Goodguys Scottsdale Nov. 2015

1934 Buick Series 60 Club Sedan

One of just 24 registered today. While keeping its original look, this car has been modified for today's driving needs. Where did I find it? Goodguys of course, on a lovely weekend in November. Will I be adding this to my garage of old Buicks? Not a chance.

This Buick has only had three owners, and the current ones purchased it in 1991. Given the age of the vehicle, and the rarity, I'm told you consider this as an investment. You don't drive it, you store it. When you do show it, you transport on a trailer. This will not be your daily driver. This is something you own, and worry about. Maybe, someday you leave it to a museum!

The asking price is $150,000.

Venture Out RV Resort

RV sites look like this

Venture Out is located in Mesa at Higley and Main. A city within a city. Hundreds of home sites, mostly park models, where you purchase the land your unit sits on. A different model, which results in a healthy chunk of capital up front, but lower annual fees compared to parks where you rent the land your unit sits on. Example: Valle del Oro.

Venture Out park model

We were visiting Venture Out to watch a Pickleball tournament in which one of our friends was playing. This park is not short on Pickleball facilities, and if this is your thing, you may want to give this park some consideration. Actually, all the facilities are over the top. A superb playground for active seniors.  

Chuck MacDonald - visiting player from Palm Creek

Thor You Go

Interior 2016 Thor Tuscany Motor Coach

That's marble you're looking at alright, and you're looking at the interior of a 2016 Thor 45' Tuscany Diesel Motor Coach, which retails in around $350,000 U.S. I shot these photos at Camping World in Mesa yesterday. If this Thor doesn't suit your tastes, there are more to choose from. We're talking 'Rolling Thunder' here - plenty of space, and absolute luxury appointments.

View of the Galley

Master Suite

I did check RV Trader just to see what a used version of this beauty might run, and there where plenty to choose from. Follow the link and you will see for yourself just how far your dollar can go if slightly used is okay. And, slightly used is what you generally see. 

45' Thor Tuscany Motor Coach

I know it is the dream of many to pack up and see the country, and doing it in style is okay too. What I have also seen in my years of crossing the country is a definite shortage of places these big rigs can fit in. My advice - be sure you know where it is you're stopping, before you do the shopping.

Sourdough Sunday

One of two for this day

Small, like the RV gas oven it was baked in. Small, and expensive, as compared to what you can buy sourdough bread for at the market. So why bother?

I was the recipient of some sourdough starter from a Colorado woman here in the park last year. The starter is over 30 years old, so you know you're going to have to give it a go. Frig the cost, this is about the manly bit of baking bread in an RV oven.

Since the dough is to be retarded overnight in the refrigerator, you will also want to check on available space before you start. RV coolers are normally small. At least mine is.

Essentially, what we have here is two cups of white bread flour, two cups of whole wheat flour, a cup of starter, a cup and a quarter of warm water, then 2 tsp of salt. You mix it up by hand, let it rest (20 - 30 minutes), knead for ten minutes or so, then put in a bowl and wait for about two and one half hours, folding and punching down about half way through. Next, form into loaves, then send to the refrigerator overnight. Bake at 500 degrees for 20 minutes in a cast iron Dutch Oven, then another 15 minutes at 450 degrees with the top off for browning. That creates two loaves of what you see above.

How does it taste? Maybe I'll reduce the amount of whole wheat flour next time. Other than that, it tastes great, and all that baking sure helps to heat up the trailer, so choose a cool day, and that way the heat serves two purposes. Be warned - don't even think of this on a hot day.

Veteran's Day Parade Mesa

Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory

November 11 was a perfect day in Mesa for a Veteran's Day parade, so my buddy Lee and I headed out early, and got a perfect location at the start of the parade route. There was plenty of time to mix it up with the parade participants as they formed up for the parade. I took plenty of pictures, including the ones you see here (just a sample), which are among my favorites.

Mesa High School Band - there were six of them

On parade days, you are pretty much able to shove your camera in just about anyone's face without complaint. Actually, they're sort of flattered, and expect it. I never go to a parade without a camera. And, I do like to get there early, near the start of the parade, maybe even in the form-up area. Perfect.

Rear Admiral - U.S, Navy - Dennis Wisely

There were lots of dignitaries in the parade, and I got a good shot of Admiral Wisely, so here he is. With 350 combat missions over Vietnam, you wonder how he made it. The man is well decorated, but you won't see any there in his flying suit. Just so you know, he earned the Silver Star, six Legion of Merit Medals, two Distinguished Flying Cross Medals, 29 Air Medals, and a Purple Heart. What more is there to say!

What a beautiful face. My favorite photo.

Finally, I present my absolute favorite photo of the day. In costume, and stepping back in history to the early days of Buffalo Soldiers and their families here in the south-west. I asked politely for this photo, and was rewarded with the sweet smile you see here.