tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299023112024-03-07T12:55:24.568-05:00The Fraser JourneyA couple of retired Canadians report on a wheeled (RV)voyage of discovery around North America.B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-10908528803509621032008-04-20T07:38:00.006-05:002014-08-19T08:03:11.908-05:00Done<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV2t_03j5IYQov1zJ7Nw3WNNvDFUa9Y1W7F5eGv9KDkQr28WGK4ea5NBCcE9WebAwKg9WSPRSLhxr30n4xQPXnUYnhyphenhyphenhTd_MLXYr4pgxvqrm6BB0HL9zoUBzqklWzexH0rmGt/s1600-h/Chapter+II+062.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV2t_03j5IYQov1zJ7Nw3WNNvDFUa9Y1W7F5eGv9KDkQr28WGK4ea5NBCcE9WebAwKg9WSPRSLhxr30n4xQPXnUYnhyphenhyphenhTd_MLXYr4pgxvqrm6BB0HL9zoUBzqklWzexH0rmGt/s320/Chapter+II+062.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191318697520815234" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> As the sun sets on our "little adventure", we remember the desert sun-sets<br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZE1i9TyCy_ODFk2lFeli54TZ75D_AazYVNr68wz_8RZbbn2UpQWLPFWgme8PRAGD8bXFRDRbjexoVWXJAJ2I2WswiM_wzsSddIJ17tcnVo1jONqbfPj0svDWTLhyphenhyphenmy7NyGiz/s1600-h/Chapter+II+074.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZE1i9TyCy_ODFk2lFeli54TZ75D_AazYVNr68wz_8RZbbn2UpQWLPFWgme8PRAGD8bXFRDRbjexoVWXJAJ2I2WswiM_wzsSddIJ17tcnVo1jONqbfPj0svDWTLhyphenhyphenmy7NyGiz/s320/Chapter+II+074.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191313938697051250" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> We even visited Brenda, Arizona - not necessarily on everyone's trip plan but, we of course LOVED it!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
After crossing the US border, the RV’s odometer turned 26,000 kilometers as we approached highway 401. The car’s odometer measured another 35,000 kilometers or so. The better part of 2 years and around 60,000 kilometers (not counting that little 4,500 km. drive home at Christmas). Apart from raising a great kid, this trip is best thing we have ever done!!!<br />
<br />
We’ve learned a great deal about the US and Canada, our mutual history, people we met, and…………ourselves. We’ve had fun, seen much, and now appreciate how much more there is to see. Every village, town, city, state or region has something that is the oldest, the newest, the smallest, the largest, the best, or the most unusual. We even visited one community that boasted that it was the 7’th best place to live in the US!! We also learned that the authors of tourist brochures are masters of hyperbole. We did, however, manage to develop talents for “reading between the lines”. We have tried to be “good tourists” by trying almost anything that came along however, we met people along the way traveling to “play it safe”. Their loss.<br />
<br />
There remain a couple of small snow piles at home where the plough pushed the snow throughout the winter, meaning we timed our return ALMOST right. Another couple of days would have been perfect. Now…………… anybody know someone who wants to buy a gently used RV? ;-)</div>
</div>
B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-31385942266015127772008-04-18T05:11:00.009-05:002008-12-11T11:42:32.859-05:00History R' Us<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Gx10bmwHsSzIdtlK7hFY2XA7Zxuu-hT83q73irjj0zTu1ho0esLxehNlav8AhmLDMv8LQbV_jp6T3tcaCtTihcEIOh8FE_qPSVD2i8omsvgn2VlMP_206hmuSc8BCeFKJXXn/s1600-h/Chapter+III+375.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190534396776919618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Gx10bmwHsSzIdtlK7hFY2XA7Zxuu-hT83q73irjj0zTu1ho0esLxehNlav8AhmLDMv8LQbV_jp6T3tcaCtTihcEIOh8FE_qPSVD2i8omsvgn2VlMP_206hmuSc8BCeFKJXXn/s320/Chapter+III+375.jpg" border="0" /></a> A replica of the Susan Constant, the largest of the 3 ships which brought settlers to Jamestown<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY3CeKmy4_P4RxrGU7gtRUvzQ8EMZ_jY9kDsShcRJPP_9oboI_yHGQiS8GL1nasopOrn-Lkft9us2ImPhmyUS-94Ttn0zgD7SYXAmtuZy2YJWGg6l4xyFnIVePBMcfvPzFc77/s1600-h/Chapter+III+337.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190534173438620210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY3CeKmy4_P4RxrGU7gtRUvzQ8EMZ_jY9kDsShcRJPP_9oboI_yHGQiS8GL1nasopOrn-Lkft9us2ImPhmyUS-94Ttn0zgD7SYXAmtuZy2YJWGg6l4xyFnIVePBMcfvPzFc77/s320/Chapter+III+337.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Royal Governors' Palace in Williamsburg. Patrick Henry was the first resident not to be appointed by the king<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjrlWs-cYJMAb0Lcaw8TzMkxL9w_LeklHMBG5z6ZbjgrxviCBgnpLWB5APIBDS1Js5EViOQ0mbmrAnV57pbJqcHAnsqzL65y6p4vCx-kdwodxZC4v7V2nc9VOF2CHNanZkzwY/s1600-h/Chapter+III+365.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190533825546269218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjrlWs-cYJMAb0Lcaw8TzMkxL9w_LeklHMBG5z6ZbjgrxviCBgnpLWB5APIBDS1Js5EViOQ0mbmrAnV57pbJqcHAnsqzL65y6p4vCx-kdwodxZC4v7V2nc9VOF2CHNanZkzwY/s320/Chapter+III+365.jpg" border="0" /></a> Two ladies discuss the political affairs of the day outside the Millinery on a Williamsburg street<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSNEfNUWDA8FEUCCLq4r22FVBfokDstWlRqKDHJo-MECDAFOEdl2utFwP25wmiX2psu8KHDPi5_ZUcl0Hm4e_2zno9rVW3eDrZH4JX70mgYKKFS-DpvJ2MouxwB2JLSzJZ_DZ/s1600-h/Chapter+III+339A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190533589323067922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSNEfNUWDA8FEUCCLq4r22FVBfokDstWlRqKDHJo-MECDAFOEdl2utFwP25wmiX2psu8KHDPi5_ZUcl0Hm4e_2zno9rVW3eDrZH4JX70mgYKKFS-DpvJ2MouxwB2JLSzJZ_DZ/s320/Chapter+III+339A.JPG" border="0" /></a> An early RV</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Tn5FnPyzzXExTD764a6oWyfOcWQlG-9ELM322QfFr2o5leYx2eOrDmz7OCz6WVCvMvI3GtA6pYEnoiO6SkIFnahtGmtbUJQEKmmtOhm3iuB7enDplkAOlZmTeyfcQjtcPmBH/s1600-h/Chapter+III+348.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190533327330062850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Tn5FnPyzzXExTD764a6oWyfOcWQlG-9ELM322QfFr2o5leYx2eOrDmz7OCz6WVCvMvI3GtA6pYEnoiO6SkIFnahtGmtbUJQEKmmtOhm3iuB7enDplkAOlZmTeyfcQjtcPmBH/s320/Chapter+III+348.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of George Washington's militias marches to the town green to be addressed by the great general himself.<br /><br /><br /><div>In addition to being a beautiful state, Virginia just oozes history. From Jefferson’s Monticello and Madison’s Montpelier estates, the Harrisons’ Sherwood Forest Plantation, to the historic triangle of Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, the birth of a nation does truly come alive here. Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the US (the Pilgrims come 13 years later) is wonderfully re-created, complete with reproductions of the 3 ships that brought the settlers to the new land. But, it is colonial Williamsburg which brings the “birth of a nation” to life. The complete history of the Virginia colony is presented completely and effectively, from the landing at Jamestown to the final major battle of the revolutionary war at Yorktown. One could spend a month poking around the shores of the Chesapeake and the Shenandoah Valley discovering the history of the area.<br /><br />True story – we were touring colonial Williamsburg and a couple of kids were discussing the history of the place and the struggles between the Americans and the British during the revolutionary war. One kid said that his teacher asked him what the patriots possessed to help them win and his reply was Randy Moss!!!! (for the non-NFL informed, Randy Moss is a much celebrated wide receiver for the New England Patriots – possibly not what the teacher had in mind)<br /><br />We are parked just off route 81 in Virginia. 81 runs right to the 1000 Islands Bridge near Brockville so from here we can turn off the GPS and turn on the cruise control. Home soon.</div></div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-78342105011411307892008-04-14T18:22:00.007-05:002008-12-11T11:42:33.933-05:00Horse Country<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2WQuRcHYg7P1jWMc90tePgZn75PddtCxk-IqvK2VkseFYOvJpFMFZmr0nnkAl4_92Jd0CACVU_MjqMZ-HqFQFuFIOkLKzpVyvmnRn5IEiSswWICfFhUyPah8dN3RzggUZizY/s1600-h/Chapter+III+308.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189267424374272498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2WQuRcHYg7P1jWMc90tePgZn75PddtCxk-IqvK2VkseFYOvJpFMFZmr0nnkAl4_92Jd0CACVU_MjqMZ-HqFQFuFIOkLKzpVyvmnRn5IEiSswWICfFhUyPah8dN3RzggUZizY/s320/Chapter+III+308.jpg" border="0" /></a> There are Redbud trees everywhere!! They are beautiful!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFefd2vEIw1Mu1JYtRsIS9GzDemst4J3ZQq9qaybVqjoXgccEx0A1eugXd1o1B5284azEGh-oLHWMO_I3jX18DpAwfMAqhfyop_SdDq4eAUUyxvIg0AT-b_sinvyxl6Memvm3T/s1600-h/Chapter+III+317.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189266904683229666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFefd2vEIw1Mu1JYtRsIS9GzDemst4J3ZQq9qaybVqjoXgccEx0A1eugXd1o1B5284azEGh-oLHWMO_I3jX18DpAwfMAqhfyop_SdDq4eAUUyxvIg0AT-b_sinvyxl6Memvm3T/s320/Chapter+III+317.jpg" border="0" /></a> There are barns and, there are BARNS. The owner of this farm is a "white fence" guy!!!<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BmCIAE2U1y7meaZbetA2o-zuS8fI_QKgjhp2LPmlUiq_nUc-S4gQHrj0OomXY62K9TcyieJdZDv_Gt4i7weZDTQFjzbbHou_2fhpEPPS9OqT8Mu2yEsJTJXJjHCL0d9vccec/s1600-h/Chapter+III+314.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189266492366369234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BmCIAE2U1y7meaZbetA2o-zuS8fI_QKgjhp2LPmlUiq_nUc-S4gQHrj0OomXY62K9TcyieJdZDv_Gt4i7weZDTQFjzbbHou_2fhpEPPS9OqT8Mu2yEsJTJXJjHCL0d9vccec/s320/Chapter+III+314.jpg" border="0" /></a> In the barns at Keenland<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mT4PO30zp06lJd9e6p0SdsPDjcNilV52Tqxuk5cZoJqURMh_Dofd3Sb8q2raJeenNfKa-FFR_4mMTTmp-MomWyOSAtMOAPXeiSbfxGUZqfrziQWKq6_5H2iSmlkgUbGTPBS_/s1600-h/Chapter+III+328.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189265448689316290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mT4PO30zp06lJd9e6p0SdsPDjcNilV52Tqxuk5cZoJqURMh_Dofd3Sb8q2raJeenNfKa-FFR_4mMTTmp-MomWyOSAtMOAPXeiSbfxGUZqfrziQWKq6_5H2iSmlkgUbGTPBS_/s320/Chapter+III+328.jpg" border="0" /></a> The "twin spires" at Churchill Downs.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZ2dQ-gg3849eDRkNaxwnlTMmtk1Fvr1zM-7m6vBfE3SFxbPvGGVYlv2uzJNuwR-FLRTu1TuQ9b4SEbzdZ8YsvLObGhWLu0mcx8_DgjPmLefovkgggA-6eK5baeuCQ3nh2xrh/s1600-h/Chapter+III+325.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189264619760628146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZ2dQ-gg3849eDRkNaxwnlTMmtk1Fvr1zM-7m6vBfE3SFxbPvGGVYlv2uzJNuwR-FLRTu1TuQ9b4SEbzdZ8YsvLObGhWLu0mcx8_DgjPmLefovkgggA-6eK5baeuCQ3nh2xrh/s320/Chapter+III+325.jpg" border="0" /></a> The path to "Man-of-War's" grave. He had a stride of 28 feet, 2-3 feet longer than most thoroughbreds. Secretariat had a 21 pound heart versus 8 pounds for your average race horse. The "winner's edge".<br /></div><div><br /><br /><div>The drive from Oklahoma to mid-Kentucky passed miles of blooming Redbud trees, in some areas forming an almost continuous scarlet edge to the roadways. There are many other blooming trees lining the highways but none more prolific than the Redbuds.<br /><br />Touring the region around Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky is to tour the middle of Bluegrass Country as well as the centre of the Kentucky horse business. The horse farms are magnificent, surrounded by miles of either black or white wooden fences. The black fences are creosoted and, require little maintenance. The white fences are latex painted and very labour intensive. One facility we visited has 28 miles of white wooden fences. The fences require $40,000 of paint each year. Are you a “black fence” person” or a “white fence” person? I am firmly in the black fence camp!!!!<br /><br />We visited Churchill Downs in Louisville, Keenland Track and the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, and drove through the rolling countryside. There are horses everywhere and horse trailers parked in every parking lot. It is said that historically Kentucky horses were revered due to calcium rich Kentucky spring water, filtered through the native limestone, contributing to strong-boned animals. That same water apparently makes great bourbon!!!! Kentucky-bred horses have won the majority of Kentucky Derbies. There must be something in that water!!!!!!