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Have you ever held a tiny parula in your hand? This was one of the most intriguing and fun experiences of many springs afield. Once again, I have to credit Merlin for locating a cool bird for us.
We were cruising down a two-track on a woodland edge in the ZR2, listening and looking for newly arrived neotropicals, when Merlin identified a Northern Parula that neither Carolyn nor I could hear. I stopped, backed up a bit, and listened-- nothing. I played a parula call and this tiny male bird, weighing less than .5 oz, appeared. He immediately saw his image in the rearview mirror and was fascinated by it.
The top of the mirror is black chrome and very slick. He kept trying to land on it and fluttered to keep from sliding off. I reached out the window and gently placed my open hand in front of him, and to my surprise, he hopped on. We did this three times. At one point, he flew into the truck, perched on the steering wheel, cocking his head back and forth while Investigating exactly who or what I was.
I wish every bird lover could enjoy an experience like this.
Another summer day and another sunrise! Every one is unique and every one is beautiful. Days and sunrises. Sunrise is the heart of the day-- and my favorite time of day,
Diesel-Electric 2100 was built for Queensland Rail in 1972, though as we'll see shortly the front has been modified since. It mainly served in the Gladstone area pulling coal. This entire class of locomotive was sold to TasRail in 1987. But there is an interesting story to be told about the history of 2100 during its time in Tasmania.
"2100 enter(ed) service in Tasmania as ZB9. Stored in 1994 following a major engine fire, the decision was made by AN Tasrail to send the burnt out remains to the Australian National Railways workshops at Port Augusta for a heavy rebuild. This included a radical (for the time) cab design and a cutting edge (for the time!) computerised control system, with plans for this to be the prototype for converting at least another 8 locomotives. On returning to Tasmania the loco (now numbered ZR1) entered a period of testing and evaluation but was operationally an orphan due to the new control system.
In 1997 ZB6 suffered a similar engine fire and was likewise converted to the new specifications but here in the East Tamar (Launceston) workshops. Due to some slight differences (most notably the cab design) it was decided to number the new locomotive ZR2 but reclassify ZR1 as ZP1 (Z Prototype), these two operating as a fixed pair for many years on the demanding "Paper Train" service between Boyer and Burnie. Placed out of service in 2014 due to being run without water in the engine, it likewise suffered from the copper thieves. Sadly, due to the way she was rewired in the 90s, the main heavy electrical cables were very easily accessible for those with bad intentions. Again, I don't want to say it'll never run again but given the time investment required, it's unlikely. Having said that, we do have a volunteer who seems interested in taking on the challenge!"
www.reddit.com/r/trains/comments/14q4m7e/three_more_big_e...
Chevy Colorado ZR2
My red truck was old and tired, so I left her to the grease monkeys. This shiny new bright blue model suits me much better.
020.311
The old abandoned Kelly Store and gas station is about all that remains of Cogar, OK. Cogar was established in 1902 and the post office closed in 1954. As I recall the store closed in the 1980's. I don't believe it was ever an incorporated town.
Cogar had a moment of notorety in 1988 when a scene from the movie Rainman was shot at the Kelly Store. Located on OK 152 in Caddo County.
After a few quick pics at the old abandoned W.S. Kelly store in the ghost town of Cogar, OK, we visited nearby Purgatory Road. It's a favorite of off-roaders and overlanders. It's a two-mile chute just wide enough for a vehicle cut into the native red sandstone. Ranges from a few feet to 30-feet deep.
There are "Road Closed" signs at both ends. With a good rig you can navigate it; conditions change with rain. If you can't crawl up a 2.5 foot step, don't go. Most people enter from the road near Spring Creek Church. If you go that way, you lower the chances of meeting another vehicle. Some of the backing involves steep inclines.
This is almost a 180 degree view taken from the front porch of the cabin we stayed in outside of Gunnison, Colorado. This is extreme social distancing. The last 9.5 miles or so to the camp takes over an hour to drive.
