Pierce's Desert Creations.

Spring is bustin' out all over Maricpoa County! As proof, Pierce just sent us this foto of a gorgeous desert cactus flower in soon-to-be-full-bloom.

This flower is as rare as it is stunning. Pina says that Pierce has raised the plant since it was about 6" tall. The cactus pad is an exceptional example of the genus.

Joedy's Afghan Bus Adventure, ca 1972.

The turbaned, rugged Pashtun traveler boarded the bus I was on via a ladder positioned near the rear door. He came to the front where I sat and slammed me with his right hip and knocked me from my seat. I hit the deck, dazed and confused. Paying no respect to his size, I did much the same to the traveler with my left hip! My adversary turned to me and with a creaking guttural sound coming from the depth of his jaw he drew his index finger across his throat and turned to face the road to come.

“What have I done?” I was in fact chilled to the bone with --- fear? Yep. I quickly calculated that this man could – and would – kill me for assaulting his pride, manhood, place in society – I was a skinny hippie kid far from any town, road or source of safe haven. In short, I was toast. I sat my ground, scared, but trying to enjoy the scenery. Time and miles passed. As suddenly as the bus had stopped to welcome this man, aboard, it stopped and this force of nature disembarked, and shuffled off westward into the desert.

Come See Mike at Plymouth Dunn Bros.

I'm thinking the best coffee in the 'Cities is con-sistently served at Dunn Bros.

Strong brew, great service, fun shop owners who know your name, and a rewards program that pays back with a freebie after $25 spent at any branch store.

Doing the customer-wave today is Mike, one of the star franchisees in the system. I paid a visit to his store in Plymouth, MN today to get an iced skim latte. Come see Mike when you're hankering for some joe. Tell him that Poppy sent you

New Long Haul Trucker on its Way..

I'm gonna get me one of these Long Haul Truck-ers.

And I'll try out the drops and bar-end shifters before I decide on the moustache bars.

I demoed one at Tonka Cycle and Ski. Steve opened up the store early for me. I love the way the LHT rides, the feel of the bike, the vibe, the whole deal.

How many product reviews does a guy need to read before he says: "ah, yes, this is the one."

JI's Boss Wheels, R.I. Edition.

Check out college roommate JI's garage in Watch Hill, RI.

There's the 1936 Ford Phaeton from Troy, OH. Sweet, and cherry ... and "Eyes" drives it a couple of days a week.

The hotrod -- her name is Rhonda, as in "Help Me Rhonda" -- started out life as a '32 Ford roadster. Then someone dropped in a massive V-8, and the tires, brakes, shocks, tie rods, etc. to keep this baby street legal. I can attest to the terrifying power of this mean machine.

And, in front of the rod? Beach cruiser bike, perfect for the Rhode Island shore, or Fla. or Martha's Vineyard or wherever folks go to chill out and re-create.

Gold Nugget Gallery.

Cindy and Sue operate Wickenburg's renowned "Gold Nugget Gallery" on North Tegner Street. La Nancita and I are good friends of the owners (and good customers, too!)

We just made a purchase of an adorable burro casting, seen in the foto above.

When you get "Out Wickenburg Way," as the locals call it, be sure to stop by the gallery. I'm sure Sue + Cindy will have just piece to add to your western art collection.

Hiya, Senorita! Como estas?

Pina and I spent a very quick weekend with good pals in Steamboat Springs, CO.

The "Corona" tray in this pic features a lovely senorita who's a dead ringer for my Mom, and my sister's daughter, Emily.

Those of you who may know either or both ladies -- what do YOU think?

Jackie Brian, Time Trial Hero!

Arkansas native Jackie Brian is a skilled and winning time trial racer (shown here in competition in Monroe, LA) and regularly averages 25.3+ MPH in his events. He's young and strong and extremely determined ..... and as I write this, Jackie is here in Wickenburg for a week of training. His next competition is in Mississippi in mid-April.

So, how did Brian and Hoyt get together? Over a bike seat post, clamp and the perfect aerodynamic riding position. Let me tell you more.

On my way home from Safeway on my bike last night another cyclist (turned out to be Jackie) caught up with me. Is there a bike shop in Wickenburg he wanted to know? No. But maybe I can help? Yeah, my seat clamp is loose and the post slips and I can't keep the seat position right.

So I took the clamp off my Giant, gave it to Jackie, along with my contact info. "Send the seat post clamp back when you're finished training," I offered. "And best of luck in Mississippi!"

Best Independent Java Joint in Town.

My new best friend Denise moved from Washington State last fall and opened Casita Coffee here in Wickenburg. Her iced lattes are my faves, and as good as you can get.

