Southwestern Research Tool

[Highmountain]

Any of you hunters from New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Mexico and the rest of the Southwest:

If you don't have a thorough knowledge of the history of your area you might find these three slow-loading chronologies of the history of the Southwest helpful as a place to begin refining your research.

They load slowly because they contain a lot of info:

Pre-1821, Ancient SW to Spanish conquest and settlement to Mexican Independence: http://www.jackpurcellbooks.us/pages...ost%201860.htm

1821-1860 - Texas colonies, Texas Republic, Mexican revolutions and attempts to fill the power vacuum of Spanish sovereignty, Mexican War, Arizona/ New Mexico/Mexico boundary matters, Santa Fe Trail issues, New Mexico revolts, early Apache wars, mining in AZ and NM: http://www.jackpurcellbooks.us/pages...ost%201860.htm

Post 1860 - Civil War in the southwest, French invasion of Mexico and subsequent events: http://www.jackpurcellbooks.us/pages...ost%201860.htm

For a fair-to-middling reading list on some of the more well known events in Texas history you might look these over: The books are mostly all available in your local library: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...135919-8202548

A similar reading list for New Mexico and Arizona history: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...135919-8202548

A reading list on a lot of aspects of New Mexico history, places, legends, etc: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...135919-8202548

An awfully lot of information about maps of every description for New Mexico and how to find them: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...135919-8202548

The chronologies of history are on my website, created by me. If you want to think of this as a plug for the site, by all means think of it that way and avoid it. But if you want good info about history and don't care where you get it, take a look.

The reading lists and map sources are on Amazon. I created them. You don't have to buy them on Amazon, however... most are available from other sources. But it's a good list of available mapping and hopefully some useful observations about some you'd have to try to use and learn about the hard way, as I did.

Mix some smles with your study: Movies, books and songs about lost treasure, gold mining and prospecting: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...135919-8202548

Have some fun, amigos.

Best to you,
Jack

[Highmountain]

An aside on the guide about maps:

If you're using a laptop with a GPS on your windshield I'd suggest you keep a piece of cloth drapped over the keyboard to keep the dirt from settling in and use a lasermouse you can drag across the leg of your trousers. My laptop has cooling vents on top, so it will overheat if you use anything like plastic wrap, but that keyboard will go kerplunk and cost you a lot of money if you let much dirt get into it. Mine did.

Secondly, my comments on the Delorme digital topos might be out of date. I got a snail notice today about their release of Topo USA Version 5.0. The new one looks a lot better in the photos and description and might actually be comparable to Terrain Navigator.

The new EarthMate GPS powered from the comp USB port also looks like a major improvement over the little battery powered piece of junk with the same name that I spent my money on a year or so ago.

I'd suggest holding off a while in making a purchase of a digitized topo and laptop GPS until there's some review data on both.

Best,
Jack

[rochha]

Jack,

I have a Garmin III plus that I interface with my laptop ( which by the way has a dvd player for those lonley over niters! )via a usb port as I am out in the feild. I have it sitting on the seat next to me as I am driving old dirt roads. The software programs that I use are Arizona Topo and MapTec, both have live gps tracking which has come in handy on more than one ocassion. It sure is awfully nice seeing where you are going out in the middle of no where.

Thats my 2 cents worth!

Rochha

[Springfield]

The laptop/GPS combo is handy for sure, but I prefer not to rely on gadgets too much in the field because they tend to dull your true orienteering skills, IMHO. Besides, if your have any sort of electronic failure, the gadgets are worthless.

I pack a Garmin Summit, Brunton and either original paper USGS quads (for vehicle use) or printed Maptech quad portions (for ground work). I only use the GPS for setting or confirming waypoint locations and occasionally checking my position to figure out where the &*$% I am. A couple spare AA's assure its availability when I need it.

When I'm home, I do a lot of computer work with maps, waypoints, etc., but the more time spent watching for landmarks from a vehicle or observing the terrain while on foot, the better for me.

[cptbil]

? All of my electronics are 12 volt D/C based!
I have a spare 12 volt ( 960AH automobile) battery and I run a 350, 700 & 1200amp Dc to Ac inverter(s)!
I can access the "Net' by hooking up my "Cell Phone" to my "laptop" ..
? I.E. ...I was in camp and I mentioned this large Spanish "Turtle" not far from where I was sitting!
My friend, (Yep! I have A Friend!) asked if I had noticed an "eye" on the "Turtle's Head"?
I told I didn't notice, but I'd call him back..Internet mail, in one hour!
I went over to the "Turtle" snapped a bunch of photos with my "digital Camera"
I, then when back to the laptop, scanned the photos, got on the "net" and I showed him the photos!
AND!
Yep! It does have eyes. They are very plain to see!
That would have been? 8)? IMPOSSIBLE a few short years ago!
? ELECTRONICS are GREAT!
But!
I,? like "Springfield", I like to use my "Topo Maps" and depend on my "orienteering Skills" :P (hiking 'round)