Happy Trails To You Until We Meet Again....................

Daisy is Ready to Fly Again.......

And So Are We........................................................
We have spent nine days in NJ.What a great final stop on our way to fabulous NH.

We got to see many friends and have some great meals.Especially our visit to a favorite portugese restaurant in the "iron bound" section of Newark,NJ.We've gone for years and always have fabulous meals and lots of San Gria!Lunch with an old boss of mine from the "Trump" helicopter days was nice.Always enjoy seeing him and his lovely wife.We were parked at our favorite Earle Naval Weapons Depot in beautiful Colts Neck NJ.Horse country.We had fantastic bagels while there.Something we don't have in NH, so it is a real treat.More friends,

more dinners.Great ones.And yes we paid the price of gaining some pounds.Well worth it.We had a visit from my brother and his wife one afternoon.More dinner!Daisy was having a great time taking long walks around the heavily wooded base.She has been there a few times and has some familiarity.There are tons of deer walking everywhere since they are protected on the station.They mad Daisy crazed.So did the many squirrels.The deer would come out in the evening by the dozens.Lindy went to Manhatten on saturday to see a show with her friends from UAL.I had a friend visit who I hadn't seen in some twenty years.He was a mentor of mine in the late fifties, early sixties.He was a helicopter mechanic for the Port of NY Authority.I was fanatical about helicopters and Bob would let me help clean them and sit in them.He'd share his lunch and show me a lot of things on the Bell47J he maintained.He had no idea how much he influenced me in going into aviation.A great man.He was one of three major influences in my teen years and I had the pleasure of taking him to lunch and thanking him for his contribution in my life.We will stay in touch and not let all the years go by again.I hope I can have a positive effect on some young person in an aviation career as Bob did on me. So, we had a great time and plan on stopping next year and every year.

We departed early sunday morning for the 408 mile drive to NH.Arriving in our driveway at 7PM, we were very happy to be home.We spent the entire day monday unloading our "stuff".

On tuesday morning, we drove the seven miles to "Daisy's Landing" our new storage hangar and heliport.Sometime in May, we'll wash it, and clean it so it's ready to go on short notice.Afterward we returned to the house and unloaded a very full Toyota truck.That load in it increased over six months 'til it was absolutely full and heavy.I will detail it now and rotate tires as well as oil & filter changes.It is turning 100,000 miles in the next few days!We've got everything put away and can now take it easy and enjoy being in our house after six months.

Daisy even got a bath today.She had a weird reaction when we first arrived at the house.She appeared nervous and unsure of the house.Six months away was way to long for us and apparently for her as well.She worked it out pretty quickly. We walked her on familiar areas and she pretty well started to recognize her neighborhood.So this will be our final blog for the trip.Until next year, have a great summer and we'll see ya, ......................................on the road.

Final Statistics:

Total Miles- 7,201

Total Fuel-946 gals, plus 57 (need to refuel in NH later)= 1,003 Gallons Diesel(Also ran APU and Hydrohot heating from this total)

Refuel Stops-15

Highest Diesel Price- $3.18/Gal

Lowest Diesel Price- $1.97/Gal

Average Diesel Price- $2.32/Gal

Average Miles MPG- approx 7.2 to 8 MPG (Allowed for APU & Hydro Fuel burn)

Walmart Stays-3 Nights

Number of Military Base Stays-6

Number of Bases Visited-4

Away From NH-Just Under Six Months

Bases We Stayed: Davis-Monathan,AZ ,( Stayed at D-M east & Westbound), Barksdale AFB, La, Earle Weapons-US Navy, NJ,

Nellis AFB,NV, Ft.Bliss,TX, Tinker AFB, OK,

Bases Visited: March AFB, NAS El Centro, Kirkland AFB, Luke AFB

Hello again from the eastbound country coach.We've covered some ground since the last report and have but one leg to go.We departed Weatherford, Texas for Shreveport, Louisiana.Arriving at the east entry gate of Barksdale AFB, we heard and saw the aircraft you see above pass directly overhead at very low altitude as they performed touch and go landings.These airplanes have been around for some 50 years now.Relics from the cold war.

