Here we are

Proof positive that we all really do exist and are still alive and well.


The boys, pictured from left to right, Mr Doodles, hunky BIL and Mr Nutz, ended up one day wearing the same T-shirt. Brother-in-law brought them because a friend of his owns this hot rod shop. And being a hot rodder himself BIL does tend to spend a fair amount of time hanging out in this shop.

And no I know it looks like the boys are doing something else but maybe they weren't too pleased I asked them to pose, who knows. And is Mr Doodles the only man that does not wear a belt with his jeans?

By the way on our drive to Los Angeles the olde odometer on the Big A$$ truck Louie hit 18,000 miles.


Because we decided not to go to the final day of racing, we all hung out at the RV park and readied ourselves with food and beverage. Even had company, Mr & Mrs Wtnb dropped by. Good to see them again and sure hope they get over to visit us in Southern AZ.
Sorry that sweet niece was not able to join us as due to a rotten cold. Feel better sweet girl.

Mr Nutz and BIL volunteered to BBQ between rounds of racing. Can you tell one of them is not giving full attention to the dogs ?!?!? But who doesn't like burnt dogs. Burgers and mom's famous potato salad rounded out the menu. No fancy stuff here.

We ended the evening after the final round of racing. Oh and I guess I must add our friends didn't win, so we must go back and gear up for another long year of racing in 2008.

After waking quite early on Monday, Mr Nutz buddled up Mrs Nutz to the airport to catch a flite back to Ontario, Canada. Hey someone in this group has to work, might as well be she. But Mrs Nutz will surely be missed cause we are heading off to the area of Palm Springs, land of a million golf courses. Mrs Nutz is an avid golfer, and I might also add she beats the boys on a regular basis.

So...................stay tuna'd from the desert of Southern California

We missed Las Vegas

Arriving in Los Angeles at the RV park, sitting around having an adult beverage we think wow what a great time we had in Vegas, the Drag races, going to some of the fine dinning establishments, meeting up with friends, and of course some gambling thrown in to occupy our time.
Casino's, we missed going to the casino and the excitement of losing and/or winning, which of course we all did.

Sooooooooo after having pizza and a couple a beers we decided to go back to our RV and play some dice. Now let me also mention Mr Doodles does not gamble at all ever, well he gambled on me some thirty seven almost years ago, but that's another time and another blog.
But Mr Doodles likes playing this particular dice game. The four of us sat down to a game of dice and decided to play for $$$. I'm not about to explain the game here because it is a bit complicated to explain. Kinda game ya gotta play a round or three and then DUH!!! I get it. And let me say it is fun with a bit of strategy thrown in. Think that's why Mr Doodles enjoy the game so. We had played before but it was when we were all in Denver together and several months ago, you tend to forget the rules.
So we get thru our first game and I seemed to run away from the pack and WON!!! Woo Hoo!!! And being that the other three had to pay me another game was suggested. Heck yeah I love playing the game, I'm up for a rematch even Mr Doodles said "sure".


I beat the sox off of em again.........woo hahahaa!!! That was fun and I am now $5.85 to the good. You know they are all gonna want another rematch. But reinforcements are arriving next day in the form of sister and brother-in-law. Let's see how they do in this game of dice........stay tuna'd

A side note to post a photo that I took while downtown Las Vegas. The Fremont Experience is just an amazing site but hard to explain. It started a few years ago to attract more folks to come downtown since the Strip was getting all the tourists. Well it worked and it certainly is a fun few minutes to view. Well since the Drag Races were going on they honored that even and with the sound minus the nitro smell. It is quite an honor to be picked to appear on the Fremont Experience, wonder if they did the PBR professional bull riders, since they were in town at the same time.

Buddy!!!

Does your cat share grits with you in the morning?

Well Buddy shares grits with Mr Doodles. Now that is when Mrs Doodles does the task of cooking grits, ick!!! But I found these grits at Trader Joe's and they sure were a hit. Should send a note to the company and tell them they are endorsed by a cat!!!

Time flies when you're having fun

Nice way to end an evening in Vegas

It started as "meet us in Vegas and we'll go to the drag races". Now it has turned into a three week visit with some great side trips thrown in.

The Nutz and the Doodle clan are on the move.

While in Vegas with our friends the Nutz, we were pleasantly surprised to find out our old friends the Wtnbs would be in Vegas for the weekend. So the Doodles made arrangements to meet up with the Wtnbs and took the Nutz along for a brunch at Sam's Town. Now we didn't just eat, we just had to introduce Mrs Wtnb, who just happens to be a great slot player, to a new slot machine we had found. And the introduction turned out quite well after plugging along on one machine she moved on to another and the bells started ringing Woo Hoo Mrs W!!!

