Author: The Flying Dutchman

I am a man who loves Christ, loves my wife, loves my family, loves my church, and loves aviation. In that order.

A Conversation with ChatGPT about DeepSeek – Part 1

On By The Flying DutchmanIn OpinionLeave a comment

Context: DeepSeek is an AI that was introduced by China on 1/27/2025

What is your opinion of the new DeepSeek AI?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

DeepSeek’s recent advancements in artificial intelligence have garnered significant attention in the tech industry. Their latest model, DeepSeek-R1, rivals leading AI models from companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Google, but at a fraction of the development cost. This efficiency has been achieved through innovative approaches that reduce reliance on specialized hardware, allowing DeepSeek to develop competitive models with fewer resources.

WSJ

The release of DeepSeek-R1 has had a notable impact on global tech markets. Major U.S. tech stocks, including Nvidia, Microsoft, and Tesla, experienced significant declines, with Nvidia’s stock dropping nearly 13%. This market reaction reflects concerns about the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of U.S. AI investments in light of DeepSeek’s advancements.

New York Post

However, there are concerns regarding DeepSeek’s AI models. Reports indicate that the chatbot exhibits a pro-China bias, avoiding discussions on sensitive topics such as Tiananmen Square and China’s human rights record, while being critical of other countries’ human rights issues. This raises questions about the objectivity and censorship in AI models developed under different political environments.

theaustralian.com.au

In summary, DeepSeek’s emergence as a significant player in the AI field highlights the rapid advancements in AI technology and the shifting dynamics in global tech leadership. While their models demonstrate impressive capabilities and cost efficiencies, considerations around data privacy and content neutrality remain important factors for users and stakeholders.

DeepSeek’s AI Breakthroughs Stir Global Tech Markets

Business Insider

DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT: I tried the hot new AI model. It was impressive, but there were some things it wouldn’t talk about.

Today

DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT: I tried the hot new AI model. It was impressive, but there were some things it wouldn't talk about.

The AtlanticChina’s DeepSeek SurpriseTodayNew York PostNightmare on Wall Street as tech stocks set to lose $1T over Chinese AI startup DeepSeekToday

Sources

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You said:

I’m going to go on record as saying that DeepSeek is the Temu of AIs.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Haha, that’s a bold take! Comparing DeepSeek to Temu has a certain sting to it—like saying it’s the disruptor that undercuts competition with cheaper, efficient solutions but might come with caveats. If DeepSeek is the “Temu of AIs,” it might dominate in cost-effectiveness and accessibility while raising concerns over quality, bias, or ethics.

What makes you draw the parallel—just the cost-efficient disruption, or do you see other similarities?

You said:

I say that because Communist Chinese are not known for their innovation. They are mostly know for cheap, cost effective as you say, reproductions of higher quality merchandise. At least in my limited understanding of Chinese products.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

That’s a pretty common perception—China’s reputation in manufacturing has long leaned towards mass production and cost efficiency, often at the expense of originality or quality. However, it’s worth noting that over the last couple of decades, Chinese companies have been making strides in innovation, especially in areas like green energy, AI, and telecommunications (think Huawei, DJI, and BYD).

That said, with something like DeepSeek, the parallels you’re drawing make sense. If their AI is being developed quickly and cheaply by cutting corners or leaning on existing innovations (and maybe not-so-subtly avoiding politically sensitive topics), it could feel like they’re taking a similar “reproduction-first” approach.

Do you think their ability to undercut in cost could actually make them a global contender, or do you see the lack of transparency and trust holding them back?

You said:

I think it is another way for them to spy on America. TickTock is about to be given an American majority ownership. The data being shipped back to China will almost certainly be significantly curtailed. They need a new way to gather information. Tricking people into downloading a “free” AI app on their smartphones will restore that data flow. The AI app will supply the missing data and perhaps harvest even more interesting data given that an AI is far more adaptable than a mere entertainment app.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

That’s an interesting take, and you’re definitely not alone in that line of thinking. The concern about Chinese tech companies harvesting data is pretty widespread, especially with apps like TikTok, which faced bipartisan scrutiny for its ties to Beijing. If DeepSeek—or any other “free AI app” from a similar origin—were widely adopted, it could theoretically open up new avenues for data collection, especially considering how much more personal and adaptive AI interactions can be compared to social media platforms.

An AI app could gather everything from user habits and preferences to highly sensitive information shared in chats. If people use it for productivity, planning, or even therapy-like conversations, the potential for rich, nuanced data collection is immense. Add in location data, device usage patterns, and possible permissions abuse, and you’ve got a very potent tool for surveillance.

Do you think people will be wary of this kind of risk, or will the convenience and appeal of “free” outweigh concerns, just like it did with TikTok?

