Run Across America for Our Vets.

Pedaling the Giant earlier this week, I spied a super-patriotic rig parked in the Wickenburg Community Center lot.

A Colorado hero named Jim is afoot on the land in a fund-raising show of support for our U.S. Vets.  I was hoping to meet Jim, shake his hand and make a donation to the cause.  Jim must have been grabbing some grub in town, or taking a shower at the Y, or maybe catching 40-winks in the van.

I did slip a ten-spot in the driver's side window, snapped a foto, and pedaled on down the road.

Tinkerbell's Vanity License Plate.

Saw the car and met the crew in a parking lot in Phoenix.  I assumed TINKMBL referred to a car maybe owned by a friend named Tinkham.  The real owner of the VW explained she liked the Tinkerbell character from Peter Pan, and ordered up the tag in T'bell's honor.  Fun, and only a little wacky, wouldn't you agree?

Dogs May Not Poop in this Yard.

If you're walking  down Las Lomas keep your pooch on a short leash, and, remember:  no pooping in this guy's front yard!

Ride 'em, Chainsaw Cowboy!!

Would you believe it?  This wooden sculpture was carved entirely with a chainsaw?  Yup.    The figure depicts a Senior Pro Rodeo Circuit athlete, totally in control of a buckin' bronc.  And while the art work isn't exactly wasted in this Wickenburg parking lot location, the quality of the craftsmanship, and the subject matter itself, would be every-bit as at-home on the lawn of the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix!  Yee, haw.

Classic Cars + Trucks 4-Sale in Arizona.

Old desert dude is selling off his collection of classic cars and trucks.  Prices seem fair -- what do you collectors think?  Saw the home-made For Sale sign duct-taped to a community bulletin board next to the CVS on West Wickenburg Way.  Maybe give the guy a call?

Lake St. @ Bryant in Uptown - Fave Dunn Bros.

I come back to this photo -- and to this particular Dunn Bros. retail store -- again and again.

I love the joe, first and foremost:  iced latte, easy on the 2-per cent, some of that fudge cake brownie if you have it.

Then the ambiance inside:  cozy gas fire pit that essentially guarantees a community of sippers, readers, chatters, sharers.

Outside the venue?  Arguably my favorite velo-oriented photo op. You won't see many bikes there today, not with temps in double-digit negative territory and wind chills so dangerous they can't be measured.  But spring will be here soon, so plan to pedal down and I'll meet you there.