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Monday, December 10, 2018

Desert Coasties Christmas, and Luminaries in Topac

Friday entertainment in the Arizona Marketplace


Cactus growing out of a Palm Tree.  Kenny and Dorothy's home in Green Valley


Neighbors Clause Cactus


Close to 60 Ex-Coast Guardsmen gathered for a Christmas celebration. Desert Coasties from the Green Valley, AZ area


Not a shortage of food!


Bob and Linda.  Organizers.  They did have lots of help, but Bob is the "idea" man.


Our friend Kenny Blessed the Day and the food.


The tables were nicely done, and even included some surprises


WW2 Coast Guard Veterans.  Thor will be 97 next week.  They were recognized with nice certificates.


One of the door prizes.  


With dozens of wonderful things to take pictures of in Topac, I had to use a lot of restraint in what I took, and how many I posted.   This is just a sampling


Pat thinks these would look good at our Yuma place.  Will take this picture to Mexico and see if they can make some up




There were 4 or 5 of these Globe stoves.  All different.  I liked this one the best, and really liked the warmth coming from it








There is NO Junk in this little Art colony.  Everything we saw is of outstanding quality


Our friends REALLY like this picture of the horses.  I see a possibility of them buying it, if they can decide the best place to hang it.


There were several of these fountains, all different, and all hand made.  No production items here.




The Original of Old Bull.  This is the picture that was chosen to go on the front of the 2018-2019 edition of the TuBac information magazine












At dusk the Luminaries came out.  Hundreds of them.  Most of the shops were offering fine wines, spiced cider, and many different pastries for the shoppers.  A few years ago, I probably would have done some real damage to all the offerings, but restrained last night.


Just a Sliver of a moon.  A perfectly clear and crispy evening for the event




Stacks of Katchinas


Even Jack, the rabbit was there.  I do believe he is for sale


VERY fine detailed wood carvings.  The Quail almost looks real, but it's all carved with many tiny strokes




Looking inside one of the many inviting places to eat



I like this dress.  Pat wasn't thrilled.  If we had seen the price, I'm sure I would have been less thrilled too






Sunday in Gila Bend, on the way home


Sunday evening. Janet and Ernie belt out a couple numbers at the Mesa Verde Jam.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

3 day Lanny trip Nov 2018

Balloons over Yuma


After riding through the Imperial Dunes,  cruised by El Centro, at several miles below Sea Level, we climbed up the Mountains West on I-8.  First stop of the ride is the Desert Tower.


4 levels of interesting "stuff" then on up to an observation area.  You can see everything on the first floor for free, but to go on up to other levels, or to take the outside stroll through rocks and scary things, you have to pay $6.50.  I was thinking I'd probably seen enough, but being the Gentleman that he is, Lanny had already paid for 2 tickets.  What at guy.  It also came with a quarter from the Docent to use in the telescope. He gave me the quarter, but I did share it with Lanny. 


Swiss Army Bike.  Pretty cool, and in a condition that would be easy to restore to original. If you cold find parts.  Asking price reduced to $4800.  Would have probably been less if they removed all the Swiss Army Knives from the Saddlebags.


This is the source of the Eerie sounds in the night


This guy just arrived in one of the UFOs down the street


Not exactly an antique


This would be my room of choice of rooms on a cold winter night


I should remember who this is, but the name has slipped my mind.  But I like the picture


I was trying to figure out how they got this heavy desk up to the 3rd level.  duh...Lanny showed me how it easily was broken down to 4 or 5 parts.


We made it to the top, first thing I saw was these 3 large dogs out playing. This is a max zoom.


Solor Panels on top of a nicely painted building.  "Been ridin so long...Singing the same ol' song"


We'll be up close to these pretty soon


Badlands of California.  And Interstate 8
CHP patiently waiting to nail someone.



Several outbuilding and living areas down there.  We saw a few young men, a few very little kids, but no ladies of any age.


Yep!  Our bikes are still there.  Well, Lanny's bike. My little Scooter.


Zoomed in with my phone


One of 2 entrances to the Tower


Hard to read, but tells about the tower.


Entry to the caverns


Gate Guard


Lanny braved the higher levels.  I think he went up there to look for a better sell phone signal


One of the Dentists from South of the Border should come over and work on these teeth


Another greeter


Toe Tower looks a lot smaller from over here




It worked!  He's on line!


Creepy thing in bushes


We had a good time exploring. Was easier to get up than it was to come down


Ready to saddle up


Cacti of many kinds


Our neighbor Craig has been looking for a nice pull trailer. This would be perfect!


