Singapore ... 1970 ... Honda Twin ... Joe Hoyt.

Brother Joe Hoyt astride his Honda Twin somewhere in Singapore in 1970.  It's pretty avant garde to be wearing a helmet back in that era ... and the shoes, the shoes. Explain yourself!

Steer Manure Smells Like Poop.

Lowe's big box store in Surprise, AZ sells steer manure -- "better than regular old cow manure," according to sales associate, Bob. I can attest that the manure smells like .... well, manure. P-U.

Wickenburg Municipal Cemetery.

You learn a lot about a place and its history when you take some quiet time in the sacred space where a town buries its ancestors. I had the chance to do that this afternoon in the Wickenburg Municipal Cemetery, where I began to put "names to faces" of families I've heard and read about, and in some cases gotten to know a bit.

A couple of things struck me: (1) so many of the Sons of Wickenburg have their U.S. military  affiliations inscribed on their headstones; (2) the plots themselves are festooned with deeply personal mementos -- letters, pottery, fotos, toys, and, of course, flowers; (3) the Hispanic Legacy of the American Southwest is evident in our little town's cemetery; and, (4) some of the earliest settlers in these parts -- long before Arizona became a state -- are interred here.

The Heard Museum in Phoenix.

The incomparable Heard Museum in Phoenix is about to host its annual Native art, jewelry, and artifacts exposition!  Pina and I went last year, where we took this foto of one of the artists and his family. We'll be back the weekend of March 5th, and maybe see you there?

Wickenburg's Bradshaw Mountains.

A big storm blew through Wickenburg on Feb. 19th, and left 1+ inches of rain in town, and some 6" of fresh powder snow up at altitude in the Bradshaws.  Made for quite a stunning photo once the sky had cleared on Feb. 20th!

Glacial Rainbow, New Zealand.

Our friends Margot + Jim Butler just arrived home in Greenwich after two weeks "tracking" in glacial foothills of New Zealand. Margot's got a pretty good eye with her Nikon, and caught this little rainbow in a waterfall not more than 3 kms. from their hotel.  What a tip it must have been.  Travelers to New Zealand say it's got about the most spectacular vistas in the world, if you're up for the lengthy flight.

La Liz Lights up La Panama.

Our Medina friends Liz and Ken Weir were in Panama City two weeks ago for some birding, a meeting, and transit of the Panama Canal.  Ken photographed his bride with ultra-modern Ciudad de Panama in the background, not to mention the bluest sky we've seen in a while. 

Wickenburg RV Lifestyle.

About a mile east of Wickenburg on the 60 Highway, "Hospitality RV Park" is home to some 400 residents who come from all over North America for the mild winter weather here in Arizona. I stopped by the park today to check out the very cool sign, and a whopper of a Fleetwood Motor Coach for sale in the parking lot. '08 model, $252,000+ when new (sticker is still on the vehicle), and a motivated owner will let it go for under $160k.

1991 Volvo 940 Turbo.

There is something very classic about the look of this 1991Volvo 940 Turbo dash.  Colors complement each other. Dials are easy to read. Ergonomics of the layout are comforting, familiar.  You're in your uber-comfortable leather seats, looking at your instruments, and you think you can drive forever. Except you need to get gas every 275 miles or so -- and pee more frequnetly than that, if you're a man of a certain age.

Wickenburg's El Ranchero Restaurant.

Employees, family and "amigos" of Wickenburg's iconic El Ranchero restaurant, were a big part of the celebration at 63rd Annual Gold Rush Days parade last Saturday.  If you like the outfits, you'll love the chicken enchiladas!!

'47 Studebaker Truck is Classico!

Belle of the Ball .. Star of the Show ... Sweetest Truck in the Gold Rush Days Parade, hands down.

Check this '47 Studebaker stake-bed pick up, and the two little Studies on top near Old Glory.  This certifiable American classic has given its owner hours and hours of pleasure as he's spent, no doubt, hours and thousands, brining the truck back to its glory days.

To think: they used to make some of the best looking American cars and trucks in Indianapolis.  Who dropped the ball?

Believe on Jesus. Be Born Again!

63rd annual Gold Rush Days Parade in Wickenburg produced the biggest, most diverse group of participants, ever.  From  El Ranchero Restaurant, to a 1910 Model T, and goatherds, Shetland ponies, and a local Christian rock band struming (and drumming ) up a little business, the parade route was a-bustle with activity. Thousands of well-wishers and parade habitues lined the route to town, where Pro Rodeo superstar Larry Mahan served as Grand Marshall.

Fearsome 4-some, Jupiter Island Club

Stanley Trotman, large and in charge in the cart, hosted yours truly, plus Rod "Donut" Drake, and Jonathan "JI" Ingham, last week for lunch and a power round of golf at the gorgeous Jupiter Island Club in Hobe Sound, FL.


Maybe a birdie and a par or two, but mostly laughs and wonderful memories -- perhaps an exageration or two -- among guys whose freindship goes back nearly 50 years.

Thanks, Stanley, for being the perfect host!