Memories of Christmas 2008

Dutchess opening her gift from Santa.














Dutchess making sure no one else gets her gift from Santa














Dutchess playing with her gift from Santa.


Oh yes, we did go over to Leslie's to have dinner with several members of her family. A good time was had by all!

Merry Christmas!

Our hope is that you have a GREAT DAY!

http://www.aroundmd.com/whitechristmas/

Snow in Las Vegas

Yes, it can snow in Las Vegas!

Great Quotes

Ok, so today, I'm cheating. This link was sent to me by a friend and I really enjoyed it. Hope you do too.

www.greatquotesmovie.com

Morning walk at Stallion Mountain in Las Vegas

Today, Dec 6, 2008, we took our morning walk, and decided to show some of the beauty that we observed. The first pic is of a beautiful rose bush with buds still opening. It also seems strange to see Christmas decorations in the same yard with rose bushes

This is the view across the golf course looking to the "Strip" where many casinos are. To the right, you can see a touch of snow on top of Mt. Charleston, just above the Stratosphere. You may need to look at the full size pic to see the snow.

The last picture shows the blossums on the tree in Rich's back yard, they are so pretty.

Jerome, AZ

Jerome, AZ., once known as the “Wickedest Town in The West” is perched on the side of Cleopatra Hill. In fact, if you walk from the bottom of town to the top, you will have climbed some 1500 feet! Established in 1876, Jerome sat on top of large deposits of copper. After 4 devastating fires, most buildings were then built from stone or brick. Mining thrived, and by the 1920s, Jerome boasted a population of nearly 15,000 on its hilltop haven. However, in 1953 the ore deposits gave out, and “King Copper” left town, and the population dwindled to a low of 50 residents.

The Jerome Historical Society guarded the buildings against vandalism and the elements, the Douglas Mansion became a State Park in 1965, and Jerome became a National Historic Landmark in 1976. During the 60's and 70's, during the time of the counter culture, Jerome offered a haven for artists. Soon newcomers and Jerome old timers were working together to bring Jerome back to life. Today, Jerome is very much alive with writers, artists, artisans, musicians, boutiques, restaurants, quaint inns, and B & Bs, with a population near 500.

Jerome is in the Verde Valley, some 70 miles south of Flagstaff, AZ. Only some 20 miles away is the well-known town of Sedona, AZ.


View from Jerome into the valley and the city of Cottonwood.






The Holy Family Catholic Church, built in 1894, still used today.









Several of the building have found "new" uses. Note the slope of the street.




Constant dynamiting in the mining operations, caused the town to shake, and eventually parts of the town actually slid downhill. This is what is left of the jail which moved 225 feet.

What Do You Believe?

This week’s posting was going to have a very light mood to it. But, I have been thinking all week about Priscilla’s posting regarding the transition, and her concern regarding the history books and the quote on President Bush’s legacy.

We have just completed (well, almost completed) one of the longest campaigns in history, been exposed to speeches, lies, stories, half-truths, etc., and it’s not yet done. We have a President & President-Elect who seem determined to make this transition work gracefully. But, they meet, and immediately we are hearing from “sources” the content of their conversation. Even James Carville, well known Democratic political strategist, said “President Bush has a right to expect his conversation with President-Elect Obama to remain private”. We even are hearing from “sources” within the McCain campaign stories critical of Governor Palin.

Who are all these “sources”. According to a couple of “pundits”, most “sources” are low to mid-level people who are trying to prove to reporters that they are in fact, part of the in-the-know crowd, and that this will increase their importance. In fact, the reporters don’t really respect the “sources” making these “leaks”, but they use them anyway! Anything for a story!

So please, as you listen to the news, remember the old adage, “Believe nothing you hear, and only half that you see.”

This also is one reason you seldom see forwards from me. My younger brother, Duane & I used to have several conversations about the proliferation of emails on the internet, some true, some false, some just plain clutter. This was brought to mind when I received an email from his daughter, Domenica, some time ago. I will include that below, in hopes that it stirs some feelings, thinking, maybe even some comments.

This did end up being a serious posting, I promise the next one will be different. Please, feel free to make comments, I love to hear from you!


I just want to thank all of you for your educational emails over the past year.

Thanks to you, I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel.

