Girl Scout "Samoas" Saturday.

Girl Scouts and their cookie-leaders have been out in full force this weekend.

Tables of Trefoils, Samoas, and all the traditional goodies, have been there for the asking: $4.00 per box, and all purchases guaranteed to please.

I asked my young entrepreneurs to read the carbohydrate numbers on the side of the Samoa box before making my decision.  When I learned that I could enjoy a couple of cookies per day with minimal damage to my aging system, I bought a two-pack .... and dug in right away.

"Where does the money you collect from cookie sales go," I asked one Troop Leader.  Her scouts support a children's hospital in the Valley west of Phoenix.  Other troops select their favorite charitable causes, and work to maximize the support they give.

Pretty impressive group of women and girls.  They're bent on making this world a better place in which to live.  Keep buying Samoas, and keep up the good work!

Old Glory, Presidents' Day, Bedoian's.

American Flags flew all over Wickenburg -- in honor of Presidents' Day, of course.  I was sitting in Bedoian's Cafe along the main drag, the place was empty of customers ('cept me) and I spotted Old Glory out the front door. Hope you enjoy this as much as I do.  Lemme know.

Baby Cat Graces Triad Steel Services.

If you dig old machinery, here's a smile-maker suggestion next time you're "Out Wickenburg Way."  

Head west on Hwy 60, turn into Sabin Brown Industrial Park, and follow the road to the end.  Right in front of Triad Steel Services is a gently rusting Caterpillar tractor, up on a deserving and respectful pedestal. 

Wish I knew more about the model Fifteen Cat. That way I could write with authority about the fabled history of this exquisite machine. I do know the engine is gas, and not diesel -- you can still smell fuel, and get grease on your shirt, as you poke around the engine compartment, and climb on the treads.

The crank still works. I was tempted to give it some serious turns ... but my bursitis persuaded me otherwise. 

Shadows on a Garden Wall.

It just struck me this afternoon: the light, the angle of the sun, the color of the chair and stucco wall, the shadows playing tricks with the eye.

As I took this shot I guessed at where I was aiming the camera.  It really was a case of point and shoot.  

The light was so bright, and the screen impossibe to see -- no viewfinder on this SONY -- and I think the results aturned out pretty good!

Bedoian Oriental Carpets: Sale Today!

My friend here offers exquisite oriental carpets from his shop in Wickenburg.  The two rugs at Victor's feet are from Turkey, fairly priced and in perfect condition. Check out the the carpet draped on the table over Victor's left shoulder, in the background of the photo.  My wife thinks we should take a closer look -- maybe ask Victor if we can take one of his flying carpets out for a ride?

Queens of th Road.

Sisters of the Fly is the name painted on the left side of this 60-year old camper.  Check it out in the lead photo, above.

On the back: "Huckleberry" ca 1955.

Wish I'd met the owner (s) to learn the story of this cute-as-a-button trailer parked in the lot at the Community Center in Wickenburg.

I screwed up my courage, and almost knocked on the door to intro myself.  But then I thought better of it.

Anyone among Poppy's Velo Ventures readership have a clue?  Love to hear from you.

"Descanso," on the way to Congress, AZ.

An important tradition here in the West (and a bit back East) is the road-side tribute to a loved one, lost in an automobile accident.

They call it "Descanso" -- meaning, in Spanish, "place of rest." And this particular place of rest is along Highway 89, half-way between Congress and Wickenburg, AZ.

The young woman being honored -- and missed desperately no doubt by family and friends -- perished about two years ago to the day. The flowers are fresh, tended with love, and the fotos leave a powerful message of youth snuffed out in some kind of auto incident, not further defined.

I saw a few more memorials along Hwy. 89, as well as Hwy 71 and some on US 60, headed east from Aguila back toward Wickenburg.

I'll post those soon.

Meanwhile:  drive with care, obey the speed limit, don't text or talk behind the wheel, wear your seat belt, don't drink and drive.

'41 Chevy Coupe, Runs Great, Some Work Neeeded.

I saw this classic in the parking lot in front of the Post Office in Wickenburg.  The '41 Chevy Coupe was tied down to its trailer, big For Sale sign in a couple of windows, and the crowds had begun to gather.

An old hippy guy and his wife, about my age, from the Western Slope of Colorado joined me in ooohing-and ahhing over this sweet 'mobile.

"I had a '48," said my new BFF, "and it looked a lot like this one."

"Reminds me of the Chevy that Maybell Lobby used to drive," I said to he Colorado guy, though he didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

Didn't see the owner of the '41, though the car stayed on the the trailer all weekend long. I don't think he sold the car -- though he had it priced pretty well: $4500, asking.