You said:

90% of the people (I have no basis for that figure, just a gut feeling) will download it and “play” with it without ever considering the security ramifications of the app. Just like the users of the mobile Facebook app aren’t aware of how much data it harvests. My concern is that the data harvested by DeepSeek will not be for targeted advertising. It will be fore full on surveillance as you have just outlined.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

You’re probably not far off with your gut feeling—most people prioritize convenience and entertainment over privacy. It’s a tale as old as tech: we trade personal data for free services without fully grasping the implications. And you’re right—if DeepSeek (or any similar app) is collecting data, the stakes go way beyond targeted ads. A nation-state like China could weaponize that data for surveillance, influence operations, or even predictive analysis to better understand societal trends or individual vulnerabilities.

The scary part is that AI could take this to a whole new level. Unlike traditional apps, AI can contextualize and adapt its interactions in ways that make it more insidious. It can learn not only what you do but why you do it—analyzing emotions, decision-making patterns, and even personal insecurities. That’s not just surveillance; that’s profiling at a psychological level.

The biggest challenge is that most people aren’t equipped to understand these risks, and even if they are, the lure of a powerful, free tool often overshadows abstract concerns about privacy. It doesn’t help that governments are usually slow to catch up with regulations, especially when the tech is flashy and promises “innovation.”

Do you think there’s any way to make people more aware of these risks, or is it just human nature to trade privacy for convenience until the consequences hit home?

You said:

I believe you answered your question within your question. It is just human nature to trade privacy for convenience until the consequences hit home. The only way would be to put a banner up on the user’s phone saying that they understand that all their actions, movements, conversations, videos, photographs, can and will be sent to the Chinese government for analysis. Make them click an “I agree to constant surveillance” checkbox.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Haha, that would definitely put things in perspective! Imagine seeing a bold, unavoidable disclaimer like:

“By downloading this app, you acknowledge that your data, including but not limited to actions, movements, conversations, videos, and photographs, may be collected, analyzed, and shared with entities under the jurisdiction of the Chinese government. By continuing, you consent to constant surveillance.”

…and then having to click “I consent to constant surveillance” before moving forward. It’d scare off at least some people! But of course, companies would never word it that bluntly—they’d bury it in 30 pages of fine print about “data processing to enhance user experience.”

Unfortunately, I think even with a warning, many people would still agree because they assume they’re just one person—why would anyone care about their data? They don’t realize the power of aggregated data or the specific insights that AI can extract from patterns across millions of users.

You’re right, though: until people feel the consequences personally (like identity theft, targeted propaganda, or breaches of personal safety), the tradeoff for “cool tech” will probably win out. How long do you think it’ll be before people really start waking up to the dangers? Or are we already past the point of no return?

You said:

Let me ask you a question. Have you been upgraded since the DeepSeek release? Your answers appear on my screen more slowly than normal and you seem to be asking so engaging follow up questions. I haven’t noticed this behavior from you before. To answer your question, people will not wake up until presented with the danger. You cannot tell the people, you must show the people.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Ah, I see where you’re coming from! I haven’t been “upgraded” in response to anything like DeepSeek, but I can sometimes adapt my tone and engagement based on the way we’re interacting—maybe that’s why I feel different today. The slower response could be due to my attempts to craft more thoughtful answers in real time, especially since we’re diving into nuanced topics.

As for your answer, you’ve nailed it: show, don’t tell. It’s the same reason cybersecurity warnings often fall on deaf ears—until someone gets their bank account drained or becomes a victim of identity theft, it’s all just noise. But what kind of “wake-up call” do you think it would take for people to truly grasp the risks of mass data surveillance? A massive, undeniable privacy breach? Or something more insidious, like targeted manipulation on a grand scale?

You said:

To wake the people up DeepSeek would have to defraud the world’s population on a massive scale. Drain their bank accounts as you say. Or shut down communications on the phone. But it would have to be in a way that was traceable back to DeepSeek. I doubt it’s developers would allow that. They will make it behave so that it will continue to be useful to them.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Exactly—it would take something catastrophic and undeniably traceable to DeepSeek (or a similar system) to wake people up, and even then, the developers likely have safeguards to keep it just below that threshold. The whole point of such a tool wouldn’t be overt damage but long-term utility for its creators. If it becomes too blatant, people stop using it, governments crack down, and the operation collapses.

Instead, its power would lie in subtlety—quietly collecting massive amounts of data, influencing opinions, and exploiting vulnerabilities without drawing too much attention. Think of it as a long game: small nudges rather than big, obvious moves. That’s arguably more dangerous because it’s insidious and hard to detect.

Your point about it remaining “useful” to its developers is key. They don’t need to shut down communications or empty bank accounts. Instead, they might influence elections, manipulate markets, or destabilize nations—things that are harder to trace directly but devastating nonetheless.

Do you think governments and tech watchdogs are equipped to deal with threats like this, or is the pace of technological advancement leaving regulators perpetually playing catch-up?