<br /><br />We were advised to have lunch at Sam’s Truck Stop outside Lexington and, what a find it was!! The clientele included truck drivers, stable-hands, business-men, farm owners and, the “ladies who lunch” resplendent in their riding gear. The food was great home cooking. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch complete with a “to-go box” full of another BIG meal for the two of us.</div></div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-70367416049449976172008-04-13T06:53:00.005-05:002008-12-11T11:42:34.594-05:00Wear the "high-water" pants<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr8d5AF6eHXFpMSSlcY45-QOVy2l6Wn_ZYtD0V9-lZCzCA9QufirXhA6fyCfsiNrymhn0roJeBu0jhrU9bsMeOHbN5cIqCGgtN4nCfbJJml3M78OXgZLnBn8hbxi6MKOWN2FM/s1600-h/Chapter+III+306.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188698530186113442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr8d5AF6eHXFpMSSlcY45-QOVy2l6Wn_ZYtD0V9-lZCzCA9QufirXhA6fyCfsiNrymhn0roJeBu0jhrU9bsMeOHbN5cIqCGgtN4nCfbJJml3M78OXgZLnBn8hbxi6MKOWN2FM/s320/Chapter+III+306.jpg" border="0" /></a> Same Big Ass Beer on Beale Street<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvS6Tohf2dFoL_Dh_yns5bY-JmsxOv_yANgDvt_kzfHqNlqTSk_0I7he-63N3-gCopdNrpYTEdNqq6WoxkGbsqRx6lMYAsJ2KzhqVDMIG5A416G-keFzKA7EiajMOMF4MbyD_2/s1600-h/Chapter+III+303.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188698251013239186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvS6Tohf2dFoL_Dh_yns5bY-JmsxOv_yANgDvt_kzfHqNlqTSk_0I7he-63N3-gCopdNrpYTEdNqq6WoxkGbsqRx6lMYAsJ2KzhqVDMIG5A416G-keFzKA7EiajMOMF4MbyD_2/s320/Chapter+III+303.jpg" border="0" /></a> Same bands in the park</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkknxIhe41hGV_K1yzbbqPfEZyjSZdVGEIsarAvYyuPepfT27P6EXdVhDtHSonUK2WIni7oU79-X6mSCnRd9rDaipQNYEOMKmRiXf4l01Uv7lpw8RpNo5Kl7EUcWUjcHkwGXC/s1600-h/Chapter+I+577.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188697830106444162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkknxIhe41hGV_K1yzbbqPfEZyjSZdVGEIsarAvYyuPepfT27P6EXdVhDtHSonUK2WIni7oU79-X6mSCnRd9rDaipQNYEOMKmRiXf4l01Uv7lpw8RpNo5Kl7EUcWUjcHkwGXC/s320/Chapter+I+577.jpg" border="0" /></a> Same Rum Boogie Cafe. They hung a "Billy Preston" guitar on the wall when Billy played the club. Billy protested. (He plays the organ). Club owners refused to hang an organ on the wall!!!<br /><br /><br /><div>Driving through Oklahoma and Arkansas on I-40 (the second worst highway we have been on in 2 years ……. I-10 across southern Louisiana still has the crown) we passed every river, swollen past its banks. Flooding everywhere! We have seen stranded farm equipment in the middle of what appears to be lakes and roads which run right into the water. The recent violent weather in “America’s heartland” has truly stressed everything. One local dam, near our Friday night stop in Russellville, Arkansas, is now spilling more water that it has ever released since it was built 66 years ago. All sluices are wide open yet there is still fear that the rising water may top the dam. It has rained a lot!!!!!!!!!!!! (BTW – Russellville is in a “dry” county and ………..we’re outta gin!!!!!!! Can you dial 911 for that?)<br /><br />We have slowed our eastern progress in order to stay behind “the weather”. We are experiencing bright, sunny days however, the wind is a b*#ch. But………… guess what………….we’re back in Memphis. How did that happen???? ;-) Saturday night on Beale Street……. Damn!! We are trying not to retrace our steps but……………it’s Memphis!!!! Nothing changes on Beale Street. Same bands, same food, same fun!<br /><br />From here we’ll head up across Kentucky and Virginia. That’s all new.</div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-87693864698107063972008-04-10T17:07:00.011-05:002008-12-11T11:42:35.591-05:00“Okey” Dokey or “Gone With the Wind” - Oklahoma style<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlM7cadRO-txfqLnMxyZTJpxjJy6IMJSTwjaZXxkFgc0Tn3yAZQNvYUU0GV5FyNEetDnJXCPlGCEbzbLzGxqlvd0xyBI_UsE1sUCAXqpfqSvYxHHJ8Wkh72-tfOk8sRmu9L1O/s1600-h/Chapter+III+280.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187746964757396690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlM7cadRO-txfqLnMxyZTJpxjJy6IMJSTwjaZXxkFgc0Tn3yAZQNvYUU0GV5FyNEetDnJXCPlGCEbzbLzGxqlvd0xyBI_UsE1sUCAXqpfqSvYxHHJ8Wkh72-tfOk8sRmu9L1O/s320/Chapter+III+280.jpg" border="0" /></a> The reflecting pool at the Oklahoma City National Memorial<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjEmc3UZevdPAEQy5e1npd735aqNLo_8ynXvWl3TfjLotZ3_xFS86Nz1BBqe3X9vjghhlKXW9vh97WJJaUh3Z0zLfEXMio6zrDSvzYjTQzqcTBr3vrlC4pq4UFccFqHhUUum6/s1600-h/Chapter+III+283.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187746754303999170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjEmc3UZevdPAEQy5e1npd735aqNLo_8ynXvWl3TfjLotZ3_xFS86Nz1BBqe3X9vjghhlKXW9vh97WJJaUh3Z0zLfEXMio6zrDSvzYjTQzqcTBr3vrlC4pq4UFccFqHhUUum6/s320/Chapter+III+283.jpg" border="0" /></a> An empty chair - one for each of the 168 victims. The small one is named for Baylee Almon, the one year old girl pictured in a fireman's arms on front pages around the world<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRbT8HRbTFm6vWB8lLqPmHI-g2WM2sMlQ5fiq-VXkei0bj6xszHo0F2GxXm22BJbXSiH9w_S_hcWu7aGjjnsmQg6XKk6pDR2screSMKD5ZzuxbvKMXj5QUNBf3oiTFpdjScnX/s1600-h/Chapter+III+286.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187746475131124914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRbT8HRbTFm6vWB8lLqPmHI-g2WM2sMlQ5fiq-VXkei0bj6xszHo0F2GxXm22BJbXSiH9w_S_hcWu7aGjjnsmQg6XKk6pDR2screSMKD5ZzuxbvKMXj5QUNBf3oiTFpdjScnX/s320/Chapter+III+286.jpg" border="0" /></a> The largest Chihuly sculpture in the world: 10 tons, 55 feet tall, 2,100 separate blown glass components<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8VQGhj2kNtb9J-ovSrpm_2fgxZNs7FT9IB2F_ObOVXNFlcS-6fOBd7ltgAUgSTktrQ0uAzszgI-F75_iLOZZMBY2cSUsdq2_sP-lAHY-ffMvJaQnlgi5zLiCvOEdRXwkrlWN/s1600-h/Chapter+III+293.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187746221728054434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8VQGhj2kNtb9J-ovSrpm_2fgxZNs7FT9IB2F_ObOVXNFlcS-6fOBd7ltgAUgSTktrQ0uAzszgI-F75_iLOZZMBY2cSUsdq2_sP-lAHY-ffMvJaQnlgi5zLiCvOEdRXwkrlWN/s320/Chapter+III+293.jpg" border="0" /></a> I captured this Chilhuly hallway ceiling by laying on the floor<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUdR-iE8Tpe66VjPDWKh85PYDbL087fuU9zHpWeDkLSXA0up3V_2qgh26XLMs-zFXzV48YVXvZIyCCTcZcQ8osofAM2-3CFzhGCZ6WslKPVb-z6tZkUEQbF0GgKckyMKF4RED/s1600-h/Chapter+III+299.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187745946850147474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUdR-iE8Tpe66VjPDWKh85PYDbL087fuU9zHpWeDkLSXA0up3V_2qgh26XLMs-zFXzV48YVXvZIyCCTcZcQ8osofAM2-3CFzhGCZ6WslKPVb-z6tZkUEQbF0GgKckyMKF4RED/s320/Chapter+III+299.jpg" border="0" /></a> Part of the Oklahoma Land Run Memorial. From noon to midnight on April 22, 1889, the population of Oklahoma City went from 0 to 10,000.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The drive from Dallas, where Spring is fully engaged, to Oklahoma City, where Spring is emerging, was “interesting” in the “May you always live in interesting times”, Chinese curse kind of way!!! Brochures proclaim that “Oklahoma spring weather can be severe at times”. No kidding!!! After driving for 1 ½ hours with the wipers at full speed, we pulled into the RV Park, where rivers were flowing anywhere there was a sloped, paved surface. Lightning flashed everywhere. Around the area 3 – 6 inches of rain fell in 12 hours.<br /><br />We were advised that the RV Park has a storm shelter, hooked up, and turned on the TV to watch reports of tornados touching down to our south and east. The technology employed here to deal with severe weather is impressive. Forecasters continuously up-date the location of “high level circulating winds” and predict to the minute at what time the winds will reach each small community. If they “descend” and form a tornado, people have ample warning. Everyone living in this area must have a “storm-safe place”. Local fire departments can map every lightning strike to the nearest foot. We watched news reports of an expensive home burning to a complete loss in a fire last night. The fire department could prove that the house was hit with 2 separate lightning strikes within one second of each other.<br /><br />The return trip to Oklahoma City was sparked when we passed through before Christmas and learned that the Oklahoma City Museum of Art has the world’s largest collection of Dale Chihuly glass sculpture. They also possess the single largest Chihuly piece ever created. We have seen Chihuly glass all over the world and wanted to see such a concentrated collection of 1,500 unique pieces. If you like his work, the collection is amazing!!<br /><br />OK City has much to recommend it. The old Brickyard and Stockyard neighbourhoods feature numerous bars, restaurants and clubs; all very tourist friendly. The Oklahoma City National Memorial and its associated museum poignantly detail the tragic explosion of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995 but, also portray the lunacy of terrorism. The Oklahoma Land Run Memorial depicts the race by 50,000 people, competing for free land in the U.S. “Unassigned Lands” beginning at high noon on April 22, 1889. There is much to see and do here!</div></div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-75068527138510287002008-04-08T19:52:00.007-05:002008-12-11T11:42:36.505-05:00Two Cities<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEsyF20kF8tK80WRYI4ubVA91MgqJQ-MAJIgIxsGgj7Y1d3ZqPmQD36B8w_RyFEIghoORo3X-__wk4fMqaB5lv1XqjcYFTZZN0Z_5Gt1OlSdiO742LFpfG175XdDtDSRUpfEm/s1600-h/Chapter+III+274.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187047200836268082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEsyF20kF8tK80WRYI4ubVA91MgqJQ-MAJIgIxsGgj7Y1d3ZqPmQD36B8w_RyFEIghoORo3X-__wk4fMqaB5lv1XqjcYFTZZN0Z_5Gt1OlSdiO742LFpfG175XdDtDSRUpfEm/s320/Chapter+III+274.jpg" border="0" /></a> A large bronze statue by Joan Miro, long one of our favourite artists, is installed at the entrance to the Kimbell Museum<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41frlPKK0JvWjvSApzIjV7FkhcZUgcIbbHGzC26oroWWEIcECdHueldbeWbDM1ByS3aeNMvQuwsOmAxHI6q3FNl4vtolmZEjnrsUksqrI8gGZkmGqXwX40PxZYBpIbhbmZPaP/s1600-h/Chapter+III+276.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187046573771042850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41frlPKK0JvWjvSApzIjV7FkhcZUgcIbbHGzC26oroWWEIcECdHueldbeWbDM1ByS3aeNMvQuwsOmAxHI6q3FNl4vtolmZEjnrsUksqrI8gGZkmGqXwX40PxZYBpIbhbmZPaP/s320/Chapter+III+276.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Amon Carter Museum is a huge facility, loaded with fine art<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKorQfJBE_zyXmgP2yzjzXkpTko7Ez0QSxwyaAvfdENWB8z-2Jg0Rlpmhrapw1s10995VPARIxhky5g9CcNGif7PkZXwreBtdmyTOA42DOtqkM1oj2V_L9qidkj28VrImKF80v/s1600-h/Chapter+III+268.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187045723367518226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKorQfJBE_zyXmgP2yzjzXkpTko7Ez0QSxwyaAvfdENWB8z-2Jg0Rlpmhrapw1s10995VPARIxhky5g9CcNGif7PkZXwreBtdmyTOA42DOtqkM1oj2V_L9qidkj28VrImKF80v/s320/Chapter+III+268.jpg" border="0" /></a> Looking back at the Texas School Book Depository from almost the exact spot where the 3'rd shot killed JFK. The infamous grassy knoll is immediately across the street.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihE9CsxCfkx9ogDBpqEQpjgGId7ZSG1Fx8aUybe7HTAGGYnrza7RFSGs2z6qt1rNHVhQoqzZOVvPNm_hbxk7DBfm4e6XYDaUA_F76qtQpdKKdLk0B5zDlGGhZ2mnQTpo8MqJj9/s1600-h/Chapter+III+266.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187044632445825026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihE9CsxCfkx9ogDBpqEQpjgGId7ZSG1Fx8aUybe7HTAGGYnrza7RFSGs2z6qt1rNHVhQoqzZOVvPNm_hbxk7DBfm4e6XYDaUA_F76qtQpdKKdLk0B5zDlGGhZ2mnQTpo8MqJj9/s320/Chapter+III+266.jpg" border="0" /></a> A happy Cindy and Ray. Note the strategically placed left hand!!!!!