On-Walkabout - Latest Comments

Re: Is Shift2neutral A Carbon Fraud?

Steve Rice "Pudding" — Wed, 18 May 2011 05:24:11 -0000

http://www.carbonoffsetsdai...

Re: On Walkabout Across: Texas’ Hueco Mountains

Oozlefinch6 — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:02:13 -0000

lgoose50, thanks for the comment. I would assume that there is liability concerns of people getting hurt hiking up the mountain. That is understandable.

I did enjoy my hike up Alamo Mountain. If you click the link at the bottom of the posting you can read the posting I did on Alamo Mountain. Some fantastic views from the summit. Thanks for visiting the site.

Re: El Paso Hits 100 Day Mark Without Rain

anonymous — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:39:10 -0000

poor animals instead of wasting our tax money in something el paso doesnt need they should waste it on making some pond or cascade in the mountains to provide the animals with water that way our kids will be safe

Re: On Walkabout Across: Texas’ Hueco Mountains

Igoose50 — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:33:38 -0000

From my past experiences with the Turner Ranch they do not allow anyone to hike or travel through their property. Don't know their reasons but I know firsthand they don't allow anyone on there. The Alamo Mountain is a nice hike in itself and you will enjoy it very much. Good sturdy hiking boots are a must with all the rugged terrain.

Re: Miranda Kerr Poses Nude For Rolling Stone Magazine to Promote Koala Conservation

Jay — Sat, 14 May 2011 02:36:34 -0000

Posing naked on the front of a magazine causes people to take more notice and want to read the article. It is essentially a promotion tool for the cause, and the fact that you felt you needed to look at the magazine and therefore realize that she was posing naked for Koala habitat conservation, proves that this type of advertising works.

Pretty smart really isn't it?
:)

Re: Are You Looking for A Home Security System

Dave Mathews — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:02:21 -0000

I love how security firms like these works. Unlike DIY security installation, these folks know their craft well, and are masters in hiding cameras, installing fail-safe locks, and programming security tools for your safety.

Re: Are You Looking for A Home Security System

Guest — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:46:15 -0000

Gaylord?! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Re: Eco-Alarmists Hype Damage Done to Great Barrier Reef By Ship Grounding

Bertie Westcoat — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:22:50 -0000

How about the 'scar' left by the ship mowing its way all throughout the reef? The bigger question is, how did the ship end up, since the whole place didn't allow any to get nearby, at least.

Re: Eco-Alarmists Hype Damage Done to Great Barrier Reef By Ship Grounding

Johnny Bravo — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:54:05 -0000

awesome

Re: On Walkabout In: Queenstown, Tasmania

Sweetp43_00 — Sun, 08 May 2011 01:31:53 -0000

Hi Kylie, I recently had a long stay in Queenstown about two years, I stayed through the summer of 40 degrees spent a lot of time in the public pool, the extreme heat lasted about a week, with large honey bees around the flowers. In the winter time it was a total different ball game, lots of rain, slipery roads, small hail and waking up to ice frosted noses in the mornings.
But I must say, overall it was a pleasant trip and very nice people to add:) Hope this was a great help in your adventures down Tazzie Isle. Marie.

Re: Is Australia’s Drinking Age About to Change?

Jai — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:30:20 -0000

If the drinking age is to be raised then so must the voting and military drafting ages because thats why the age was reduced in the first place, to allow 18 year olds to go to Vietnam and be able to vote and drink. However, the undebatable facts associated with alcohol abuse cannot be denied. Something must be done but raising the drinking age to 21 is not the solution!

Re: On Walkabout: Sailing Around Sydney Harbor

Hotels in Sydney — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:58:02 -0000

glad you liked the sail, and great photos from your journey

Re: Exploring the Franklin Mountains B-36 Crash Site

Dobbs — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:33:37 -0000

Thanks for commenting. I took the pictures from this article in late December of 2009 and yes it was a beautiful day for going out and taking pictures.

Re: Beware of Dingos On Fraser Island

Dobbs — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:31:01 -0000

Greta, I think allowing a young child like that to wander off into the bush on Fraser Island was a mistake by the parents. Fortunately the little girl survived the attack. Those wanting to read more about the attack can click the below link:

http://www.theage.com.au/na...

Re: Beware of Dingos On Fraser Island

Greta — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:22:29 -0000

I want to comment on the recent incident on Frazer Island involving a 3 year girl who's mother and grandmother allowed the child to wander off into the bush and was "attacked" by a dingo. (Easter weekend 2011).

Then the poor animals were tracked down and destroyed. I'm appalled by the behaviour of the family...How ignorant and stupid are these people! As stated by a local - these are wild animals not furry creatures.
Once again we as humans invade their natural habitat with a total disregard or respect for how these beautiful animals live. The poor animals are emaciated and extremely hungry...they are just looking for food.

I'm so angry and upset they were destroyed...once again it is all for the mighty dollars - tourism...when are we going to learn that we need to respect the dwindling number of creatures who are trying to survive in "their"
enviroment. We are the intruders....

We are supposed to be the superior species of the animal kingdom - what a joke....

