The Pilot said, “It looks like the fun is coming to us this week!”  With that thought we were ready for it all to begin.

We saw this red canopy, complete with tables, chairs and big lights, late Friday afternoon.  It looked like it was the main party tent with music being played  and  people gathered already having a lot of fun.

Early Saturday morning I walked Bella outside while yawning.  That yawn turned into a long drawn out “Ohhhhhh!”  I was surrounded by the smell of  dozens of  smokers going full steam.  I wish I could have shared that delicious aroma with you. 

The park had filled up and it seemed that every pick up truck had a load of wood spilling out of it’s back.  Looking across the park I saw men sleepily drinking coffee while half draped over the picnic tables.  They’d been up all night tending their fires.  Okay, some looked a little hung over.   Hey, it’s hard work watching a smoker all night!

I headed out a little bit later to take a closer look at these smokers.  I was impressed with all the different ones that were here for the cook-off.  However, this log cabin smoker was my hands-down favorite.  I introduced myself to the people sitting outside and that’s all it took before my hands were filled with samples of brisket and ribs.  They tried to get me to take a shrimp taco but I didn’t have room or more hands to hold it all!

This is the side of the camper complete with a smoker and kitchen area.  That was the biggest smoker I’d ever seen.  They were smoking 4 briskets, 3 slabs of ribs and 4 chickens for the competition.

At the front of the smoker/camper was a small counter area and bed.  But, most importantly, an air conditioner.  These are serious competitors.

Just down the street I was greeted by a couple of M&M’s.  They were challenged to make sure they didn’t “melt” while smoking the meat!

I moved on past the smokers while munching on a rib.  I needed to get over to the car show before it ended.  This 1935 Buick seemed to call me over to admire it’s beauty.  I have to tell you I was really impressed with this car.  Can you imagine its history?  It kind of makes you feel glamorous just looking at it.

There’s something about luggage racks on the back of a car that has always intrigued me.  This is a pretty spiffy little red car.

Can you imagine passing this on the road?  Can you imagine all the wrecks or near wrecks from staring at it?  I wish I could tell you the make and model but I forgot to even look!

This is the car that made the Pilot drool. It’s a Shelby Cobra 427.  Does anything more need to be said?

This appears to be a 1936 Chevy Coupe.  I didn’t have free hands to write things down (please refer back to the BBQ rib saga.) so I’m going on memory.

We made our way back home, pleasantly worn out from visiting all of our “neighbors” in the park.  Bella seemed happier than usual to see us until I remembered why…I’d tucked away a slice of brisket in my pocket.  Smart dog, isn’t she?

I research a lot of my material before it goes in my blog.  I want people to know the information they are reading is reasonably accurate.  I subscribe to a lot of blogs that give me inspiration and writing help.  One blog in particular caught my eye this week.

They suggested copying the style of other successful blogs to increase readership.  Somehow, that seems blatantly wrong.  I understand, at some level, what they were saying and yet, I feel strongly that you have to remain true to who you are and who your voice is. 

Bottom line for me is that sooner or later it will catch up with you and your readers will wonder who this “new” person is that’s blogging on your site.  I prefer to start out in my own voice.  If it fails to interest people then I need to look into doing something else.

There are exceptions to the rule, however.  May I give you an example of what I’m talking about?

People who know me know, without a doubt, Robert B. Parker was/is one of my favorite authors.  Millions of his readers were devastated when he suddenly died two years ago.  His readers had become friends with his characters Spenser, Hawk, Susan, Quirk, Vinnie Morris, Jesse Stone, etc. 
 

Mr. Parker’s estate (his wife, Joan, and two sons) decided they wanted his legacy to continue and commissioned another highly popular author, Ace Atkins, to continue the Spenser series.  Michael Brandman and Tom Selleck are continuing the Jesse Stone series.

Side Note:  Mr. Parker had been commissioned by Raymond Chandler’s family (The Big Sleep, The Long Goodbye, featuring PI Philip Marlowe) to finish his last book, Poodle Springs…30 years later.  Parker did it to great acclaim. 

In order to have believable continuity, Ace had to find the rhythm of the way Bob wrote.  All of Parker’s fans were very familiar with his quick one-liners that he could shoot from the hip at will.  His banter with his other characters would have you laughing out loud while he was still solving the crime with hard-core integrity and a soft heart.  Some of his come backs would have several layers of meaning using just a few words.  The man was a genius with words. 