A red UFO along with the other stuff here


I mentioned on Facebook, that John (Coyote) finally gave up on the Dallas Cowboys.  He came out here, and opened up this thriving business.










Lanny probably talking to his motorcycle.  He had to buy an iPhone to control it.  That's not a joke, it  really works that way!


Late breakfast in a very nice old restaurant


I turned down the beans, rice and tortillas.  Pretty boring, but it tasted good


Needed gas.  California is a shocker at the station.


Expensive. But...not real good either...


Perkins Store


Makes up almost the whole town.


After a brisk ride up Highway 73, we arrive in Julian, CA


We have had several ride destinations that have ended here.  A favorite VROC pie place


Not just Apple, but all kinds of pies.





Lanny talking Gold Wings with a Cowboy


We like this place too


We just realized that if we dallied around any longer, it would be very dark by the time we got to our destination.


Julian street


Many, many, shops of all kinds


Even horse and buggy rides


Time to boogie out of here.






A stop down near Santa Ysabel at the Mission


Beautiful Fall Day




650 cc of Rolling Thunder








This well known place is closed for remodeling


All the facilities you might need


We were a little late for the wedding


Lanny thinks we're at the site of this old store


This is were I lost to sock from my mic.  Still worked all right for the rest of the trip


Henshaw Lake




Birds


We're here!  Lanny's Sister, Sheri, and husband, Ken have been waiting for us.  A beautiful home, and the Rib eyes were delicious!


Evening around the pool


Ken at his outside kitchen


A gardener's cottage in the back


Lanny and Sheri catching up on the news




The next morning, after close to 80 miles of  a couple busy freeways, we arrived West of Simi Valley at the Ronald Reagan Library


Entry to the very large facility


He was a good man


Lanny and Ron


Feeling very Patriotic


Didn't know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised at the huge variety of exhibits and stories we saw and heard.




Oval office.  All the Docents were excellent speakers and told true stories about all these areas.


Part of the Oval Office.  This is an exact replica


One of the several examples of Nancy's actual dresses.  Most of the displays explain where she work each of the outfits


REALLY good pilot!  Flew Air Force 1 in here, flaps down, slam on brakes, and here it is! 


This airplane really gets my heart beating, just being near and inside it.


Kawasaki escort bikes.  






A large room with White House trees from many decades


Entrance to AF 1


Welcome aboard, Mr. President


Offices, electronice, press room, a suite with bed.  Very functional. We were told of some of the interesting things that had taken place in these rooms on the plane.






New Police BMW that led Reagan's funeral parade

Marine 1






Reagan's Limo.  Well built car




Marine 1 Cockpit




Engine intake


Loud pipes save lives!


Large sections of the Berlin Wall, Lanny crawled through several of them, and popped out here.




Lanny ran the legs off this pony!


From the North side of the Complex.  Smoke from California Fires


The South Lawn


Fine Dinner Sheri had waiting for us.  Another battle with Las Angeles traffic. Either Fast, or Stopped. And some lane splitting.  Was very glad to get off the scooter tonight!


They do everything together.  Even wiping up a coffee spill.


Gracious Host and Hostess,  And just very nice people. Was a real treat meeting them.


Brothers-in-Law


The last "Goodbyes" for this trip

Well know biker hangout. But, they don't open until late morning


I remember gong by Cooks Corner years ago, but the streets have all changed a lot. Nothing looks familiar












On Highway 94, East of San Diego a ways, is this little town. We've been on Old highway 80 for awhile.  Several very small communities,   Perfect weather, lots of fun things to see.  Lanny polished off a couple of huge tacos here.  I had some excellent coffee.


Free Birds


Transportation Museum.  Closed






We've been following the border most of the morning.  Here's a section of the Wall.


Border Patrol vehicle sitting on a high place, watching the wall




The White complex is in Mexico.  Big house.


Lanny says he found a trail that illegals use.  He's checking it out.




More wall pictures




This bridge goes over a wash on Historic Highway 80


RR tracks look like they haven't been used for awhile


The town that I-8 bypassed






Nice place






Hot Springs




A school








Almost ready to jump back on I-8 for the Blast home.


One of Lanny's pictures


That's it for this trip.  We're going to plan another one soon. But...There WON'T be any Gridlock lane splitting!  I'm too old for that any more.  Thanks Lanny. And Sheri and Ken.  it was all good.  Especially your coffee!