I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pass-time while driving alone is picking your nose. (Although cell phone usage may be taking the number one spot)

Eating a Little Debbie sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of trans fats I have consumed over the years.

I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom. Yuck!

I must send my special thanks to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.

Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.

I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.

I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.

I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.

I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put 'Under God' on their cans.

I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face...disfiguring me for life.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.

I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore and Uzbekistan.

I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.

Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.

And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!

If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician...

Have a wonderful day....Oh, by the way.....A German scientist from Argentina, after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient brain activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse. Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late!

The Grand Canyon

First, an editorial comment: By the time most of you read this posting, the election will be over, and I just know you all VOTED! In spite of the length of the campaign, and all the negative ads, and difference of opinions, our system still works! And it is our DUTY to make our voices heard, to vote our beliefs, to support our elected officials. If we don't, then we have no one to blame but ourselves. God Bless America!

The Grand Canyon! Oh how awesome! Pictures just DO NOT do it justice, but I will post some anyway. We managed to watch 1 sunset, and 2 sunrises from the rim of the canyon. The changing lights, views, is a wonder to behold.

The South Rim (where we were) is at 7000 feet, about 5,000 feet (a mile!) above the river. In the one picture, you can see the river to the right, and Phantom Ranch (where people spend the night) on the left. With binoculars, we could see rafts pulled up on the shore of the river.

In this picture, we are looking at the Lodge on the North Rim, 10 miles away, and at 8,000 feet! I know, I need a better camera.

Some of the lookouts are really up in the air, the thing that really got me was how much was accessible without barriers. Note the picture of us, it's a long way down from that edge!

Yes, we did walk down into the canyon - a few hundred feet - but at 7,000 feet, we were not foolish enough to try much. You can see that the trail just keeps going down & down.

Route 66, Prescott, AZ

Regarding my "Thought of the Week", perhaps this question should be directed to the Presidential Candidates. Do you think they even have a "clue"???

In New Mexico, we stayed at the Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post on Old Route 66 just west of Albuquerque. The Park does date back to the days of Route 66, and they have some neat looking cars & trailers there. Those were the "Good old days".

While at Camp Verde, we visited the city of Prescott and went to Porky's BBQ for lunch - Hmmm, GOOD!

While eating lunch, we noticed this sign on the wall. Yes, apparently the owner had issues with the Building Inspector.

Time for an Update

Upon leaving Aurora, we ventured to Camp Verde, AZ. We visited Sedona, Jerome, and Prescott, also had a visit from Cousin Jim & LaVon. We then drove up to the Grand Canyon for 2 nights, before heading for Las Vegas. A future posting will have pictures of these visits.

Just over a week in Vegas, dr appointments, so far everything looks good, still have some tests to do, but all is well. Came out to Pahrump with the trailer yesterday, friends John, Jan, Rick, Pam, Ralph & Pam (and others) are here so chance to visit & PARTY!

I’m Mad as H…!! – Part II – Latest Update - 2 Good news, Uniroyal made good on adjusting the latest tire (4th since Jan). Not only that, they also agreed to adjust the spare. Both tires were replaced AT NO CHARGE! So we now have all 2008 tires on the trailer.

We are often asked how Dutchess deals with the travel. So I thought I would post a picture of my travelling companions as we drove across New Mexico.

Congress in Recess?

A few weeks ago, I made a comment about Congress being on their "vacation". Perhaps Uncle Jay can explain it better than I can.

So a week ago, Congress passed this HUGE Bail out program, and immediately went home to meet with their constituents. And in the week since, the stock market has plummeted, world financial markets are in a tailspin, the "experts" continue to tell us what is wrong, the Presidential campaign is getting nastier, and the media, well, let's not go there. And Congress, well they are still at home, dreading the day they need to go back to work in Washington.

On My Soap Box

Presidential Election.
Voting for President of the United States is both a privilege, and a responsibility, one which I have taken seriously for many years. And yes, I know how the Electoral College works, and have accepted it, even knowing my vote is technically not a vote for the candidate, but someone who will represent me when that time comes. But now, what am I supposed to do – John McCain has pulled his staff & resources out of Michigan, telling me, in effect, “I can’t win Michigan, so don’t bother to vote for me.”