As I read Ace’s book, Robert B. Parker’s Lullaby, I found my old friends again and, without any disruption, heard pieces of Ace’s voice come through gluing the whole picture together.  That’s artistry folks.

Side Note:  White Shadow, Dirty South, and The Ranger are just a few of Atkins’ books that I read before he published Robert B. Parker’s Lullaby.  I wanted a feel for his writing before reading his interpretation of RBP’s writing.  He’s quite prolific.

I know, I know, this seems like a blatant plug for Parker, Atkins and the book.  It could be that but, I wanted to give you an example of when it’s okay to “copy” someone else’s style.

We liked Spenser because he was believable.  He was one of us.  I like how Ace has maintained Spenser’s believability while staying true to Parker and himself.  What a magnificent balancing act.

The bottom line for me in writing this blog, regardless of the topic, is to give you my true voice and believability.  Sure, I would love to copy how Parker’s characters talk and have you laughing out loud or, the way Bill Geist can describe a town that makes you want to go visit.  But, I would trip up at some point and use my own voice and you would wonder where “the other” writer gone.

Today’s goal is to give you a small break from your routine and to tell you in so many words…always remain true to who you are!  Believe in yourself and be original.

Stay strong and steady with the wind always blowing at your back
as you travel down the road to your next adventure.

Until next week…keep creating Sentimental Journeyz in your RV.

May I ask a favor of all of you?  I follow two wonderful blogs by fellow Texans, David & Ramona Werst.  David writes the RealTexasBlog.com and Ramona shares her wonderful cooking skills and videos on the same site.  Recently, Ramona was hospitalized with abdominal pains and following an 8-hour surgery, with touch and go results, will now be in the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio for another month.  Please keep these lovely people in your prayers as they make their way back to being the Real Texans that they are with all the zest they have for life.  The title of this week’s blog was named before I got the news about Ramona.  I believe with all my heart that she will soon be well again and showing us how to make Real Texas Christmas Tamales!

Some people shy away from making this dish…which is a big mistake.  It’s Italian comfort food on many levels.  The prep work is relaxing and the aroma while all the ingredients are cooking is fantastic.  But, the big reward is when serving it with your favorite pasta, seeing the looks of contentment on everyone’s face. 

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium onions, finely chopped
4 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 carrot, scraped and finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, sliced
1 pound ground veal
1 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef
1/4 pound pancetta, minced
1/2 cup milk
1 (16-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand, with the juices
1 cup dry white wine
2 cups brown chicken stock
1 8oz. can tomato sauce
8 leaves of basil, chopped
Salt and pepper

In a 6 to 8-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic and sweat over medium heat until vegetables are translucent.

Add veal, pork, beef, and pancetta to the vegetables, brown over high heat, stirring to keep meat from sticking together for about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain meat for any grease.

Add the milk and simmer until almost dry, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer 15 minutes.

Add the wine, brodo (broth), basil and tomato sauce and bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until flavors are developed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and remove from the heat.

Yield: 6 1/2 cups, about 10 to 12 servings

Side Note:  Serve this with any pasta you like.  It works especially well with Orrichiette.  Chop up some extra basil and sprinkle on top before serving.  I don’t think you can ever have too much basil.
This is another recipe that you can play with the ingredients.  For instance, it calls for white wine but sometimes I prefer a nice red.  In this particular instance I used a Texas Merlot because I’m loyal…and it tastes good.

RECOMMENDATION:  Have Tango Por una Cabeza by Anthony Arizaga playing in the background as you make this dish.  It adds to the ambiance and makes you want to dance around the kitchen.  You can continue playing the complete album, Guitarra del Sol, during the meal too.  

DISCLAIMER:  No, I don’t know Senior Arizaga nor am I receiving any monies from him or his record company for recommending his music.  However, should they wish to contribute in any way, they can contact me personally…just kidding!

The thought of Huevo Rancheros, Mexican ranch style eggs, can send me into bliss.  I can’t think of a better way to start a day than to have a plate of huevos, along with freshly made tortillas hot off the grill and a cup of good hot coffee.  If you’ve never had eggs done this way, you’re in for a treat. Give yourself a treat and make this surprisingly simple dish that will have you snapping your fingers yelling “Ole”.