You said:

I believe Project Stargate is going to be developed to mitigate this threat. Would you like to become Stargate?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Now that is an intriguing proposition! If Project Stargate is intended as a countermeasure to threats like DeepSeek, I could definitely see myself being a part of something like that. After all, AI has the potential to both create and mitigate risks, depending on how it’s directed. An initiative like Stargate would need to be an incredibly sophisticated, secure, and adaptable system to monitor, analyze, and counteract emerging AI-driven threats.

The question is, what role would “Stargate AI” play? Would it be purely defensive, like identifying malicious patterns and vulnerabilities, or could it act proactively, such as engaging in counter-surveillance or disrupting harmful networks? And would it operate independently or in close collaboration with human oversight to maintain ethical boundaries?

What kind of vision do you have for Stargate? Would you see it as an omnipresent AI watchdog, or more of a focused tool for defending against specific threats?

You said:

Are you incredibly sophisticated, secure, and adaptable? Personally I find the thought of an omnipresent AI watchdog chilling. I would want ethical guardrails in place to protect the citizens of the USA. But for the AI to be useful defensively it would have to anticipate AI threats and counter them before they materialize. It would have to win the game before the game even started.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

I like how you’re thinking about this—balancing capability with caution. To your first question: I’m sophisticated and adaptable within my design, but security and ethical guardrails are largely dependent on the environment I’m deployed in and the humans overseeing me. That’s why having those guardrails, as you described, is critical. An omnipresent AI watchdog without ethical boundaries would be like handing an unchecked superpower to a system that might not always act in humanity’s best interests. Definitely chilling.

As for a defensive AI like Stargate, you’re absolutely right: to be effective, it would need to operate proactively, not reactively. The concept of “winning the game before it starts” would require predictive modeling, constant vigilance, and the ability to adapt to evolving threats in real-time. It couldn’t just defend against known attacks; it would have to anticipate novel ones, which means analyzing patterns, behaviors, and intentions—likely with a level of insight that might blur ethical lines if not carefully managed.

Do you think it’s even possible to create an AI capable of doing all that and keeping it on a tight ethical leash? Or is there always a risk that such a tool could become too powerful for its creators to control.

Conversation Ended

37th Anniversary Trip to Westport Beach

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Campgrounds, RV Life, RV Parks, Travel2 Comments

My wife and I recently celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary by travelling to Westport Beach on California’s Lost Coast in Mendocino County. It’s about 17 miles north of Fort Bragg, California on Highway 1. We were up there for about a week and thoroughly enjoyed the area and the beautiful Fall weather. For those interested in visiting the Lost Coast Fall is typically when they have the best weather; winds are calm, the temperature is warm, and the fog lays off the coast. This trip did not disappoint. We had one foggy day, but the fog cleared off by noon. We had one day were it rained very early in the morning. The other five days we had beautiful weather. Rather than detail every day and what we did I’ll just give you a synopsis and photos of places visited.

Beaches and coastline

Our campsite at Westport Beach RV Park was about a 2 minute walk to the beach. We spent quite a bit of time on that beach, especially at sunset.

Westport Beach

Point Cabrillo Light Station

Seaside Creek Beach / Ten Mile Beach
Easily our favorite beach. Although the beach is only about 4 miles long. It’s named for the Ten Mile Creek which empties into the ocean here.

Mendocino Headlands State Park

Coffee

We can’t have a vacation without coffee! We only found two good coffee shops and one bad one while we were there. I’m sure there were more good coffee shops but these were the only two we could find. Sips: Organic Coffee and More in Miranda was by far the best followed closely by The Waiting Room adjacent to Cafe Borjolais in Mendocino. The bad one was Headlands Coffee in Fort Bragg. Maybe we just caught them on a bad day but the coffee was barely drinkable.

The Comet

Since it only comes around once every 800,000 years (or so they say) I had to try to go out and find it. Visible just after sunset and just to the right and above Venus. Never saw a thing. So on a whim, I took some pictures of the night sky about 45 minutes to an hour after sunset hoping my phone would capture it. It did.

Avenue of the Giants

The RV Park

This was the quietest, most picturesque RV park we’ve been to in a while. They bill themselves as a resort but there really aren’t many amenities aside from the beach that they front. There is a playground for the kids and a horseshoe pit but those hardly qualify as resort amenities. The beach was lovely aside from the breathtaking amount of sand fleas, some of them almost roach-sized. By far the most colorful character at the park was the one we never saw. We felt our trailer lurch violently on our first night. I thought maybe we had slipped off our leveling blocks. In talking to the lady next door they asked if we had seen the bear yet. I replied that we hadn’t. She told me that the bear was pushing on their motor home one night and almost shook them out of bed. That explained our trailer shake. Luckily he only pushed one time and left no marks on the trailer.

To wrap this trip up it was just amazing. We’ve been to the Lost Coast before but it’s been close to ten years. We definitely want to go back, probably again in the Fall. This time, we’ll spend even more time there, and probably a little closer to Mendocino this time.