<br /><br /><br /><div>The last couple of days have been spent exploring the cultural side of both Dallas and Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a very vibrant downtown focused on Sundance Square with yet more restaurants and nightlife. Oil money has played a major role, supporting the arts in a big way. The Sid Richardson Museum on the square has a remarkable collection of Remington and Russell western paintings and bronzes, all collected by Mr. Richardson, a wealthy oil-man (how odd in Texas!!) The gallery is very large yet, only 30% of the collection can be displayed at one time! The Amon Carter Museum (more oil wealth) is even larger with a much more diversified collection but, still contains an impressive number of Russells and Remingtons. The Kimbell Museum contains a small but extremely diverse collection, accumulated from numerous historical periods.<br /><br />We spent hours at the Sixth Floor Museum at the Dallas School Book Depository, the scene of the assassination of J.F. Kennedy. The museum details at great length the days leading up to the assassination as well as the events of that dark day and its aftermath. Leaving the museum, the three of us could not decide, from all the facts presented, whether Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone or not. A recent addition to the museum is a seventh floor display featuring all of the amateur video footage of the assassination, including the famous Zapruder tape.<br /><br />One of the big surprises of the trip occurred when we met a young woman from Brockville, and her boyfriend, for dinner. We have known Cindy (sorry kiddo - the Cynthia thing isn’t coming easily!!) since she was a young kid. She used to baby-sit for us. We arrived at the restaurant at the same time and, she popped out of the car flashing her new diamond ring!! Her fiancé, Ray, popped the question in Las Vegas over the weekend. It was great to see Cindy and, to meet Ray. They are very excited!!</div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-79408868161443924942008-04-06T20:25:00.012-05:002008-12-11T11:42:38.524-05:00Big "D"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb9CNPANZYeAZ43VcK-QvIOQihgyHmwfn6x23rMIEXSXx1WSCbqloFuvRuP8zHJ2fIDTGb_YTUYtW16nIwfkYZXBadCKX_n4YaeRjTFbfRRotjuQIwlbiSLZXubsmr_73lejk/s1600-h/Chapter+III+222.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186313903889952754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb9CNPANZYeAZ43VcK-QvIOQihgyHmwfn6x23rMIEXSXx1WSCbqloFuvRuP8zHJ2fIDTGb_YTUYtW16nIwfkYZXBadCKX_n4YaeRjTFbfRRotjuQIwlbiSLZXubsmr_73lejk/s320/Chapter+III+222.jpg" border="0" /></a> You meet the nicest people in an RV. The damn sirens never blew!!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVI3jTP22j0m02doxJlrlh1W9DgHKZxfS5vuSfViyi9GxLxFlC9TZ5qhS4Q9jDdx2xvaVPlPmHmx6YpjObFnE4wMqj_j67a0m7oqPyIjFkaTtH_51QBwnYQ-s3MGBE8_DcG8d/s1600-h/Chapter+III+224.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186313336954269666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVI3jTP22j0m02doxJlrlh1W9DgHKZxfS5vuSfViyi9GxLxFlC9TZ5qhS4Q9jDdx2xvaVPlPmHmx6YpjObFnE4wMqj_j67a0m7oqPyIjFkaTtH_51QBwnYQ-s3MGBE8_DcG8d/s320/Chapter+III+224.jpg" border="0" /></a> Brenda and Lindsay exploring the Stockyards neighbourhood<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKTdth4LOMHmyYTmWD2M8dA3tyxtz_JeBkS2bNqq7ikT0c0Tgdt1HKy5fk4tS5_qiqKbusnkxemJ5VZNs7GYLvmBXOsMBqH9hEn6GS7fveqdnu2fW-0TeMDbsOF-ROqKnP6aR/s1600-h/Chapter+III+229.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186312658349436882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKTdth4LOMHmyYTmWD2M8dA3tyxtz_JeBkS2bNqq7ikT0c0Tgdt1HKy5fk4tS5_qiqKbusnkxemJ5VZNs7GYLvmBXOsMBqH9hEn6GS7fveqdnu2fW-0TeMDbsOF-ROqKnP6aR/s320/Chapter+III+229.jpg" border="0" /></a> Twice a day, a herd of cowboys drives a herd of Longhorns through the stockyards<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsdhVFiRTXCVQIw_5pnQW7WdfejcUnnukE26NYHdexCyVq7Nq9-3fB6SX46Zk50I9dbqNO4NOzfnUz_o9KeDETxQnmW2h9yDScY4vQFgJvX7e9ZeXjoluI3b11TlHn8a2AImG/s1600-h/Chapter+III+236.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186311966859702210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsdhVFiRTXCVQIw_5pnQW7WdfejcUnnukE26NYHdexCyVq7Nq9-3fB6SX46Zk50I9dbqNO4NOzfnUz_o9KeDETxQnmW2h9yDScY4vQFgJvX7e9ZeXjoluI3b11TlHn8a2AImG/s320/Chapter+III+236.jpg" border="0" /></a> Billy Bob's has a real bull riding ring inside the bar!!! NOTE - this ain't it!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3mxTNNnwRFvyWluf4psd5CZo9NpAE_zIc3eE3n0F9Y4meH6U287rylUYdyGVk1rMxvySlZxQie6oeAg6gZtrFyd3T221rVU9cZcbuNO6DlznbssQ7X1gEa6wVKA2S299BB-G/s1600-h/Chapter+III+237A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186311060621602738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3mxTNNnwRFvyWluf4psd5CZo9NpAE_zIc3eE3n0F9Y4meH6U287rylUYdyGVk1rMxvySlZxQie6oeAg6gZtrFyd3T221rVU9cZcbuNO6DlznbssQ7X1gEa6wVKA2S299BB-G/s320/Chapter+III+237A.JPG" border="0" /></a> The chefs at the Lonesome Dove dress Texas style<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_E00_l-jVkRYQCcNYRstxN5ZoEdAikbGRqiJYAm_IrHTaP4FQFeI_-FioE4dlsx8l7-8UYNQMYpHLOnmRujbMnf8yQ_Ayjsu2xjiagx9RkfZmoTPiOD9J9BJZ-j1JUCHMd7R/s1600-h/Chapter+III+243.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186310695549382562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_E00_l-jVkRYQCcNYRstxN5ZoEdAikbGRqiJYAm_IrHTaP4FQFeI_-FioE4dlsx8l7-8UYNQMYpHLOnmRujbMnf8yQ_Ayjsu2xjiagx9RkfZmoTPiOD9J9BJZ-j1JUCHMd7R/s320/Chapter+III+243.jpg" border="0" /></a> 9:15 A.M. the racetrack is packed for a 1:00 P.M. start. A cold blustery morning yielded a hot, sunny, sweaty, sticky day. Fun though!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO74DV7sOIpyqNA9STXgPwz4aC6ni0A0jNYZE0FZC1yRMUMmAad7SLg7MeT2oQuYXQtvqYTicEPzipcGj8bH-HL3oTxlgS9cNUQia37pxVXcp25uYoy25BcFveJMhA146TdCks/s1600-h/Chapter+III+254.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186310034124418962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO74DV7sOIpyqNA9STXgPwz4aC6ni0A0jNYZE0FZC1yRMUMmAad7SLg7MeT2oQuYXQtvqYTicEPzipcGj8bH-HL3oTxlgS9cNUQia37pxVXcp25uYoy25BcFveJMhA146TdCks/s320/Chapter+III+254.jpg" border="0" /></a>Great seats at the exit to "pit row". Bubba's car (Dale Earnhart Jr. to the uninitiated) was right up front!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CL2SwTHoRbJovVnX4-SoC5IgiIycDg1yPcHG2VbdJIg0_4UEP_1lsnjrZdqpCPjS89Va4ZbWjiyEP8fyoBZc2KnbC1VDO5qNyWme5gsPHEonASCSfDfhPHa-xcjO6jYVZq7r/s1600-h/Chapter+III+260.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186309394174291842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CL2SwTHoRbJovVnX4-SoC5IgiIycDg1yPcHG2VbdJIg0_4UEP_1lsnjrZdqpCPjS89Va4ZbWjiyEP8fyoBZc2KnbC1VDO5qNyWme5gsPHEonASCSfDfhPHa-xcjO6jYVZq7r/s320/Chapter+III+260.jpg" border="0" /></a> Headin' inta turn 1</div><div><br /><br /><div>Question – If your ‘ol RV is parked in Abilene Texas with the entire region under a tornado watch, who do you want to be parked beside? Answer – The traveling motorhome for “Wine Enthusiast” magazine!! Jim, the driver, advised us that he had a great deal of “excellent” wine on board. If the tornado warning sirens blew, we were heading to the shelter with all the good wine and, not coming out till it was gone, no matter what. Now THAT is neighbourliness!!!<br /><br />We’ve landed in Dallas and spent a couple of days with Lindsay, Brenda’s brother. He is showing us ALL the sights. The Dallas / Fort Worth area has a lot going on and, this weekend everywhere we go, there are “Welcome Race Fans” banners. I guess if we are only going to one NASCAR race in our life, doing it in Texas is a smart move. NASCAR is a religion in Texas!!!<br /><br />The Fort Worth Stockyards is a large historical neighbourhood centred on (you guessed it) the old stockyards! There are many bars, restaurants, and cowboy boot stores. But nothing can match “Billy Bob’s”. Billy Bobs, at 100,000 square feet, is the “largest honky-tonk in the world”. It contains an indoor bull riding ring complete with grandstand, a showroom featuring major music acts (we saw B.B. King AGAIN – just for some thing different!!!), and more damn bar-rooms and other rooms than we could see in one visit.<br /><br />Tim Love is an “Iron Chef” winner and James Beard Award winning chef who owns numerous eateries in DFW. His signature restaurant is Lonesome Dove which we frequented with Lindsay. To say that it is unpretentious is pure understatement. The blue jeans, cowboy boots and Stetsons were everywhere BUT, the food was extremely innovative and very memorable. Highly recommended.<br /><br />And then there is …………….. NASCAR. With Lindsay, we attended the Samsung 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway and, left home at 8:00 A.M. for a 1:00 P.M. race. Veeeeeeeeeery smart!!! The traffic on the throughway stopped dead 4 miles from the race track. The “tailgating” and other NASCAR high jinks were already well under way. The track seats approximately 216,000 fans and, I think the seats were full! The race was relatively uneventful but full of good ‘ol boy “bumpin’ and rubbin’”. The last 3 laps were particularly exciting since a race re-start 3 laps from the finish tightened the field of leaders. Hot, long, and sticky but, good fun!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-1996790525534827352008-04-02T16:29:00.014-05:002008-12-11T11:42:40.670-05:00The Permian Basin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqn5FQH0IDxR3cnuzcSnGPVtfCSc3BLc9S1GzGlG5DUibZIwOJJ8TQidGVssMAzpfvp5bRNb3DXh_P9K2L6MNRGmoC-6dtfSoUvgBqb766vZpiX_MF0dedNLeQ7ftxoRF4P8X/s1600-h/Chapter+III+210.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184775833151582066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqn5FQH0IDxR3cnuzcSnGPVtfCSc3BLc9S1GzGlG5DUibZIwOJJ8TQidGVssMAzpfvp5bRNb3DXh_P9K2L6MNRGmoC-6dtfSoUvgBqb766vZpiX_MF0dedNLeQ7ftxoRF4P8X/s320/Chapter+III+210.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Presidential Museum on the grounds of the University of Texas - Permian Basin is a great history lesson. Our first cloudy day in months!!!!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslsuyY-rq6nTs3s4JrjhcWKlan0naX5HQVXoFMEmqAoXm33nzyIzUHJeX1IUtYod7D17V6HrdD2qAoRiop2dr-cTjJ7J6PMuw_NX9nur3kNXWC6TmMos0S1JVgqXbISaT33qZ/s1600-h/Chapter+III+220.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184775485259231074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslsuyY-rq6nTs3s4JrjhcWKlan0naX5HQVXoFMEmqAoXm33nzyIzUHJeX1IUtYod7D17V6HrdD2qAoRiop2dr-cTjJ7J6PMuw_NX9nur3kNXWC6TmMos0S1JVgqXbISaT33qZ/s320/Chapter+III+220.jpg" border="0" /></a> A newly renovated house in which George H.W. and Barbara Bush raised 2 sons from 1950 to 1956<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbdB9ZXd_2VUUNGdT4CKgYS_wimbi52EmqARACILfZ1ebW1iBJNCh9MMJQX3S3Xpp5jZMGykdubeq4zun0UkVaQQhpWw2EuZPySShpy9QyxsxM0Hrbr5r3ffFnUhvEeBshHJ8/s1600-h/Chapter+III+212.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184775012812828498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbdB9ZXd_2VUUNGdT4CKgYS_wimbi52EmqARACILfZ1ebW1iBJNCh9MMJQX3S3Xpp5jZMGykdubeq4zun0UkVaQQhpWw2EuZPySShpy9QyxsxM0Hrbr5r3ffFnUhvEeBshHJ8/s320/Chapter+III+212.jpg" border="0" /></a> These "horsehead pumps" are all over the plains.........$10, $20, $30................<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgOjLcywPjcd_wWe40IObs9CsdgsypZVi-_YJBa3JBBInnAjFtd1MQrY3a8AU9SSytM_kKlrIA0ARp_kjGbJZXo6z0v9YANC47lsqXWPtDX8dFm3nmbvn_F78mCQgIuAuRGjt/s1600-h/Chapter+III+215.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184774630560739138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgOjLcywPjcd_wWe40IObs9CsdgsypZVi-_YJBa3JBBInnAjFtd1MQrY3a8AU9SSytM_kKlrIA0ARp_kjGbJZXo6z0v9YANC47lsqXWPtDX8dFm3nmbvn_F78mCQgIuAuRGjt/s320/Chapter+III+215.jpg" border="0" /></a> Some historical oil equipment outside the Petroleum Museum<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo6Tcn6zzZ9ld_yClEuow2jJxXmXnBEPjlISkTgZDipKtDFvmnxQr4ggT5xQeP5Dgfr-NvmG-0Rywp9PJQgPYNUp6-u76ccxVX7bmBIW_fE19w8wP6RtSPT-Ulq4xAor7yeaZ/s1600-h/Chapter+III+216.