They look very antiquated by todays standards.They were so low that even Daisy would lift her head to look at them.Can't imagine what she thought.We stayed two nights at the base since as members of the Air Forces frequent camper club, we got a night free.The second night was interesting.Our emergency weather radio came on (It's automatic) to warn of tornado activity.I cranked up the computer to see the radar picture.Sure enough, a line of T storms just west of us moving toward us fast.A tornado spawned and was reported.I sent Lindy & Daisy to the shelter nearby the coach.When the weather was 5 minutes away, I vacated too.We got heavy rain for a few minutes, then it got still.I looked at the radar avialable in the building and Lindy, Daisy and I went back to the coach.The threat had passed.About 20 other folks at the shelter hung around almost an hour fearing a return of the weather.It was over.The next day we found out the tornado had damaged the bridge entering the front gate of the base and it was closed for repair.

We departed on schedule thru the east gate for Meridian, Mississippi.Continuing on route 20 that we picked up out of El Paso, it was an easy drive for our one night stay there.The next day we departed for Gadsden, Alabama.This was another one nighter.The place sucked but we just needed dinner and sleep.Daisy got a long walk between the two.After Gadsden, we went to Sevierville,Tennessee.We had been there on the way westward and really liked the park and location.Parked right on the river we have a picture of it out our front window in an early blog.

Located near Gatlinsburg and Pigeon Forge, it's got lots of shopping and good restaurants.We stayed there 3 more nights.Known as Two Rivers Landing RV Resort, we would highly recommend it to RVers and plan to return at a future date.

Leaving Sevierville was not easy.Daisy loved the healthy, plush grass to hop thru.I never saw her enjoy grass that much.We enjoyed the stay a lot too.We were on route 40 for a while 'til we intercepted route 81 which would take us into Pennsylvania.We stopped one night in Salem, Va near Roanoke.A good friend came over and joined us for dinner at a nearby restaurant.A nice evening visiting.Next day we were off for Chambersburg, Pa.There we stayed for the first time in a Cracker Barrel lot that actually had "lanes" painted for RV parking.Vary secure, but to near I-81.NOISY.At least dinner in their restaurant was real good.The next morning we decided to have breakfast in the "Barrel".Pancakes, Waffles etc.We were full and I thought I wouldn't need food for a couple of days.We departed up route 81 to intercept I-78 into New Jersey.Arriving at our NJ home, Earle Weapons Depo, a US Navy base at about one o'clock.We use this place every year to visit all our friends in the NY-NJ area.It's a great time seeing everyone.Our schedule is pretty full for our nine day stay.As mentioned we have one leg to go for our return to NH.Today, we had heavy rains and raw weather we have not had in nearly six months.Except for the rain at Shreveport, we have not seen rain almost at all.It was kind of nice to have a real rainy day.Some time next week, we hope to have posted our final blog from this trip out west and back.I'll add any pictures worthy that I may find and will give you all the final statistics as to miles, fuel burn and other interesting stuff.We hope you have enjoyed following our trip and hope to talk to everyone interested in all the gory details.It's a great country, despite the efforts of all the dopes in government who are doing their best to destroy it.We had all positive experiences from fellow americans and particularly enjoyed the ability to meet military folks at the bases, both active duty and retired types.One to go........Daisy will have to re-adjust to a house that doesn't roll ..........................See Ya