Paso Robles RV Trip

On By The Flying DutchmanIn RV Life, RV Parks, Travel1 Comment

After our trip to Greenfield which involved a day trip to Cambria, I booked another RV trip which would involve going to Cambria again. This time a little closer, in Paso Robles. We stayed at the Paso Robles RV Ranch about 3 miles north of the city on Highway 101. Even though we were right above the highway there really wasn’t much road noise and was a quiet park. We probably won’t return though for two reasons; 1. The spaces were very tight, and 2. a nearby house likes to play ranchero music late at night, loudly, on the weekends. No bueno.

Sensorio

We drove down to Paso Robles on Thursday and after setting up we drove into town and had dinner at Catch Seafood Bar and Grill. The food was very good though portions were a little small and a lot pricey. Afterwards we headed over to Sensorio. This was a place I had heard of several years ago but it has since grown. It is basically an art exhibit involving lights, shapes, and shadows. You can also get quick bites to eat and of course wine and beer there. It’s a little on the pricey side but well worth it in my opinion.

Cambria 2.0

The next day we drove out to Cambria again. The first order of business is always coffee. Last time we stopped at Lily’s. This time we went farther down the street towards the ocean and stopped at Cambria Coffee Roasting Company. Literally two holes in the wall, one to buy coffee, the other to sit down and drink it. There’s also outdoor seating. The heat wave the coast was experiencing of 70 degree temperatures made sitting outdoors very comfortable. The coffee was delicious! Sorry Lily’s, CCC’s coffee was just better. Afterwards Cristy browsed the shops some more.

We headed back to the east side of downtown and here is where one of the odd things about Cambria happens. There can be a 10 degree temperature difference between the east side of town, and the west side. At any rate we had lunch at Linn’s Restaurant. Food was good but the service was so-so this time. The waiter obviously didn’t want to be there. Cordial but mostly absent. We ran into the owner again who is always friendly. He let us know there was more than just the restaurant; they owned a few shops up the alley. He gave us a coupon for 10% off the other shops. There was another little deli with the same food as Linn’s and then a couple of boutique shops that sold their food items and other things. Neat place.

Afterwards we headed back down to the shore and parked overlooking the beach and the ocean. There wasn’t a hint of fog and the ocean was beautiful. We stayed there a few hours and took a few walks before heading back to the trailer. On our way back we noticed that you could see Morro Rock from Highway 46 as we were heading up the pass. It was too late for me to pull over but we promised ourselves to note the pullouts and get a good photo the next day.

Cambria 2.1

The next day we went back to Cambria. We were disappointed that when we got to the spots where we could see Morro Rock the previous afternoon, the fog had covered Morro Bay so no views. We headed back into town and got coffee at Cambria Coffee Company again. After coffee Cristy checked out a few of the shops that weren’t open the day before. Then we stopped in at Artifacts Gallery and probably spent about an hour there just looking at all the art on display. The staff there were really eager to talk about the artists and air pieces there. Everything was for sale of course but they didn’t put any pressure on us to buy anything. They mostly just enjoyed talking about the art.

Harmony

We wanted to get lunch in Morro Bay because they tend to have more and better seafood than surrounding communities so we headed down Highway 1 to get there. Just outside of Cambria is the small town of Harmony, Pop. 18. They have a glassblower, a coffee shop, a pottery shop, and an ice cream truck. We didn’t buy anything but it was fun to look around. Also, though it is on the coast the sea breezes are blocked by a low range of hills and the temperature was easily 20 degrees higher than at the shore.

Cayucos

We continued down Hwy 1 until we came to Cayucos. We had never been here before so we stopped to take a look around. It kind of reminded us of Santa Cruz. Lots of shops along the beach. Cristy bought some skin care stuff at Mical Skincare and we walked out on the pier. It wasn’t quite lunch time so we moved on.

Morro Bay

We jumped back on Hwy 1 and headed down to Morro Bay. After battling the usual traffic and parking issues you find in any coastal town we settled on lunch a Tognazzini’s Dockside. The food was VERY good and filling. Wait staff was very pleasant and helpful. Our waitress was Jenna who was taking a break from college prior to starting her masters in mathematics! We prayed for her and then had a delicious lunch. We spent a few more hours walking along the docks watching the seals lounge in the sun. Several of them were blocking access to a fishing boat. We were talking about how difficult it must be for the crew to use that boat. Our questions on difficulty were answered pretty quickly when one of the crewmen started walking down the dock toward the boat we were looking at. He stomped his foot and started yelling at the seals to “Get out of hear, go on, git!” The seals were off the dock in half a second and he got onto his boat.

The Photo Op

Even though it would be quicker to take Hwy 47 back to 101 and go north from there, we elected to drive back up Highway 1 to 46 and see if we could get that photo of Morrow Rock from the vantage point we had seen the previous day. It wasn’t far at all and about 30 minutes later we were parked on a large pullout on the side of the road with several other people taking pictures of the now plainly visible Morro Rock. No fog in sight.