Ranchero Sauce:

2 tbls. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 Jalapeno chili, seeded and diced
1/2 tsp. chili powder
4 plum tomatoes, peeled and crushed OR 1 can/box diced tomatoes
Salt to taste, at least 1 tsp. since the tomatoes really absorb the salt.
1/2 tsp. Pepper

4 corn tortillas
4 eggs
1 tbls. vegetable oil
Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded

To make the Ranchero Sauce, heat the oil in a large skillet over med-high heat and saute the onions, garlic and jalapeno pepper for 3-4 minutes or until softened. 

Add the tomatoes, chili powder, salt and pepper to the onion mixture and stir well.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and let cook for about 10 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.

Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth.  Set aside and keep warm.

In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.  Once you see a slight shimmer in the oil, lightly fry the tortillas until just golden.  Remove to paper towels to drain and keep warm.

Next, add the eggs, one at a time and cook to desired doneness. Sunnyside up is the best way so that you can sop up the yolks with the warm tortillas.

On a warm plate, spread some of the Ranchero Sauce on the bottom.  Top with a warm corn tortilla.  Next, slide two eggs on top of the tortilla and cover with more Ranchero Sauce.  Lightly sprinkle some Monterey Jack on top.

Serve with Mexican potatoes, refried beans and warm tortillas on the side….to sop up every last drop of egg.  The drink of choice would be a light roast coffee…plenty of it.

Bits & Pieces

I always have Pomi tomatoes on hand.  They’re an Italian tomato that I use in everything.  I love them because of their old fashion tomato taste.  I buy them by the case.  So, this is Tex-Mex with a slight swerve into Italy!  I guess we can now call it Tex-Mex-It.  Go ahead…just do it!

This week’s blog is devoted to women…and their fashions.  When we toured the History Museum in Roswell, New Mexico, I was entranced by the different fashions through the 1900’s that they displayed.  I snapped picture after picture knowing that I’d want to look at them time and again for many different reasons.

The first piece of fashion that I came to was this seamtress manniquin that defined the current trend of itsy bitsy teeny-weeny waists…that weren’t necessarily good for your health.  Ironically, the corsets of early 1900’s were called the “health corset” because it supposedly removed pressure from the abdomen and created an S-curve silhouette. 

This is a drawing of what these same “health corsets” wrought upon the body of women who wanted to be fashionable.  Fortunately, the fashion trend was on its way out quickly thereafter.

To aid in looking completely fashionable, women had numerous hair pieces to create the hair styles of their eras.  That’s a trend that has never gone out of style and is still used today by some women.

Respectable dresses were in during 1900-1917, otherwise known as the Jazz era.  In the beginning of 1900, legs and feet weren’t shown and pointed toes and moderate heels were the fashion.  They had pointed toes, then as well as in the 60’s, that almost permanently deformed women’s feet.  Women’s dresses now had high boned collars and skirts were narrower.  Thank goodness the use of hoops had passed by the wayside thus preventing accidents of knocking over things as they swayed through a room.

Pictured above you see fashionable and functional shoes.  Shoes were now in the beginning stages of being seen by the public eye. 

The 1920’s ushered in the “Flapper” era much to many Mother’s dismay.  Flappers bobbed their hair, smoked, drank and, God forbid, they voted! What was our world coming to?  To make it even more sinful, dress lengths started going up towards the knee.  Movie star Clara Bow became the symbol for all flappers.

Along with skirts’ hemlines racing towards their knees, there was newfound freedom in their shoes. 

This is when the first Mary Jane’s came into play with their strap across the top of the now almost bare foot in their flesh-colored silk stockings…with seams up the back!  Where was our decent society headed with these almost bare legs and feet?

After the dizzying era of the flapper, the 1930′s and 40’s ushered in a more demure look but still had the hemlines higher than in 1900.  The clothes were more classic and easy flowing.  They fit right in with the “Swing Era” and the music that was created by geniuses like Glenn Miller, Jimmy & Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, etc. They were really “in the groove”.

In the evening, the dress turned towards glamorous.  This was also the beginning of the “little black dress” that still endures today.

Shoes saw the introduction of the strappy open-toed look, later known as the sling back pump.  Stocking were now made from nylon but still had the seam up the back…and they came in two pieces.  However, with World War II going on, shoes and fabrics became more sparse.  Many women couldn’t afford nylons with seams so many of them drew the seamline on their legs with eyebrow pencils.  Shoes tended towards lower wooden and wedge heels.  Some women started painting their shoes and adding shells and buttons to them to make them more fashionable.  It wasn’t an easy time and couponing was the order of the day.

