I've written in the past about how exceptional McCarran airport is. Watching the rosy reflection of the sun on the pre-sunrise clouds outside I'm again prompted to take note. From parking to the gate, even with a throng of people at the security line and deep queues at the ticketing counter it took about thirty minutes to go from the car to sitting at the gate. Sure there are the things that don't make sense at any airport, like the announcement at the gate about not checking baggage from strangers... though presumably the people sitting here have already checked their bags.

Flying out of Las Vegas on Friday morning is great. What Nevadans who travel frequently know, however, is that flying home on Friday evening is a real drag. After a time on the road you're tired and just want to get home, put your feet up and relax. However, chances are very good that the plane is filled with more than a hundred people who are going to Vegas baby. For them the party is just getting going and they're happy to share their high-energy joy with everyone else. Of course it is a good thing as tax-adverse Nevada would have nothing to pay its workers with if it weren't for the donations of our out-of-town guests. All and all its a win-win but it doesn't always feel that way on Friday night.

The first night of Spring 2006 brought snow to the desert southwest. At lower elevations the snow took the form of rain more frequently than snow but it was beautiful and refreshing all the same.

A series of accidents on Columbia Pass and the closure of Columbia Pass as well as State Route 160 near Mountain Springs meant a morning spent at home. The sights of the first day of Spring in Sandy Valley are much better than those from my office.

As expected Jack Carter announced his candidacy to be the next US Senator from Nevada. Carter contrasted his philosophy with that of Senator Ensign by saying "The singular difference between the junior senator and me is he works for the Bush administration and I want to work for Nevada."

The union hall where Carter made his announcement was filled with supporters, who from time to time broke out chanting, "We want Jack". Also on the podium were several local politicians and Carter's parents former President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter.

It was quite an impressive showing, but I must remark on the Secret Service detail accompanying the former President. They were a group of diverse, polite, attentive, well dressed young men. While notable in their suits and from the star pins on their lapels they were seemingly otherwise just members of the crowd. Their quiet attentiveness was impressive. While standing a few feet from the former President, a member of the crowd approached with their hands in their pocket. The nearest Secret Service agent quietly and nearly unnoticed leaned over and asked the man to take his hands out of his pocket just to be sure there was noting in them. It was quite impressive, exactly the kind of attentiveness we want in those guarding our Presidents.

One of the great benefits of living in desert southwest is the early start of the spring growing season. With the end of January comes the arrival of Growers Supply, Ramm Fencing and many other catalogs to get the spring projects underway. With a much expanded garden (double the size) and probably doubling the number of trees planted on the place it will be a busy spring. Probably won't figure out how to incorporate a water wall this year but just might get a system for collecting rainwater.