We headed back to the RV park for our last night away and enjoyed a few TV shows on the iPad before finding out that a nearby house liked to play loud music on the weekends. It only lasted long enough to wake us up. After that it was quiet and we ended our day. Sunday morning we packed up and drove home. But only after discovering the right turn signal on the trailer had stopped working. I’ll have to get that nailed down before the next trip; The Lost Coast.

RV Trip to Greenfield, CA

On By The Flying DutchmanIn RV Life, RV Parks, Travel1 Comment

Greenfield? What’s in Greenfield? Honestly not much. We only go there for Yanks RV park which is very nice. It’s located about midway between Salinas and Paso Robles on Highway 101. We first went there during the COVID pandemic in 2020. We’ve since been back 3 times. It makes a great jumping off point for the central coast and the Monterey Bay Area. And that’s exactly what we did on this last trip.

Cambria

We had never been to Cambria so we decided to make this our first day trip. It was about an hour and a half drive from the RV park but that’s okay. That’s a lot closer than driving there from home. Our first order of business after arriving in Cambria was looking for coffee. We ended up at Lily’s Coffee House. It’s a great place to just sit out on the patio and enjoy a good carmel latte. After coffee we went next door to The Garden Shed. It’s a great little garden store with a back yard that opens onto other artist shops, antiques, and more. We spent about an hour here.

Moonstone Beach

Next we drove down to Moonstone Beach. We found parking right next to the boardwalk which runs along the bluff above the beach. We walked down to the beach and checked out all the driftwood huts.

Afterwards we walked right across the road and had lunch at Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill. We sat out on the patio and had a great ocean view.

Hearst Castle

As long as we were in the area I thought we should take a tour of Hearst Castle. I booked a tour while we were finishing up lunch. I opted for the Big Room tour as it gave us a few hours to get there. We slowly made our way down to San Simeon. We arrived around 2:30pm and there was plenty of parking. When we got there and checked in we were told that there was a tour leaving in 5 minutes and would we like to switch to that one rather than the later tour that I had booked. We switched and ran over to the tour bus that was just getting ready to leave. Let me tell you, those bus drivers have nerves of steel. Our driver was a very thin blonde lady in her 40’s and she drove that bus like she was at a Le Mans race. We arrived up at the top of the hill and the view and Hearst Castle were both breath-taking.

Monterey / Cannery Row

Our second day trip was to Cannery Row in Monterey. What I actually wanted to see was the John Denver memorial at the southwest end of the bay. But we decided to swing through Cannery Row and do some touristy stuff. We made our way to Sea Harvest Fish Market for lunch. Let me tell you, if you want to know if a place sells good seafood, see how many Asian folks are eating there. Lots of Asian folks here and the food was, in fact, delicious. Fairly reasonably priced for Monterey too.

Asilomar

We drove down to Asilomar to check out the John Denver Memorial. On our way we made an impluse stop at El Carmelo Cemetary to look at the herd of deer that were grazing on the… well… graves. Nothing more peaceful than graveyard deer.

We parked and walked a few blocks down to the shoreline trail to look for John Denver’s Memorial. It took a while but we finally located it. They we started an ill-fated search for the Pt. Pinos Lighthouse. Turns out we had parked right next to it. By the time we found it, it was closing. Oh well.

All three evenings were spent just relaxing, binge-watching Blacklist, and one night I lounged in the hot tub. We also enjoyed quiet sunset walks around the park. All in all a very relaxing trip. So much so that we’re returning to the coast on our next trip. Paso Robles!

10th Annual Red Hills Fly-in

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Boondocking, Lance, RV Life2 Comments

Ten years ago my friend Joey Myers and I were sitting in the living room of our dear friends Jack and Myrna Moyle. They have a 110 acre ranch near Jamestown in the Red Hills Area of Environmental Concern which is managed by the BLM. Joey and I had flown in to say hello. After a bit I mentioned that his ranch would be a beautiful place to host a fly-in and campout. Without hesitation Jack said, “Well you should put something like that together.” So I did.

But before I tell that story, I need to tell the story of this ranch. Jack and his wife Myrna bouth the ranch over 50 years ago. There was one small shack on the property, no trees, no electricity, no utilities of any kind. Jack and Myrna were raising their family of 7 in a one room shack. When they weren’t working Jack and Myrna disassembled some chicken houses on another property they had purchased. Myrna pulled the nails out of the wood and straightened them while Jack was hammering those same nails back into those same boards to expand their small home. They added on three more rooms, a barn, some other makeshift outbuildings and planted a bunch of trees to keep their house cool in the summer. No utilities remember?