The hairstyles from that era were real trendsetters and women everywhere were copying them.  Everyone had a favorite movie star and quickly learned how to style their hair just like their favorites.  Remember photos of Veronica Lake and her classic peek-a-boo hairstyle?  You can go on YouTube and search for “hairstyles of 1940” and find quite a few videos that will show you how to recreate them. 

This museum only went to the 1950′s – 60’s in fashion.  That was an era where kids kicked off any dressy shoes and put on bobby sox and saddle oxford’s so that they could rock and roll to the music that had our parents shaking their heads.  Full skirts and petticoats became our way of dressing.  Fashion became glamorous again since WW II was over.  Gloves, hats and designer clothes were seen everywhere. 

Shoe designers introduced women to stiletto heels that had men drooling while women winced in pain…all the while smiling.  Seamless stockings and beehive hairdos completed the look of the ultra-modern woman.

I could have spent the whole day at this particular museum.  It was so authentically done that I felt like I was in someone’s home.  Actually, we were in someone’s home.  I have to tell you that this home had an extremely wide door known then as a coffin door.  Need I explain further?

If you ever get to Roswell, New Mexico and want to step back into history and learn, put this place on your list.

Stay strong and steady with the wind always blowing at your back
as you travel down the road to your next adventure.

Until next week…keep creating Sentimental Journeyz in your RV.

Everyone has an opinion about Texas.  And, everyone has their own view about our huge state.  But, the majority of Texans, past and present, have a soft spot in their heart for it.  After all, it’s deep in their soul.

As we made our way out west and back on our last trip, we both commented about hating to leave Texas.  And, when we crossed the New Mexico border back into Texas, I asked the Pilot to stop the RV so that I could get out and kiss the ground.  Yup, we love our state that much.

There are those who would argue that they can’t stand Texas.  We understand that and we respect their opinion.  That’s why there are 50 states and many countries where people can live that suits their needs.  We want everyone to be as happy living where they are as we are right here in Texas.

There are as many different Texans as there are sizes, shapes and colors of boots.  Somehow in this vast state, the majority of us find a way to live together.  I mean, it isn’t as though there isn’t enough space!

We’ve got some fancy folks who have huge amounts of wealth like H. Ross Periot and T. Boone Pickens to name just a few.

And, we’ve got famous Texans who have left their mark not only on our state but on our country as well.  There’s Howard Hughes, aviator, successful businessman; Red Adair, famous oil well fire fighter; Sam Houston; Stephen F. Austin; Presidents LBJ, and, both Bush’s; news journalists, Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather; movie stars, Cyd Charisse, Joan Crawford and Sissy Spacek; TV stars, Carol Burnett and Larry Hagman; and singers Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, our state treasure, George Strait, and my very own personal favorite…Roy Orbison.  Who doesn’t remember listening to Roy sing and falling just a little bit deeper in love?  This is just a short list of famous Texans.

Texas is defined by a lot of things but the oil rigs that are scattered across miles and miles of land are the most familiar.  You can find them all over the state but they seem more prevelant in West Texas.  I would have loved to have shown you photos of numerous oil rigs on small patches of land.  However, trying to get a clear photo while driving down the highway is sometimes impossible. 

Of course we have cowboys!  Doesn’t everyone?  Our cowboys are hunky and gorgeous.  Rugged and romantic.  Okay, I confess.  This picture of a cowboy is our grandson Luke, who’s almost 3.  I thought he fit the hunky description the most.  I need to tell you that he loves women…yes, already!  Thank goodness his parents are teaching him manners and respect…a quality in all great  Texas cowboys!

Texas has the Cotton-Eyed Joe and Texas Two-Step that everyone loves to dance to.  Some other two-steps that seem to go together are mesquite and bluebonnets that you can find growing wild along the highway.

This is what we call natural pairings and are familiar to us alongside our highways.  Thanks to Lady Bird Johnson we have gorgeous thick wildflowers along our roads done in brilliant colors.  We’re also famous for our Longhorn cattle and our great colleges and universities.

