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.