Speaking of faves, Denise tells me that old Poppy is her fave customer!

Great looking store, great service, great coffee, and a great retail addition to our little town.

Check it out if you're passing through.

Coast-to-Coast Roadies (plus Me).

I had such a cool time this afternoon with my new cycling pals! And they invited me to join them for a group foto at the Aztec RV Park in Wickenburg where the guys are spending the nite.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Gerry (on the left above), Ron (to my left) and Jim departed San Diego eight days ago on their way to St. Augustine, FL. Ron hadn't toured much since college (he's a bio-tech engineer from Sacramento). Jim rides long distances regularly from his home base in Charlotte, NC. And Gerry, who's retired and lives in North Conway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, decided on a whim that it was time for him to pedal from sea to shining sea.

Our intrepid cyclists connected on-line at crazyguyonabike.com . They actually met the day they left CA for FL. And from my observation, these three former strangers have bonded about as well as two-wheelers can do. Their adventures are posted on a blog at address above.

Nancy and I put together a care package to take down to Aztec: a big bag of peanuts, a can of sardines, white corn tortilla chips, organic salsa, bananas and some fresh blueberries. My new friends wasted no time inhaling the chow -- and thanking us profusely for the kindness. Indeed, Pina and I qualify for "road angel" status.

Cross country factoids that the guys shared with us:

* riding 50 miles per day is the goal

* 3500 calories is the daily food intake

* 50 calories burned per mile

* 18-wheeler drivers are super careful of cyclists

* the guys sleep in tents at RV parks, paying $10 per night

Someday, as I keep reminding myself; someday I will hit the road like Gerry, Jim and Ron.

Happy B'day, Unka Joe-D.

Little baby bro, Joe Hoyt, is all growed up now. Today's his 62nd. b'day, and folks are celebrating far and wide.

Joe's wife of 30-plus years Nancy Ann, set out to bake Joe-D's fave gluten-free cake. Into the bowl went the mixings. A loving hand turned the ingredients until they were just right. Then the 350-degree oven down in Coral Gables, FL opened wide to embrace the cake-to-be.

Half an hour later, to hear Joe tell it, there was a "muffled explosion in the kitch. There'd been a chemical reaction of some kind. Nancy's fool-proof cake recipe had gone horribly wrong, and the results, as you see above, were the birthday bummer of all time."

Off to bed J + N went, big smile on their faces in spite of the cake catastrophe, but nary a nibble of dessert in their bellies.

"There's always next year," as Nancy mused philosophically.

Terman Takes a Turn in Ethiopia.

You've read on my blog often about the Termans, my good friends in Boulder, CO.

Artists, activists, world travelers, and dear folks with a highly developed sense of personal sacrifice, James and Carolyn make at least one trip each year to some far-off spot in service to local residents in need.

This year it's Ethiopia, and medical clinics in Addis-Ababa and the surrounding country side.

While Carolyn helps out in the clinic -- registering patients, taking medical histories, reassuring fearful patients, etc. -- illustrator James sketches physicians and nurses at work, and helps engage their local patients.

When the medical service trip is over, and babies have been delivered, cut chins stitched, broken bones set, and health care plans discussed with patients, James publishes a book of illustrations he's made and presents to local Ethiopian officials, the patients themselves, and the volunteer medical staff who travel around the world, on their own nickel, to service people less fortunate than they.

Happy St. Paddy's Pups.

This just in: little dogs in Coconut Grove, FL get all dressed up for St. Pat's Day.

Brother Joe Hoyt captures the clan with Canon G 11. Peculiar pups preen the green.

Bow, wow.

Pappy Gaggia and his Granddaughter.

You've seen a foto or two on this blog of brother-in-law Mark Gaggia. He and my sister Crary live in Freeland, WA on Whidby Island, an hour's ferry boat ride from Seattle.

The Gaggias can't make that voyage often or quickly enough!

Over in Seattle lives little Lucia Crary Parent, pride and joy (and first grandchild) of Crary and Mark. She's just adorable .. as anyone looking at this picture can see. "Lulu's" mom and dad, Emily and Travis, seem very agreeable to letting the senior Gaggias babysit.

And that includes encouraging Mark to hold that beautiful child in a funky yellow sling!

Western Screech Owl at Pierce's house.

Our good pal Pierce Shaw is a gardener and a birder. Oh, and she's a fine photographer as well.

Just this evening Pierce sent us a foto of this gorgeous Western Screech Owl that hangs out in the Shaw's yard.

The Screecher's fave spot is a ribbon palm right outside the desk window in Pierce's house. You can catch a glimpse of Mr. Owl in his habitat in the picture here.