Locator: 48688TECH.
Dragon Spacecraft: Musk threatens to decommission immediately.
TSLA: plummets. Spat between Musk / Trump in real-time on publicly-released e-mail.
GDPNow, June 5, 2025, released today: 3.8. Exactly as expected; discussed earlier. More later. But this is the reason.
Futures:
- I don't know what happened but all of a sudden "the futures" jumped.
- AAPL, TSM, AVGO all in the green before market open; NVDA is flat.
- possibly it has to do with report that Trump just got off the phone with Xi.
- more likely: ECB just cut rates; putting more pressure on the Fed's JPow.
Apple: on another note, a reader alerted me to this:
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The Gresham Pine
Personal photograph taken some months ago while visiting Portland, Oregon.
I was unable to find information on the internet regarding these pine trees using "normal" Google. But, ChatGPT found what I was looking for immediately:
Yes, the Gresham pine—more accurately known as the Willamette Valley ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. willamettensis)—is a rare and localized variety of ponderosa pine that is native to the Willamette Valley, including a small remnant population in the Gresham, Oregon area.
Key facts:
- Scientific name: Pinus ponderosa var. willamettensis
- Common names: Willamette Valley ponderosa pine, Gresham pine (informally)
- Habitat: Historically grew in the Willamette Valley, which once had oak savannas and open woodlands.
- Current range: Only a few natural stands remain, with one notable area near Gresham.
- Threats: Logging, agriculture, and urban development have dramatically reduced its range.
- Restoration efforts: There are active efforts to replant and protect this rare variety, led by groups such as the Oregon Department of Forestry and local conservation groups.
Distinction from typical ponderosa pine:
The Willamette Valley variety tends to have:
- A more open crown and broader spacing between branches
- Slightly different genetic traits adapted to the wetter, lower-elevation climate of the Willamette Valley
And then more:
Yes, there is a trail in Gresham, Oregon, known for its rare Gresham pine trees, a local variant of the Willamette Valley ponderosa pine. The Gresham Butte Saddle Trail is particularly notable for this. This 1.24-mile trail traverses an upland forest setting between Gresham Butte and Gabbert Hill, areas rich in native vegetation. While specific details about the number of Gresham pines along the trail aren’t provided, the trail’s location within the natural habitat of these trees makes it a likely spot to encounter them. The trail also offers panoramic views of the city and connects with the top of Gresham Butte.
For those interested in exploring this trail, parking is available on either end at SW 19th Drive off Towle Avenue and SE 19th Drive off Regner Road.
