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.  

Tender Palm Shoots Reach for Freedom

You always expect something new up at the Chamber of Commerce. 

You might get news of a business launch in Wickenburg, maybe a schedule change at the  Del Webb Center for Performing Arts , even some chit-chat about the movers and shakers here in the Hasseyampa Valley.

I was blessed with a different kind of experience last week when I came across the photo subject to your left.

Green against grey. Nature rebirthing. Tender shoots of palm breaking through granite boulders as old as time itself.

I wish I'd taken more than one shot, but I got the light and contrast, and gritty reality I was looking for.

Honda Trail 90: Cherry.

Came across this impeccable example of a cherry Honda Trail 90.  Parked under an eave near the Desert Caballeros Western Museum ... licensed in the State of Washington .... could possible be carrying original paint.

Back in 1964 my brothers Joe and Charlie owned a Honda '50' Cub. I'm thinking they would have loved to have had the extra displacement,  torque and the knobby sure-footedness of this baby.

Me too.  One can reminisce, agreed?

Mass Murder - Arizona Territory - 1896.

The Martin Family of Wickenburg, Arizona Territory, was brutally murdered on July 22, 1896. The  assassins were never apprehended, and remain unknown.  A modest grave site has been built on the Hassayampa River Preserve bearing silent witness to the heinous end met by the hard-working Irish immigrant family. 

Everett Bowman, World Champ Cowboy.

Everett Bowman and his trusty steed are captured for eternity in Wickenburg.  There's a statue on the promenade outside our Municipal Building -- quite a show stopper, I'll tell you.

When you read the accomplishments and tributes to this "cowboy's cowboy," you can't help but wish you'd known the old gent when he was ridin', rustlin' and trainin' mules!

Hassayampa's Helpful Host, Barbara.

Visitors to the Nature Conservancy's Hassayampa River Preserve get red-carpet treatment..

Volunteer Host Barbara will walk you through the Trail Guide -- some 3 miles of neatly groomed self-guided loop trails.  She'll advise on fauna and flora, exotic birds and wildlife.

And give you a head's up on javelinas and stray cows that occasionally share this remarkable natural desert oasis with us human beings.

GPS coordinates:  N 33 56.164    W 112 41.579

nature.org/arizona

Trans-America Bike Tour "Season" Begins.

Wickenburg is home to Trans-America bike trippers about this time every year.

Generally moving west to east, along the so-called "southern route" from CA to FL, and traveling 3-5 or so in a group, young guys like my new BFF in the pic here dedicate as many as 120 days for the "crossing."

This intrepid pedaler started out last week in San Diego, where he was joined by a velo buddy who'd ridden from Kansas (!) to California -- just to turn around and head back east.

And these two guys had met originally in Alaska --climbing mountains and kayaking raging rivers.

My young friend -- never even asked his name -- was chilling out front of the Safeway when I met him. He was happy to talk bikes, and open to suggestions I had to make about where to chow in style in Wickenburg, and the must-see exhibit at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

The possee heads out to Phoenix Friday.  It's a 55 mile ride east on US Hwy. 60 -- decent pavement, managable traffic, but the guys take no chances.

Ride Single File and Keep the Shiny Side Up is every cyclist's motto.

OMG !! Almond Toffe and Jalapeno Jelly!

Sugar Rush Update.

Found a little jar of Jalapeno Jelly in the fridge this morning.  It had not been opened.

When I scooped out the seriously sweet, sinful and sublime innards of the jar, I could scarcely believe my good fortune.

Ever had jalapeno jelly?  Then you know that that stuff rocks!

Wait, there's more.

As if the jalapeno carb encounter weren't enough for one man in one day, the FedEx delivery truck just brought a box of Almond Toffee from our friends the Withers in Steamboat Springs.  It's their annual Christmas present, and the toffee arrival keeps the Spirit of Christmas alive well into 2013.

I'm taking a carb break for now.  I'm a sweet-tooth monster, but enough is enough.  I'll let you know when the craving passes, and I move on to protein.

Tofu instead of toffee  :)