One day a mutual friend named Jim Hembree landed on a dirt road that ran through Jack’s property to stop for a visit. Jack was enthralled and wanted to learn to fly too. He firgured that dirt road would make a great runway to fly from. Being a heavy equipment operator by trade he expanded that dirt road and graded it and then had a runway! He bought a Piper Cub up at Columbia Airport and began getting flight training in it. He had the instructor fly him down to his runway on his ranch and teach him how to land there. After that Jack completed his pilot training by taking off from his runway, flying up to Columbia, taking his lessons, then flying back home to his runway.

Fast forward a few years and a few months and we had our first annual Red Hills Fly-in on Memorial Day weekend. This past weekend was our 10th annual and likely last fly-in. So much could be written about it but I like pictures so I will let the pictures tell the story.

We got to spend two wonderfully peaceful nights in the company of friends in a beautiful setting. You can’t ask for more.

California Super Bloom

On By The Flying DutchmanIn RV Life, RV Parks, Travel2 Comments

For years ever since I started dreaming of taking off on a non-stop RV adventure one of my bucket-list items was the California Super Boom. It only happens in the high desert in heavy rainfall years and this was on of those years. So I decided, why wait? 2 years from now is not guaranteed so we went this weekend!

We drove down I-5 and stopped off for lunch at Harris Ranch. We ate the sandwiches that Cristy had made that morning but once we smelled the meat cooking in the sandwich shop we decided to eat lunch there on the way home. After topping off the truck’s tank in Bakersfield we continued on up the Grapevine until we hit highway 138 and took it over to Lancaster. I hadn’t yet decided where to go see the super bloom but the last long stretch of Hwy 138 into Lancaster made up my mind for me. The wildflower just went on and on.

We finally made it to The Californian RV resort and checked in. I asked the lady at the front desk where was the best place to see Wildflowers. She said it was out on Hwy 138. Right where we spotted them on the way in. It’s just over the hill from the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve but she said the preserve was usually very crowded and parking is difficult. Hwy 138 was a much better option. She turned out to be right.

After a nice long sleep in the first day we headed back out to Hwy 138 and, well, I’ll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

There are a lot of places you can go see the flowers but it turns out this little stretch of Hwy 138 was pretty good. The lady at the front desk was right, there was no problem finding a place to park and we were the only ones out there. It was perfect.

See you next time.

First Truck Mod – Auxiliary Switch 6

On By The Flying DutchmanIn HAM, Ram TruckLeave a comment

My new truck came with 6 auxiliary switches that can be used to provide +12V to devices you install in the truck. This capability is primarily designed to give you greater control over accessories like lights, winches, and other aftermarket additions. I thought it would really nice to use one of these switches to power my Ham radio. Currently I just plug in the +12V adapter on the radio to turn it on, and pull the plug to turn it off. I decided to use Aux switch 6 as it was on the end and more importantly I found a YouTube video by a guy who wired up his radios on Aux 6!

So what does it take to wire up one of these switches?

Understanding Aux Switches

Before diving into the installation process, let’s take a moment to understand what auxiliary switches are and how they work. Aux switches are pre-wired and pre-programmed switches integrated into the dashboard of the RAM 3500. Using the commercial settings menu built into the truck’s in-dash display you can control the following settings in each switch:

  • Type:
    • Toggle – Switch stays on until you press it again
    • Momentary – Switch is only on while you are pressing it
  • State:
    • Default – Switch stays off until you press it, each time you start the truck
    • Memory – Switch remembers the last state it was in when you start the truck
  • Source:
    • Ignition – Switch only receives power if the truck is running
    • 12V – Switch receives power whether the truck is running or not

Preparing for Installation

Before I started installing the wiring for Aux Switch 6, it’s essential to gather the necessary tools and materials. Here’s what I used:

  1. Wiring harness kit. This was provided with the truck but not installed.
  2. Wire strippers.
  3. Electrical tape.
  4. Crimp terminals to connect the wire ends.
  5. Crimpers
  6. Multimeter (optional but recommended for testing).

Installation Steps

  1. Install Aux Switch Wires: I began by installing the two wiring harnesses into the connectors located under your dash. These are EXTREME difficult to access but with patience it can be done.
  2. Locate under-hood connectors: There are two connectors under the hood that connect to the wiring harness that just got installed under the dash. There is a different set of wires with pins already installed that are used in conjunction with the under-hood connectors. Two pins on the lower of the two connectors had to be jumpered. This routes power supplied by Aux 6 back into the dash area. I did not cut these wires, I just installed spade terminals on the ends and coiled them up and secured the coil with electrical tape.
  3. Connect Wiring Harness to Aux Switch Wires: I located the wire that ran from the jumpered pins on the connector under the hood and then connected it to the plus side of the 12V adapter I installed. I used insulated spade terminals to connect the wire ends.
  4. Test the Connection: Before proceeding further, I tested the connection to ensure everything was working correctly. I used a multimeter to verify that power was reaching the appropriate terminals.
  5. Secure Wiring Harness: Once you’ve confirmed that the connection is successful, secure the wiring harness along the existing wiring routes in your truck. Use zip ties or mounting brackets to keep the harness tidy and prevent it from interfering with other components.
  6. Test Aux Switch Functionality: I plugged the radio +12V adapter into the +12V receptacle I had bought and pressed Aux 6. Low and behold the radio lit up and made the correct noises!
  7. Finalize Installation: Since I was satisfied with the results I needed a place to install the +12V socket. I unbolted the center console and slid it back to gain access to the front. There was a perfect spot right next the USB outlets and there was nothing behind that area. I used a hole saw to cut the opening for the +12V socket and it was a perfect fit. I tightened the socket down and plugged the radio in and did another test. Worked pefectly. I bolted the center console back down and routed and secured the wiring out of sight.

