R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 149
November 11, 2016
Firing Review — The new Inland .30 M1 Carbine
.30 Inland M1 Carbine, 1945 version with oiler and sling
About a month ago I gave you a first look at the new .30-caliber M1 Carbine, 1945 version. You can read that first look review here:
Firearms Review — First Look at the new Inland M1 Carbine
Seldom have I experienced as much anticipation in advance of test firing a weapon as with the new Inland. I simply could not wait to get it out to the range, and I finally had an excuse when a friend asked me to instruct him in firearms handling fol...
November 9, 2016
Firing Review — The stainless Colt M1991A1 .38 Super +P
Colt M1991A1 .38 Super +P
You may recall that I gave a first-look review of this intriguing weapon and caliber before. I had no intentions of firing that weapon, and still don’t as it’s a pre-bankruptcy example of the venerable Colt M1911 design in a somewhat rare caliber.
What’s in the box
Fortunately I satisfied my itch to try the M1911 in .38 Super +P by acquiring a second copy. As with the first copy, this one is also a Model 1991A1 in stainless, and outwardly it’s identical. The only dif...
November 7, 2016
Shooting a Pair of Cheetahs — Comparing the Beretta 84FS and 85FS
These Cheetahs travel in packs of two
Next week I’ll return to travel and photography with a series on West Coast cruising to San Francisco, California; Astoria, Oregon; and Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. This week, however, will solely feature firearms. So, sorry, travel and photography fans, but I owe a bunch of people some promised gun articles.
A sampling of the included goodies
Today, I shoot a pair of Cheetahs. Relax, wildlife fans. I’m talking about the Beretta series 80 Che...
November 4, 2016
Fun Photo Friday — Favorite Photos from the Catwalk
Over the Creek and Around the Bend
I hope you enjoyed this road trip over the past three weeks, including the extraordinary 1Zero6 Café review and the tour of Silver City, New Mexico. Here are today’s favorites from the Catwalk:
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 phot...
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
...
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...