Yesterday we motored up to Red Rock Canyon where the views are spectacular and as a bonus wild burros roam. Well they do roam but not when we were there. See my flickr site for more photos. Oh yes and would you believe we found a new casino, the Red Rock Resort. My it is a gorgeous place and would go back there any time, in fact we did last nite.

Today is a lazy day for the Doodle group. I'm gonna do a couple a loads a laundry while I'm sure Mr Doodles will be detailing the truck. And The Nutz couple are off to golf. Now you know they will come back with great stories, they always do.

Don't know what the afternoon and evening will be but rest assured it will be worth writing about.

We leave Wednesday a.m. for Los Angeles to meet up with sister Moon and brother-in-law. Another fun week ahead.............stay tuna'd.

One good turn

The kindness of strangers, do unto others, pay it forward, etc. You get the drift. Here we are tooling down the highway to meet up with our friends Mr & Mrs Nutz. Y’all getting tired a hearing bout the Nutz’s – too bad cause we be spending the next 3 weeks with them.

Anyway here we are tooling down the highway and this car pulls up along side of us and points to the trailer and quite frantically I might say. So Mr Doodles in his infinite wisdom says “hmm something must be wrong”. The boy gets excited about nothing OK!

So we pull over and lordy what do we see is a SHREDDED rear tire on the RV. Now being the dope I am no photos were taken of this mishap. But Mr Doodles goes into fix it mode bless his little heart.

Now let me remind you in case I didn’t already, we are on Interstate 10. Those Big 18 wheelers and cars just a zipping by. Not one stopped. More on that later.

Mr Doodles has a jack and ya won’t believe where from HA!!! Remember the Courier truck we had a bajillion years ago. Guess the boy just couldn’t part with the jack. Who the hell cares it still worked and did the job.

Lug nuts (not Nutz) removed, here Doodles could ya hold this and move the jack over there just a bit and well you get the idea. Guess that’s why I didn’t take any photos cause I was busy.

We, yes we were just getting it all back together spare tire and such when a car pulls up, awwwww good Samaritans I say have come to our aid. Guess who it was? The folks that pointed out the shredded tire in the first place. They got out with lot’s of offers to help, how sweet I say where the hell were ya a half hour ago. Oh just kidding I thanked them profusely as did Mr Doodles. They were RV’ers from Minnesota. They saw the tire blow whizzed by us pointed it out to us that something was wrong THEN went out of their way to come back and see if we needed any help. Now those are nice folks..

We told them no we were OK and were going just to the next evit where there happened to be a travel plaza and would replace the tire. Off they went - waving safe journey and off we went to the repair tire shop.

Now we go to this really junky dusty tire shop that is highly recommended by all in the area. Sure enough they fixed us up with four brand new tires and replaced valve stems. The guys there were great and honest. While they are replacing the tires I am online checking to see if the tires they are putting on are actually as good as they say. Grade A - great reviews.

So a bad day turned into an OK day considering. How it started only 80 miles into the journey.

So now I gotta go look for a way to pay it forward..................stay tuna’d cause it may take me a bit cause we are in Vegas ;0)

Now that's a lazy cat!!!

Folks he is sound asleep.........Buddy has certainly found his comfort zone.

He overheard us talking about packing up so as to meet up with dear friends, Mr & Mrs Nutz. Not that he doesn't wanna see his good friend Mr Nutz, I just think Buddy has no desire to get in the Big A$$ truck.

New adventures Buddy, we're going to Vegas, you've never been to Vegas.

Stay tuna'd......................

Not meant to embarrass...

How do you convey to someone, a friend or a relative that their artistic talents are worthy enough to share with the world.

I have a sister, I'm sure you all know that by now, that is a fantastic, talented artist. This is not something new, she has been talented all her life. I have always envied her abilities to sketch.

Now having said this she is not good at marketing her product....I on the other hand have that talent. It runs in our family, we are good marketers, some call it BS artistry. Sister must have been practicing her artistic talents when they passed out the marketing skills. And this is by no means to say her lack of marketing skills is a bad thing, cause I think I got all a hers and sure wish I had some of her artistic talent.

So sister, the artist, is having a art show this weekend. I think when she sells out of all of her art work that will seal the deal to demonstrate that she really is good. Confidence is not lacking on her part, but when you are an artist ya just never know if others are going to appreciate your work.

Now I have friend, actually two friends that have incredible writing ability. Boy sure wish I would have paid more attention in English class that pass notes to that boy. I can talk a blue streak but to be able to put word and thought on paper is an art.

Now being a good talker and reasonably good at marketing I have been after these folks to further their writing ability. I know there are hundreds maybe even a bajillion folks that think they can write. Editors must get tons of stories on a daily basis. So that alone can be daunting. Why would anyone look at my writings when there are so very many others out there more talented than me. Let me say this, if my friends I just mentioned were published you would read what ever it was that they have written.

