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)