Manufacturer: Renault S.A., Boulogne-Billancourt - France
Type: Celtaquatre ADC1 Celtastandard
Engine: 1463cc straight-4
Power: 29 bhp / 3.000 rpm
Speed: 105 km/h
Production time: 1936 - 1938
Production outlet: 6,031
Curb weight: 1020 kg
Special:
- The Celtastandard is a smaller and simplified Celtaquarte, based on the ADC1 Series.
- It was Renaults first automobile with aerodynamic lines.
- Its nickname is "Celtaboule” ("Celtaball"), because of its rounded silhouette.
- The normal Celtaquatre had standard two-tone paintwork, but the Celtastandard was only available in black.
- A supplement of 400 francs is required for a single color.
- The Celtaquatre was very reliable and on April 26, 1934, it raced a six hours race on the speed circuit of Montlhery with an average speed of 111.466 km/h.
- It had to be the biggest competitor of the Citroën Traction Avant 7B (1934), famous for its aerodynamic shape.
- The ADC1 has a three-speed manual gearbox, a Solex carburetor, cable-actuated drum brakes (front and rear) and rear wheel drive.
- The Celtaquatre was produced in seven series from 1933 to 1938. Gradually modernized series bore the designation ZR1 (1933, 2450 mm wheelbase), ZR2 (1933-1934), ADC1 (late 1935 / early 1936, a new body and wheelbase extended to 2710 mm), AEC1 (led commercial 1936-1937), ADC2 (1936) and ADC3 (193) and BCR (1938).
More pictures of my Blazer. You’ve had a good time when your rig looks like this. Or you got stuck…..which was the case here. Lol. Actually, are you technically stuck if you can winch yourself out? Hmmmm…..
A couple of yearling does on the edge of the oaks in the Oklahoma Cross Timbers. They know that in a couple of jumps, they can be hidden from prying photographers. This photo was taken from the ZR2; even in daylight, I find deer less jumpy without headlights. When I'm cruising for deer, I always turn off my daytime running lights.
Our beautiful world, pass it on.
For my video; youtu.be/0Q07VP_1oh0?si=KB3urKRMDiYGdZ7y,
Vancouver International Auto Show 2025, March 19, 2025,
Vancouver Convention Centre,
Coal Harbour, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
In April 2023, GM introduced the 2500HD version of the ZR2, a new heavy-duty off-road model, as well as a special edition called the ZR2 Bison, in partnership with parts supplier American Expedition Vehicles. CNBC noted it was another sign of a trend where automakers grew their off-road models to increase profits.
Passing over the twin bridges that span over the South Esk River in Longford is 631 goods from Burnie to Hobart with English Electric loco 2101 leading ex Queensland Rail Clyde units 2053,2054 on 11-10-13
Crossing the Meander River at Deloraine is 631 goods from Burnie to Hobart with locos 2101,2053,2054 up the front on 11-10-13
My new ride. We often take the road less traveled so we need a steed that will get us out as well as take us in. I think this mid-sized truck fits the task. It comes from the factory with a 3-inch lift, bigger tires and front and rear lockers. Has all the tech and comfort packages, Bose premium sound, sunroof and 360 cameras. Factory folding hard bed-cover, bed has Rhino lliner plus I put a BedRug inside. It's as clean and waterproof in the bed as the cab.
Photo taken on its maiden run to the Wichitas.
2101,2053,2054 are watched by a small herd of cows as they pass through Lemana Junction while working 631 goods from Burnie to Hobart on 11-10-13
This little eruption green Bronco Sport has done a great job as a soft roader and on the highways for us, but it has a few limitations on tougher trails. Parked at the bentonite mine just outside Creede, CO.
I've never been one to get attached to vehicles and hang on to them. Had a 21 BS and now this 23 BS Badlands. When Chevy opens their order bank on 25 Colorado ZR2s, we will get in an early order and move this pony out of the stable. The ZR2 has a lot more offroad chops. Not often needed, but when you do, it's critical if you are on a trail alone.
