More Hot Air or the Truth? You Decide.

It is funny how you can have adventures and things to report and not be on the move or even anywhere near them.  Now come and listen to my story about a man named Jed who was shooting at some food.  Well not really about Jed; but about the food that got away that day.

Our traveling friends have spent the summer in Oklahoma as National Park Service volunteers.  While doing this they have been living out, in and amongst nature.  The story starts here but really began with the ‘food’ that got away so long ago.  You see, I am convinced that food was a squirrel.  Not any squirrel but a special squirrel.

As Sophie recounts the experience, she and David were leaving the RV one morning when all of a sudden this snake and squirrel dropped from a tree branch and landed between them and the car.  As she puts it, “they were all balled up together.”  Now for those of you not familiar with this colloquialism, that means they are severely entangled and tussling to see who would predominate the current situation and ultimately prevail.

When the two creatures bounced off the ground as a result from leaving the tree branch all balled up, they temporarily separated and the squirrel headed north as fast as he could go.  As far as I am concerned that is the second known ‘escape’ from death that we know of.  For all we know this could be a daily occurrence for this wily wascal.

You see this squirrel was involved in another incident; the location further north in Wisconsin.  As the picture shows below, this time should have been the end of his time on earth.

Photo by Michael Cheshire

As clearly evident, the squirrel once again cheated death and survived.  This squirrel is obviously powerful and intelligent.  So a warning to all, wide and far, this particular squirrel is dangerous and destructive.  Let’s just hope that he does not return to Oklahoma and gets ‘all balled up’ with another snake and falls on Sophie and David’s RV.  The RV could be a total loss from such an encounter.

Until next time, keep a sharp eye out and safe travels.  He is out there somewhere and watching YOU!

...and I am watching you.  Hee Hee Hee

Hot Air in Texas?

There is more hot air in Texas.  After all it is July and August!  Instead of high temperatures in mid-90s we are now experiencing highs in triple digits and I will not even mention the heat index temperatures.  What would you expect from summer in Texas?

There are many types of ‘hot air’ in Texas as we have determined from our stay here this time.  You are well aware that Texans are a proud bunch when it comes to their heritage and culture.  You probably have experienced it yourself if not a native Texan when you come across someone spouting ‘facts’ that prove everything is ‘bigger and better’ in Texas.  Of course, a Texan (myself included) will tell you this is not braggadocio, it is merely the facts.  That’s right, ‘just the facts Ma’am.'

But boasting about state pride is not the only ‘hot air’ in Texas or from Texans.  There is much ‘hot air’ from spinning yarns or telling tall tales.  This is another favorite (pronounced fave—O—riiiiiite) pastime of true Texas folk.  As many of you will attest, yours truly enjoys this avocation as much as the next feller.  However, many of you will recognize that even in my tall tales there is a strong element of truth and a little bit of embellishment.  Some would say it is exaggeration or downright unbelievable the things included in some of my stories but that is certainly not the case.  Okay, okay maybe a bit of enhancement here and there to make things more interesting but certainly no dishonesty.

But that is enough about me and my ‘hot air.’  I want to relate another grand adventure to you about some ‘hot air’ we have just enjoyed while in Texas.  It all started several years ago when visiting the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  While attending the Fiesta, we were walking through the grounds just prior to the ‘balloon glow’ and were recruited by a balloon pilot to help out because his crew could not get through the traffic in time to help inflate his balloon.  This was our introduction to ‘crewing’ for a balloon and we enjoyed the experience so much, we added it as one of the items in our bucket list.

Now, fast forward to today and the Great Texas Balloon Race held as an annual event each year in Longview, Texas.  Bibi saw on Facebook they were still in need of volunteers to help ‘crew’ for some of the balloons coming to the race this year.  She called and we were assigned to a pilot and crew chief from Albuquerque.  Even though we had ‘planned’ on crewing in Albuquerque, this was the next best thing and as it turned out the absolute best scenario we could have hoped for as our first ‘real’ experience in hot air ballooning.

We made our way to pick up our T-shirts, badges and parking passes identifying us a ‘Crew’ for the Great Texas Balloon Race on Wednesday afternoon.  The next morning at 6 AM we show up for a practice flight before the actual races begin on Friday morning.  We were glad for a chance to learn and practice before the ‘real’ thing took place.  Our balloon pilot had just returned from a trip to Lithuania where he helped a fellow pilot and friend in a World Championship race.

