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.

I have never been to war

VDO Managers, Glenda and Darwin Farr

I've never worn a military uniform before. Never been to war. Never been wounded or scared in battle. I've never left my family for months or years to travel across the world to fight to defend my country. I have never eaten a MRE, carried a C-Bag, put on a combat boot, shot at an enemy, flown in a fighter jet, or helped a dying friend. I have no idea what war is like. I have no idea what any of you have experienced. Your fear, your bravery, your suffering, your survival.

But I do know one thing, and that is, you will not find anyone more proud of you than I. And, the service that you have rendered in defending your great country,including those of you who are from Canada, I respect and honour you as well. We fought side by side. And, to you, I express my appreciation. 

Please let me finish by holding my hand on my heart, and thanking you, for the service you have rendered to your great country. Thank you so very much.

Darwin Farr - November 2015

* Darwin Farr was asked to speak at the Valle del Oro Veteran's Day ceremony, and after some reflections on his father's military service, he finished with what is above. Touched by his sincerity, and the emotions I felt hearing his comments, I have reprinted it here.

VDO Honours Veterans

November 9 was Veteran's Day at Valle Del Oro, RV Resort, and it included a parade, ceremony, and lunch, which several hundred attended.

A biplane made several passes over the area with smoke trailing - there was a parade through the resort, then some prayers, national anthems, last post, speeches, a ceremonial volley of firearms, nothing was missing, Vets knew their sacrifices were appreciated, and most importantly, not forgotten.

Back to Coolidge Nov. 2015

Restored 1937 WACO Staggerwing

Coolidge, Arizona is a a small town South of Mesa where there is a small airport with a couple of runways.. The sign at the entrance reads - Welcome to Coolidge Army Airport 1942-1945. So there is some history here. Today, Coolidge Airport serves a number of purposes, including hosting a fly-in for aviation enthusiasts the first Saturday of the month (summer months excluded). This is what puts me at Coolidge yesterday morning.

The Florence Lion's Club puts on a magnificent outdoor breakfast on these fly-in Saturday mornings, and I ate my share of pancakes, sausages, and scrambled eggs, washed down with plenty of hot coffee. Pretty much all you can eat for $8, and all for a good cause.

You never know what you'll find sitting out there on the tarmac. This time, what got my attention was a recently restored 1937 WACO Staggerwing, which two men laboured over for more than seven years on evenings and weekends. Seeing it up-close-and-personal is such a treat, seeing it running, taking off, and flying off is something else again. We're talking aviation history here, and this is a rare diamond indeed.

Biplanes are in fact rare birds, and I must have a thing for them, because I did a YouTube video of a Coolidge fly-in back in 2012, and it featured a Beechcraft Stillman Model 17 Staggerwing.

If you're on holidays, in the Phoenix area, and interested in aviation, Coolidge is a great place on a Saturday morning. Go early, by 11 am the looking is over, and the pilots and their planes are heading home. I usually arrive around 8:30 am, and that works perfect. There is no charge, and you can wander about, feast your eyes, and even talk it up with some of the owners who don't mind taking time to tell you all about their planes. Enjoy, and bring your camera.

The smell inside this cockpit didn't come cheap - think Rolls-Royce

5th Wheel versus Park Model?

Two things got me to this post this morning: it's raining; and, there is no park water (a shut down for repairs - not uncommon). Our 5th Wheel has a water storage tank, so water interruptions are a non-issue. Park models have no water storage tanks, so your morning wash-up waits.

That said, why a 5th Wheel in the first place? Assume for this discussion that this is your seasonal home, you are somewhere warm (if it's winter), you are one or two people, and you can still safely climb stairs. Here are a few of my ideas:

• 5th Wheels can be moved, and since they are intended for seasonal use only, they survive longer, and cost less to maintain if you find covered storage when not in use. Very important in sunny, hot places - like Arizona. I say this, because park models sit in the sun and bake, and this can cost you lots of money down the line. 
• If you are unclear what a park model is, here's what you need to know. Park models once onsite can be moved, but with difficulty, and once a Arizona Room has been added, for practical purposes, they're permanent;
• For the dollar, modern 5th Wheels provide very comfortable, organized, accommodation. Some might even call it luxury space. Plenty of cabinets and storage, fully self-contained, all the conveniences, attractively decorated, with a plethora of creature comforts. Plus, at least for a day or two, you can live off the grid if necessary. On power failure, the refrigerator switches to gas, water pumps and lights work off a storage battery, the furnace and stove run off gas, and you have storage tanks for grey/black water, and fresh water;
• With mostly fiberglass exteriors, 5th Wheels are easily maintained, and kept up. And, there are plenty of people out there who know how to fix them when things do go wrong;
• Safe space. Manufacturers do pay attention to safety concerns, and with just a modicum of common sense, there is no reason to worry about safety issues. Having said that, if you can't safely manage two or three steps, forget 5th Wheels;
• Reasonably priced, even if you're purchasing new. Ours was three years old when we purchased it, and the first owners ate a ton of depreciation. What we got was a modern unit, in excellent repair, at a very reasonable cost, which because of the cost didn't require financing to purchase. No regrets. Don't pass on a good quality, well maintained, lightly used unit;
• Easily insured, with some restrictions. Our policy won't allow attached decks, or extra rooms. RV parks don't like this anyway. Most won't allow it. If this is your vacation home, put the tools away;
• Forget renting. Again, we're back to insurance, our policy does not permit renting. If you're not using it, sell it;
• Easily relocated (as compared to a park model). We don't own a truck, so when the trailer gets moved to storage, we're paying someone to move it. Someone with driving and parking skills we don't have. This is not a major expense.
• Finally, park models sit where they are planted and pay park fees 12 months a year. 5th Wheels can pickup and move, so storage is a cost saving option during the months when you're not using it.

Snow in Arizona?

Channel 3 November 3 weather forecast for Flagstaff, AZ

It's true, people in Flagstaff, Arizona will wake to snow tomorrow morning. So isn't this a little early for snow?

Since most of us are here for the climate during the winter months, just the mention of snow gets your attention. Flagstaff is about two-and-one-half hours North of Phoenix, where people go to ski in the winter months, and escape the heat in the summer. The elevation is about 7,000 feet, and compared to Phoenix at 1,100 feet, you see why you can see snow one place and not the other.

Does it ever snow in Phoenix? It can, but it melts quickly. Don't come to Phoenix for snow.

So what about the averages?

• Lows in Phoenix average: 47 degrees Fahrenheit in November, and 40 degrees in December. January 39 degrees, February 43, and March 47.
• Highs in the same area average: November 74, and December 66. January 65 degrees, February 70, and March 75.

Flagstaff is much cooler in January - March with lows below 20 degrees, and average highs around 45 degrees. You get the idea - don't bring your tent to Flagstaff in the early spring months. And, don't laugh, I knew someone who did.

November 4, update. Sure enough, it snowed.