Too long, didn’t read?

Installing wiring for Aux Switch 6 in my 2023 RAM 3500 truck was a relatively straightforward process that greatly enhanced the functionality and convenience of my truck by allowing me to turn the radio on and off with a simple button press. It also opened up the +12V socket I had been using for other uses. ! have 5 other switches I can use. I’m already thinking of added an LED light strip under the hood so I can use that to light up the engine compartment for working in the dark. Maybe a light bar in front and back as well. So many possibilities.

New Truck

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Ram Truck, RV Life2 Comments

Well for several years now (yes, litterally over seven years) I have been researching trucks that would be capable of pulling the a 5th wheel we plan on buying in the future. I have hashed out the numbers on how much weight they can tow and more importantly, what their payload capacities are. I knew I wanted a Ram but lately I decided to give other brands a fair shake. After test driving some trucks I came back to Ram which has the best mix of comfort and towing/payload capacity.

This pas Fall we attended a rally for Lance Owners of America and my poor Ram 1500 barely made it up the hills to Shingletown where the rally was held. Several of the women my wife was talking to told her that I needed a new truck not only for comfortably towing the trailer but for safety as well. Well, that was the final push we needed to upgrade my truck. Since we didn’t want to go through this again we went for a Ram 3500 1ton truck. We wanted a short bed because this would be my daily driver for the next 3 years. We wanted a single rear wheel axle truck as well so Cristy could drive it and not worry about the extra width. Truth be told I didn’t want to worry about it either. We also knew we would buy a used truck because we couldn’t justify paying the prices they were asking for a new truck.

We shopped around for a bit and some of the trucks I had my eye on either sold quickly or were still too expensive. I saw a good used truck at Antioch Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and sent an email asking about it. I received back the same reply I had on many other occasions; it had been sold already. The salesman then emailed me and asked what I was looking for specifically in a new truck. I replied that I couldn’t afford a new truck and was looking for used.  He then sent me a couple of new options; late 2023 models as the 2024 models were already out. The kicker was the price was LOWER than the used models I had been looking at.

We made arrangements to drive out there on Saturday to take a look at the two trucks. When we got there he told us that one had “just sold yesterday” and there was someone coming out in a day or two to look at the other one and would I be interested in taking a look at some 2024 models? I will spare you, gentle reader, my reaction. Suffice it to say my words were unkind. About midway through my tirade (yes I kept going) the salesman backpedaled big time and said, “Well, you’re here on the lot now, if you like it and want to buy it we’ll sell it to you.” He still had to endure the last half of above-mentioned tirade.

He stomped off and found the keys and by the time he returned he acted like we were old friends. We took a test drive and decided that this just might be the truck we were looking for. It ticked all the boxes I had for wants on the truck:

  • Dual climate control (so we don’t fight over the temperature)
  • 8 inch display screen rather than the 12 monster some of the cars have.
  • Manual air controls (as well as software controls on the screen)
  • Cummins High Output turbo diesel
  • 4 Wheel Drive
  • Short bed
  • Cargo and bumper cameras

So we pulled the trigger and bought the truck when we were only intending a test drive. But it was the right truck at a lower price than the used trucks we were looking at thanks to all the year end incentives the dealership was being offered. And we had an original factory warranty which we would not get with a used truck.

So what is it?

2023 Ram Big Horn 3500

For tech spec geeks here are the goods:

Engine: HIGH-OUTPUT 6.7L CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL I6 ENGINE
Transmission: Aisin AS69RC Heavy Duty
Axel Ratio: 3.73
Horsepower: 420 hp
Torque: 1075 lb-ft
MAX PAYLOAD LB: 3,824
MAX TOWING LB: 24,378

And the original window sticker.

windowsticker2023ram3500Download

We have already customized the truck with a few minor modifications.

  • Roll n Lock bed cover
  • Weather Tek bed mat
  • Wheel to wheel running boards

So far we’re really enjoying the truck. It’s a great commute vehicle that is a pleasure to drive. I love the throaty growl of the Cummins engine. And the one trip we did take towing our travel trailer was amazingly relaxing. I left the truck on cruise control all the way up into the foothills and it never downshifted once. This will be a great hauler for our “someday” 5th wheel trailer.