English Electric loco 2101 leads clyde locos 2053,2054 through Westbury while working 631 goods from Burnie to Hobart on 11-10-13
I shopped a lot of mid-sized off-road vehicles, weighing the pros and cons of each, before I ordered this 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2. It's won Motor Trend's Truck of the Year three times, was Edmund's Truck of the Year in 2024. These awards didn't just compare it to mid-sized trucks, but all trucks.
You get a lot of factory hardware with the ZR2 trim, starting with a 3.5-inch increase in track width and a 3.0-inch suspension lift over the base Colorado. Multimatic spool-valve dampers live at each corner, meaty 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler MT tires are the quietest off-road tires I've run. The front and rear differentials sport an electronic selectable locker. Stout steel rock rails keep obstacles from nibbling on the truck’s rocker panel; I added the factory granny steps. One already has a dent on the bottom, courtesy of Caddo County Purgatory Road. The undercarriage is armored with skidplating, and the transfer case gets a true full-time four-wheel-drive setup.
I really didn't have to add many accessories for my use. I ordered a Bose premium sound, sunroof and hard folding bedcover. Other than lay down a BedRug over the factory Rhino Liner, the only thing I've done is install a Banks Peddle Monster. It removes the turbo lag and improves throttle response. Really allows you to use the 430 ft.-pounds of torque in the TurboMax 2.7L I4. We are looking forward to some dirt roads this spring and summer.
Photo taken in the Caddo County Oklahoma ghost town of Cogar. Abandoned W.S. Kelly General Store.
My pristine new ZR2 visits the old abandoned W.S. Kelly Mercantile in the Oklahoma ghost town of Cogar. We were in the area to run Purgatory Road, a deep chute in the red sandstone on the Sugar Creek Loop, an overland route traversing nearly 100 miles in western OK.
I didn't want to run the entire route, just the most challenging section to try out the new truck. I didn't trash it by any means, but it came back with its first ding on the driver-side rock rail and a large star in the windshield courtesy of a rock hauler. It performed like a champ up the steps and in the sand.
The 2024 Chevy Colorado was the most awarded midsize truck and Edmunds deemed it "the most offroad capable midsize truck." Motor Trend's "Truck of the Year" two years running.
2100 (ex. ZP1/ZR1/ZB9/2358) being delivered to the Don River Railway on the 28th of June, 2023. Colloquially known as the Bananas because of their distinct (at the time) reverse AN yellow and green livery ZP1 and ZR2 ran the "Paper Train" service together for many years. I didn't get many shots of 2100 arriving because I was too busy assisting!
The ZR2 is the top-of-the-line off-road edition of the mid-sized Chevy Colorado. The main differences between it and the other Colorado 4WDs is that the track is 3.5 inches wider, and it comes with a factory 3-inch lift.. Equally advantageous is a locking front differential, which is especially helpful on trucks since they don't have much weight over the rear wheels. Factory tires are 33-inch Goodyear Territory MT. That stands for "maximum traction", not "mud tire."
Photo taken in the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma.
A visit to Lake Thunderbird, near Norman, OK, at sunrise. My 2025 Colorado ZR2. It's a great little truck for trails and muddy pastures.
The old abandoned W.S. Kelly Store on Highway 152 in Caddo County OKlahoma. APCO was an acronym for Anderson-Prichard Oil Company. It operated a string of gas stations in Oklahoma and Texas from the 1940's into the 1960's.
Young folks don't recall when a smartly dressed attendant filled up your car, checked your oil, washed your windshield and used a little whisk broom to knock the pebbles and mud from your floorboards. Life was much simpler then and I think much happier. We didn't have as many worldly things as we do today, but people were happy and content with what they had.
This abandoned general store in the ghost town of Cogar, OK, is a well-photographed location. The Chevy Colorado ZR2 was brand new when we went down to run nearby Purgatory Road, a deep, narrow chute through the sandstone hills. She lost her virginity here -- a nice dent on the tube to the driver's side step and a cracked windshield. The first ding always stings the worst. At least we have that behind us now.