The friend’s name is Cheri (pronounced sherry), our pilot’s name is Mark.  Together they are the International Gas Balloon Team representing the U.S. in events all over the world.  In Lithuania, Cheri placed third in the women’s division for the World Championship.  Yes, third in the entire world!  Mark is a U.S. National Gas Balloon Champion.  Together they have many distinguished honors and championships.  We were honored and extremely pleased to be put with them our very first day.  Cheri and Mark both flew in the balloon the first day (the practice day) and then they each had their own balloons they flew during the three day event.  You can read more about them at www.flygas.net and follow them on the Facebook page at Flygas (it is the one with the red balloon type logo).  They will be one of the USA teams flying in Germany during September.

We crewed for Mark during the Great Texas Balloon Race.  Mark had with him Danny from Albuquerque as his crew chief.  Danny has worked as one of the ‘zebras’ during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for over 20 years.  What is a ‘zebra’ you ask, well they are a group of dedicated folks who help coordinate and launch the balloons during the Fiesta.  They are focused on safety, organization and speed as they go about dressed in referee shirts (you know, the black and white striped shirts, hence 'zebra') and some wear fun, crazy type headgear.  It is a show, in and of itself, to watch these professionals get wave after wave of balloons launched into the air safely.  All three, Cheri, Mark and Danny were great to be around and so patient to explain, demonstrate and teach specific tasks to a couple of rookies.  We could not have picked a better bunch of folks than these to work with and that is not a tall tale.

We were amazed to learn how much technology is used in flying these craft.  You don’t just air them up and take off to wherever the wind blows you.  There is skill involved with choosing the right altitudes to catch the correct direction and speed.  Not to mention when to leave and how fast to leave that compass and altitude setting for a new one.  The races involve tasks and targets that use skill, experience and the constantly changing weather environment to proceed to a target area while performing specific tasks.  The whole purpose of which is to gain the most points possible during each segment of the flight.  Technology aids such as mapping software with built-in altimeter, wind speed, direction and GPS coordinates aid the pilots in accomplishing their goals.

The purpose of the crew is to quickly unpack the balloon, attach it to the basket, air up the balloon envelope, assist the pilot with anything needed and help to safely launch the craft.  Once launched, you then follow (chase, literally in some cases) the balloon in case of an emergency or to assist at different target zones and ultimately recover the craft at the landing zone (which is unknown until the last minute).  Once the pilot has the craft down, the envelope is deflated, detached from the basket and all packed up until the next flight.  A lot of things happen fast (especially in the beginning of the flight) and then settle down to a slower pace once the balloon and pilot are safely back on the ground.

Receiving instructions.  Danny on left, me and Mark on right.

Heating the air, Mark is in the basket.

Ready to fly.  Cheri in 45 and Mark in 44.

She is off.

Last minute adjustment.

He is off too.

Up, up and away!

That is number 44 with the white band in the middle.

Lining up for the approach to a target.

Landed and now to pack everything back up.

Candlestick firing without balloon at end of National Anthem!

Balloon Glow with all burn, from beside number 44.

Danny, Mark, Larry and Beverly
Thanks Danny and Mark for making us feel
so much a part of the team!

The whole experience for us was wonderfully exhilarating and quite exciting.  We highly recommend going to balloon races and even participating as a crew member when you can do so.  It is quite the ‘hot air’ and worthwhile experience.  We will definitely do it again and hopefully with Mark and Danny.  Just like RVers, the ballooning folks are great fun to be with and have a good time too.  Thanks Cheri, Mark and Danny.  You are the ‘greatest’ in our book and that is not a bunch of ‘hot air.' 

Here is one last item of ‘hot air’ from Texas.

Gotta love it!

Can you believe how much ‘hot air’ there is in Texas?  Until next time, have safe travels and good health to you.

Back in Texas

Yes, it is hot in Texas.  High temperatures in mid-90s with heat indexes of 103 to 108 create suffocating conditions.  This is our third attempt to get out of the heat of Texas in the summertime and have not been successful yet.  Maybe next year?

Even though we cannot leave yet, we have found some interesting things to share.  This morning, one of our neighbors from the RV Park pulled out.  When we first arrived, we wondered why someone from South Dakota was in Texas this time of year.  We found out they were customizing the truck they use to haul their fifth wheel at a local establishment and were waiting for the finished product.

Today they took off for Memphis, TN.  This is one of the largest fifth wheels we have seen in our travels.  They use a smart car for running errands around town and then a large truck tractor to haul everything down the road.  That is the smart car behind the cab of the truck and in-between the truck and the fifth wheel.  Quite an arrangement is it not?  David says I am jealous of that air horn.  And I am!