I dabble in photography, something I truly enjoy. But what tiny bit of talent I may or may not have leads me to think why would anyone want to buy or even look at my photographs. I am the kind of person that know a little bit about a lot a stuff. I need to focus on my true love and see if I can market myself before I get my herb farm started.

So stay tuna'd cause I might have enough marketing BS....we'll see!

Good Luck Seester!!!

sister art page

http://vcartfarm.com/showgallery.php?ppuser=38&cat=500

some of my photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19571562@N00/

A big change from 6 months ago

The traveling Doodles clan came thru Arizona in May and kinda skimmed the surface looking at property. But we are now back after vetoing New Mexico and are quite surprised at how the prices have come down. Seems as those the real estate market slump has hit this state also, calling this a buyers market. Hey we know what that means after the languishing market we endured in our past life in Florida.

So maybe we could be on the better end of the stick, so to speak. Spent a bit of time in eastern Arizona about 90 miles from Tucson. Good fertile land, lots of agriculture there. Perfect for my herb farm. Oh I just dream but it could be a possible ya know. Mr Doodles teases me about it but I'm serious. Maybe niece could come over and we could also do goat cheese. Now that would be wonderful even better than wonderful!!!

Dreams are good I do a lot of planning in my dreams. Sometimes Mr Doodles complains or mentions upon waking....."what the hell were you building girl???" I was planning my herb garden while I was asleep cause when I'm awake I am looking after you and Buddy and doing the navigating. So I can dream OK?!?!?!!! Ya know the definition of dreams don't ya......... it's a succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep and that includes building my herb garden dang it. Mr Doodles rolls those pretty blue eyes and grabs another cup a Timmies. I neglected to tell him that a dream is also a wild or vain fancy!!!

Stay tuna'd...I'll get that herb garden yet ;-}

Blog Action Day...pay attention

http://blogactionday.org/

Most of you know that Mr & Mrs Doodles moved our selves into our RV last May to travel the country. And boy we have traveled and put on a lot of miles. But it leads me to the subject of the environment and what we need and what we don't.

When we left Florida we put our worldly possessions in storage. Now I must say that we do not have that much in storage. Some art work, many tools that Mr Doodles cannot part with understandably, and a lot of depression glass and a few antique pieces. I pared down my kitchen equipment while packing up know the RV just wouldn't hold it all. Now it has been several months without my stuff and I can honestly tell you there is not a lot I miss that is in storage and wish I woulda brought with us. What does that say? I don't need all that stuff do I?

Now another thing I noticed when tootling down the road and stopping at rest areas across this country I am totally disgusted at how lazy and dirty that people are. I had a few photos to show you but when the computer crashed it globbed onto my photos....crap!!!

Also when we were living in Key Largo we would all go out once every six months and do a reef sweep. Now explain to me why someone would leave and apple core in the ocean. What were they thinking? You may think it would decompose immediately NOT six months and the apple core is still there. Now don't even get me going about monofilament line also know as fishing line.

But I made a list and went to look up how long it would take these items to decompose.....PAY ATTENTION........these are but just a few items.

styrofoam= NEVER
aluminum = 80 - 100 years
plastic bags = 10-20 years
cigarette butts = 10 - 12 years
plastic containers = 50 -80 years
plastic coated cartons = 5 - 7 years
plastic bottles = NEVER
orange peels - up to 6 months

I think what I will do is look for companies that recognize there truly is a problem, that's a bit hard to do.

It bothers me that many of the politicians preaching to us about global warming and saving the environment are jumping in there private jets and racing around the country to campaign.

I appreciate the fact that markets sell me cloth bags to carry my items home instead of those horrible plastic bags. Trader Joe's comes to mind that is an environment conscious company that is trying to make a difference.
Now here is what is absolutely amazing ...........I Googled how can I help the environment and came up with thousands of sites. The following was copied off of the WWF websites.

• Take your own bags to the shops to carry home your groceries and shopping.
• Look for products that have less packaging.
• Buy organically grown fruits, vegetables, cotton clothing, and hemp-fibre products.
• Don't buy bottled water if you know your tap water is safe - transporting water from its source to the supermarket shelves is an expensive waste of energy. And the plastic and glass bottles add to the already-high mountains of rubbish that we produce. Find out from your municipality about your tap water. If you do buy bottled water, buy from a local source (read the labels) and buy water that comes in recyclable glass or plastic.
• Choose biodegradable cleaning products so that the chemicals have fewer negative impacts on the soil and water system.
• Buy the most energy-efficient household appliances you can afford.
• Use recycled paper.

