The primary event today is to visit the renowned Phoenix Botanic Gardens – a first in every travel guide. Mariner has waited a long time to explore a desert biome. While not out in the wilderness, it is a rich accumulation of cactus and succulent of every variety. Watching carefully, one can glimpse the roadrunner of cartoon fame (Geococcyx), Gambels Quail, (Callipepla gambelii), and the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura). Needless to say, mariner purchased many small samples of desert plants to start his own Sonora Desert.
It was promised that there would be an update of the ‘morning line,’ that is, today’s list of betting odds for the next President.
| Two Weeks Ago | 1-09-2016 | |||
| Hillary Clinton | 8/11 | 72% | 8/11 | 72% |
| Marco Rubio | 11/2 | 18% | 11/2 | 18% |
| Donald Trump | 8/1 | 12½% | 6/1 | 16% |
| Ted Cruz | 10/1 | 10% | 10/1 | 10% |
| Bernie Sanders | 20/1 | 5% | 18/1 | 5½% |
| Jeb Bush | 22/1 | 4½% | 22/1 | 4½% |
| Chris Christie | 33/1 | 3% | 28/1 | 3½% |
| Ben Carson | 200/1 | ½% | 200/1 | ½% |
| John Kasich | 250/1 | 2/5% | 250/1 | 2/5% |
| Martin O’Malley | 250/1 | 2/5% | 250/1 | 2/5% |
| Mike Huckabee | 500/1 | 1/5% | 500/1 | 1/5% |
| Carley Fiorina | 500/1 | 1/5% | 500/1 | 1/5% |
| Rand Paul | 200/1 | ½% | 999/1 | 1/100% |
Everyone has held their position except Rand Paul, who fell to the bottom. Otherwise, bettors have seen nothing that would require hedging their bets.
Some readers asked the meaning of “hold the lay line.” There are times when sailing a line (direction) there is close clearance. The helmsman must assure that the boat does not fall to the close side. If that happens, the helmsman will be forced to tack away to be on the open side of the line. See diagram.
Mariner uses this term to represent driving. The driver must be sure to be in the correct lane, take the correct exit, hold speed, and stay in a direction that will provide successful arrival.
Tomorrow has a trip to a special zoo displaying desert wildlife.
Ancient Mariner