Congressional Election.
Then there is the vote for Congress. According to Pete Hoekstra, “Rather than use the opportunity to change business in Washington, the Democratic leadership took a must-pass bill and loaded it up with unnecessary pork.” And then he changed his NO vote on Monday to a YES vote today, with the “pork” added in! I’m still waiting for his answer as to why he changed his vote. And as I told him today, I’m also considering all my voting options.

I’m Mad as H…!! – Part II – Latest Update.
Quick refresher: Jan, tread separation on tire damages side of trailer, repaired in April. May, side-wall separation, tire cut on spring, caught before blowing, replaced in Indiana. Early Sept, spotted another tread separation, tire replaced in West Lafayette, IN. In conversation with Uniroyal warranty people, “I still have 2 of the original tires on the trailer, I don’t trust them.” Their response, “We’ll address that issue if something happens.” Sept. 24, stopped in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and had another tire taken off the trailer with tread separation! Stay tuned, will certainly have more to say on this subject!

ps - see my special "thought" today.

Aurora, CO and Kajsa

Ok, so here are some pictures of our visit with Great-granddaughter Kajsa. She sure is a cutie. Oh, and her mother looks pretty good too. We enjoyed our visit, thank you to Josh & Deneen for letting us park in front of their home while there. Dutchess was not sure what to make of Kajsa, really didn't care to get acquainted.









As Priscilla & Rudy have already posted some pictures, I won't put very many. However, the Red Rocks Amphitheater really got my interest!

In the early 1900's, John Brisben Walker had a vision of artists performing on a stage nestled into the perfectly acoustic surroundings of Red Rocks. Walker produced a number of concerts between 1906 and 1910 on a temporary platform; and from his dream, the history of Red Rocks as an entertainment venue began.[1]
In 1927, George Cranmer, Manager of Denver Parks, convinced the City of Denver to purchase the area of Red Rocks from Walker for the price of $54,133. Cranmer convinced the Mayor of Denver, Ben Stapleton, to build on the foundation laid by Walker. By enlisting the help of the federally sponsored Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Work Projects Administration (WPA), labor and materials were provided for the venture. Geologically, the rocks are representative of the Fountain Formation. Originally the place was known as the "Garden of the Angels" (1870s-1906), and then as "Garden of the Titans" (1906-28). The park, however, had always been known by the folk name of "Red Rocks", which became its formal name when Denver acquired it in 1928. The amphitheatre's rocks are named "Creation Rock" on the north, "Ship Rock" on the south, and "Stage Rock" to the east.

That is "Ship Rock" behind Laura & I. The Amphitheater can seat up to 9,500. And with the lights of Denver behind, it just has to be one great place to attend concerts. Willie Nelson has appeared around 30 times, oh would I like to hear him in that setting.

Another Loss!

Little David is in the 5th grade. Yesterday morning when the teacher asked the children what their fathers did for a living, all the typical answers came up; fireman, policeman, salesman, etc. The teacher noticed that little David was being uncharacteristically quiet and so she asked him about his father. 'My father's an exotic dancer in a gay bar and takes off all his clothes in front of other men. Sometimes, if the offer's really good, he'll go out to the alley with some guy and do it with him for money.' The teacher, obviously shaken by this statement, hurriedly set the other children to work on some coloring, and took little David aside to ask him, 'Is that really true about your father?' 'No,' said David, 'He plays for the Lions, but I was too embarrassed to say that in front of the other kids.'

Lions preseason; 4-0. Regular season; 0-3

Trip to Canada

Our trip to Canada was Great! We went up with cousin Bruce & Dorothy, cousin Arlene came up the following day. Flowing water from a creek, propane gas lights, wood heat, cooking over a campfire, view of the lake from the out-house, and NO other people, what more could you ask for.

Here are a few views of the cabin.












Laura pointing to our water supply - gravity brings it down the hill to the cabin.











One of my jobs was to salvage the previous night's campfire, I usually had a couple of companions helping me. And we even cooked over the campfire during the rain - what fun!










Of course we went for hikes, you had to look for the trails, good thing we had guides. Visited the falls, and the dogs really enjoyed the beaver ponds. I'm also adding a couple of views of the lake. There are only 12 (I think) cabins on the lake. Nice and quiet.

All in all, a fun trip, thank you Bruce, Dorothy, and Arlene.