This site is interesting as it is geared toward kids.......... http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/recycle/helpenvr.htm Starting with kids is a great advancement cause they will remind mom & dad's to be more environmentally friendly.
Got any ideas???

Let's do something instead of just talking. email me what you are doing let's share ideas. The more you know the better we will all be.

Don't know if we have time for the stay tuna'd............

A time to pay attention

A few days ago I got an email from my sweet sister that introduced me to an interesting event to participate in http://www.blogactionday.org/

Check it out.......I intend to write something and I hope you do the same.

Looking at New Mexico

in our rear view mirror

It's a beautiful state BUT we are going searching for more of what we want and need. The next few days will lead us to Arizona and see what the future holds there.

We will also be heading to Las Vegas to meet up with our dear friends Mr & Mrs Nutz............look out Vegas woo hoo!!!

And along the way the Doodles are going to check out some property in Southern Arizona. We haven't completely ruled out this area of New Mexico but we have moved it to the bottom portion of the list. I must say the scenery here is to die for but, there's that BUT the temps are not to our liking all that much and it's only October.

So we have pre-scoped out some areas in and around Tucson.

Now about Las Vegas, we are going there for a Drag Race, then the Nutzs' and the Doodles are RV'ing to the Los Angeles area, Pomona to be exact and meeting up with seester and her hunky husband to attend the final Drag Race of the season. Hopefully after that event we will be able to travel down to the desert of Palm Springs area and visit with step-momma for a few days.

Great news, niece may also be able to hook up with us while we are staying in Pomona.

So stay tuna'd cause there certainly will be news along the way and hopefully a few photos too.

No a lot going on here

But we have done some scouting around...........so I thought I would share some photos with you.

Go check out my flickr site

And I must scold Mr Doodles cause he hasn't taken any photos in awhile.

Although he has been busy doing maintenance on the RV....what with all the wax he has applied I'm sure it ways a tad more. Next he will detail the truck. He's a good detailer.

stay tuna'd.....................

A County Fair

Have not been to a county fair since we lived in Connecticut. And that one was quite spectacular.

However this county fair was quite sweet with a funny little rodeo throw in as a bonus. After all it only cost $5 to get in.




So how many cowboys does it take to tackle a cow?














You want us to go where???




This sweet little goat was a blue ribbon winner. The owner was an eight year old was wearing the ribbon and way too shy to have a photo taken. But her little goat wanted to eat my camera strap.


Roosters are rather scary looking when confined to a cage,
not like the roosters on my dish towel or a plate I have. Now I know kimmy that you must of been scared by an ugly rooster as a child ;o )








There is an area near where we are staying called Hatch, they are quite famous for their chiles. Well we just missed their festival but will certainly put in on the to do list for next year. But when we drove thru I did pick up a ristra of the local Hatch chiles. Cannot wait for them to dry and share them with sister and niece. Oh a ristra is a string of chiles banded together to dry to use in cooking. A great way to decorate your home as you may have seen in many photos of New Mexico. I also took off a couple of the chiles and roasted them to use on sandwiches and in salads. YUMMMMM



As a side note..........there was hail at our little end of the world late this afternoon. Not big hail but hail!!! stay tuna'd..................

hard to believe that

I have been doing this darn blog for two years..........where the hell has the time gone?!?!?

In the beginning I think I was under the assumption this should be a daily journal - NOT!!!

I feel it's a way to keep in touch with friends, new and old and relatives to share memories and photos.

Since the departure in the Big Ass truck, Louie and dragging Grace for the last five months and 16, 000 miles (I know that just blows me away) all those many miles and not a backache from sitting in the truck. I should write to Ford and tell them that.

Have had a few aliens get into my computer but nothing I wasn't able to handle. Have also had a couple of issues with my internet provider, a Verizon aircard, in the beginning but got that sorted out with an intelligent tech dude. Must admit had to go thru a few to find one that honestly knew what he/she was talking about. At times I knew more that they did and that is say a lot believe you me.

There is not one thing we regret, NOT ONE!!! Well maybe one..........shoulda done this sooner. But other than that we are happy with the truck and happy with the RV. There are a few upgrades we want to do to the RV but nothing that cannot wait till we are stationery in one spot for more than a week or two.

The other thing we are so very pleased with is our feline, Buddy. He couldn't have been a better traveler. Buddy sits on the middle console and watches the world go by or just sneaks in the back for a car nap. In all those miles Buddy has complained maybe a couple of times. And let me say he could have made this trip a BITCH!!!

Mr Doodles and I have seen so very many beautiful areas of this country of ours and yes a few of Canada too. We have met up with old and new friends along the way. And yes I wish we could have met up with more of y'all but we will I promise.

So two years of blogging has been a spectacular experience for me and I wish to thank my wonderful niece and sister for the introduction.........and as I have said since the very beginning........stay tuna'd please!

and yes thanks so very much for stopping by because I probably wouldn't post photos and write if it wasn't for y'all.