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184774196769042226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo6Tcn6zzZ9ld_yClEuow2jJxXmXnBEPjlISkTgZDipKtDFvmnxQr4ggT5xQeP5Dgfr-NvmG-0Rywp9PJQgPYNUp6-u76ccxVX7bmBIW_fE19w8wP6RtSPT-Ulq4xAor7yeaZ/s320/Chapter+III+216.jpg" border="0" /></a> A modern oil rig ready to go drilling for dollars. A 10,000 foot well costs about $1 million. Any deeper and the wells get exponentially more expensive<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Driving from New Mexico through Pecos, Texas (the home of the world’s very first rodeo) and on to Odessa and Midland, Texas (twin cities ………… sort of) is to pass through the heart of west Texas oil country. Drill rigs and “nodding donkey” oil pumps (also known as horsehead pumps) are everywhere. This is also the home of George H.W. Bush (the elder) and, where he made his fortune in the oil business. The locals are all very aware of the geology of the Permian Basin where all the oil was formed and, very happy to see $100 oil!!! Drill rig companies and mechanical firms serving the oil business are everywhere, as are big “dually” diesel pick-up trucks. This is the land of fridge magnets shaped in the form of a handgun emblazoned with “We don’t dial 911”.<br /><br />The Commemorative Airforce Museum in Midland features many airworthy WWII combat aircraft as well as an amazing gallery of aircraft “nose art” cut from actual WWII planes. This art collection is complete with an on-site restorative laboratory and research library. The museum also features an interesting display which portrays the WWII mission flown by local hero George H.W. Bush, flying from the U.S.S. San Jacinto, when he was shot down off Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands off Japan. Bush was rescued by a US submarine but, his two-man crew was lost in the crash.<br /><br />The Presidential Museum is dedicated to the Office of the President and, does not feature one president over any of the others. It is a great location to learn the chronology and history of the US presidents. However, it is easy to view snippets from the early lives of the two native sons; George H.W. and George W. Bush, at various venues in the area. Both lived very simply, in very modest homes for most of their time in Odessa and Midland and, in fact, the first two residences of George W. and Laura Bush were small apartments in the back of humble homes.<br /><br />A particularly well done museum is the Petroleum Museum which provides both historical and modern information on the entire process of oil discovery, drilling, production and, to a small extent refining. It is very helpful to identify all the “hardware” one sees out in the oil fields and, explained to us many of the questions we had about how the whole system works. For all the focus on oil, there is very little evidence of oil wealth in the region. Both Odessa and Midland are small cities with a feel that serious economic revial is required. Where'd the money go??</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-9618662235191618992008-03-31T19:32:00.008-05:002008-12-11T11:42:46.503-05:00Worth It<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpSg1u-IhqB2kfD3froW3viIOCCTiZxSLElkHXHQy46O9kmZWnYJ_9_-ItvZ52nds5DJtSO4xHHzudSHY1pKfkzkip5wSz6m-CNDDldMs7jX7WrLoKLAOEzuz7LN3WwvSn54F/s1600-h/Chapter+III+189.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184071222291836626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpSg1u-IhqB2kfD3froW3viIOCCTiZxSLElkHXHQy46O9kmZWnYJ_9_-ItvZ52nds5DJtSO4xHHzudSHY1pKfkzkip5wSz6m-CNDDldMs7jX7WrLoKLAOEzuz7LN3WwvSn54F/s320/Chapter+III+189.jpg" border="0" /></a> There are magnificent calcite structures in every area of the caverns<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuOn1hV2z3prcBSZunh040d9kdECcBBQKS3DuM7faNioGL5N0hvEV0vJMsVkFvCNTKNZzAh0x8QzMpvxdQGO3AV8bwmzmTAYsbY3pInzK0XhIivrrFtNM7rO9zW1Ezs9zJxCT/s1600-h/Chapter+III+180.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184070616701447874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuOn1hV2z3prcBSZunh040d9kdECcBBQKS3DuM7faNioGL5N0hvEV0vJMsVkFvCNTKNZzAh0x8QzMpvxdQGO3AV8bwmzmTAYsbY3pInzK0XhIivrrFtNM7rO9zW1Ezs9zJxCT/s320/Chapter+III+180.jpg" border="0" /></a> Stalactites are "tite" to the roof and stalagmites "mite" grow to the roof<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X3G2H83oXP5dR1NwyJm3nRRJUCLZy_Pl-X6dtB37Hq3Y5EZe8ALuTWwOt5xPTK5h_Aq5UbvTSjMHRQKeMC0Tus7b8PCnYIPmZRgtKNd2J4dRvfJQh1zhpgRtWVzgUbkG_HVY/s1600-h/Chapter+III+175.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184070015406026418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X3G2H83oXP5dR1NwyJm3nRRJUCLZy_Pl-X6dtB37Hq3Y5EZe8ALuTWwOt5xPTK5h_Aq5UbvTSjMHRQKeMC0Tus7b8PCnYIPmZRgtKNd2J4dRvfJQh1zhpgRtWVzgUbkG_HVY/s320/Chapter+III+175.jpg" border="0" /></a> Being 800 feet above the plain allows you to see "forever"<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic74_oi1YD2Q8riRPPnhVtNcQYDhRga4ejpVCEuqIGqa3SGzAAzRs164puYBiKU_X4SfmTK4IbdD9zDLeQyAAGHkrOI9FvmAPZMRXdUgCsonvO3k2WDPAw37gclNAqcbcMUHk0/s1600-h/Chapter+III+204.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184069371160932002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic74_oi1YD2Q8riRPPnhVtNcQYDhRga4ejpVCEuqIGqa3SGzAAzRs164puYBiKU_X4SfmTK4IbdD9zDLeQyAAGHkrOI9FvmAPZMRXdUgCsonvO3k2WDPAw37gclNAqcbcMUHk0/s320/Chapter+III+204.jpg" border="0" /></a> A flowering Cholla Cactus alongside a desert trail<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Two days of boring landscapes are a small price to pay in order to visit the Carlsbad Caverns. The caverns, another of the “1000 Places to See Before You Die” (1000 places to add to your “bucket list”), are amazing. They stretch for 30 miles underground and descend to 850 feet below the surface. The “Big Room” has the interior volume of 14 Astrodomes and takes 1 ½ hours to circumnavigate on a one mile long paved trail. Chambers with the names of “King’s Palace”, Queen’s Palace” and “Papoose Room” each exhibit unique calcite structures of enormous size. At one point in the Big Room the ceiling is 80 feet above you and the “Bottomless Pit” extends 140 feet below your feet. We have been in caves with more spectacular structures but nothing of the scale of Carlsbad. Just entering the main caverns involves a 1 ½ mile underground walk from the surface to the 745 foot level. The cave is so large that photographing the features is almost impossible because flashes will simply not cover the vast distances.<br /><br />Coming back from the caverns we cruised a very rough gravel track through desert canyons and over high bluffs, allowing panoramic views over the New Mexican plains to the horizon. A very wild country indeed!!!</div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-20526024557336888272008-03-30T17:11:00.006-05:002008-12-11T11:42:47.200-05:00Nothing...............<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJLAE-mNZABxmn2fijioialSX25XMvw7AMbxY83zqwW7Mo2QYRXU02KJIUvVZdYoFgQMCZAPMJNxeTX3l9kFbyI3gJyxC35S-zyc-3nw2EeYEy0HKbSOL5-9nuZyXFmlehCFV/s1600-h/Chapter+III+164A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183663595535707794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJLAE-mNZABxmn2fijioialSX25XMvw7AMbxY83zqwW7Mo2QYRXU02KJIUvVZdYoFgQMCZAPMJNxeTX3l9kFbyI3gJyxC35S-zyc-3nw2EeYEy0HKbSOL5-9nuZyXFmlehCFV/s320/Chapter+III+164A.JPG" border="0" /></a> After 3 hours of driving we stopped to stretch and........ take a picture of a fence????<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu4_xCS_L3PRnwGPc_e8ocqgDJpNe-F4xxM_v_2VGiz_K27as9cgh2o1BMwT8IBLN3m8YV8pD_rY1tB-rBe0lo7tvIgrd5kSGCaP86xu95Gxq2VG-J-sBFXUceNtoGfsu90VZ/s1600-h/Chapter+III+166.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183663243348389506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu4_xCS_L3PRnwGPc_e8ocqgDJpNe-F4xxM_v_2VGiz_K27as9cgh2o1BMwT8IBLN3m8YV8pD_rY1tB-rBe0lo7tvIgrd5kSGCaP86xu95Gxq2VG-J-sBFXUceNtoGfsu90VZ/s320/Chapter+III+166.jpg" border="0" /></a> The UFO Museum in Rozwell. The government is definitely covering up something!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZL0PmAn_Yb_beXdrdwcmJOUbPZyCKq9NU48u4xUM5BrbLON9ZoomyNjJfcaRiLB-fcn5iIpxo7A34jGtmwdTT4iecgZhkUvbddMazxaSP5WVgmHokPGMdJsrw0HdlPG-RXoA/s1600-h/Chapter+III+167.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183662680707673714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZL0PmAn_Yb_beXdrdwcmJOUbPZyCKq9NU48u4xUM5BrbLON9ZoomyNjJfcaRiLB-fcn5iIpxo7A34jGtmwdTT4iecgZhkUvbddMazxaSP5WVgmHokPGMdJsrw0HdlPG-RXoA/s320/Chapter+III+167.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Pecos River flows through downtown Carlsbad<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0hcetDQvTl2dyEmHCzLP6WjgRNy7whCdADr6-OuCYT1mFUBNYxoi8s1cmYihfmUHTQFmTGhW2B-zJFPFijuzDfLr6H14Xc3REC-6wOLElnTh-Oqw22wYNVp3Vg0GzPVFSoqM/s1600-h/Chapter+III+169.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183662075117284962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0hcetDQvTl2dyEmHCzLP6WjgRNy7whCdADr6-OuCYT1mFUBNYxoi8s1cmYihfmUHTQFmTGhW2B-zJFPFijuzDfLr6H14Xc3REC-6wOLElnTh-Oqw22wYNVp3Vg0GzPVFSoqM/s320/Chapter+III+169.jpg" border="0" /></a> Did I mention that there is not much to see?<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>If you ever get a hankerin’ to hop in the car and drive through south-eastern New Mexico, let me be the first to give you the news flash – DON”T WASTE YOUR TIME!!!!! The drive from El Paso, Texas to Carlsbad, New Mexico is the most boring way to spend 4 hours you could possibly imagine. We love desert landscapes but, this is just scrub; no interesting plants or animals; nothing!! Every so often, we saw a lone cow trying to obtain sustenance from the sparse ground cover. Where “Farmer John” was, or where he lived, remains a mystery. No wonder the aliens selected Roswell, New Mexico as their terrestrial (crash) landing spot. Who the hell would ever see them????<br /><br />Speaking of Roswell; our current “home base” north of Carlsbad is only 50 miles from the UFO capital of the world so, we decided to drive up and see how many “crazies” we would find. Apart from oil, aliens and the infamous army air base there does not seem to be much reason for Rozwell’s existence, although they do have one of the largest mozzarella cheese factories in the world. The Rozwell UFO Museum and Research Centre is hokey but, I was surprised at how many copies of official government reports and documents they possess. Something went on there in 1947!!!<br /><br />The entire reason for visiting this “interesting” part of the country of course was to visit the Carlsbad Caverns. Today being the last Sunday of the local March break, we could not obtain tour times so, tomorrow is the day.</div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-64082989114973735562008-03-28T17:19:00.010-05:002008-12-11T11:42:48.559-05:00On The Road Again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObDvvgFD6j9g_zNgk3zFg1yvgycUX9rNKOi80T4c7W0B7JHvhr9ziFkcpcD9sSF36PkErqCSUfWi63rVvGEJSov6s3RvXyoih4HqMp6sQzyPAJt3zRdt9p0ChJ_g6-yTnDcik/s1600-h/Chapter+III+136.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182924015052238418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObDvvgFD6j9g_zNgk3zFg1yvgycUX9rNKOi80T4c7W0B7JHvhr9ziFkcpcD9sSF36PkErqCSUfWi63rVvGEJSov6s3RvXyoih4HqMp6sQzyPAJt3zRdt9p0ChJ_g6-yTnDcik/s320/Chapter+III+136.jpg" border="0" /></a> Just for something completely different........... out for a fancy dinner with Jonathan and Meghann<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d2tpfQ1Wxa_AlkuN-N1Qx1yONPj7HCkSYbGIVrFFeJKbnDooRMuxt_a8ulkkww5cP0cfdQ2zSte9DQtPgxdV8uhF6iKafUHlMsZQCdN6sRdtP_06xTAfoJrwOtTtPbCzSxvF/s1600-h/Chapter+III+139.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182923744469298754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d2tpfQ1Wxa_AlkuN-N1Qx1yONPj7HCkSYbGIVrFFeJKbnDooRMuxt_a8ulkkww5cP0cfdQ2zSte9DQtPgxdV8uhF6iKafUHlMsZQCdN6sRdtP_06xTAfoJrwOtTtPbCzSxvF/s320/Chapter+III+139.jpg" border="0" /></a> Mother (with the tan) and son (not so much!!) in the hot-tub<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPQReBIqV93rnjObNMt__MsQ4r4838g24nauyIJTBgNXV_IzblwYCzvwXbNsJpaDLpn0JcvKSQHeOwZonTAVwDISdUT3WuqALYwBs67JCXdRbPKbpyHX2aNXEWC9KRE1JOpCV/s1600-h/Chapter+III+144.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182923387987013170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPQReBIqV93rnjObNMt__MsQ4r4838g24nauyIJTBgNXV_IzblwYCzvwXbNsJpaDLpn0JcvKSQHeOwZonTAVwDISdUT3WuqALYwBs67JCXdRbPKbpyHX2aNXEWC9KRE1JOpCV/s320/Chapter+III+144.jpg" border="0" /></a> Geez ............ it was clean this morning!!!