Greta (27/4/11)

Re: Exploring the Franklin Mountains B-36 Crash Site

Jnlharris — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:20:12 -0000

Having lived in El Paso between 1975 and 2007 I heard over the years several times the mention of this horrific crash. Biggs Field and the El Paso International Airport are very closely situated to the Franklin Mountains, so the weather that night as well as the poor ground commands were only part of the issues faced getting the plane on the ground safely.

I now live in Houston and oftentimes miss the desert southwest, dry air and the beautiful mountains in El Paso. Thanks you for such thorough storytelling, not to mention beautiful photos take on what appears to be quite a nice day I'm guessing by the clear blue sky was sometime in the late fall when the air can be no clearer nor the temperature more favorable. At least the views and surrounding areas today offer beauty from an area visited by death and sorrow in the past.

Re: Exploring the Franklin Mountains B-36 Crash Site

StanleyBill — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:06:59 -0000

My name is Stanley "Bill" Haines and my wife and I arrived at Bigg's AFB in Sept. 1953. I was a newly assigned Navigator to the 95th Bomb Wing which was converting over to B-36 Aircraft. I currently am recording my service history for my Family and in searching for the date of this crash came upon this vivid Article. We both often recall that fateful day. The day was raining and even snowing at times and in the background you could hear the drone sound of the B-36 engines and then there was a bright flash and in a short time a news report that a plane being ferried down from Carlswell AFB, Texas had flown into the mountain side. The following day was clear and there on the mountain side was this black area where 9 men lost thier lives. A horrible tradegy that should not have happen. If able, I would follow this Trail in honor of those men. Thank you for allowing us to do so thru this web-site. Our prayers for all are once again offered.

Re: Exploring the Franklin Mountains B-36 Crash Site

Dobbs — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:19:26 -0000

Dr. Jones thanks for sharing your memories from your time at WSPG and of the B-36. It is always interesting to hear how things were a few decades ago here in the Borderland.

Re: On Walkabout To: Tom Groggin Station

Dobbs — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:11:16 -0000

I couldn't agree more, the Alpine Way and Tom Groggin is one of the most scenic drives in all of Australia

Re: Exploring the Franklin Mountains B-36 Crash Site

Rocket Pioneer — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:13:22 -0000

Dobbs -- your site and photos are superb in every way. Thanks for sharing. In Oct 1957 I began a long career at White Sands Proving Ground, just before the first Sputnik orbited, and the Mesilla Valley became home. While a student at NM A&MA (now NM State Univ, Las Cruces) weekend trips to Juarez were the norm. Bottles of Bacardi were about $1.50, same price as a good filet mignon dinner south-of-the-border. WSPG workers had access to the otherwise-private Ft Bliss-WSPG 'back highway.'

Col Bob Pate, a B-36 pilot until he retired the military to engineer rockets at Aerojet, became my rocket science mentor and life-long friend.

The USAAF/USAF bases at nearby Alamogordo (Holloman) and Albuquerque (Kirtland) had not infrequent B-36 Peacemaker activity. The Los Alamos Natl Lab, where Gen Groves, Dr Oppenheimer, et al pioneered nuclear bombs is just north of Albuquerque.

And Sandia Natl Lab, where nuke and thermonuke weapons are developed, is literally aside the Kirtland runways. Several not-well-hidden bunkers in the mountainside just to the east are where Sandia held nukes etc for convenient, secure loading aboard USAF bombers--including B-36s.

Nothing I've known resembles the droning engines of a B-36 in flight, at any altitude. "'Six turnin' and four burnin'" gave 40,000-hp in thrust. As for misfortunes, this site has extensive, very detailed reports on several B-36 crashes, along with photos, survivor reports, and more:

http://www.air-and-space.co...

There's also a B-36 audio track there, minus the four turbojets.

Again Dobbs, your photojournalism is exemplary. Thanks!

Dr Edw Jones

Re: On Walkabout To: Tom Groggin Station

Trevorcindy — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:28:13 -0000

Tom Groggin is absulutely beautiful would recommend it to any one !!!!!!!!!!!
IT'S GODS COUNTRY

Re: Exploring the Franklin Mountains B-36 Crash Site

Dobbs — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:05:32 -0000

Troy thanks for sharing your memories of the crash. I am very sorry you had to experience such a tragedy.

Re: Exploring the Franklin Mountains B-36 Crash Site

Troy Howard — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:06:12 -0000

Dear Kathy, I was stationed at Biggs when the b 36 crashed. My twin brother and I were in the air police and we climbed up the mountain in order to reach the sight. I had just turned 17 and the memory of that day will live for ever in my mind. we had to recover the bodies the next day. I never cried so hard that day in all my life. Troy Howard 108 Shiloh Victoria, Texas 77904. tlwh@suddenlink.net. Commander Korean war cid 223.

Re: Exploring the Franklin Mountains B-36 Crash Site

Troy Howard — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 08:10:51 -0000

Troy Howard
I would like to tell of an experience my twin brother and I had while stationed at Biggs Air Force base in 1953. Being air policemen, we were called out to the crash site of this B36. It took both of us helping each other to reach the top of this slippery, treacherous mountainside. Neither of us were prepared for the sight that awaited us. Death and destruction was all around. Our duty was to recover the bodies. Being only 17 at the time, this is an experience that will forever live in my mind.

Re: Picture of the Day: Cute Baby Wombat

Kraft Coupons — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 20:15:05 -0000

Very cute wombat