeed, all parts going into Inland Manufacturing’s new iteration are compatible with U.S.G.I. (U.S. Government Issue) examples made by Winchester, the...
October 12, 2016
Firearms Review — First look at the new Inland M1 Carbine
Inland M1 Carbine with oiler and sling (both sent free after registration)
Today I’m going to present a first look at the new Inland M1 Carbine, or, as it was known in Army-speak — United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1. Inland is a storied name in the M1 Carbine story. The Inland division of General Motors were the primary source for the M1 Carbine, making 2,362,097 of the 5,510,000 produced. Inland were also the sole source for the M1A1 paratrooper model with folding metal stock, producing...