We have started our eastbound trek in earnest.After leaving Lake Havasu we drove to North Phoenix for a few nights stay.I did get to fly my new friends Bell 47G helicopter.An earlier version of mine.For six days of travel, we made a fair distance.From north Phoenix to Davis-Monathan AFB(Tucson) for a couple of nights.The pictures here show Daisy preparing to leave D-M.The large green helo is the military version of the aircraft I flew for five years between NY and Atlantic City.Our three machines were stretched versions of Marine One.After leaving D-M, we proceeded to Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas.We decided to bypass Las Cruces as origonally planned.We spent another two nights at Bliss.Then, on to the next stop at Midland, Texas.A nice little park for a nights stay.We discovered that Daisy liked to sit on the swings in the dog run area.Apparently, they're there for the humans, but Daisy jumped on the seat with us.We were swinging a while and when we stopped, she started to"talk" to us.She wanted the motion.So we swung & swung & swung.................&.....you got it.After leaving Midland, we headed

on to Weatherford, Texas.Located about 30 miles west of Fort Worth, we ended up staying an extra night for a total of three.We visited mineral wells airport where a helo, like the one pictured here, was poised for fire fighting.When I went to see it, I saw it belonged to a company owned by a copilot I flew with on that type a/c over twenty years ago.He's doing quite well.Based in Michigan, he operates the company with six large helos and just bought a company in california which added to the fleet.The weather overall was clear and dry all along our trip.Although the wind blowing to 50 in El Paso wasn't fun.The coach was rocking & rolling in the parking spot!Driving was not a problem since the wind was on our tail as a quartering tailwind.So on the four legs from North Phoenix to Weatherford, Texas we covered some 1100+ miles.We're still making changes to the route home and are targeting NJ for mid april.Still really enjoying driving this thing down the road and looking forward to home and NH.We'll try and get a blog out a few more times and look forward to seeing (&talking) to all our friends.Particularly those of you following Daisy's blog.

So until then we'll see ya......Down the road!..............................................Adios

Daisy has left the building!Yes.We have departed Las Vegas and quite honestly it sucks!A real dust bowl.Almost always very windy and blowing dust to the extent of reducing visibility a lot.We had to close windows to keep the dust level controllable.Even though we have an Oreck air cleaner going 24/7.We won't return toVegas again.
We departed a few days ago for an easy 150 mile drive to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.A pretty nice town established only 40 years ago.A beautiful eighty mile long lake located along the California-Arizona border.The famous London Bridge appears in a photo below.Happy to report it is not falling down.Just a focal point for tourist draw. Lindy and I ate at
one of the best italian restaurants ever!The founder was-yes- an italian guy from Hoboken.Lot's
of Sinatra pictures on the walls.The food was out of this world.Also saw a great old car show on a street nearby.At the airport just two miles down the road, we got to see a beautiful B-17 bomber.In fact it flew right over our motorhome as we were parked near the extended runway centerline about a mile from the TZ.Got a neat picture for you below.We spent three nights at Havasu.
Today we made the 200 mile jaunt to the north Phoenix area.We'll stay two nights here.The stop is to visit a friend who has a Bell 47 just like mine.I'll be taking more pictures and gathering more info in the care and feeding of my machine.Yes if you read the blogs, you know I saw him the end of december when we were westbound.I did loose all the pictures of that visit when my Vaio stroked out.I'm hoping we will get to fly this time unless it's real windy again.We also are trying to get to Luke AFB in the morning to check it out.Our next stops are Tucson and then Las Cruce's NM.Only planning one or two nights at each location.Gas prices seem to be inching up a bit.Below 2 bucks a gallon in AZ.Above 2 bucks a gallon in CA.I got a load of diesel in Havasu this morning for about 15 cents a gal. less than the Phoenix area.So it's still a crapshoot.Than God for Blackberries and computers.I check the route a day or two before a launch to plan fueling.Generally I go six to seven hundred miles between refuels since I like to refill with a third of a tank indicated.Although it's not a hard and fast rule to stick to.When i find a bargain, we'll fuel up anyway to tanker the savings.Like we did in airplanes.We hold 135 gallons so that leaves about 45 gallons in the tank for "reserve".At the end of the trip, I hope to post all vital statistics for those interested who may be RVers, or just want to know, like me..............................................see you nexttime....B,L & D.

