fuel

I Love Oil

|

You know, I really love oil. Not in it’s crudest form, or even gasoline — that nasty stuff you put in your truck, or even in it’s form of energy — that powers my truck. I love it because oil is such a beautiful thing — it takes one to beautiful places, it gives one the most wonderful experiences.

It’s oil that takes me up to the woods. It’s oil that takes me down rough state truck trails and smooth superhighways, the fly high above beautiful valleys. It’s oil that take me to the mountains, it’s oil that takes me out on the town to meet interesting people. It’s oil that goes in the bus that takes me to work. It’s oil (and it’s cousin natural gas) that keeps lights on, the beer cold, and good times rolling on.

Oil Slick on the Hudson River

I love oil, despite my
sometimes troubled relationship with it.

Why I Don’t Own Any Propane Camping Appliances

|

I spent a little extra when I bought my Coleman lantern and Coleman stove, and went for the dual fuel models over the propane models. Dual fuel appliances can burn either automobile gasoline or Coleman fuel.

Stove

I like using liquid fuels, primarily gasoline, for a couple of reasons…

First off it’s cheap.Second, there are no containers to discard or recycle. Propane containers are often difficult to recycle. Gasoline, in contrast, you purchase and put in a reusable gasoline container. You buy gasoline at any gas station, put it in a portable gasoline container, and you can reuse the gasoline container for a long period of time.

Third, having extra gasoline is handy in an emergency. You never know when you run your tank a little low, and the extra gallon or two of gasoline can get you to the gas station.

There is a slight inconvience of having to pump liquid fuel stoves and lanterns, but compared to all of the benefits of using automobile gasoline, nothing beats them.

When the Big Red-era Comes to An End

|

One of the consistent thoughts I’ve had in recent months — both before and after buying Big Red — is Big Red-era coming to an end? Big Red, as those who regularly read my blog know is my Chevy Silverado pickup truck, which is my big truck, and primarily my toy for camping.

Gas prices are up big time this summer. They are significantly higher then a five or ten years ago. Some analysis suggest that gas prices will only continue to increase, as global petroleum stockpiles decrease — especially the easiest sources of petroleum are tapped. Some peak oil folks are almost in a panic.

At the same time, the signs of Climate Change are becoming more pronounced. We have had a record warm spring time this year, with record temperatures being smashed throughout the spring. We have also seen increasingly violent weather touching many parts of country in the past year.

NY Population Change 1970 to 2022

There are those who advocate more conservation now. We should immediately all take steps to reduce our climate footprint. Indeed, one of the reasons I take public transit around time, is to reduce my carbon footprint (plus driving in town is so annoying).

Yet, I have to ask, why did they get to have their fun when they were young, driving Mustangs and other Big, Fast, and Powerful Cars. while I don’t? Their response is we didn’t know better back then, even though they should have known better.