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO7tqkjaMFZ6xQM2DFkyKHSPgMCN7bdU6kTbiQi1II83vJ73ZHClxNaUSfyaSSLZBdxby-6mgkuEva7Os7voI-RC6Keea-k3zNUJks6AH_7Ly8ALEDAoNVUiwBWTdb44P6YQg/s1600-h/Chapter+III+145A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182923125994008098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO7tqkjaMFZ6xQM2DFkyKHSPgMCN7bdU6kTbiQi1II83vJ73ZHClxNaUSfyaSSLZBdxby-6mgkuEva7Os7voI-RC6Keea-k3zNUJks6AH_7Ly8ALEDAoNVUiwBWTdb44P6YQg/s320/Chapter+III+145A.JPG" border="0" /></a> Back in the Sonora............. lots of Suharo cactus<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Qvgv89x1dVCeENlx9CF-mU6pA5tSzcxiym3jDJPgyAPGufyxWUjMXiEDueLf04Y_A_pj09K_ziTvkmCKnG86SkYUIXlmt51GwW_i90p4TLu5D3IWiTS3C-nm_16eoIVKxT_L/s1600-h/Chapter+III+155.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182922842526166546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Qvgv89x1dVCeENlx9CF-mU6pA5tSzcxiym3jDJPgyAPGufyxWUjMXiEDueLf04Y_A_pj09K_ziTvkmCKnG86SkYUIXlmt51GwW_i90p4TLu5D3IWiTS3C-nm_16eoIVKxT_L/s320/Chapter+III+155.jpg" border="0" /></a> A long shadow at sunrise<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I know this may not be too popular with our northern friends but……….. this winter has flown by!!! Our list of “things to do” in Palm Springs remains 50% undone and yet, we have “hit the road” for home. The Pacific Life Open Tennis Tournament has just wrapped up and the Kraft Nabissco (formerly the Dianna Shore) Golf Tournament is about to begin. We even had tickets!!!! Palm Springs is 5 hours behind us but, we’ll be back. The last couple of weeks have been filled with kids visiting and, preparations to leave. The kids visiting part was the best part!! They spent half a week in San Francisco and the Napa Valley (one of their favourite places) before coming south to “Geezerville”. (Kids can be SUCH a pain in the ass!!!)<br /><br />We pulled out of Palm Springs (actually Cathedral City) this morning in yet another ferocious wind. We expected serious handling problems with the ol’ RV but, the wind was mainly on our tail or at least on the aft quarter (used to sail you know). As we climbed out of the Coachella Valley, we were sad to be leaving but, eager to be heading home……….. figure that out!!! Many snow birds are heading home because, they are saying, “it’s too stinkin’ hot!!!” We are parked for the night in Picacho, Arizona and, at 6:30 P.M. it’s 101°F. That IS “stinkin’ hot!!” We’re heading for the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, a place that we passed by on the way through last year but, which is conveniently in our path on the way to Dallas / Forth Worth. We’re back in the Sonora Desert, one of our favourite places and, soaking in the heat and the “desertness” of it all before we get back to “April showers bring May flowers”. I think we are really going to miss being “on the road”. Try it!!!!!! </div><div><br /> </div><div>No internet connection last night so this is being posted from Demming, New Mexico, a convenient place to stop but........... no tourist Mecca. Today we experienced "dust devils" hitting the motor-home. Out on the high plains you could see them coming because they were full of desert sand but, every once in while one would come up the highway, containing no dust and damn near rip the steering wheel out of my hands. No need to experience that one again!!!</div></div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-79723041905272659152008-03-09T20:12:00.008-05:002008-12-11T11:42:49.761-05:00Biker Bash at Pioneer Town<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOn_1fwEzAXETs6GpAUmlrFqfl9jr_NiX8I8pW7iS4ItMdjBFvK8vV8VK6COBpjobmXfTPCiwtKcCWM9NzOizNbZiQF435Vwzlr01Vr73Ws8EiSkDiTsmUxcdsR2jTt8Nip6f/s1600-h/Chapter+III+127.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175969012790651522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOn_1fwEzAXETs6GpAUmlrFqfl9jr_NiX8I8pW7iS4ItMdjBFvK8vV8VK6COBpjobmXfTPCiwtKcCWM9NzOizNbZiQF435Vwzlr01Vr73Ws8EiSkDiTsmUxcdsR2jTt8Nip6f/s320/Chapter+III+127.jpg" border="0" /></a> Pioneer Town doesn't have much going on any more!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACfCOoXBd4a9o-K_GQfzUjwYicg3jaPA0gchHWT_meYG64avy55LY-0bvPJ4_e8wzAU9ODK1tSnSEMh1Emiy16-WfBkfvx7GeL3xLDEXqIUY_RLnK5NcaDrHdaGf56AcRm26v/s1600-h/Chapter+III+114.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175967797314906738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACfCOoXBd4a9o-K_GQfzUjwYicg3jaPA0gchHWT_meYG64avy55LY-0bvPJ4_e8wzAU9ODK1tSnSEMh1Emiy16-WfBkfvx7GeL3xLDEXqIUY_RLnK5NcaDrHdaGf56AcRm26v/s320/Chapter+III+114.jpg" border="0" /></a> In some places the colour goes for miles<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDuNqoU9T061HX8i2LIFZ6jfkUdiKclN7WqNE5Hor632JIiTNKs_Ul9wKBVwG3vPkIfTq_czOqR5bQtQmcdl5R8ot5BfPDAfweMDR55cnElipreuriWH9fDnyvPu7fIZqHrv7/s1600-h/Chapter+III+117.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175967367818177122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDuNqoU9T061HX8i2LIFZ6jfkUdiKclN7WqNE5Hor632JIiTNKs_Ul9wKBVwG3vPkIfTq_czOqR5bQtQmcdl5R8ot5BfPDAfweMDR55cnElipreuriWH9fDnyvPu7fIZqHrv7/s320/Chapter+III+117.jpg" border="0" /></a> A Yucca in full bloom<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz4wH11eCt1FBEIp-IOsi4eAqy1DoR1ufaTTE4s8lOoTkgYNZA49l2KkMWqmVOoiG_MQDhESx6D7THI8pOIKRYb6vGsqTRr-ezQthFdHETOcqxp31jwpoj3LHjeTHzZp_y_MT/s1600-h/Chapter+III+122.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175966985566087762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz4wH11eCt1FBEIp-IOsi4eAqy1DoR1ufaTTE4s8lOoTkgYNZA49l2KkMWqmVOoiG_MQDhESx6D7THI8pOIKRYb6vGsqTRr-ezQthFdHETOcqxp31jwpoj3LHjeTHzZp_y_MT/s320/Chapter+III+122.jpg" border="0" /></a> A Joshua Tree in full bloom<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiUIfmLgeucDO6J6-tTukkmULONhuKItlBU_LsniMhzXyIqXJ0fdoSfPmwx8rb4ddmFwt9PNFEmhCNxe16b1g4DHjnfkrExqlPFwDBYwtkPLRkXy-l4VnbqKab_iziJzV18oR/s1600-h/Chapter+III+123.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175966633378769474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiUIfmLgeucDO6J6-tTukkmULONhuKItlBU_LsniMhzXyIqXJ0fdoSfPmwx8rb4ddmFwt9PNFEmhCNxe16b1g4DHjnfkrExqlPFwDBYwtkPLRkXy-l4VnbqKab_iziJzV18oR/s320/Chapter+III+123.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our new best friends in full bloom<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5xpbhVsKyf4k2CEa_6EfD3bzoGCdBmHOrM0EhXVXxjQQt2V2PaFP38RIc9UXFU7a-TANFPmzpL_7lXiY_x221sL-qDQb5q7uTaAx18g3kgxhD-MOdPezTxjF6dwKDiH-Qdng/s1600-h/Chapter+III+129.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175966238241778226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5xpbhVsKyf4k2CEa_6EfD3bzoGCdBmHOrM0EhXVXxjQQt2V2PaFP38RIc9UXFU7a-TANFPmzpL_7lXiY_x221sL-qDQb5q7uTaAx18g3kgxhD-MOdPezTxjF6dwKDiH-Qdng/s320/Chapter+III+129.jpg" border="0" /></a> If you push the first bike over do the rest fall like dominoes. Dare ya!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The blooming of spring desert wildflowers is a huge event around here. Again today we ventured out into the desert and saw even more plentiful carpets of blossoms. This time it was back to Joshua Tree National Park, which has about a 3,000 foot rise from its southern to northern border. As a result, you will find flowers at peak bloom somewhere along the altitude continuum. It turns out the best show was at the southern end of the park, indicating that there will be wildflowers for at least a month to come, heading north.<br /><br />Pioneer Town is a permanent community established in the 1940’s by Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, several other western movie actors and, a group of investors. Its purpose was to act as a permanent venue in which to shoot western movies and in fact, dozens of movies were shot in the community right up to 1996. The structures are real buildings as opposed to the facades often used in the movies. Pioneer Town was on our way home from the north gate of Joshua Tree Park and, we felt it our duty to mosey in and quaff back a beer (or two) at the town’s western saloon (only open on weekends). Much to our surprise a LARGE group of Harley drivin’, beer swillin’, leather wearin’ bikers had taken over the saloon, to hold a fund raiser for one of their comrades, seriously injured in a battle with a car (car won!!!) (Hillary’s health care initiatives might have been helpful in this case.) In any event, we walked in, tennis shoes, shorts, (matching top in Brenda’s case) and, started swillin’ with them!! We didn’t bother to mention that we had been out taking pictures of wildflowers!!! To say that this crowd was not in our usual circle of friends might be the understatement of the trip. More good pictures though!!!</div></div></div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-82549110458873097412008-03-07T17:00:00.006-05:002008-12-11T11:42:50.318-05:00The Bloomin' Desert<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6bwNnANPaAh4wz1LfRuIYsHhbSFqPedlQLTC2uS32MUTTP_LAWF_6RP2pTXQ37lOHxekZegl5aOf6G5YE6ZrO0yd9N-rfAw4s6LjWzLd3yvXocFCdEAEz1n2e2_Uap9tSZ43/s1600-h/Chapter+III+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175124742479341954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6bwNnANPaAh4wz1LfRuIYsHhbSFqPedlQLTC2uS32MUTTP_LAWF_6RP2pTXQ37lOHxekZegl5aOf6G5YE6ZrO0yd9N-rfAw4s6LjWzLd3yvXocFCdEAEz1n2e2_Uap9tSZ43/s320/Chapter+III+059.jpg" border="0" /></a> Joan and John getting ready to cruise in the "Coolmobile"<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAONdqQ-TW34YFi3BK74sU2N_P3Bry9IUee0tZwp3bZ2EoTqSu9WYZwHiW3nK3iFDeaTD1lwo8gbJAsbMnMix3wVSSu8a3bxYmDAQEfZJvdO7KtCFIxigKlPWLooweIfOvR2A/s1600-h/Chapter+III+079.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175124527730977138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAONdqQ-TW34YFi3BK74sU2N_P3Bry9IUee0tZwp3bZ2EoTqSu9WYZwHiW3nK3iFDeaTD1lwo8gbJAsbMnMix3wVSSu8a3bxYmDAQEfZJvdO7KtCFIxigKlPWLooweIfOvR2A/s320/Chapter+III+079.jpg" border="0" /></a> Anyone remember Monty Python's skit on Lupines. These are the desert variety<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wz8CbkGh2wbnauom1gr77C8ydQaFRmQzKtXK2amF8J8jGPY0MAgC55cNr2XvRIUKNiCSFHhe6xlSpszhq60GMJwxnZUpkXmvauGAJM3pc6qGDyLLStRhdkQH_4jfNEhQQqio/s1600-h/Chapter+III+090.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175124055284574562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wz8CbkGh2wbnauom1gr77C8ydQaFRmQzKtXK2amF8J8jGPY0MAgC55cNr2XvRIUKNiCSFHhe6xlSpszhq60GMJwxnZUpkXmvauGAJM3pc6qGDyLLStRhdkQH_4jfNEhQQqio/s320/Chapter+III+090.jpg" border="0" /></a> A Beavertail Cactus about to reach full bloom<br /><br /><br /><div>John & Joan, friends from Brockville, left today, after visiting the area for the better part of a week. We had a great time and jointly discovered a few new eating establishments all along the dining spectrum. Since most of our exploits were nocturnal and, since I am getting lazier and lazier, we have few photographs with which to blackmail each other. They, too, rented a sporty convertible and therein blasted out of town this morning, heading to Phoenix in order to visit with John’s brother, who lives there. Tonight we’re eating in!!!!<br /><br />Brenda and I hiked through the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument today. This is a national park in which the desert wildflowers are just coming into the peak bloom season. Again this year, the lack of rain last autumn prevented many of the seed species from germinating. However, some late winter rain did manage to coax many species into bloom. It is almost impossible to believe that so much colour can be produced out of rocks and sand. We are told that in a year where there have been autumnal rains in the prior year, the desert floor becomes a blanket of colour. We’ll just have to come back again!!! Even now, hiking through the washes and trails gets very hot by mid-day. The summer heat must just bake all this flora into oblivion.<br /><br />We have sadly begun to plan the trek home. Since no comprehensive road trip of the USA could possibly be complete without a visit to NASCAR, we have just received our tickets for the Samsung 500 in Forth Worth Texas. We will be spending some time there on the journey home, in order to visit with Brenda’s brother, who is posted there. He promises us a rootin’ tootin’ time so we had best rest up. We noticed that north Texas got a dump of snow last night so, we’ll stay put for a few more weeks before setting out.