So the other day we were at Red Rock Canyon.It was neat.In fact the next day some climber had to be rescued when he was stuck in mid air during his climb/descent.You can climb there but you need a permit.We decided to take a drive to the Valley of Fire a couple of days ago.This was even more spectacular than the canyon was.The very scenic road wound thru some of the most gorgeous formations of bright red rocks that went on for several miles via a loop road.I've included a few pix here, but they don't really capture driving thru the "valley" formed by the firey red rock hills.Daisy got in a picture to contrast the red to her coat.It was a long day but we enjoyed it.What is getting old out west is the dust.It's everywhere.And the dryness.Having humidity numbers in the single digits are common.We'll be happy when we are east of the mississippi!My Toyota is contrasting the large rocks in another photo.Tacoma will be at one hundred thousand miles in a few weeks.We'll have to celebrate with a margarita!
On Sunday, Lindy went to a brunch with a group from the park.She had a great meal and good time.Daisy and I stayed home (slept in!).Yesterday, we went to a Sportsman &
RV show at the Vegas Covention Center.Good news is that we got in free with our military ID's.
I was glad to not have to ask for a seniors discount.We ended up spending a lot on a complete set of titanium cook ware.So I guess we made up the free entry.You may be wondering why we haven't posted any pictures of downtown Vegas.Well the two or three times we were there, I didn't have my camera and we felt if you watch the opening shots of CSI (In Vegas), you'll see it all better than my shots would show.
We are now spending our last weekend at Nellis quietly.Lindy is enjoying the heck out of her new Kindle2 book device thing.She's had it only two weeks and has already read six novels!For avid book readers, like Lindy, this thing is a godsend.It's about as big as a large paperback and only a quarter inch thick.It will download a full book in less than one minute!So no more carrying a load of hardbacks with us, or looking for them, and paying a small fortune to buy them.The Kindle downloads for just $9.95.An amazing invention.Check it out at Amazon.Com.The warm eighty degree weather is to break by tomorrow and stay in the seventies.However, the wind is going to gust to forty plus also.Our next stop for those interested, is this wednesday to Lake Havasu City, Az.We'll spend a few days there sightseeing.They have the London Bridge there. If you remember, they purchased it from England years ago.It was dismantled, shipped, and re-assembled in Lake Havasu.From there we will begin our slow eastbound trek to the eastcoast and tentatively plan a mid-april arrival in NJ.We'll try to get out a blog as often as feasible on the road eastbound and are looking forward to seeing our friends in Jersey soon.Spring is here, enjoy longer days, shorter nights & warmer weather.For now.................From The Road,...............................over & out

Hi everyone!I'm getting to write a little to give dad a break.Yesterday the folks took me for a drive to Red Rock Canyon.They are a 25 mile drive west of the city of Las Vegas.
They are as high as 4700 feet above sea level.We got in free using the golden age card we now have for national parks.There was a 13 mile scenic drive road thru the hills and rock formations.We stopped about ten times for pictures.The rocks are red from having very high
levels of iron bearing minerals deposited over 600 million years ago when the formations were below sea level.About 180 million years ago, a giant sand dune formed over what would become the western US.Winds formed the lines in the sands, and over time the sand compressed into stone.After telling you that, isn't it a shame I will never see college!Anyway I had a good time and gave up a lot of afternoon nap time to make this pilgrimage but it was worth it.I actually met another long hair Dacshund named Izzy.We talked a few minutes about our quest for food and techniques to use on our owners ( push-overs in my case).Dad got a picture of me in the car window.And sort of like Alfred Hitchcock always having a cameo in his movies, well it is my blog.So, we are going to the Valley of Fire tomorrow to see,
you guesssed it ....more rocks.I'll be wearing my asbestos harnesses I'm sure and just in case I'll bring a fire bottle.I half expect to see Godzilla around some of these prehistoric looking areas.If we get some good pictures, I'll have them on the blog.Right now I need to go to the couch and catch up on some of my lost nap time...............................Daisy