Might also add that sister, niece and myself participate in a food blog, see over to the right hand column PBE, well I have been a bit remiss in posting as a foodie over there. Poor sister has taken up some of my slack. I do have an excuse and it certainly isn't because we haven't eaten - it's because I have had a hard time adjusting to this cooking area in this RV. I have figured out some things by trial and error and think I have it under control. Also we will be in one place for several months. So thanks seester for taking up my slack, I'll do better in the future - promise.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19571562@N00/

tombstonetumbledweed@gmail.com

Oh what a hike

When you start out your day thinking you are going to do one thing and THEN you end up driving over a 100 miles and hiking about five miles.

We found the end of the road and at the end of that road was the Gila (pronounce the G like an H) Cliff Dwellings. Hard to believe it's a National Park and they haven't screwed it up. However after talking with the Rangers there as well as the volunteers no government funds have been put into this particular park for the past ten years. WTH!!!

Back to the Cliffs, it's a fascinating place and when you think about how the American Indians that lived in those cliffs, on the side of a mountain, how they got up there is way beyond me. I did and I wore sneakers. And ya know they did it barefoot most of the time. And of course a spring from the Gila River was at the base of the cliff's.

See those black streaks running down the side of the cliffs? Well those markings are everywhere and the really, really black streaks are called Desert Varnish.

The views were stunning.....so I am going to post some snaps just so y'all can see.

I'll also post some photos over on my flickr site.

That's Mr Doodles leading the way.

And at the end on the trek we look up to see the beginning of this stunner.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19571562@N00/


for those of you who aren't able to comment email me

You could hear a pin drop

It is so very quiet out here...lordy!!!

Silver City Historical Cemetery

And it not cause of the neighbors....I don't think. It is just really quiet and special here. We will be staying at this RV park for the winter just to get a good feel of the area.

Click on this photo >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
and you can see there is a very large W on this mountainside. How nice of them to put our initial on the mountain as a Welcome! (Our last name begins with a w for those that don't know)

But that is not the case at all...it stands for Western New Mexico University.

When you have a University in your area you usually have a lot of art & culture. And this applies to this area. (sorry mr nutz) And shopping here isn't the greatest BUT you can get to Las Cruces in a couple a hours or less. So all in all it isn't that bad. We'll take it. Reminds us of when we moved to Key Largo years ago. There was nothing there at all and had to drive up to Miami for everything nearly.

So what goes around comes around I'm guessing.

More poking around on the menu today so.........stay tuna'd

Meet our new neighbors..........

This little girl (?) was spotted just as we were leaving the property we are looking into purchasing.

She has friends...aren't they just the cutest thing.



I can just see them chomping down on my herb garden.



We are looking at this property, the views are stunning. There are neighbors BUT they are way over yonder.



Nice flat area for the Doodles Casita.





Time will tell..........stay tuna'd BUT what do y'all think???

I have a soft spot

in my heart for New Mexico. I fancy myself as being a hysterical student of American Indian culture. So when the opportunity came to move west, I immediately thought of New Mexico.

Sister and I took a Thelma & Louise trip so 14 years ago from Los Angeles to Toas,New Mexico and back. Did the Route 66 thing and all, suffice to say we had a blast.

I have longed for many years to come back and enjoy the residents of this great state, so very friendly, interesting and helpful. I might add that Mr Doodles has never ever been to this state.

Mr Doodles and I came from the east of I40 and landed in Albuquerque. Didn't intend to spend any time at all here, just an over nite. We got here at a decent time, so were able to head into Old Town

Sister and I were here and my how it has changed. Spiffed up a lot, beautiful shops and restaurants. But I knew there was a special place I had to find. And that was Gus's Jewelry store located at the south end of Old Town.

Turned the corner and there it stood Gus's. What a site I was sooooo excited. However I noticed that the building was looking a bit shabby, shame on you Gus for letting your building deteriorate like this. Went inside and there he was in all his handsomeness standing behind the counter. We got to chatting and he tells me that he will be closing his store next year. What!!!!!! Why????????? The building owner sold the building out from underneath Gus and they are tearing it down.

No wonder the building looked so shabby. Gus has been at this very location for forty plus years, and this is all he knows. Of course he is in his early 70's and should kick back some. However he lost his wife and is kinda sad, God love him. Well because sister and I were there fourteen years ago I thought I would pick up a fond memento for both of us. I will share that with sister moon when we see each other next month.....Woooo haaaaaaa!!!

We wandered over to the Indian Cultural Center which was quite nice. Then off to the Albuquerque Museum
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center What a city Albuquerque has turned out to be. Too big of a population for us to live in but great place to visit.

