Helpful advice

from the Oregon DOT:

But, like all warning signs, they wouldn't be there unless somebody had done it!

Mount Shasta

October 2013

Driving I-5 from Oregon to California you go past Mt. Shasta, an impressive 14,000 foot double volcano in the ring of fire.  We didn't stop except to take a few pictures.

La Pine

I've been falling behind.  This post was due to be a golf course review, but my new golf course review system, wonderful though it is, takes some time to implement.  I've been stuck, but I will skip the golf courses for now, and carry on with our travels.

September 2013

La Pine, Oregon is just south of Bend, in an area of (good golf and) volcanic activity.  We hiked around Lava Butte

and drove up to Paulina Peak,

with views of Paulina Lake and East Lake, part of the Newberry volcano crater.  The road to the summit was narrow, winding, the mountain on one side and sheer cliffs on the other, snow-covered, and quite an adventure going up and down in the truck, maybe not as much of an adventure for us as it was for the family in the Subaru coming the other way.

We saw Paulina Falls

and the Big Obsidian Flow, huge chunks of it!

and hiked several places around the Deschutes River

And some of the mountains seemed vaguely familiar to me

More pictures and two waterfall videos.

Read this anyway

I know y'all don't care much for the economics posts, but this one is quite timely and is something we all can, and need to, understand.  

It's from Warren Mosler 

It starts like this:

There is no right time for the Fed to raise rates!

Introduction
I reject the belief that economy is strong and operating anywhere near full employment. I also reject the belief that a zero-rate policy is inflationary, supports aggregate demand, or weakens the currency, or that higher rates slow the economy and reduce inflation. Additionally, I reject the mainstream view that employment is materially improving, the output gap is closing, and inflation is rising and returning to the Fed’s targets.

What I am asserting is that the Fed and the mainstream have it backwards with regard to how interest rates interact with the economy. They have it backwards with regard to both the current health of the economy and inflation, and, therefore, their discussion of appropriate monetary policy is entirely confused and inapplicable.

You can read the rest at the link.

Kozy Pillow

What is a Kozy Pillow?  It's something you microwave and it works like a heating pad.  Or you can freeze a Kozy Kooler and it works like an ice pack to reduce swelling or just cool you off.

Vicki's friend makes and sells them at KozyPillow.com They're all natural and they work great!

Banking recommendation

I've had accounts at ING Direct for over 12 years now.  I first started there because they had the highest interest rates and the most online functionality.  They still pay higher rates, even though rates are about zero everywhere, and they can do all the online stuff any other bank can do, from bill paying to sending pictures of checks to deposit, and they were the first to have enhanced internet security, where you get a unique picture and phrase before you sign on that lets you know it's really their web site.  ING sold their banking division to Capital One a couple years ago, but they still operate the same way.

If you open an account using this link, we both get some $.  https://r.capitalone360.com/FCSuQJC3dt

Fuel Rewards Network

One of our biggest expenses, living in the RV and moving around like we do, is diesel fuel.  Gas Buddy (link on the right side of the page) helps find the best prices wherever we are.  We also use the Shell Fuel Rewards Network, now also linked over there -->.

It's free, you get a card to slide at the pump, and at worst you get 3 cents a gallon off at any participating Shell station.  Lately, Gas Buddy has been finding Shell to be the cheapest for diesel fuel, too.  But the rewards are that if you register a credit card with them, and use it at certain restaurants or grocery stores, you get points.  50 points = 5 cents a gallon gas discount.

So, if you use that link to sign up for it, you and I both get 25 cents discount (250 points).

DO IT NOW !!!

please.