Travel the USA

After the country re-opened after Covid-19, we are
"On the Road Again."
Please enjoy the 'armchair travels' and feel free to make comments.

In September of 2019, we made the
'epic' trip to the east coast for the first birthday of our grandson Evan.
Since Evan's birthday is in September, we decided to join a 29 day RV Caravan for the New England fall color. The tour starts in Maine and ends in Niagara Falls. All told, we did about 12,000 miles with the new truck and trailer.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

RV Resort Life - aka "Sumner Camp for Adults"

Voyager is a beautiful park in the desert that has 1500 camper sites and 500 homes that are part of the activities on site.

One of our favorites is the Hot Tub and Spa
Lou is active at the water volleyball 
(3 afternoons a week)

Tricycles are just the thing!


It's been cold here and there are a lot of enclosed golf carts.


SO MANY ACTIVITIES!!!!!

The cooking class for puff pastries was delectable
A great "make it yourself lunch" 
(for only 40.00)

WANT A NEW HOBBY?
LOTS OF THINGS TO TRY


Glass Fusion Class




It is so popular that we may have to try it next year.
( and try our hands at being artistic!)


The Woodworking Class is also so popular


that Lou will have to do it next year.

The shops that they have here are so well equipped 
that you'd never be able to afford all the equipment that is here.
That's why so many people return year after year.


The folks in the stained glass class are busy for Valentines Day.



And Lou is proud of his hummingbird!






And this is my first attempt at silversmithing in many many years!

( I'm guessing we would be able to spend lots of time and money around here!)

MIMBRES, NEW MEXICO


Tanya and Larry live in the "Land of Enchantment".

with the horse and mule 


Tanya enjoys running around in her golf cart with Yoki the dog,
tending the "ponies".



She also enjoys her "She Shed"
or "Zen Den" 
that she pretty much painted and decorated herself.


Then we finished our visit with a little target practice 
( and instruction from Lou)

Its was great to see her and see how much she enjoys being 
"out in the middle of nowhere"

She is really doing quite well after her knee replacement.
We thank you for all your prayers!






























 

Friday, January 24, 2025

Tucson Area Interests

 Dillinger Days


The Dillinger Days are the 91st year of celebrating 
how the Tucson Police Department caught 
Public Enemy Number One
John Dillinger
The notorious bank robber from Chicago that had evaded several state police as well as the FBI

After a spree of robbing banks in the Chicago and mid west area they needed to lay low for a while and decided Tucson with a small population of only about 30K would be a good spot.

This is the line up of the actors for the skit.
While staying at the hotel Congress a fire broke out and they were recognized by one of the firemen who helped them get out with there suitcases of money and guns. 
Within 2 years all of the members of the gang were dead. Crime does not pay.


Old vintage fire ladder truck


Tucson Cutie


Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday
also play a big part in early Tucson's history.


A nice art fair
She is selling Charcuterie Boards.
This way you can carry your own board for wine and cheese to all your parties!


The Mini Time Machine 

A museum of miniatures


This museum introduced us to a world we never knew anything about.  People collect miniature models of most anything.  Sometimes the collection gets so large that they need to enlarge their own house or open a museum.

A large part of the displays are homes from various ages and styles.

Many of the models include all the rooms of the house and the inhabitants and even pets.  They attempt to show all aspects of real life.


Ordinary rooms

VERY fancy rooms

The table is set so beautifully and each guest has a gift awaiting them.
The scale is hard to show but everything is very tiny.

                              A Castle and interesting rooms


The "Learn to Fly" room
(Many of the Miniaturists are quite fanciful)


This one is based on reality.

Interesting!


This bench - with statues was only about 2 inches high.



Just imagine-carving the lead in a pencil-

and being able to get this!

or this-
Bravo!


Our favorite was this Animtron
It is the top half of a 5 foot high cabinet  
dancing and partying to the music in this elegant house
while the workers are working on the lower level.




It was created by a Swiss machinist and scientific instrument maker.
All the figures on the front of this house (previous picture) move and dance by means of wires rods and weighted pulleys. They move to the tune of the music box the lower part of the cabinet

This was a very interesting morning at the 
Mini Museum .


Hope you enjoy. Any comments are appreciateed.




























Saturday, January 18, 2025

Tucson adventures


Nice view on our way out of town.
(Stopping for coffee just outside of Mesquite NV)
 

First night's stop at Wikieup AZ
RV stop has a great restaurant!
Population of Wikieup is 32
(most of them lived at the RV park!)

We toured the Franklin Auto Museum
The Franklin cars were a luxury auto compared to Cadillac in its heyday.
They were known for the air-cooled engines and were lighter 
and more responsive than other luxury cars.

1926
This Sport Touring car had a second windshield for the back seat passengers,
and space for all the golf clubs (of course)
6 cylinders and 32 horsepower  at a cost of $2600.

When this was $2600, Ford's were selling for about $400.


1924
This touring car was purchased new in Tucson as a wedding gift 
for Arizona's first Congresswoman.
It is still driven around today by the museum guide and his grandson.

  
1915 version of today's "Smart Car"
seats 2 people
gets 40 mpg
at 25 mph

Lou always likes examining the engines.
Franklin Aircooled Motors made this engine to be used in radio-controlled aircraft.


The plane on the right was used as a bomb and controlled from the fighter on the left.



Our RV resort has lots of activities, 
Lou has been enjoying the Water Volleyball and 
Linda has enjoyed the Silversmith classes.




Thursday, January 9, 2025

St George Jeepers (and other stuff)

 We are preparing to leave for a couple of months, so this blog is a "Prep"

( I should say "Test"--that is, can I remember how to do this?"

Please comment on the blog or send me a text  so that I know who is actually receiving these.

Thanks!

I can't believe we made it up here!


and back again!

We were NOT on this trip!
I just wanted to show you what some of the Jeepers do!

If you comment on the blog itself, it usually shows as 'anonymous', so please add your name.

Thanks!