Decided we also wanted to enjoy the Pueblo Village of Acoma.
They have built a new RV park that is wonderful and when you check in just like a Casino hotel you get $5 worth of chips to play with at their casino. Oh I forgot to tell y'all they also have a state of the art casino. Hot damn - did good for the two days we were there.

During the day we went on the tour of Sky City. They charge for the tour and also charge for a permit to take pictures. And you may ONLY take photos when you acquire permission. You must respect privacy of the residents. My what a great tour this was. This pueblo was built on the top of a sandstone mesa approximately 400 feet high.

After having waaaaay too much fun in Acoma we traveled south for our final destination at least for a couple of weeks. We are now in Silver City, Mew Mexico. And we are in love!!! With this City, the area and the residents.

So we are gonna go look at some property............stay tuna'd

Traveling is certainly educational

you get to see some of the most amazing sites.........like an abundance of cotton fields in Mississippi. Not a good shot cause we were buzzing down the hiway. But lordy for miles that is all you could see. Played a bit of havoc on the allergies cause the cotton picking machines were out working.

Another fun place was Peabody Hotel, Memphis


Check out the site and see their preferred guests. Mr Doodles could not believe he was standing and waiting for five ducks to appear. At 11 a.m. the five Ducks come off the elevator and waddle over to the pond pictured below. At precisely 5 p.m. the celebrity Ducks march out of the pond, down the red carpet to their private elevator that takes them back to their home.

The Peabody Hotel is a stunning structure of the Olde South and has a lot of history.




After the Peabody we found our way toward the harbor of the mighty Mississippi and came across a delightful museum called The Cotton Museum
A small, but quite informative exhibit, that showed much of the history of cotton plantations and how they were related to the Birth of the Blues in that area.

We did make our way down to the harbor but it had started to rain so we didn't hang around much.

Decided we could have a bite for lunch and turned a corner where there was of all things in Memphis Mexican restaurant, Rio Loco. So being the brave souls that we are we wandered in. To our surprise it was packed with downtown office workers. The place was huge and quite crowded. We were seated in just a few minutes. After looking at the menu and the aroma coming from the plates whizzing by going off to be served to others, we knew that this was our kind of place.



After our delish lunch we walked outside to a sunny BUT very HUMID afternoon. But knowing how much we wanted to go over to Beale Street we suffered thru the humids, after all we lived in Florida and know about humidity.

Beale Street was our favorite.........we wandered onto a small impromptu street concert. What a terrific group.
They all play at different clubs thru out the city but during the day some just meet up at this particular spot around the corner from Beale Street. One of the highlights was the BB King Club. We ventured in to see what was going on. Actually it was pretty busy in the afternoon. But I bet it really jumps at nite.

Glad to hear Mr BB is on the mend.




If the local ordinance is posted such as this sign can ya just IMAGINE how it must be some late nites...WOW!!! Probably puts Key West to shame.

This beautiful magnolia flower was the only one on a HUGE magnolia tree standing outside a second floor window at Graceland, home of Elvis.

Must catch up on my blogging cause I cannot wait to show you New Mexico.................stay tuna'd


http://www.flickr.com/photos/19571562@N00/

tombstonetumbledweed@gmail.com

OK the worst Highways have been awarded to...

sound the trumpets......ta ta ta daaaa................OKLAHOMA!!!

Now don't get me wrong it's a beautiful State. Oklahoma City is a great place to visit, hell we stayed here four nites and were only going to drive thru. We are very happy that we did stay over. The people are wonderful, a ton to do here, the RV park where we stayed was super, BUT the roads SUCK!!! They are like washboards everywhere. It is hard to believe that such a wonderful city would allow this to happen. Talk to any resident, they are appalled and ashamed of the roadways of their beautiful City. Maybe the Governor should put their Lotto $$$ to the infrastructure.

Now let me tell you why we stayed here for an extended period of time. One reason was the Doodles clan had a bit of a summer cold but are on the mend.

First of all the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Well let me say that this is the MOST heart wrenching memorial I have ever seen.

Their Mission Statement: We come here to remember those who were killed. Those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this Memorial offer comfort, strength, peace hope and serenity.

The Field of 168 Empty Chairs stand as a reminder of each life lost April 19, 1995. I also put a few pics up on my Flickr site.

Prior to this we discovered that THE largest stockyards existed in Oklahoma City. Too cool I say, cowboys wrangling cattle, what's not to like, we say so found our way to Stockyards City. Yep they have their own city it's just that big and a restaurant too. Big disappointment, cowboys only wrangle cattle on Monday and Tuesday's CRAP!!!

As I said this city is filled with amazing venues......guess you could call it a destination city depending on your interests.