I'm still learning use of the Nikon so while not perfect I thought they were good and you can get a sense of the precision timing these pilots

have in executing their aerobatics.Lots of blaring hard guitar rock is playing on the speaker system as the "Birds" perform.Also

several patriotic songs interspersed.Watching

and hearing this show is an experience I would

recommend to everyone.Check their schedule on ....The USAF Thunderbirds

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Week two at Nellis AFB has gone by faster than week one.We didn't do much the first week here.Didn't have to go far to be entertained.Meaning Red Flag was on going.Every kind of fighter was overhead our motorhome to include aircraft from Canada, Great Britain and Austrailia.Some 80 takeoffs a day.They will use live weapons in these final stages as it ends friday.We've been at the BX and commissary often.Also met some nice folks.One guy is an Army Appache pilot currently flying UAV's located in the mid east.Yes, they're operated/flown from right here.Another couple are from our neck of the woods, Maine.We went to casino "hop" with them since they've come here for years and know it real well.Daisy stayed at "home" for that trip and did real well.We leave the radio on and she can look out some windows for entertainment.

One trip she got to go on was an easy and scenic ride to Hoover Dam.About a 30 mile hike.You can see her in the pictures above.She met another friend there, a german shepard named Lady.Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to leave her in the car according to garage attendants.We didn't know that before we went.It was cool enough out to not be a problem.So, we didn't take the tours of the dam.However, we were ok with that having recently seen a documentary on the building of the dam.Just the size and magnitude of the dam were interesting enough.We parked in a couple of different viewing areas.We decided to drive over to Boulder City airfield to see what might be interesting.Well, the two major sightseeing companies that service the Dam and Grand Canyon were based there.Twin otters and a fleet of helicopters.I wanted to "fly" with these outfits after retiring from the Boeing airliners, however that was not to be.I was only going to do it for six months.Six months here, six in Hawaii and wherever else they have good sight seeing for helicopter ops.Having done it in New York for a few years, I can say it never got boring and the passengers were always enthusiastic.There's nothing like flying a helicopter.I'm glad I have one!

Today we had a special treat.The Thunderbirds put on their "kick off" airshow for the commanding general.He kind of gives them the hand wave blessing to start out on the road across the country on their show schedule for the 2009 airshow season.They invited family and friends and retiree's.I got to use my new Nikon to it's fullest.Using continuous shoot mode, I shot about 650 pictures!I couldn't believe it.But, I got a few gems.Remember a broken watch is correct twice a day.Well, you take that many pictures, your bound to get some lucky shots in there.That's how a lot of weddings photographers work.Shoot a lot of pixs!I'm going to put a few shots on this blog.Hope you like them.The "Birds" are good and put on an excellent display of precision flying, but I must say I prefer the Navy's Blue Angels.Their shows are much more exciting and very little delay between manuevers.They seem to do a few daring manuevers also.Now you Air Force folks remain calm.It's just my opinion after watching these teams for some 40 years.I also enjoyed yesterday's practice by the Birds.I was out cleaning the Tacoma and had taken some photos of them from my area.I had put the camera in the coach and some 5 minutes later the roar overhead was deafening.The venerable diamond formation flew directly over my motorhome at about 5 to 700 feet AGL.Now that there was impressive.

One last thing that we enjoyed was visiting a Mini-Cooper dealer here in north Vegas.What a neat car.Unfortunately not towable, we still would consider one in the future.They can get over 40 MPG in stick shift transmission versions.They're are really comfortable too.One other thing we've encountered out west.DUST!Very dry and everything gets a layer on it.Never thought I'd look forward to some humidity.However, in their defense out here, they are having a long dry spell.We haven't seen rain since a few days in december at Arizona.Tomorrow we will go to the Venetian casino for lunch with our friends from Maine.Weather has been sunny with day temps in the high sixties expecting eighties in a few days.We see temps moderating in the east and hope to have good weather for our slow trek eastbound.We'll take about two weeks to get to the New Jersey area.So 'til next time ........................................ QSY, Good Day.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Winter is still hitting hard on the east coast.We're very happy to be complaining about the 89 degree temperature on our last day in Indio.In fact we extended one extra day.Seems that NASCAR had a big race planned in Vegas for our travel day.We heard from some of the california folks at our park about it.So today we made the 291 mile trip after everyone had left the event.Folks here at Nellis AFB told us that was a smart decision since traffic was really bad and lots of accidents added to the misery.Now with the sound of freedom overhead, (F-22 Raptors), we are parked on the base RV park.Large parking spots with lots of room between sites we look forward to the change of scenery.Daisy is not nuts about leaving Indio.After two months she had her favorite places to "go".It'll take her a couple of days to re-

aclimate to new surroundings.

