Cactus Blooms

It's that time of year when color returns to the desert. Here is a picture of a Hedgehog Cactus we have in our backyard...... Click on the picture for a larger view. These cactus blooms are beautiful.....

My Grandfather's WW1 Field Compass

I was at the age where sentimental things didn't quite register. After all, I was only 18 years old and here was my Mother handing me what appeared to be a watch box. Gee, I don't even like watches and here I was getting one as a gift. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she wanted me to open it at that moment ~ so I did. Inside is this huge army green compass with a leather strap. Wow, cool, I actually was less than enthusiastic, but I was raised to be polite so I asked a few questions, gave my Mom a hug, then tucked it inside my dresser drawer wondering what in the world I would ever do with it ~ when might I have the need to use such an awkward device.......
Spring forward to today, 37 years later. My satellite dish is securely mounted to the top of my 5th wheel, I look at the dish on my house and make a rough guess-timate on where the satellite is, then home in on it using the beeps from my receiver.....but, what if I don't have another dish to get my rough coordinates? ~~~~~ what I really need is a compass. Then it dawned on me, now I realize why I kept it in my drawer for 37 years, 8 states later, 4 years in the Navy on nuclear submarines..... looking at it countless times ~ I have what I need and I got it 37 years ago.
The irony of this is that here I am using a compass that my Grandfather used during the first World War. He used it to get his bearings and find his way through battlefields ~ and I am now using the same device to find the coordinates of a telecommunications satellite. The times might have changed but the technology of the compass works as well today as it did back then.
Now I carry My Grandfather's WWI Field Compass in the RV and every time I setup the dish, I think of my Mother's Father ~ my Grandpa. I also think about my Mom and am thankfull that she gave me the compass 37 years ago.

one red paperclip

I'm sure by now that you have all heard about Kyle MacDonald and his efforts to trade up from one red paperclip for a house. If not, you can read about it at: http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/

Kyle will be at Alice Cooper's Town Wednesday night in Phoenix. It would be fun to join in on the festivities.......

Easter Molly

I Love Bunny Ears....

if it's Sunday ~ then it's time for the Verde Valley Railroad

Katie and I picked a perfect day for a train ride. The train left Clarkdale Station @ 1:00 PM for a 4 hour roundtrip to Perkinsville. Along the way we got to see 4 Bald Eagles in flight and two eaglette chicks on the nest ~ along with your typical, cows, horses, sheep, ducks, loons, etc. Each train car has an attached observation car where you can freely walk and be outdoors for observation and picture taking. At one point you enter a long tunnel in which it becomes completely dark for about 20 seconds. The 4 hour train ride was very enjoyable. Katie and I got to spend a lot of quality time together ~ and a few periods of not so quality time when we were invaded by unruly (loud and obnoxious) families with kids.

Overall ~ I rate the VVRR as an excellent and memorable adventure.........

if its Friday ~ it must be Jerome

As planned, Katie arrived Wednesday evening at Sky Harbor in Phoenix. We took it easy on Thursday allowing Katie to adjust to the 3 hour time zone difference. Friday (yesterday)we went to Jerome and enjoyed the shops and sights. Once a ghost town, Jerome sits precariously on the side of Mingus Mountain at an elevation of 5,200 ft. The views are magnificent. I took this picture of the snow covered San Francisco Peaks, 50 miles away in Flagstaff........The Peaks are just above the cab of this darn truck that got in the way (between the cab and the telephone pole). Click on the picture for a closer view.

3 more wakeups ~

...... then we will be driving to Phoenix to pickup Kate for a 5 day visit. We might even stop at our favorite store for some shopping excitement......