</div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-91272319469462430312008-03-01T09:40:00.002-05:002008-12-11T11:42:50.495-05:00The Rolling Stones were right!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP_ywSHhLvitu8juXw1AzcLdguaqEt6lnj9a2wTcMsFKdgmMTGCbP1aF_GygP5m883EC8cXCQ7eWeQH3cGJJQjKvwV-9NA_bhv-n8Awl8cuhnDTHrZTaG-6vL_3_IwwDi43_1/s1600-h/Chapter+III+058.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172792483205543778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP_ywSHhLvitu8juXw1AzcLdguaqEt6lnj9a2wTcMsFKdgmMTGCbP1aF_GygP5m883EC8cXCQ7eWeQH3cGJJQjKvwV-9NA_bhv-n8Awl8cuhnDTHrZTaG-6vL_3_IwwDi43_1/s320/Chapter+III+058.jpg" border="0" /></a> Brenda and "JB", our golf instructor after a mid-day (hot) lesson<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>“You don’t always get what you waaaaant”. The Stones got it right!! Thinking my recent golf lessons would somehow improve my game, I played in a “scramble” at our local par 3 golf course, wanting nothing more than NOT to be the game’s comic relief. It was not to be!! Now… when I go to the driving range, I can put 3 shots out of 4 within 20 feet of a pin 100 to 120 yards out so, do you think I could hit the GD greens on these little par 3’s? Noooooooooooo. In fact, my short little drives were so wild, my team mates were yelling “Fore” BEFORE I swung (in the interest of safety of course). The group on the hole in front of us were always looking over their shoulders to see where I was and, took a particular interest in my drives!!! Could they ever dance!!<br /><br />There was, however, SOME good news. I out-putted virtually everyone on our team and made three long birdie puts. Now if I could just figure out some other way to get that damn ball down to the greens!!! In spite of my “best” efforts, our team finished “in the money” and took third place. The golf lessons continue with a VERY understanding pro. Tuesday is “Scramble” day. I wonder if that term was coined in recognition of MY golfing ability????<br /><br />One of the tiny facts that the Chamber of Commerce omits from its glossy brochures is that The Coachella Valley (Palm Springs) is one of the windiest places on earth, as evidenced by about 10,000 wind generators located just west of here. It can be bright, sunny and 85°F, yet the wind can be howling. When buying homes, the locals select their sites based upon wind exposure and/or protection. Not a phenomenon with which we Canucks are familiar. Maybe it’s the wind affecting my golf?????????</div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-65870122338827331312008-02-25T09:20:00.004-05:002008-12-11T11:42:51.111-05:00Rambling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sGmWgS_tXDXQMvfSxv9YQqHUZozyOySxpNnLdyqCEstx-gso0kVEi-gfVrRH5mz8avAtzM_JA4n0SneW48iCLN0P2dZfhpTKaOAFewg4YfResJuM2YJdKBHYB0axMSx6MOv3/s1600-h/Chapter+III+054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170923687582753698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sGmWgS_tXDXQMvfSxv9YQqHUZozyOySxpNnLdyqCEstx-gso0kVEi-gfVrRH5mz8avAtzM_JA4n0SneW48iCLN0P2dZfhpTKaOAFewg4YfResJuM2YJdKBHYB0axMSx6MOv3/s320/Chapter+III+054.jpg" border="0" /></a> I just missed capturing the full moon sinking behind the mountains at sunrise. Oh well, it was still a great sunrise.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp7oZZuiYpbyzGQLJzhOMwQx2evd-cfxphhwZn_AY-BDrlRkyAAFyUrMAaDyWKAGY3XOCjuCTbHPEXgy54fCOoxt3cr7rLhOur3w49P_JTn5-pW2YuG_Lqnga3qStwzJkOGX_/s1600-h/Chapter+III+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170923374050141074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp7oZZuiYpbyzGQLJzhOMwQx2evd-cfxphhwZn_AY-BDrlRkyAAFyUrMAaDyWKAGY3XOCjuCTbHPEXgy54fCOoxt3cr7rLhOur3w49P_JTn5-pW2YuG_Lqnga3qStwzJkOGX_/s320/Chapter+III+043.jpg" border="0" /></a> Some clown walked in front of the "Hello Mary Lou" sign in the background!!! ML stands for Mary Lou.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vhWfmJWQFSgEXtHS95oqweBfygsQrvh6Xp6tuw5EE50g_zanNQuTQqypTmIjg4DJSZy2YHGAOuvUwdc4q9YuQO9_7eQ5wR0vokM9OCD8aougfpQpnIvnMyUNtIZsT-DKtPNu/s1600-h/Chapter+III+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170923163596743554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vhWfmJWQFSgEXtHS95oqweBfygsQrvh6Xp6tuw5EE50g_zanNQuTQqypTmIjg4DJSZy2YHGAOuvUwdc4q9YuQO9_7eQ5wR0vokM9OCD8aougfpQpnIvnMyUNtIZsT-DKtPNu/s320/Chapter+III+042.jpg" border="0" /></a> ML is perfecting the art of reading with her eyes closed!!!</div><div><br /><br /><br /><div>Den & ML left on Saturday after a week of on and off weather, contrary to the earlier forecast. However, they left with some tan and, saw a good deal of the desert. Mid-week, my globe-trotting cousin, Andy, popped into town on his way home to England. Neither of us can remember exactly when we last saw each other but it is fair to say that we were both a LOT younger. He and his family are planning to spend time in Palm Springs every year and, so are we. It would appear that the lack of contact thing WILL get fixed!!<br /><br />Because Brenda had been away, she only got to her first golf lesson this week. No cameras allowed!!! She has agreed to go back for more so, she must have enjoyed it. I am playing in a scramble tomorrow, putting my newly developed skills to a test. My goal is to rise above the comic relief level of past golf outings however, as the Rolling Stones sing, “You don’t always get what you waaaant……….”<br /><br />We are finding that as “the season” in Palm Springs reaches its peak, obtaining reservations at the most popular restaurants is getting tough. Brenda called one restaurant which everyone is talking about yesterday and had to pick a reservation date and time of THEIR chosing. They are full at all other times. Damn tourists!!!<br /><br />Yesterday, I took in the spring version of the car auction that I visited last autumn. Even though there are many more people in town at this time of year, the auction was a mere shadow of the fall version. There were far fewer “exotics” on the block. Could it be the economy??? One senses that the US economy has a way to drop yet. We’ll see.</div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-80207626836683036782008-02-15T00:51:00.003-05:002008-12-11T11:42:51.352-05:00Some people are lucky!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm7fa1QA8EjVB1jjzbt24OMtB2KWB20lBOF39laBT9tzhdC-WAyO7GE_Q3DESRCTQvguZmXSe5GoulZgI4702KgW3P32X1c088PQ_QnkHbjugvhNgiO0iYq53Ln8-YIbvaKC2/s1600-h/Chapter+III+041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167081289580667762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm7fa1QA8EjVB1jjzbt24OMtB2KWB20lBOF39laBT9tzhdC-WAyO7GE_Q3DESRCTQvguZmXSe5GoulZgI4702KgW3P32X1c088PQ_QnkHbjugvhNgiO0iYq53Ln8-YIbvaKC2/s320/Chapter+III+041.jpg" border="0" /></a> Happy hour at one of our favourite outdoor patios just after the sun set behind the mountains.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Our friends, Den & ML, were rushing at the airport in Toronto, running a bit late because of inclement weather and, inadvertently lost the file with all of their travel plans, addresses, phone numbers and reservations at the airport. They boarded the plane to LA not knowing where they were staying or, what their rental car reservation was. They were able to finally get their car in LA and drove to Palm Springs without our phone number or address. We had earlier picked up the key to their villa and knew where it was.<br /><br />Pulling into the Travel Information building in Palm Springs, they inquired about RV Parks in Palm Springs, describing what they knew of our park. There are dozens and dozens of RV parks in the area. However, the attendant pointed out our park on a map and, hearing the address, Den & ML remembered the street name as being where we are. They high-tailed it here and told their story over a beer. I have detailed the short, factual version here. Hearing them tell the tale with the usual spousal corrections was hilarious. To top the story off ……… they left our place after dark and drove to their villa complex. Almost all properties in this area are gated. After getting in the gate with much trouble, they looked for villa complex “K” and, drove around the property inquiring as to its location. No one knew!!! Finally someone told them “There’s no villa “K” here”. They were at the wrong property. Their’s was next door!!! An interesting day. When they finally returned to our place for a late dinner, there was much wine consumed.</div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-55609061356062096912008-02-12T08:29:00.000-05:002008-12-11T11:42:51.696-05:00Tired!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G1qlUJ4fNROL4vooL4AYNsWKdKF7T79_wLLdu7CODFPzXimRGsl-LnfNDPfp9kAQZr-sgwo72_24bFH4imQDEcEKkrz6fWNGKuDHROOdx_LNgl_ieSLOFGjr1lmxWDca2QAN/s1600-h/Chapter+III+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166090393380840290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G1qlUJ4fNROL4vooL4AYNsWKdKF7T79_wLLdu7CODFPzXimRGsl-LnfNDPfp9kAQZr-sgwo72_24bFH4imQDEcEKkrz6fWNGKuDHROOdx_LNgl_ieSLOFGjr1lmxWDca2QAN/s320/Chapter+III+039.jpg" border="0" /></a> In my wildest dreams I never thought I would be walking golf courses regularly!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS3N_RjDpGcjaTOzUy62Qh5mV45pxvNPvqmYbPmO4ffXdTV9fFu3AcZ3YS9POpEjVLrOIicpynoGaowScC_OTKu4e08DLG5a71_WxSDUsBUgfkrQbHlyFsfQKaejkgQqeUFwt/s1600-h/Chapter+V+315.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166089620286726994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS3N_RjDpGcjaTOzUy62Qh5mV45pxvNPvqmYbPmO4ffXdTV9fFu3AcZ3YS9POpEjVLrOIicpynoGaowScC_OTKu4e08DLG5a71_WxSDUsBUgfkrQbHlyFsfQKaejkgQqeUFwt/s320/Chapter+V+315.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our new location in the park is very close to one of the 6 smaller "satellite" pools on the property. It's almost like our own pool ;-)</div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><div>Brenda and the “Ski Widows” made it back from Mexico after having a great time in the sun. All her bags even followed her back, which did not occur on her outbound journey. Ya gotta love the airlines!!<br /><br />Is anyone else tired of Hillary, Barack and John? In California one cannot escape. Even if you chose not to turn on a TV set or read a newspaper, you are accosted as you walk through event venues by “Republicans for the environment” (a small group) or “Democrats for the elimination of deficits”. They’re everywhere!! If we were going to stay here until November, we would have to hide in cave. This is an interesting race! But….. far too long.<br /><br />A former university room-mate of mine and his bride are visiting this coming week. It sounds like they are keen to have Scotty beam them out of the snow in Ontario. We are also keen to see them. The forecast is for 10 solid days of sun!!<br /><br />I have found an amazing golf pro to put up with my shenanigans on the golf course. She is an LPGA pro and, has shown me at least how to make contact with that damn little ball. If I had invented this game, I would have made the ball bigger!!!! The sweet spot on the clubs is also too darn small. So far, no broken windows (touch wood) and surprisingly, it’s fun! But, by the time we get back to Brockville I’m sure that I will have forgotten everything that I’ve learned so far.</div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-35292816796569590342008-02-02T15:43:00.000-05:002008-12-11T11:42:52.367-05:00Home alone<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kx11PjHp980phNb_ps0N3-kbAo1px07c5JE6WsSq64-sNHoL2_DbxagwQ9dcYMUVFqfFtuM6Zuiy8deo0ybJLvlHpjWe6Jo4UU69e2sRe-qv67wFq8j8NyLUsM9eErhj2GWq/s1600-h/Chapter+III+038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162488503255993426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kx11PjHp980phNb_ps0N3-kbAo1px07c5JE6WsSq64-sNHoL2_DbxagwQ9dcYMUVFqfFtuM6Zuiy8deo0ybJLvlHpjWe6Jo4UU69e2sRe-qv67wFq8j8NyLUsM9eErhj2GWq/s320/Chapter+III+038.