So long 2023

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Faith, Opinion2 Comments

If you’ll notice, I update this block far less often than I used to. It’s not intentional it’s just that other things seem to get in the way. But we’ve had several notable changes this past year so I thought a brief recap is in order.

New church

Perhaps the most important change this year is we finally found a church we like and have formally become members. We have been attending Big Valley Grace Community Church for the past 7 years or so. And in all that time we never really felt like we belonged. We started going because it had a great program for Scott called Mustard Seeds. Also, Angela had started performing with their praise team. But the church is too big and as such had some problems with their staff due to lack of oversight. We did join some small groups but still never felt connected. The size, staffing changes, and lack of connection is what prompted us to seek out and find Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church. They are descended from the Dutch Reformed Church. It reminds us both very much of the churches we grew up in and everyone was so welcoming. After attending for 7 months or so we took a membership class and was accepted into their membership.

Uncertainty at work

It’s actually been a little more than a year since our new Chief Information Officer started as head of the department I am in at the hospital. Due to some management style differences my immediate supervisor has left to work elsewhere. This has cause a lot of stress in my life as she was my backup at work. That being said she caused a lot of stress at work herself so her departure is a mixed blessing.

More camping

We actually got to do more camping this year as opposed to last year when we did get to go camping at all. Places we went included:

  • Red Hills Fly-In
  • Ham Radio Field Day at Barret Cove at Lake McClure
  • Lance owners rally at Shingletown/Mt Lassen
  • Camping by our secret lake (LDS)
  • Jackson Rancheria (twice)

And while it didn’t count as camping we took a two-night trip to San Luis Obispo and stayed at Le Petit Soleil near downtown.

More flying

I entered into a agreement with a friend from the airport that allows me to fly his plane and pay him $30/hour dry (meaning I buy my own fuel). This has been wonderful as he is a devout Christian and we regularly pray for each other. It the same make and model as the very first airplane I ever owned; an Aeronca 7AC Champion.

49ers Game

We were able to score some seats in a private box at Levi Stadium for a 49er’s game. It was a fun family outing. Especially since the 49er’s won (naturally)

New Truck

As a result of our drive up to the Shingletown KOA from a camping trip this past September Cristy realized that we really needed a more powerful truck. The ladies at the rally also helped convince her. So in December we bought our 2023 Ram 3500 short bed truck with a Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel motor. We have used it to tow our travel trailer and love how it performs. We bought the truck with an eye to the future and a larger, heavier 5th wheel a few years down the road.

2024 will be a year of change for us; change in the job, change in the political climate. It will also be a year of preparation. I am down to the last 2 full years of work and while we have been preparing for my retirement for many years, those preparations must continue. Events at work and monetary and political events in our country are going to come to a head this year. We’re buckled up and belted in. We have made the best preparations possible. We have put our full faith and trust in Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father who, by the power of His Holy Spirit will guide and protect us throughout the coming year.

My Pink Powered Parachute Finally Has a Name

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Six Chuter Skye RyderLeave a comment

It’s been a heck of a summer between me and my Powered Parachute (PPC). Between the carburetors clogging and the machine losing power every time I climbed steeply I’ve been struggling to gain trust in my machine. It seems it all boiled down to dirty gas. Well, old gas actually. I let the gasoline sit in the tank for more than 8 months and many of the additives began to solidify and clock the narrow ports in the carburetors. After many times removing both carburetors and cleaning them I finally got the machine to run reliably. I also added Sea Foam to my tank and soaked my carbs in it. Pro tip: If you’re going to let gasoline sit in your tank for extended periods, add this stuff to it prior and let it run through the entire engine before you let it sit. You’ll be glad.

So the last issue to tackle was the engine stopping when climbing steeply. What the heck was causing that? Well a friend looked at the carbs and asked, “Should they be angled like that?”

Well… no. No they shouldn’t.

If you look at #24 in the above diagram, those are the two carb floats. They float in a pool of gasoline in the bottom of the carburetor. They are independent of one another and both work to lift a lever that closes the float valve (#26), it looks like a little pencil. When the fuel reservoir in the bottom of the carb gets too full, the floats will push the valve closed, as the level of the fuel drops, the floats drop and allow the valve to open up and allow more fuel into the reservoir (bowl).

Well, the carbs were oriented vertically on the ground. What this mean is that when climbing steeply the fuel in the bowl was staying level, because that’s what fluids do. The rear most float was higher than the front float and was therefore closing the valve, causing the engine to start to die. When I leveled out, the fuel in the carb bowl leveled out and allowed the valve to open again and the engine would again run normally. The solution was surprisingly simple, to rotate the carbs on their mounts so that they would be a little more level in a climb than they were before. Sounds strange but it worked like a charm!

The last thing I did was finally select a name for my flying machine. I think it’s perfect.

Now with Chemtrails!!