The last week at Indio was pleasant.We took a hundred mile ride to visit a family friend I hadn't seen in almost 50 years.The three of us had a real nice day with them.Driving home in the dark, not so nice.Lindy started experiencing some eye problems also.She was seeing green- yellow flashes in her vision.We googled it and for the better part of valor she saw an eye doctor.

He said it was not uncommon in our age group.

He said they should subside in a week or so.They

have and hopefully won't return.

The RV park "spot" owners had their once a year block party we attended.Lot's of food and drink and live music too.We enjoyed meeting some folks we hadn't already met.Even the weather was terrific.But then it was almost always very nice.

The last "to do" planned at Indio was

visiting the Living Desert Zoo & Exhibit.Lots of animals, plants indigenous to the Desert and wild bird exhibiits.I'll try to attach some here for your viewing.Today as the east gets pummeled by a big snowstorm, we wish an early end to winter for our friends and look forward to seeing them in warmer times...........................................out.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

This week we went to a few different in-
teresting events.One was a car show & auction in Palm Springs.Some great old cars were available.
Your looking at my favorite right here.A 60's vintage Porsche.I don't normally have an interest in any Porsche's, however, this was the finest restoration I've ever seen.It looked factory new inside & out.Lindy liked it, but was more attracted to early Benz 280's.We passed on a bid!
Oh well you can't tow either of them!


Another event we visited was the Riverside County Fair & Date festival.If you didn't know it, the coachella valley is the date capital of america.Dates are fruit unlike the dates you get on E-Harmony!There were all sorts of carnival rides and foods available.If your into "health" food, they were deep frying everything from chicken to snickers bars.I'm not kidding about the snickers bars!We had a fun time.Daisy had to stay home and watch Fox news.Only for a few hours.She's very informed on the news.


The pictures your now seeing were taken with the new Nikon and telephoto lens.I have a long way to go on learning the use and capabilities of the equipment.We took a few of these shots today at the Lake Cahuilla Recreation Area.I can take shots of Daisy without being near her which of course distracts her.The area was a nice state park around a small lake.There was an area designated for camping without services(electric/water) where folks had trailers, pop-ups and maybe a tent or two.Another area was available for motorhome/trailer parking with electrical and water hook-ups available at the sites.Very nice and not real expensive.We always collect information on these parks for future use and to pass along to other RV friends.This week we will finally get to the living desert museum.Hope to get those great animal shots.Hard to believe our two months here at Indio is coming to an end.Next Sunday, we'll make the 275 mile trip to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas.Located about 8 miles from the strip, we 're looking forward to the change of scenery.



We hope you guys noticed Daisy's extensive wardrobe.Those "Puppia" style harnesses are made by a local women (She's from Columbia, her husband worked on the alaskan pipeline, very interesting folks).She had a booth at the College of the Desert street fair.The harnesses are really great and it seems Daisy likes them.The leash hook is on top so she doesn't get "neck pull" when the leash is taught.By the way she had a good time walking around the car show meeting other doggies.That is until some old truck made two very loud backfires that probably caused some ex-GI's to hit the deck.Well Daisy made a taught leash B-line back to the safety of the Toyota.Thankfully, we had seen everything available in the hour and a half or so we had been there.Her little heart was beating fast 'til we got inside the truck and distracted her with some treats.Anyhow, we talked with friends in Wolfeboro today.They confirmed what my computer weather check detailed.Another large dump of snow was in progress.Another tough winter for the folks at home.I hope there's an early end to winter and the cold weather.'Til the next time..................over and out.