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our new view from the back of the RV<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA78Cz3PFY8SGxnhd7z8V-odotd8xKkRfETrqHXsysSraWvPM6iCpb4EwygDcTTzkJozK1I2R6j92LQdhj4QQlMCpEPow5FS-focQaUDUUlhAq2ver3AVQZuBz5XcUZNcWucgX/s1600-h/Chapter+III+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162487124571491394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA78Cz3PFY8SGxnhd7z8V-odotd8xKkRfETrqHXsysSraWvPM6iCpb4EwygDcTTzkJozK1I2R6j92LQdhj4QQlMCpEPow5FS-focQaUDUUlhAq2ver3AVQZuBz5XcUZNcWucgX/s320/Chapter+III+036.jpg" border="0" /></a> This area is smack in the middle of the city surrounded by shopping malls and golf courses<br /></div><div><br /><div>Since the lots in this RV park are all individually owned much like a condominium and, since the owner of our rented lot is arriving for February, we are getting the old “heave ho” from our wonderful, scenic location. We are being moved to another lot on the golf course but, with a less panoramic view of the mountains. The big variable is that our new lot has a huge screen on one side, theoretically placed to stop errant golf balls from dinging the side of our RV. Hope it works. The new spot is near a green; the old one near a tee. We like tees!!!<br /><br />The weather is finally returning to a near normal pattern with temperatures coming up each day and, the daily sky conditions show nothing but sun for the next 10 days. This is more like it. However, it’s still a desert. It still gets cool at night.<br /><br />Having abandoned my bride last week to go skiing; next week is the “turnabout”. Brenda and the “ski widows” are heading off to the beaches of Mexico for some sun and surf (no surf anywhere near here!!!). I will be left to mind the farm and continue the exploration of this area of southern California. We’re also looking at places that we might be able to come to next winter….. sans RV. I’ve been instructed to find something great! No pressure!!</div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-62079825278586132472008-01-28T10:16:00.000-05:002008-12-11T11:42:53.219-05:00Back in the Saddle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdS5HFzqKTOqZ8KU_dezLRPeFDJ9QXVBGj_pM6z1NjcvCCwpXhtTMPEkq1gM2hi6rUxZWSctlT6hTc58Zae8AYhlWeqblIKwYX8D9_SE0wvS7bk0CIl-FWIe386JEsln__XR92/s1600-h/Chapter+III+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160566535455804466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdS5HFzqKTOqZ8KU_dezLRPeFDJ9QXVBGj_pM6z1NjcvCCwpXhtTMPEkq1gM2hi6rUxZWSctlT6hTc58Zae8AYhlWeqblIKwYX8D9_SE0wvS7bk0CIl-FWIe386JEsln__XR92/s320/Chapter+III+031.jpg" border="0" /></a> Watch that first step!!! It's a beaut!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZs3uc0BX7Z-_EaChpIfKnAax1wwjggfVDgf7jDQaGTo-xkB23U3iD6_rroKGVG9Y6x60E603sr7wK_o03z9kpiEQUJByiA3LNQGJOIEhNad4g_weUZdvpI_6IPyw3e9zxuuA/s1600-h/Chapter+III+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160566067304369186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZs3uc0BX7Z-_EaChpIfKnAax1wwjggfVDgf7jDQaGTo-xkB23U3iD6_rroKGVG9Y6x60E603sr7wK_o03z9kpiEQUJByiA3LNQGJOIEhNad4g_weUZdvpI_6IPyw3e9zxuuA/s320/Chapter+III+033.jpg" border="0" /></a> Part of the crew on "Top of the World"<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiir2miiFXjSk_SYgwcLkcSlxHcx93ia9w8m0tPkPu-D_fLMe7MAavtd4LxpeR1JmIWSdMaIEo8tbkbao4d6uC_54Ur9fs6D40P80Mx5e6NQfGP4pCWq0x6Z53uz2dyHK5XUSB8/s1600-h/Chapter+III+049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160564765929278482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiir2miiFXjSk_SYgwcLkcSlxHcx93ia9w8m0tPkPu-D_fLMe7MAavtd4LxpeR1JmIWSdMaIEo8tbkbao4d6uC_54Ur9fs6D40P80Mx5e6NQfGP4pCWq0x6Z53uz2dyHK5XUSB8/s320/Chapter+III+049.jpg" border="0" /></a> Apres ski at the outdoor "Roo Bar"<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpbGl3ckJHU7W3no6IFYb4Y5oc_Hia24Z9pVhhSwHl8cFlswybKDPNHDuQkTRdATDpMNNZmOQbgmwFVa95IV_zwqZYWGtiw8EkzD1spWHnnB9tRP7Mnts4CA0JUi09Vu29M9y/s1600-h/Chapter+III+069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160564108799282178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpbGl3ckJHU7W3no6IFYb4Y5oc_Hia24Z9pVhhSwHl8cFlswybKDPNHDuQkTRdATDpMNNZmOQbgmwFVa95IV_zwqZYWGtiw8EkzD1spWHnnB9tRP7Mnts4CA0JUi09Vu29M9y/s320/Chapter+III+069.jpg" border="0" /></a> The view from our outdoor lunch table on the "last day". Good pick Waldo!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We’ve taken a bit of a break from blogging in order to go skiing in Switzerland on the “annual guys’ trip”. During the break, I was again reprimanded by my young Toronto friend. He is one very unforgiving, but apparently regular, reader of the blog! We’re back D!<br /><br />The destination for this year’s trip was St. Moritz, with the accent on the ..ritz. In my experience, St. Moritz is the top end of the scale in ski locales. I have never before seen chauffeur driven Rolls Royce limos dropping skiers off at the base of the lifts! We walked! Again, Mike, our fearless leader, planned a perfect trip; lots of sun; good ski conditions; and more laughs than could be counted. Sadly, Mike’s father passed away early in the trip, necessitating his immediate return home. Mike was sorely missed. A new twist this year was a 5 km. sled trip, rocketing down a mountain, at night, from one picturesque Swiss town to another, starting with some liquid courage and, followed with a laugh filled dinner, at which 3 of our number dined without their pants!!! It’s a very long story. I may be a mid-level skier but, I easily passed many of our number to arrive at our destination first. Could it be my weight???? Jimmy Mc. gets top marks for planning this adventure.<br /><br />I returned to Palm Springs on a 14 hour flight from Zurich to LA, missing my connection, then spending the following day at LAX waiting for the weather to allow flights into Palm Springs. Never happened!! We ended up bussing to Palm Springs at the end of day II. Fun!!<br /><br />The Palm Springs residents are all saying that this is the coldest winter they remember. In addition there has been a reasonable amount of rain since Christmas. It NEVER rains here!! Oh yeah??? It’s got to get better soon. We’re waiting…………….</div></div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-87688809719516913142008-01-14T18:43:00.000-05:002008-12-11T11:42:53.412-05:00We finally broke down!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4pCxSydML3Z8Zkpa5L9e3C2CYZVzXiqfXPGjkkmqgK6pqrJlPq6hcXrS7uqBmcLWNJJbn3vd1IzksnXodkGy6QLMnIfbwrW4l2yoqforcZohPgmlVsEHhngTV3FWEUBBvnhs/s1600-h/Chapter+III+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155482500151700386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4pCxSydML3Z8Zkpa5L9e3C2CYZVzXiqfXPGjkkmqgK6pqrJlPq6hcXrS7uqBmcLWNJJbn3vd1IzksnXodkGy6QLMnIfbwrW4l2yoqforcZohPgmlVsEHhngTV3FWEUBBvnhs/s320/Chapter+III+034.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm hoping that our lessons show us which end of the club to hang on to!!!<br /><br /><br /><div>The purpose of this blog was, and remains, to be a lighthearted reporting of our journeys, highlighting the “screw ups” and genuine “discoveries” of the trip. However, every once in while we genuinely experience something bigger than a fun vacation.<br /><br />I may be the only person on earth who thinks that Sam Peckinpah’s movie “Straw Dogs” is the quintessential “good triumphing over evil” movie but, I challenge anyone to argue that “Shake Hands With the Devil” is not the definitive ”evil triumphing over good” movie. This Canadian production, shown at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, is so NOT “Hotel Rwanda”. In fact the entire production, which was filmed in Rwanda with many African actors, depicting Romeo Dallaire’s book of the same name, is visually beautiful while at the same time, being factually abhorrent. It captured the book perfectly, with one exception. The book clearly highlights that Kofi Annan, then the “go-to” guy for Africa at the United Nations, was rewarded for presiding over the genocide of over 800,000 Rwandans and doing nothing, with the position of Secretary General of the UN!! The movie glossed over this salient fact. The UN however, is shown to be nothing but a sham institution. This movie is one of the most powerful we have ever seen. Reviewers at the festival are reporting “Oscar buzz”. See this movie!!!!!<br /><br />It was particularly interesting to hear the producer of the movie answering questions of an American audience, after the movie clearly pummeled the USA for its “hands off” approach to this huge international disaster. France was also assailed for attempting to prop up Hutu forces in Rwanda, in support of French interests. Romeo Dallaire’s descent into suicidal depression is so easy to understand!! One suspects that corporate support, to widely distribute this movie in the US, will be “slim to none”.<br /><br />On a lighter note, we have finally succumbed to the “golf fever” in the air in Palm Springs and, both purchased sets of golf clubs. With lessons planned and golf courses everywhere, we will likely have many rounds under our belts before returning to Canada. I guess it was inevitable!!<br /><br />I loved the “Earth Wind & Fire” concert on Saturday night. Brenda preferred B.B. King. To me, EW&F is the ultimate rock show band. Lots of energy, great musicianship (is that a word?) and a songbook of wonderful hits. The “boomer” audience was singing along with each song and, on their feet for most of the concert. What does Brenda know????</div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-55484678436079193582008-01-11T10:54:00.000-05:002008-12-11T11:42:53.644-05:00Lots to do<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe6rTcquICVGa_cXntnra5V38fFwE0tKirz-yCArtU2IWQaVIB6glViQxiFfFa5Ato5ZKxywiIeh48hrnO_0oYFfn7ucpqfdVDyOB2mf_UIqixBivkRpLhrD9tnS-ZA-46QLL/s1600-h/Chapter+III+032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154248762205989762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe6rTcquICVGa_cXntnra5V38fFwE0tKirz-yCArtU2IWQaVIB6glViQxiFfFa5Ato5ZKxywiIeh48hrnO_0oYFfn7ucpqfdVDyOB2mf_UIqixBivkRpLhrD9tnS-ZA-46QLL/s320/Chapter+III+032.jpg" border="0" /></a> Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Spring's main drag and, not a car in sight<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vegND8B1JJXkU8xeGsv2RflEfxh7lk-hLPR3dIbjC3PQB7NaAvE16rWqz8M7Cbtxx0-WKroH5s_9F-cWAeN_roxG7g0qwGneYrQwCrhF1nh5mUNYEGyhIpVFFDJRrq1ozs_x/s1600-h/Chapter+III+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154248500212984690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vegND8B1JJXkU8xeGsv2RflEfxh7lk-hLPR3dIbjC3PQB7NaAvE16rWqz8M7Cbtxx0-WKroH5s_9F-cWAeN_roxG7g0qwGneYrQwCrhF1nh5mUNYEGyhIpVFFDJRrq1ozs_x/s320/Chapter+III+033.jpg" border="0" /></a> This guy was GOOD. We had to buy one of his CD's</div><div><br /><br /><div>Every Thursday evening, the main street of Palm Springs is closed off for a street fair with vendors, musicians and food stalls lining block after block of the street. In Rancho Mirage, the grounds of the College of the Desert are filled with vendors every Saturday and Sunday for the “COD Street Fair”. “Art Under the Umbrellas” occurs every few Saturdays in La Quinta and, on the first Thursday evening of every month, El Paseo Blvd. hosts its famous “Art Walk”. Throw in a few PGA golf tournaments, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, regular concerts featuring major acts, balloon fests, wonderful shopping, great restaurants and, all the outdoor hiking and exploring opportunities. If you’re bored in Palm Springs ……… YOU”RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION!<br /><br />Yesterday, one of our neighbours came knocking on our door offering us free tickets to a film showing at the film festival. We couldn’t use them because we have tickets to another film (“Shake Hands with the Devil” – based on Romeo Dallaire’s book outlining his experiences in Rwanda) and, an evening concert. Our day is full!!!! We’re going to have to make some time someday to get out in the sun and get a tan!!<br /><br />People frequently ask us “How come you like Palm Springs if you don’t golf?”. The answer seems to us to be obvious ………….Duh???? I have been planning to do some flying at the local flying club and, have not yet managed to find the time. Golf ….. schmolf!