Pedregal Shopping Center, Carefree, AZ

Yet another adventure for Nancy, Sky, Hugo and me. On our way over to check out Cave Creek today, we stopped for lunch at Spotted Donkey Cafe in the Pedregal Center. After the most yummy, prodigiously large and super-filling items on the menu, we took a stroll around the grounds, stopping to catch our breaths, and a view of the sunning tortugas, before we did a little shopping for loved-ones.

Clean, Mean Velo Machine (and Cyclist).

"Home on the Road." Thanks, James Terman.

Dear pal, and Boulder, CO-based artist, James Terman, has done it again.

Just as I wondered what this populist plein aire painter was up to, "Home on the Road" arrived in my in box. Details? My guess is that James set up an easel in his Boulder neighborhood, took out his oils, and whipped this marvelous painting off in a matter of minutes.

As I've written previously, James and I have been friends since his days as VP Words + Pictures at White Wave/Silk   I'm also confident I own the largest collection of "Original Termans" on the planet.

PLUS ... I've come to know Mrs. Terman (Carolyn) and am grateful to have been their guests for dinner recently at Boulder hot-spot, "Aji."  What a life, huh?!

Kicks on 66 -- The Mother Road Mural in Needles, CA.

My ever-observant and -creative wife insisted we stop the mini-van to pose me in front of Mother Road - Route 66 mural in Needles, California.  I obliged, hammed it up, and she snapped one of the best road trip pics we've ever made.

Some Snoopy aficionado remarked that it looked as if palm of my left hand was even pushing back on the pup's schnozz.

Needles, CA is a funky kind of town with an excellent Best Western Motel within shouting distance of the Colorado River. There's an affiliated restaurant with yummy take-out for the hungry traveler who arrives late at night.

And for the thirsty car?  You can fill up at the local Chevron (home of the mural) for close to 4-bucks a gallon of regular. Ouch (:

Happy Trails to You!

Ford Woody. Gold carrier? One of a kind.

One of a kind Ford Woody wagon for sale in Hope, AZ.  Not sure how cherry it is, but the vibe is totally authentic, and you can be sure no-one has one like it.

Truck was used in the mining biz in AZ in the 1920's .... probably a "staff car" for mine owners and potentates. Maybe carried little bags of gold to pay miners their weekly wage?

Ah, what stories this baby could tell.

La Quinta Olive Oil Company: A Must-Visit Boutique

Sam and I made great new friends today:  Pete Petrafeso and Debbie Degen. This couple of serial entrepreneurss live in La Quinta, CA, and are one month into proprietorship of La Quinta Olive Oil Company.

Pete's a native of Denver, and worked in the educational field in Minneapolis, where he and Debbie met.   She's from Edina.  Pete served four terms in the State Legislature representing the St. Louis Park district.  Debbie worked in financial printing, and together they owned a ranch in Durango, CO, and went to culinary school in Italy to follow their passion for Italian food.

Back state-side they opened their super premium Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar boutique.  Thank you, thank you Pete and Debbie!

The oils are divine and sublime.  35+ varieties to choose from -- Nancy and I bought 4 bottles to take back home, and give to friends.  Yo can get a 25-year-old Balsamic Vinegar .... impossible to describe taste and texture:  you'll have to go sample the goods yourself.

Debbie and Pete sell mail order.  The website is www.laquintaoliveoilcompany.com.  Phone number is (760) 777-9997.

Wishing these fun new friends of ours good luck .. and urging readers of Poppy's Velo Ventures to try their oil and vinegar soon!

Nearby Lemon Tree Bursts With Fruit.

Went for my constitutional yesterday. Sun shining bright.  Sky, a vibrant blue. A little bit of breeze caught my attention, made me look up.  And that's where I saw the remarkable lemon tree bounty.  And this is California winter, huh?

Popeye Juice Bar - Spinach, Beets, Carrots and Ginger!

Talk about feeling healthy!  Instead of my daily iced skinny lattes, I ordered up a Popeye Strength Deluxe at Bristol Farms juice bar on Country Club Drive.  Juice-ista (think that's what they call them?) said I'd feel like a million bucks -- how right he was!  Took a big swig, and left a large tip.

Boulder, CO Pick Up-Truck Holiday Wishes.

Rocky Mountain artiste extraordinaire, James Terman, urged me to share his holiday truck-y greetings from Boulder with readers of Poppy's Velo Ventures.  Here you have the latest creation in the Terman Vehicle Collection -- wreath, red bow, and all!  Happy Holidays to one and all!

"Freewheeling," Palm Springs, CA.

Sculptor Gary Lee Price created this engaging, fun, inspiring bronze in 2010.  It occupies a place of prominence on busy El Paseo shoppping area in Palm Springs, awaiting amateur photogs like me to snap a shot and post to our blogs.

I love the adventure -- of new towns, faces, restaurants, stores, history centers, and public art, especially this time of year.  "Freewheeling" certainly does not disappoint!

Palm Springs: Big Burger, Big Hair, Buxom Burger Babe.

We had already eaten lunch when we met this buxom burger babe on Palm Canyon Drive.  Probably just as well. The payoff never quite lives up to the promise! Next time, just say: rare, over-easy, with all the fixin's!

'91 Volvo 740 Turbo, Moon in the Western Sky.

On my way to Sun City West  to get the Sunday Times.  Rain had stopped, clouds were breaking, and the early morning moon was still high in the western sky. My coffee mug sits atop the 1991 Volvo 740 Turbo; I didn't forget to put it in the cupholder before hitting Hwy. 60.

Kaiser-Frazer, 1949 - Classic, Last of a Breed.

Saw this baby in a junk yard on Hwy. 60.  I'm pretty sure it's a  Kaiser-Frazer Manhattan -- in remarkable shape considering the car is more than 60 years old!  The body shows very little rust, but the interior is a nightmare. And the paint? Pretty much rusted away.

My brother-in-law Mark G sent me a link to a Chrysler Collectors site, where the glorious history of the Kaiser-Frazer, and Henry J (as in Kaiser) was told in respectful and admiring words and photos.

Back in my youth in Chillicothe, Rick Hildebrand drove a Henry J (three on the tree, as I recall). We idolized Rick, and badly wanted a car like his when were old enough to get our licenses. Never did meet a K-F Manhattan owner, however.

Thanks to my Sis Crary and her Buckeye BFF Peggy Bonner for auto details from so long ago!

1953 GMC 1/2 Ton Pick-Up Classic.

There can't be more than a handful of these early-50's GMC pickups left in captivity. This one, which looks essentially original, cherry, is parked on the sidewalk in front of the Mormon Church, waiting to whisk away a new bride and groom.  And I know this, how?

"Just Married" is painted in whitewash on the rear window of the truck. Plus, Kevin and his sweetie and new partner for life.

Merry Christmas, Santa Cactus.

If you don't have pine trees in your yard, then you Christmas-decorate what you do have.  In this case it's a cholla cactus, and the creative homeowner has dressed his yard up just so. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!