Just goes to show you, there are things to see everywhere you go, even in good ol’ hot Texas.  But that is not the only thing happening right now.

We have used the time here to get all of our Doctor visits caught up.  So we are good for awhile now.  Speaking of doctors, I had to tell my physician that I took up for his honesty and integrity on our latest adventure.

It happened one day when temps in Camp Verde were going to exceed 100 degrees.  We decided to cool off by traveling north one hour to Flagstaff where high temps were expected to only be upper 80s.  While there, we decided to look for this squirrel my doctor told me about when he found out we were going to visit the Grand Canyon.  According to him, this squirrel is in the Kaibab National Forest and is named the Kaibab squirrel.  At the time that is all I knew.  So off we drove westward from Flagstaff in search of the Kaibab squirrel that day.

By the end of the 2 hour long search, which proved futile, my traveling crew was trying to convince me the doc was pulling my leg and there he was laughing about the prank he pulled on me.  Of course, I gallantly stood my ground defending his honor, but inside the doubt was creeping into my spirit.  For you see, he does love a practical joke.  I just could not bring myself to believe he would do that to me; one of his most loyal, long-time patients and up to that time, I considered myself a friend too.

The story does have a happy ending.  A few weeks later we were camped in the Kaibab National Forest next to Lake Kaibab eating dinner outside.  When all of a sudden, David peering past me, says “hey look, there goes a rabbit.”  Turning around, I see a Kaibab squirrel!  Eureka, they do exist!  As you can tell in the picture below, they are a rabbit wannabee with their long tufted ears.  And if you could see the underside of the tail, you would see it is almost snow white.

Closer View

At my appointment last week, I related the above story to my physician.  He smiled and let me in on a terrible family secret.  His wife about 9 years earlier was the only one in their family to actually see a Kaibab squirrel and had suffered mercilessly (supposedly from the kids) because no one else saw the squirrel and kept mocking her claim to have seen one.  He assures me he will pass along the sighting to his wife in order to vindicate her claim.

That’s not all the hot air to tell about but the rest will just have to wait until the next post.

Flying Trip to Texas

Our canyons tour has been temporarily suspended due to a family emergency in Texas.  So we have taken a flying trip back to Texas.

No, not on an airplane.  We drove the 1,100 plus miles from Williams, AZ to Longview, TX in two days.  Not recommended for those of you thinking of trying this as it will indeed wear you out.

It is unknown at this time how much of a suspension this will be but we will keep posting updates as situation changes.

Of course, with our arrival at the beginning of the summer season we have run headlong into the heat and humidity associated with East Texas.  I had forgotten how 'oppressive' the heat can be when you add humidity.  Yesterday it was 92 degrees but when you add in the 70% humidity it felt like 99 degrees.

Oh well, this is something you get used to.  NOT!!!!  I will be utilizing the A/C for the duration and venturing outside only when absolutely necessary.

Stay tuned.....

Camp Verde, Arizona

We are now in Arizona.  To be more specific we have spent the last month in Camp Verde which is roughly halfway between Phoenix and Flagstaff.  The park we are at (Zane Grey RV Park) is one of the best ones visited so far.  It is nestled in a low area adjacent to a flowing creek and just inside a national forest.  It has been a very restful and peaceful place to use in between our roaming to explore the area.

We knew we were going to like the area when we saw the landscape.  As we left Phoenix from our overnight stop, we immediately began climbing in elevation.  As we did the desert gave way to more mountainous type terrain and much greener views of trees and grass.  We eventually got to 4,000 feet before descending into Verde Valley (3,000 feet) where the Verde River flows and is nestled in between higher elevations.  It is easy to locate the river as it is the darker green ribbon of trees lining its banks as it winds its way through the valley.

I, for one, was tired of drab brown, dry desert air and cacti.  I am very happy amongst the cottonwood and sycamore trees that abound in the valley.  And we have met wonderful people in the park.  Besides those that come and go, there is a couple that is our next door neighbor that have been delightful to meet and get to know better.  Besides that, he cooks a ‘mean’ prime rib and is gracious enough to share with ‘their tongues hanging out Texas friends.'

One of our first excursions was to the historic town of Clarkdale to board the Verde Canyon Railroad for a train adventure back in time.  It encompasses a 20 mile train ride to Perkinsville cattle ranch then back to the Clarkdale station.  There are enclosed air conditioned passenger cars and open air viewing cars available to view the vistas presented by the national forests and wilderness areas.  We saw an eagle’s nest and an eagle nearby as we passed.  This in addition to the soaring canyon walls, red rock formations, bridges, a tunnel and the river flowing undisturbed through it all.  This was a great introduction to the area.