Long shot of The Lake Cahuilla Recreation Area

Sunday February 15th, 2009

This was a fairly lay back week.We didn't go to the living desert as planned.We thought we'd wait 'til Amazon delivered a new 55-200mm telephoto lens I ordered.Maybe I can get some great animal shots.Stay tuned.Lindy got to visit an old college friend living in Palm Springs. They hadn't seen each other since the early seventies after college in Pa.I stayed home with Daisy and practiced some old Buddy Hollie on my guitar.OK, so Daisy slept while I played.Later I took a 4 mile walk (Lindy had my truck)to get something to eat and get a dozen roses for Lindy for Valentine's day.OK all together now-Awwwww.

We took a ride south to El Centro one day to visit the naval air station.About a ninety mile ride.We wanted to check out the RV park, BX & commissary for future possibilities.When we entered the main gate, I had forgotten El Centro is winter home for the Blue Angels.There were a couple of different aircraft types the team has flown over the years mounted atop pedestals.What a treat.We quickly located the commissary/BX and parked.Daisy was happy to get out for a nice walk before she had to go back in the truck.As Lindy and I approached the front of the commissary we heard a loud roar.Looking to the right (flight line area), we saw the blues in diamond formation at about 500 feet go by in a steeply banked turn.Yahoo........I stayed outside to watch.They were overhead about an hour plus. After the team landed, the two solo airplanes continued the "practice" flight.I've seen the blues perform a couple dozen times over the past 40 years.I never tire of watching them.

Yesterday, my cousin Rich & Beverly drove over from Santa Anna to visit.We had a great time.lindy and Bev visited the college of the desert flea market to exercise their credit cards some.Rich and I watched a video of his parents in florida I shot 25 years ago.We joined the girls later at a cafe for excellent coffee and the obligatory pastry.Later we had a terrific meal at a local mexican restaurant.Two mexican guys provided live music on guitar and harp.Yes I said harp.When is the last time you saw a mexican play a harp?I fully expect to see fish riding bicycle's this week after that!Pig's fly?Elephant's recite poetry?I mean really, I can't get over mexican music played on a harp.Then again, look at the mess going on everywhere.The world is in flux.By the way have you applied for your bailout loot yet?

Well in two more weeks we'll be moving on to Vegas.We're beginning to feel the desire to change scenery.Lindy and I have come to the conclusion that we should plan on staying in a spot for about 4 to maybe 6 weeks - tops.A month is about enough to explore a whole area.I think next year we will plan accordingly.So we bid you goodbye ................................in the words of Roy & Dale..............Happy Trails to You "Til we Blog Again

Home Sweet Home (Daisy on Euro Chair)

Sunday February 8,2009

This week found us visiting two areas of interest.The Salton Sea and Coachella Valley Preserve.Salton sea is a large body of water aproximately 36 miles by 16 miles.With a depth of some 56 feet.It was created by a flood overrun of the colorado river.The "salt" content has killed off fish.You can google it if your interested.The Coachella Preserve was interesting since we were able to hike along a trail and observe the upheaval of earth created along the san andreas fault.We didn't see any wildlife known to live there.When you leave the "hut" where the info center is located, the path is thru dense vegetation of high palm tress with large "skirts" around the trunk up to the top.It was reminisant of the scenery in the origonal jungle shots of the origonal 1933 movie King Kong.I almost expected to bump into Robert Armstrong and Faye Ray!

As you might have see, circuit city is the latest casualty of the current financial mess we're experiencing.Their loss was our gain.We had been trying to decide on a new digital camera for some time.With the prices as low as they were we got a new Nikon DSLR.So hopefully our pictures will gradually improve in quality as we learn the D60's operational capabilities.Don't get your hopes to high, I'm a slow learner!

Another amazing thing happened a few nights.After five weeks of dry weather- it rained.Thru most of the night.It cleared up in the morning and went back to sunny and a little cooler than before.Daisy has been going on the three and a half mile walks we do every other morning now.We' ll increase to four miles soon.Daisy stays amazingly fit compared to some other doxies we have met.She maintains her 12 pound figure rather well. We did succumb to giving her some Ice cream shake.Bad idea she was up in the middle of the night for a couple of walks and couldn't settle.That's it.We won't fall for that cute little face trick again.No more people food.That's her at the car window before the ice cream lick trick.

