June 27, 2017 Evening

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Good evening! Rain showers and 69 degrees in City of Albany. There is a south-southeast breeze at 5 mph. The dew point is 53 degrees. Definately are going to want the umbrella or rain coat this evening, and keep an eye on the sky.

I wasn’t feeling that great last night – mostly tired so I retired to bed pretty early last night. Never did a blog post. This morning I was also feeling a bit under the weather with a headache and general achiness, but I went to work. By afternoon, I was feeling a little better — but still a little out of it. Hopefully this won’t last. Maybe it’s just the weather. Been kind of rainy and cold over the last few days.

Last night night, I did run to the car wash and did a quick scrub to get the thick mud off. I didn’t worry about getting it perfect because I’m going to Moose River Plains on Friday, and with the thunderstorms kicking up the mud I’m sure things will be quite muddy once again for next week. But I didn’t want to have all that caked on mud sitting on my truck all week, allowing the tin worm to spend the week chewing away at the quarter panels. I also needed lunch meat. And I bought more sparklers. They’re so cheap I should make sure to light plenty of this weekend, and they’re wood so they can be burnt with the regular camp garbage. I do want to get some fountains — usually they have good prices on them at Shoprite, so I may stop by there later in the week.

While it seems to be coming quickly, Tuesday is Independence Day when the sun will be setting at 8:35 pm with dusk at 9:10 pm. On that day in 2016, we had mostly sunny skies and temperatures between 87 and 54 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 82 degrees. We hit a record high of 104 back in 1911.

I left much of my camping gear in the truck from the past weekend. I do have to put the kayak rack and kayak back on the roof of my truck. I also have some additional gear to put in there, including my solar panel, although I’m starting to wonder how much sun I will have this weekend. I am thinking about getting another fishing rod as mine has the tip broken off it (and missing several eye rings) and a bigger tackle box because the one I have is too small. I also need to put some fresh line on the pole — the line is starting to get weak from sitting my truck with the UV light. I have the line, I just need to install it on the reel. Maybe a few more lures? I did lose that one over the weekend. Although, I don’t think the fishing at Moose River Plains is that great, but shore fishing in Inlet might be fun.

The sun will set at 8:37 pm with dusk around 9:11 pm, which is one second earlier than yesterday. At sunset, look for partly clear conditions and 66 degrees. The dew point will be 52 degrees. There will be a west breeze at 7 mph.

This afternoon will have showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high of 69 degrees at 4pm. 11 degrees below normal. Maximum dew point of 53 at 4pm. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. A year ago, we had thunderstorm, thunderstorm rain, rain, mist, mostly cloudy skies and a high of 83 degrees. The record high of 99 was set in 1901.

Waxing Crescent Moon tonight with 30% illuminated. The moon will set around 12:23 am. The First Quarter Moon is on Saturday night with showers is likely expected. The Full “Buck” Moon is on Sunday, July 9th. The sun will rise at 5:19 am with the first light at 4:44 am, which is 25 seconds later than yesterday. Tonight will have 8 hours and 42 minutes of darkness, an increase of 29 seconds over last night.

Tonight will have showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Partly cloudy, with a low of 52 degrees at 4am. Eight degrees below normal. Maximum dew point of 53 at 10pm. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. In 2016, it got down to 66 degrees with thunderstorm and thunderstorm rain and rain and mist and mostly cloudy skies. The record low of 43 occurred back in 1970.

Not a particularly nice weekend on tap. Saturday, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Maximum dew point of 71 at 8am. Sunday, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Maximum dew point of 69 at 6am. Typical average high for the weekend is 81 degrees.

In four weeks on July 25 the sun will be setting at 8:22 pm, which is 14 minutes and 52 seconds earlier then today. In 2016 on that day, we had rain, cloudy skies and temperatures between 89 and 67 degrees. Typically, you have temperatures between 83 and 62 degrees. The record high of 97 degrees was set back in 1963.

On this day in 1985, U.S. Route 66 is officially removed from the United States Highway System. You could no longer get you’re kicks on Route 66 because everybody was taking I-40 and I-44 through the heartland of America.

It looks like Wednesday may be a long and busy day at work, so maybe tonight I will put the kayak on the roof my truck. And maybe review my packing list. It all depends on how I feel. I have no idea what the second half of the week will be like, but I’m hoping that I can get out of work at by one PM on Friday — and have time to shop in one of the next two days. I guess I could go shopping tonight, but I’m a bit tired still.

Looking ahead, Independence Day is Next Tuesday, August 1st is in 5 weeks, Altamont Fair Opens is in 7 weeks, Friday the 13th (October) is in 14 weeks, Election Day 2017 is in 19 weeks, Average High is 40 is in 20 weeks, Election Day 2018 is in 71 weeks and Election Day 2020 is in 175 weeks.

Route 66 History Page

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Route 66 History Page

"US 66 (Route 66) was officially removed from the United States Highway System on June 27, 1985 after it was decided the route was no longer relevant and had been replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Portions of the road that passed through Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Arizona have been designated a National Scenic Byway of the name “Historic Route 66”. It has begun to return to maps in this form. Some portions of the road in southern California have been redesignated “State Route 66” and others bear “Historic Route 66” signs and relevant historic information."

It’s the Signs Schumer

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It’s the Signs Schumer

"New York transportation authorities and the State’s incomprehensible system for marking height clearance, not the GPS, are to blame when big trucks hit bridges in and around New York State.

"A big truck, 13 foot 6 inches high, passes the MUST exit sign on I-278 in Brooklyn, NY, but has no fear, despite the low clearance sign, the road will accommodate the truck height."

"We were jolted to attention by a Road Dog radio report that New York’s Senior Senator, Charles Schumer, is demanding an investigation into big trucks hitting bridges. Schumer blamed driver misuse of GPSs for the 43 incidents last year of trucks hitting bridges on Long Island. He wants “nation-wide standards” for GPSs."

"Clearance signage has become so confusing in New York state that the DOT has now added the word “ACTUAL” to clearance signs to eliminate confusion. Most clearance signs are actually, ONE foot less than real clearance, sometimes."

"Yes, trucks hit bridges. But the problem in New York is that transportation authorities force trucks off the actual, safe truck routes onto secondary routes because the State has chosen to post clearance signs that are wrong. The posted clearance is ONE foot less than the actual clearance. It is confusing. It is dangerous."

‘One Nation Under Gold’ Explores America’s Obsession With One Precious Metal

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‘One Nation Under Gold’ Explores America’s Obsession With One Precious Metal

"In 2016, Donald Trump became the first major-party candidate in more than half a century to advocate a return to the gold standard for the U.S. dollar. My guest, James Ledbetter, says most mainstream economists agree the idea is completely unworkable. But for much of American history, it was an article of faith that real money ought to be gold or at least redeemable for gold or another precious metal."

More Americans Support Same-Sex Marriage Than Ever

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More Americans Support Same-Sex Marriage Than Ever

"Pew notes that demographic groups historically more opposed to same-sex marriage have shifted significantly. For the first time a majority of baby boomers support legal recognition. Over the past two years, support for recognition among African Americans has increased from 39 percent to 51 percent. Support from younger white evangelical Christians has jumped from 29 percent to 47 percent in just a year."

"In terms of the political fight over who "owns" the LGBT vote, it's worth noting what's going on with Republicans. For the first time, opposition to legal recognition among Republicans and Republican leaners has dropped below the majority. It's nearly split now—47 percent favor recognition while 48 percent oppose it."