That's RR track on the left next to vertical red rock wall.

Red Tailed Hawk putting on a show for us

Towering canyon walls

Notice what looks like figures at middle top playing leap frog?

Not all rocks are red, see train in upper left?

Beautiful sights to behold.

The area was a natural place for ancient Indians who were hunters and gatherers to roam.  They principally farmed and supplemented their staple crops by hunting and gathering.  The tribes belonging to the Southern Sinagua Indians inhabited the area between 700 and 900.  Two sites have been preserved as part of the National Monuments managed by the National Park Service.  Montezuma’s Castle and Tuzigoot (pronounced “two-z-gute”).

The castle is a five-story 20 room dwelling in a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley.  Early explorers found the structure and were amazed by the structure.  They assumed it was Aztec in origin and called it Montezuma’s Castle which is now known to be a misnomer.  But the name stuck and is now protected from deterioration by the park service.  Down the road a bit are the remnants of a village built on a summit of a ridge rising 120 feet above the Verde Valley.  This is the Tuzigoot (Apache for “crooked water”) site.  The original pueblo type rooms were two stories high in places with about 87 ground-floor rooms.  There were few exterior doors and entry was by ladders through roof openings.

Montezuma's Castle

A closer look

Tuzigoot from atop the ruins.

Now looking up the hill at Tuzigoot proper.

Close to Clarkdale is the town of Jerome.  An old mining town built high up on a mountain.  The elevation is 5,000 plus feet and was a booming copper mining town at one time.  When the ore played out, it became a ‘ghost’ town with only about 100 residents.  It has since regained some status as a tourist, artsy, retail type town.  It is pretty unique with its winding narrow streets, houses and buildings built on the side of the hill (usually with one side hanging out over air) and located on the road between Cottonwood and Prescott.  There is a great eatery in town known as the ‘Haunted Hamburger’ and has some of the best tasting onion rings, fries and burgers found anywhere.

Not to be outdone is the town of Winslow.  Once a bustling town located on old Route 66, it has fallen on hard times due to the construction of I-40 with its wide lanes and non-stop traffic that replaced the old narrow roads that wound slowly through the towns of yesteryear along the ‘mother road’ otherwise known as Route 66.  Its chief claim to fame is the immortalization provided in the song, “Take It Easy” recorded by the Eagles as a single and on their debut album.  The line in the song “Well, I’m standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona…” followed by “It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me..” is the reason for the visit.  There is a corner in Winslow commemorating the event with a statue and a mural on a wall that reflects the girl in a red flatbed Ford in a store window behind the statue.  Of course, we had to take our picture(s) on the site.

The corner and girl in red truck's reflection in window.

Largest guitar I ever tried to play.

A visit to this part of Arizona summons one to view the red rocks of Sedona.  Having no clue where to go, how to get the best views or even what was in Sedona, we stopped at the local chamber of commerce and tourism spot.  A volunteer provided us a map and gave us driving directions to some of the best known viewing sites for red rock formations.  Armed with our map, cameras and curiosity off we went to find these treasures.  What a marvelous sight to behold.  The reds, greens, and browns contrasted with the azure blue sky dotted with white clouds is something that no picture can capture.  I have often said if someone could find a way to capture (like in a photo) what the human eye sees they would become instantly wealthy.

Sedona on valley floor

Slightly different perspective 

It is good to have photos (even with their shortcomings) to trigger the recollections stored in our brains from viewing these magnificent sights.  We are so thankful we have a chance to explore, experience and record in our memories such things.

The Courthouse

Courthouse and Bell Tower

A different formation behind the Bell Tower

Close up of Bell Tower

Revisited Sedona landscape that afternoon with rain showers in background

Chapel of the Cross, built into the rock

From Sedona at 4,500 feet you can head through Oak Creek Canyon climbing to over 7,000 feet through a series of switchbacks while traveling to Flagstaff.  As you do, you are treated to many beautiful vistas as the landscape begins to change.  Around Flagstaff there is a lot more pine trees, grasses and cooler temperatures.  Once you arrive in Flagstaff, there are several things to see and do.  We chose to go up to Snow Bowl, a ski area, on Humphrey’s Peak (12,600 feet) that is used for hiking during summer months to look around.  It has snow on top even though 150 miles south in Phoenix the temperatures are reaching 115 degrees.

