My January 2025 trip

[Leapyear]

I decided to pull the pin on this adventure. I left Brownsville TX yesterday and drove all through the night to get back to New Mexico, stopping briefly to catch a little nap. They were pre treating the highways for ice already yesterday as far south as Corpus Christi.
I will get back to your comments and questions but first I need a little sleep.

 

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[Bayoucountrygal]

I decided to pull the pin on this adventure. I left Brownsville TX yesterday and drove all through the night to get back to New Mexico, stopping briefly to catch a little nap. They were pre treating the highways for ice already yesterday as far south as Corpus Christi.
I will get back to your comments and questions but first I need a little sleep.

Those are some awesome photos and what a cool trip. That’s an experience that will stay with you always.

 

[Leapyear]

What brand camera do you use and which 600mm lense?
I've been using Nikon for decades. Just recently picked up the full-frame mirrorless Nikon Z6iii


I've been in the RC world for a long time also. Only flew places a handful of times, I'm more into Helis.
Its crazy how when drones took off in popularity, so did the tech for flybarless system for helis

That’s a wonderful camera from what I can tell. I’m running a Cannon Rebel T7 and a Sigma 150-600mm. To be honest I’m not happy with it. I truly believe I can shoot better with my Nikon N65 film camera and a F3af 600mm lens. It’s not something I use often but the shutterbug bites once in a while

 

[Leapyear]

So did you see the fireworks? That would have to be a once in a life experience!

When I lived in Jax, I got to see the space shuttle take off a few times. The night take offs are awesome.

By ‘fireworks’ are you are talking about the rapid unscheduled disassembly of Starship 7? That happened about 8 minutes after launch, just about the exact moment they were catching the booster with the chopsticks. I do remember seeing something I couldn’t explain but it broke up over the Bahamas so I don’t think it was that.

 

[gemarsh]

By ‘fireworks’ are you are talking about the rapid unscheduled disassembly of Starship 7? That happened about 8 minutes after launch, just about the exact moment they were catching the booster with the chopsticks. I do remember seeing something I couldn’t explain but it broke up over the Bahamas so I don’t think it was that.

RUD. That is a good way of describing the fireworks!

 

[pinebaron]

Yes. I took it out to the local RC flying field this morning. It’s a blast. I had a couple close calls with power lines because I was ripping around at full speed chasing cars along the road. There is a very fast learning curve with this drone. Control is very intuitive.
I was really on the fence between the Avata 2 and the Mini 4 Pro. They are 2 very different types of drones. In the end I thought that I would simply enjoy flying the Avata 2 FPV drone more and that I would get more use out of it.

I ended up ordering the DJI Air 3s Fly More Combo (DJI RC2). Following @Johnv76 cost me a bunch however ended in Truck Of the Month. Following your antics now cost me over 2Gs and I was'nt even thinking of purchasing a drone. This forum is an expensive place to visit. Then again, @gemarsh would say 'Its only money'; use it unwisely for maximum fun.

 

[gemarsh]

And drones are fun!

 

[Johnv76]

Drones are a lot of fun.

 

[pinebaron]

Drones are a lot of fun.

I’m going to find out soon for sure. Hopefully have some nice drone videos of the truck in motion over scenic areas.

 

[Johnv76]

I just got the maverick mini. Sweet little drone. You will enjoy it bud.

 

[Leapyear]

I ended up ordering the DJI Air 3s Fly More Combo (DJI RC2). Following @Johnv76 cost me a bunch however ended in Truck Of the Month. Following your antics now cost me over 2Gs and I was'nt even thinking of purchasing a drone. This forum is an expensive place to visit. Then again, @gemarsh would say 'Its only money'; use it unwisely for maximum fun.

that’s awesome. I don’t play keeping up with the Jones’. I am the Jones’

 

[Leapyear]

I ended up ordering the DJI Air 3s Fly More Combo (DJI RC2). Following @Johnv76 cost me a bunch however ended in Truck Of the Month. Following your antics now cost me over 2Gs and I was'nt even thinking of purchasing a drone. This forum is an expensive place to visit. Then again, @gemarsh would say 'Its only money'; use it unwisely for maximum fun.

I’m not a rich man but I never married(haven’t even been in a relationship for 20 years), no kids and I have a roommate that covers all the household expenses on a house that’s 100% paid for. I have zero debt other than my monthly Credit card spending.
I guess my point is, trying to keep up with me would put most in the poor house because 90+% of my income is disposable.

 

[pinebaron]

I’m not a rich man but I never married(haven’t even been in a relationship for 20 years), no kids and I have a roommate that covers all the household expenses on a house that’s 100% paid for. I have zero debt other than my monthly Credit card spending.
I guess my point is, trying to keep up with me would put most in the poor house because 90+% of my income is disposable.

Being in business, its good to have business and real estate debt to offset income and reduce AGI; most times its never enough debt. Yet we are smart about our debts and consistently maintain a credit score between 842-850. We pay a small fortune in income tax but that's our contribution to the Federal reserve or whatever. At the end of the day, if our net worth and income is good enough to live comfortablly and support us through retirement and other crazy needs, its good.