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............