OK now on to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Holy cow this place is magnificent and huge. Anything regarding western history from cowboy art to modern day rodeo. Also the grounds are filled with stunning bronze art work. Needless to say we enjoyed our day here.
Oh and this is funny, we received free admission. Ford Motor Company pays for all guests that show up on Wednesday.

Yep we enjoyed Okie City as the natives do refer to themselves.

We are going to venture down Route 66, the Mother Road,
so stay tuna'd.............

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19571562@N00/

tombstonetumbledweed@gmail.com

Spread the word...please

Do you know your carbon footprint............well it's time you found out.

This site is user friendly ZeroFootPrint

Bone up cause there will be a test. This is not something to skim over, not a fad, definitely not to be ignored. Something that you must think about.

None of us are perfect BUT we can strive toward improvement.

Stay tuna'd.................and I was just kidding about a test.

ps - you must register at this site so consider yourself warned.

O K LA H O M A !!!

That's where we are, Oklahoma City to be exact. Nice not to have a strict itinerary. Traveling on route 40 we crossed the state line from Arkansas into Oklahoma and stopped at the well stocked travel center. They had a section for RV parks so we checked out what else is going on in the city. We discovered that there was a lot we could see and do. Found our way to the RV park that we thought looked good. By the way it is wise to make reservations no matter what time of year cause they mentioned that available spots were getting few because the State Fair is starting on Thursday.

We all know that Oklahoma City was the scene of a terrorist attack in 1995. It is said that the terrorists aimed the attack at the Murrah Federal Building. It was a little eerie being here on the day of September 11 and how the Oklahoma City residents handled the media. These are some quite fine folks in this city. And they are quite proud to celebrate their Centennial.




We are off to the Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Fireman's Museum and the Stockyards here in the City. They have REAL cowboys working at the stockyards and y'all know how much I love cowboys. And a great photo opportunity I am hoping. I remember going to Ft Worth and seeing the cattle drive they have and NOT having a camera. I am going to the stockyards with my camera.

As I have mentioned I am having CD drive problems but that won't stop me from posting, it just frustrates the S#&% outta me. I have several posts I must take care of such as the Elvis tour...............yep we saw Elvis and a lot of Elvis' all around and my favorite area was Beale Street, man what fun that was!!!




That is one handsome boy.......do you have an Elvis favorite song?

This one is mine........... A Fool Such As I

And by the way the temps have dropped wooooo hooooo, woke to a 52 and today should be a high of 78 no rain and NO HUMIDITY - hot damn!!!

OK breakfast awaits.............stay tuna'd!!!

ps...........thanks to my sweet sister for coming to my aid during my computer problem. By the way go check out her site for her new art work

Photo site

email me at tombstonetumbleweed@gmail.com

We interrupt this blog

for a special bulletin................I am having problems

downloading photos!!!


stay tuna'd

The sites you see...........

while motoring down the hiway. Tennessee names their rest stops after country western stars. I am still in search for the Alan Jackson AND Tim McGraw rest stop for a picture. Mr Doodles doesn't think it's funny to stop at EVERY ONE!!! But I bet if there was an Ann Margaret or a Faith Hill he'd be stopping.

These big boys are headed to a feed lot just outside Amarillo, Texas. Right now they weigh about 800 lbs. and when the feed lot stay is completed they will weigh about 1600 lbs. That is a lot, I mean a LOT of cholesterol.




stay tuna'd for an Elvis sighting............we just left Memphis!!!

Newspaper article on US infrastucture

While having breakfast this a.m. Mr Doodles and I read an article in USA Today titled "States act swiftly on bridge repairs". This is all due to the horrific bridge collapse on Minneapolis August 1st.

Mr Doodles told me not to read the article because it would scare the beejezus outta me. We are motoring around the country ya know.

Well I am not one to listen most times so I read the article. What annoys me more than anything is that several Dept. of Transportation Commissioners in this country are quoted as say "after the inspection reviews cost for repairs will be in the BILLIONS!!!

Well DOT Commissioner shouldn't you have kept up with maintenance all along and maybe it wouldn't cost Billions of $$$.

I have now come to the conclusion that there are dopes in charge all over this country not just Washington.

This photo is going to

every stinking candidate that is running for President in 2008. Maybe I'll even send it to some dopes in Washington as a reminder...I don't know why they would need it though, do you?

Hope your Labor Day was pleasant.....

We stopped at a rest area in Kentucky and as I approached the building I noticed the flags outside at half staff. I asked the attendant at the information tourist booth why that was. He said "when a soldier from our state of Kentucky is killed in action we lower the flags across the whole state. This young man was killed in Afghanistan last Wednesday and his funeral will be tomorrow".

Say a prayer for that family and all the other families of young men and women fighting this battle.