View of road from Sedona to Flagstaff, see cars on the road?

Humprey's Peak looking up the slope at ski run and ski lift

While in Flagstaff, we visited Salsa Brava.  This is a Mexican restaurant featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”  All agreed this is some of the best, if not the best, Mexican food we have eaten.  It is not Tex-Mex but it is so flavorful and fresh that my mouth waters as I write about it.

As usual all good things must eventually come to an end or left behind in our case.  We are moving after a month in Camp Verde to begin our canyons tour.  More to come about the tour in our next post.

California Sights - Part Two

Hollywood.  That is what comes to mind when you hear California, right?  Well we are no different so off we go to check out Hollywood.  I visited once before back in the early ‘70s but my, oh my, it has changed since then.  It is very crowded on Hollywood Boulevard and looks more like Times Square in New York where there are street buskers and hustlers everywhere.  Of course, all the traditional landmarks are still intact such as the Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, etc.  Bibi’s main purpose to our visit was to see the iconic Hollywood sign.  So off we went to Griffith Observatory to get the “best” viewing advantage in Hollywood.

View down Hollywood Boulevard

Fake Minnie Mouse waiting to take some tourist's money for a picture.

There it is as viewed from Griffith Observatory

View of downtown LA from the observatory

Having satisfied our itch to see and view both Hollywood proper and the Hollywood sign, we headed back to Hemet for some breakfast at the local IHOP.  This was our second time there but the people remembered us and even sat us at the same booth as the first time we ate there.  How in the world did they remember us and where we were seated before?  Are we that much different or unique?  I certainly hope not.

You must see the Pacific Ocean if you visit California.  We had already seen water in San Diego but that was in a bay and is not the same as the ocean proper.  So off we trek to Oceanside and to the Oceanside Pier.  The Pier is one of the longest (1,942 feet) wooden piers on the West Coast.  Bibi has to at least get her feet wet whenever near water, no matter the temperature or water temperature.  This day it was cool if you were not moving but if you walked it felt warmer.

It is always windy at the beach, pier in background

We are on the beach, Bibi is in the water taking our picture.

Looking down the beach from the pier.

This is a loooonng pier.

A local resident enjoying the day.

These pelicans are not afraid of people and hanging around for fish

Having now seen the ocean we were determined to check off some more items on the bucket list.  One of which is to visit the Presidential Libraries.  Both Nixon and Reagan have libraries in the area.  We found out the Nixon Library was undergoing renovation and the interior is temporarily closed and only the outside grounds are open to the public.  However, the Reagan Library is open and off we went to explore.

Before visiting the library we stopped to eat at one of our recently discovered sandwich shops, Firehouse Subs.  It has jumped to number one on our list of sandwich shops due to the fresh bread and quality of the hot sandwiches served.  After satisfying our appetites, we pressed on to the library for our tour of the library.

Elephant topiary at the entrance to library.

Actual piece of Berlin wall that came down during Reagan's presidency.

Here I am making my inaugural address.

Hey!!!  Who is this interloper?

This must be my office

....and my car

....and my plane

....and my office on the plane.

Words of Reagan exemplifying his optimistic worldview.
"I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually
triumph and there is purpose and worth to each and every life."

It is always interesting to me to explore the background and journey these people have on their road to the White House.  Including their time as the leader of the greatest nation on earth.  We always find such neat stuff about the person, their spouse and interactions with others.  For example, Ronald Reagan had a book of 3 x 5 index cards he developed over time (started back in his college days).  On these cards were quotes from historical figures, jokes and funny sayings as well as interesting anecdotes.  All were used in speeches and conversations throughout his life.

He actually wrote a lot of the speeches and letters while in the White House even though he had speechwriters and correspondence secretaries.  He was a stickler for how things should be worded to properly convey his feelings and message.  You could see that evidenced in the library by the marked out words and phrases, inserted words and phrases and emphasis marks when he edited his own writings.  We saw some very interesting and insightful information on this former actor turned President of the United States of America.

View of library grounds high above surrounding area

Some more beautiful California vistas from library grounds.

So ends our time in California.  One thing we learned about the Southern California area is to allow plenty of time to and from your destination.  It seems to us that no matter what time of day, the traffic is always heavy. The freeways are busy and slow down, not really stopping, but definitely moving slower than the posted speed limits when busy.  The areas in Southern California are very picturesque and we could not have wished for better weather.  We now return to Arizona to begin the next stage of this adventure.  More about that in the next post.