The other thing we did is to go to a weekly street fair in Palm Springs.Now that was cool.Lots of foods and pastries.Very interesting artist and craft products.A couple of good musicians were scattered throughout.Their music sounded like the sound track from spaghetti westerns.Soft mexican style guitar and wood flutes.I really enjoyed it.They played contemporary tunes in that style.talented guys. We spent a few hours there and came away with a bag of goodies.Daisy walked a while then went back to the truck for some rest.Of course we put the goodies in the back of the truck so Daisy wouldn't get "curious" and run up another national debt style vet bill. This coming week we plan to visit the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens.Hopefully we will get some good pictures for you.Amost forgot to mention stopping at at a small airport in thermal.Named after famed aviatrix Jackie Cochran.

Some memorbilia from Jackie's many accomplishments were on display.For those who don't know her history, suffice it to say she was not more well known because she didn't get lost!She makes "Amelia" look like an amatuer.What a lady, what a pilot.Anyhow, my other point is I was able to "stumble" out on the ramp.Not usually easy in this day of security.There was the most pristine restored flying boat I've ever seen.It was converted to turbo prop power with a couple of Pratt & Whitney PT-6's.I'll post a picture or two for my aviator types.Stay well............

The long and winding road.......

So, dad thinks I'm cute...............Your thoughts?
I'm ready for my closeup mr. Demille

Saturday, January 31, 2009
Hooray....Daisy is back to normal after her mild case of pancreatitis.A bland diet and two kinds of liquid medication for a week did it.She was able to go with us to visit my cousin in Santa Ana earlier this week.We all had a good time there with Rich & Bev.Their house was truly beautiful.Lots of room and beautiful decor flowing out to a terrific yard marvelously landscaped with designer pool and hottub.Daisy was remarkably comfortable with our stay.Normally she would pester us to go "home".I thought she was going to stay there.She loved Bev and the enormous kitchen that presented lots of possibilities of falling food.Lindy and I enjoyed ourselves immensely.Bev prepared a couple of great dinners and lunch on our arrival.Later the first day we drove into town at Laguna beach.After a visit to a superb bakery for some good coffee and pastry, we made our way to a unique aviation art store.Lindy And I hadn't been there in almost 20 years.Great paintings & pictures of mostly military aircraft.Good stuff.Next day Rich and I went to the aircraft museum at Chino airport.Also visited 20+ years ago.Totally new and lots of "new" airplanes.Always fun looking at the past in aviation.
We left the next afternoon after a fine lunch at nieuport 17.A great aviation theme restaurant we first visited in late 80's.Expensive aviation art decors the walls of the building designed after a bavarian hunting lodge.The owner is a naval aviator who flew flying boats in the 50's.After a delicious meal we said goodbye to our gracious hosts of our visit and departed for home.We made a quick stop at March AFB along the route home to see what goodies their BX might have.We bought a few things we couldn't live without.You know, wine, M&M's, more wine etc.The day after we arrived "home" we got up and prepared to start our walking routine as usual.Well, this was a very clear indication that Daisy was feeling good again.She gave every indication that she wanted to join us and in fact walked the three mile hike with us from that day on!Today we went into Palm Springs.We enjoyed it but clearly the town has gotten touristy.For grins we stopped in at Bentley/Rolls/Astin Martin car dealership.We found a few we liked but reasoned they would not be practical in NH!Right.They were beautiful.More lottery tickets please.Anyhow, as the song says "It Never Rains In Southern California".We've been here one month and it hasn't rained a drop!It was cloudy just one or two days at that.It rained about 50 miles north but it seems the mountains contain the weather and prevent movement to the valley and south.We start our last month here tomorrow before heading to Vegas in March.
'til the next time.......................adios

Daisy sporting her green "Puppia"

Hello to all my friends back east.I miss you but not the cold and snow.