Dodge #1, Ram Trucks #3 in J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

While you’ll find me over in the Jeep camp when it comes to FCA, I believe in credit where credit is due:

Dodge has become the first domestic automobile brand EVER to score a No. 1 ranking in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study – up from No. 8 in last year’s IQS results. Having watched (and participated) in the recent growing pains as FCA has built up the brand, I can certainly say that I’ve seen significant improvement in the overall quality as well as the focus on the customer over the last few years.

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Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act passes Senate!

The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal program was established by Congress in 1964 through a bipartisan commitment to safeguard our public lands – the natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage for all Americans – and provide funds and matching grants to federal, state, and local governments to acquire land, water, and easements. Through funding provided from offshore oil and gas leasing, the LWCF has protected and expanded habitat and preserved access to outdoor recreation in all fifty states, which makes it our nation’s most successful conservation program.

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U.S. Forest Service Launches Online Map for Designated Recreation Sites in California

The U.S. Forest Service Pacific has launched what they’re calling a “GIS map” (for those of us – like me – who are acronymically deficient, you can just call it the “geographic information system map) that provides information on the current status of campgrounds, day-use, picnic, and other designated recreation sites on national forest ground throughout California.

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The Solitary Trail

I’m not an introvert. I don’t suffer from Anthropophobia. In fact, I’m quite the social person. I just don’t like people.

As a hiker, I’m hardly the perfect specimen. So I clearly don’t hike for any of the physical benefits.

As an off-roader, I’m not a technical rockcrawler nor a long distance overlander.

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Cessna Skyhawk celebrates 65 years since first flight

On June 12, 1955 the test pilot cranked over the 145 horsepower Continental O-300 air-cooled six cylinder engine of the prototype Cessna Skyhawk, preflighted, check the control surfaces, and then pointed the nose skyward. Although this high-wing, single-engine piston aircraft would cause a shift in the general aviation arena, the first flight was largely uneventful.

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