This photo is of Louie, the big bad truck, entering Louisville crossing over the Ohio River, where he was built. Didn't care if we stopped just wanted to see where he came from.



off to Memphis........stay tuna'd

Life is good..........

yes it really is cause our stay in Indy was tons a fun. Got to meet up with new and old friends. Talking and eatin seems to be a favorite pastime of most of us. What's not to like there!

This a.m. early we headed off to Kentucky, another adventure cause we have not been to that part of the state. So am anxious to report back all of our findings. We will make our way to Memphis, yes we are going to Graceland Mr Donzo and Miss I. And to get me in the mood Mr Doodles is playing Elvis on Sirius radio - ugh!!! One of Mr Doodles pleasures. Spending three days in Memphis to get the flavor of the city and that does include taste testing some of the BBQ that they are so famous for in Memphis.

Haven't done a food review in awhile so ................stay tuna'd for the Graceland and BBQ findings and yes pics too.

A big congrats to the UCLA Bruins football team for their victory Saturday

Olson Leads No. 14 UCLA to 45-17 Victory Over Stanford

Poor Buddy........

This cat has certainly been thru some very tough times. When we had to have maintenance/repairs done to the RV Buddy could not stay in the RV. At one point we had to move into a motel for reasons I won't get into now.

Anyway, Buddy has been an amazing Happy Camper as I have mentioned in the past, but being carted around in his cat carrier is not his deal. We walked into the motel room and he was running around like he had won the lottery. Then when he discovered there was a tub he literally howled, reminding you he LOVES water. We were hysterical. Mr Doodles told Buddy we would check into a motel once in awhile
for him to get his tub and water fix................HA!!!


Gonna go post some more pics on my flickr site

stay tuna'd for updates................

email me at tombstonetumbleweed@gmail.com

What to do while Grace is receiving maintenance

Well let me tell you there certainly is a lot to do in the Elkhart area.

As I mentioned we did stumble onto the Amish Acres in Napanee, Indiana. It is a lovely spot however it is not truly Amish or Amish run. They do take care of the restaurant barn where the food is served. Good heavens there certainly is a lot of food served. All grown locally by the Amish. Fresh that is what I am trying to say. WOW!!!

We also wandered up to Elkhart about 20 some miles north where there is a load of RV surplus stores. Actually it's a junk yard for RV's. Anything you need they have it. We were not to shot with their prices. So it is the kind of place you must know what you are looking for and the cost.

Then there was the RV Museum up the road a ways. I know a lot of friends would enjoy this stop.

I was quite disappointed when I found out that this Farmers Market would not be open till Thursday. Hopefully we won't still be here. But can you just not see the corn, peaches, blueberries and such just waiting to be plucked up by shoppers.

ETA=edited to add We unfortunately were held over for one more day and I did have the opportunity to attend the Farmers Market, by myself for three wonderful hours. WOW!!!!!!! while Mr Doodles hung out with the maintenance dudes

This building is copied after the Farmers Market at St Jacobs, in Kitchner, Ontario, Canada. Friends in Canada will recognize that. They people of St Jacobs attended the Grand Opening of this Market I believe it was in May. Also the folks of St Jacobs had a lot of input into the way this building was done. They were able to pass along the mistakes that they made and improve upon what they built. I might also mention this is a post and beam building built by four Amish families. Granted it is post and beam with local building ordinances. It is an absolutely gorgeous three story building.

I also find it sad to think that since we are coming into the month of September and no more corn. We have had our fair share of fresh corn I'll miss that along with the blueberries for making our smoothies. Sure have been spoiled with all of the fresh veggies and fruits.

I have posted some pics over at my flickr site

You can email me at tombstonetumbleweed@gmail.com

We are on our way to Indianapolis so stay tuna'd...............

So here we are

in Northern Indiana which is Amish country. What wonderful restaurants and craft shops to visit.

We are here for RV maintenance but also to enjoy the area since we will be here for a couple of days at least. Needless to say Mr Doodles will want to visit the many, many RV surplus stores that are around. After all this is the RV manufacturing capital.
AND get this, we will be able to go thru a factory tour of the company that made our RV, Grace. I'll get even and be able to go to many of the above mentioned craft shops.

Seeing the Amish horse and buggies traveling down the roads mixed in with cars, 18 wheelers is an interesting photo and yes I'll get some for sure.

Had a great visit, albeit short, with my Aunt. We got to catch up on all the family news, eat and even shop. Went to a shoe store and the first thing Mr Doodles said was "you don't have room for any more shoes ya know"!!! He must be kidding right.

I must also mention that sister and husband are having a fine time camping as well.
Go check out her blog on the latest trip.

I'll be back later with some photo's.............stay tuna'd

tombstonetumbleweed@gmail.com

PS.........yes seester I got some Sechler pickles.....want some?