</div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-79832662247922530782008-01-07T18:31:00.000-05:002008-12-11T11:42:54.053-05:00Missed us!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92HCK87O6tU2UDRVFaCLY34a5vUuBdd98Lt6i-cSIIVAOgV-PKPTakB8pLvdiE3KzFES8SK8QmHG95eCQH_q1J6lFidzrQ546K1UIiCYfFaAJBGzkgKUnHdcVmguTQmjSmWgB/s1600-h/Chapter+III+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152882344130571106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92HCK87O6tU2UDRVFaCLY34a5vUuBdd98Lt6i-cSIIVAOgV-PKPTakB8pLvdiE3KzFES8SK8QmHG95eCQH_q1J6lFidzrQ546K1UIiCYfFaAJBGzkgKUnHdcVmguTQmjSmWgB/s320/Chapter+III+031.jpg" border="0" /></a> It's snowing in the mountains but, we're out in shorts and "T" shirts<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCpnKSEs8Yi3-KDV5IMa9qeflwwP1HOUdkdWU8cRKPps8TQbA9Rg8wxWD8vqoJUuR-wAwRAzh9-TRxH9ETaHCrHwefVTgmgT6YMwM97fYd3JO0-rbF2zbpmuvgQaJSWejcUs1/s1600-h/Chapter+III+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152881884569070418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCpnKSEs8Yi3-KDV5IMa9qeflwwP1HOUdkdWU8cRKPps8TQbA9Rg8wxWD8vqoJUuR-wAwRAzh9-TRxH9ETaHCrHwefVTgmgT6YMwM97fYd3JO0-rbF2zbpmuvgQaJSWejcUs1/s320/Chapter+III+029.jpg" border="0" /></a> B.B.'s getting old but, he still rocks</div><div><br /><br /><div>Californians are extremely “weather aware” as a result of the magnitude of the natural disasters experienced by the state on a regular basis. If it isn’t wind-whipped fires, torrential rains and mudslides or earthquakes, it’s 11 feet of new snow!!! That’s what Lake Tahoe received over the weekend. I’ll bet the skiing is great. Too bad one can’t get there!! Even the interstate highway was closed.<br /><br />All around us were severe weather events on the weekend however, we only received a small amount of rain (just overnight ……. they don’t allow rain to ruin the daytime in Palm Springs) and, a bit of breeze. This place really is an oasis ………even from weather. However, when looking out at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains, the snow line is decidedly moving “downhill”. Winter is getting close but, given that the mountains reach an altitude of 10,000 feet, it is a long way from ever getting us.<br /><br />Seeing B.B. King on the week-end, reminded us that everyone gets old. Neither of us thinks that ol’ B.B. will be touring much longer. He can still play as well as ever but, at 82 years old, remains seated throughout his concert and, takes lots of time out between songs. Maybe he should hang up old “Lucille”. Hopefully, when we see Earth Wind & Fire next weekend, they will have retained more of their original energy! What the heck ……. we have ;-)</div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-78028129409034193012008-01-04T20:30:00.000-05:002008-12-11T11:42:54.624-05:00Oh ............ what the hell.............<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZ5BCdCh6VwxxJKj_kC4e0MLz-NN02J76dU94h0o2k5Gcy6jsPBTDXXbyTrEH2RtxEa2ldWa79glEtlzL-x0cLjRAj-bxnGompcOtSat3wQr6tVfSj6Tg44AvH1WtKrg9eooh/s1600-h/Chapter+III+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151800184170670914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZ5BCdCh6VwxxJKj_kC4e0MLz-NN02J76dU94h0o2k5Gcy6jsPBTDXXbyTrEH2RtxEa2ldWa79glEtlzL-x0cLjRAj-bxnGompcOtSat3wQr6tVfSj6Tg44AvH1WtKrg9eooh/s320/Chapter+III+027.jpg" border="0" /></a> The balloons keep going and going.................<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-mg9aGGLn4K0M8ULtcvdUpaFCL5JCb4y3xcHtQVlHZMFd6t81MtiH0KaUKNlsNQRsrOHCfHYmlkiDq2l1dmIogjNS5_CreTcrn8hj-2peON0WGHCujmyKz7mwlLy-1pdnsv0/s1600-h/Chapter+III+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151799892112894770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-mg9aGGLn4K0M8ULtcvdUpaFCL5JCb4y3xcHtQVlHZMFd6t81MtiH0KaUKNlsNQRsrOHCfHYmlkiDq2l1dmIogjNS5_CreTcrn8hj-2peON0WGHCujmyKz7mwlLy-1pdnsv0/s320/Chapter+III+023.jpg" border="0" /></a> Off they go!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDYLAxtSh_dfc15jAFo6kORCsp0jav39tIfLqAL89AvdgsaYxwHIAeSqa9SB9SMwp1uxfvLDDhbuVT-I60uml3XgMQmHDx6KBLn9jBh43vEZmCtSkFjGp52UElSBRMUmWmg9Y/s1600-h/Chapter+III+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151799514155772706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDYLAxtSh_dfc15jAFo6kORCsp0jav39tIfLqAL89AvdgsaYxwHIAeSqa9SB9SMwp1uxfvLDDhbuVT-I60uml3XgMQmHDx6KBLn9jBh43vEZmCtSkFjGp52UElSBRMUmWmg9Y/s320/Chapter+III+011.jpg" border="0" /></a> But, you have to fill em up first!<br /><br /><br /><div>It was my sincere intention to abandon blogging for a while; at least until we hit the road for home in the spring. However, I was shocked at the number of people who commented positively on the blog upon our return home for Christmas. Somebody actually reads this stuff!!!!! And ……… no one is forcing anyone to tune in so, what the hell ……… we may as well keep this thing going.<br /><br />The drive home for Christmas was a fun trip except for the last 200 feet, where we careened down our snowy driveway on California summer tires and, ended up smack in the middle of our neighbours’ front lawn. They were quite good about it!!! The car immediately got parked until spring.<br /><br />Christmas in Brockville is always a fun time with friends and family ever-present. Jonathan and Meghann were able to visit for a week and re-charge. Our best Christmas gift!<br /><br />Flying back to Palm Springs started out by being snowed into our infamous driveway the day before our scheduled flight back. Even 4-wheel drive would not save the day because the snow was so deep the car bottomed out!!! Enter our extremely reliable snow plough contractor to the rescue. He plowed a path out and, we spent the night in a Brockville motel (not a highlight of the holidays!) so as not to get snowed back in. The trip to Palm Springs included the usual delayed flights, missed connections and, lost luggage. Customer service at United Airlines is as bad as ever but ………. here we are.<br /><br />While we were at home, Palm Springs received its first real rain in 2 years and, there is more forecast for this weekend. Rain is a huge event around here and, much celebrated. Also……. it surely beats snow!!!<br /><br />As “the season” reaches its peak in the desert, there are an increasing number of “attractions” in the area. Helen Hunt opened the Palm Springs Film Festival (founded by the late Palm Springs Mayor – Sonny Bono) yesterday with the inaugural screening of her new movie / directorial debut. There is a hot-air balloon festival this weekend; a pro-am (celebrities) golf tournament is about to begin and, we scored tickets to see B.B. King in concert on Saturday night. The only problem is that it is difficult to be in all places at once.</div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-5419096367764027082007-11-27T19:02:00.000-05:002008-12-11T11:42:54.985-05:00Home for the Holidays<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3kXRu7ONpbChE7lwrmwWljd1M6kuHvmt37_lwnv9GRj9c_XC57faXyb1vhZ5TFoC13n63HOoyoM7kZa3SaFqb1sK2tF2V-4r_allWwAC_D9Lm2dvnwiW-zdazQSDyQkKVLB6/s1600-h/Chapter+II+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137675458391943538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3kXRu7ONpbChE7lwrmwWljd1M6kuHvmt37_lwnv9GRj9c_XC57faXyb1vhZ5TFoC13n63HOoyoM7kZa3SaFqb1sK2tF2V-4r_allWwAC_D9Lm2dvnwiW-zdazQSDyQkKVLB6/s320/Chapter+II+014.jpg" border="0" /></a> The End (until April ......... maybe)<br /><br /><br /><div>Tomorrow, Brenda and I are leaving for home to enjoy Christmas with family and friends. We have decided to do a cross country drive, leaving the RV in Palm Springs (we have just not had enough driving in the past 1 ½ years). I am sure that we will run into enough bad winter driving along the way that we will rethink this brilliant idea many times. However ….. more adventure!!<br /><br />Upon our return to Palm Springs in early January, we will be living the life of any other “Snowbird”. We will not be moving from place-to-place and, will likely not have much to report. Therefore, we are bidding adieu to our blog friends and discontinuing our little blogfest. Since the main purpose of this cyberspace journal was to assist our aging minds in remembering where we have been, should it be required while staying in one place we will have developed VERY serious memory problems (far worse than those being accepted as our current norm). Calls and e-mails from “home” will still be very much anticipated and sincerely appreciated. We may resume blogging come early April ’08 when we reawaken the diesel in the bowels of our tin can home and again hit the road. Until then “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”</div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902311.post-77398150955165527832007-11-24T13:17:00.000-05:002008-12-11T11:42:55.649-05:00Santa Ana<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ5lmG4t18TwmXG-fYUVDs0N5N1CCclLAiuGrfJsxEEqvHH9votYjH1lfbIo7jPsfUe8GNCLe-5YRMazZq5-M1wlcqWfTlamPGQ62du1pPKd0IyGU7Z85JgKPJL5em8bb00GF/s1600-h/Chapter+II+069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136473395830040930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ5lmG4t18TwmXG-fYUVDs0N5N1CCclLAiuGrfJsxEEqvHH9votYjH1lfbIo7jPsfUe8GNCLe-5YRMazZq5-M1wlcqWfTlamPGQ62du1pPKd0IyGU7Z85JgKPJL5em8bb00GF/s320/Chapter+II+069.jpg" border="0" /></a> Today's fire started at around 3:00 A.M. yet was visible from space a few hours later<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2ufJ_qKd2uj1b0KiRTQujYHJZNXHR1VN2TQOquxah_2Ezs_BsQZt0nUATlTFz08cH4pP5v8yqT_PCIhs643_nvDM_B2X6hA1i5j6iSY4EpxfwwX25WOD1zJH-0KvZ1boItih/s1600-h/Chapter+II+070.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136473142426970450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2ufJ_qKd2uj1b0KiRTQujYHJZNXHR1VN2TQOquxah_2Ezs_BsQZt0nUATlTFz08cH4pP5v8yqT_PCIhs643_nvDM_B2X6hA1i5j6iSY4EpxfwwX25WOD1zJH-0KvZ1boItih/s320/Chapter+II+070.jpg" border="0" /></a> They brought in the "big guns" just after daybreak. This DC-10 clipped its wing on a treetop fighting the October fires!!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindO0Vkoe0iM-88pt1kHgovN4WZPE5QT8WjIjFICAfvTmiuwegBdbRV-S6m10fO3ASlAdQONGX6-9okkM57FTr3rxDIA1Jji4kmTLawHG9s6tYuuVMz7-Z70nJNcnsCwU7ecPU/s1600-h/Chapter+II+071.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136473030757820738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindO0Vkoe0iM-88pt1kHgovN4WZPE5QT8WjIjFICAfvTmiuwegBdbRV-S6m10fO3ASlAdQONGX6-9okkM57FTr3rxDIA1Jji4kmTLawHG9s6tYuuVMz7-Z70nJNcnsCwU7ecPU/s320/Chapter+II+071.jpg" border="0" /></a> I like flying a lot but .......... I think I would pass on a ride with these guys!!<br /><br /><br /><div>The Santa Ana winds which plague Los Angeles and San Diego have reared their ugly head again today. They are formed in the winter high-pressure zones over the high deserts of the Great Basin in Utah and Nevada, in the region between the Rockies and the Sierras. As the winds descend westward, they pass through canyons in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains, gaining speed and warmth as they go. As the Santa Ana’s descend and warm (up to 30°F), they lose any moisture they may have contained, hitting the west coast as roaring, hot, dry winds from 40 to 115 miles per hour. Any fire source can be whipped out-of-control in seconds. The parched undergrowth in drought infested Southern California seems to burn every time a Santa Ana occurs.<br /><br />What is surprising to us is that today’s Santa Ana’s have been forecast for over a week. Officials have been bringing in firefighters and equipment all week and, as Santa Ana’s go, today’s winds are relatively light (top speed – 57 mph). Yet Malibu is ablaze again!! Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, just north-west of Palm Springs, is where all the fire-fighting aircraft are based and, is locally known as “Tanker Town”. Today’s Malibu fire is being fought with up to a dozen aircraft from Tanker Town, including a DC-10 and several Canadian water-bombers. Local news coverage is non-stop! Campers are thought to have been the source of today’s fires. Who, in their right mind, goes camping and lights camp-fires in a tinder dry fire-zone with Santa Ana’s forecast?????</div></div></div>B&Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483984518855958135noreply@blogger.com0