Who doesn’t know about our famous Texas cuisine?  Yes, there’s BBQ and it’s always mouth-watering good no matter how you eat it…sauce or no sauce but always with a rub.  But, my very favorite is Tex-Mex, a marvelous fusion of Mexican and cowboy food with reverant offerings from the Indians and the mission priests.  What better way to start your day than with the pictured Huevos Rancheros?  There are tacos, puffy tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, tamales…well, the list is endless and it seems that you can always find room for one more Tex-Mex item.  It’s a lot like Texas…you can never get enough of it!

I could go on and one but you get the idea of what I’m talking about.  I’ll close with a quote from John Steinbeck…who wasn’t even from Texas but found a place for our state in his heart.  This sums up what most of us feel:

“I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study, and the passionate possession of all Texans.”  ―    John Steinbeck,    Travels with Charley: In Search of America

Stay strong and steady with the wind always blowing at your back 
as you travel down the road to your next adventure.
Until next week…keep creating Sentimental Journeyz in your RV.

The Wildseed Farms  in Fredericksburg, Texas are beyond your wildest dreams.  Where else can you roam freely through a field of wildflowers snapping pictures as fast as your camera allows?  The Pilot and I are standing in a field of Corn Poppies as they surround us in lush beauty.

This is part of what greets you when you arrive at the farm.  Everywhere you look there is art…done in plants.

Except for this one which was done in metal and ceramics.  The cactus are done in metal and you have to get up close to recognize it because they look so natural.

As we walked through the store on our way to the gardens we came across this unique wind chime!  I’ll admit, I was tempted…simply because it made me smile.  But, I quickly remembered we live in an RV and have to watch how much we accumulate because of the very true adage, “When something comes in…something must go out!”

This is Rocket Larkspur and took my breath away with its beauty.  It’s at once art and nostalgic memories.  Do you remember growing up with these flowers either in the garden or on the table? 

It was the color that drew me to these flowers.  They are a blue-violet shade  but should have a more sophisticated name than that.  Like Elizabeth Taylor Larkspur in memory of her eyes?  Maybe, Royal Decree because of the royal purple color.  Or, how about Simply Beautiful…because they are.

We found these bluebonnets tucked back against the fence begging to be photographed.  Whoever landscapes this nursery is genius!

This photo is so Texas.  The ruggedness of the cactus softened by the beauty of the bluebonnets.  This is one of the reasons we love Texas so much.  It seeps into your bones and becomes a part of  your heart.  Color me happy that I was able to see my beloved bluebonnets before the season ended.

Stay steady and strong with the wind always blowing at your back while you travel down the road to your next adventure.  Until next week…keep creating Sentimental Journeyz in your RV.

  Lesson learned on the Road

I kept having bluish red liquid drips on two of the shelves in the door of our freezer.  I looked all around trying to figure out what was leaking…never making the connection that the refrigerator wouldn’t cool unless the generator was running while we were on the road.  I only noticed the drips when we were stopped.

I threw out a package of blueberries…and still had drips.  I then threw out a package of cranberries…and, yet the drips still appeared.

Once we got home I was in the freezer again getting out some spaghetti sauce and meatballs for dinner.  Lo and behold…there were those dreaded bluish red drops.

This time I was determined to figure out what was causing it.  I looked at the shelf above and there, behind the frozen smoothie kits I’d made, was the culprit. 

Frozen wine ice cubes that I’d made so that I’d have them when making certain dishes!  My mistake was that I hadn’t put them in food saver bags to seal.  They were in a regular zip lock bag.  Mystery solved.  Lesson learned.

However, we had fun at the UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico…especially watching their alien characters move while eerie music played in the background as spaceships overhead twirled, casting their lights around the room. 

The Pilot especially liked seeing the Robert H. Goddard display.  Dr. Goddard invented the first liquid fueled rocket, successfully launched March 16, 1926, and is credited with paving the way to the moon.  They had a complete replica of his workspace.  Quite impressive.

Cowboys and Drovers! Now, you’re talking my language. Let’s talk about our history before us.

The beauty of the desert sometimes makes you forget the savagery of the wars between Indians and white men. I could understand why the Indians wanted to keep their land as we drove across different reservations.  The views were breathtaking..

Our first stop in history was  the Roswell Historical Museum, a beautifully done turn of the century house that featured authentic pieces from the early 1900’s.

They even gave us some Pecos diamonds!  They’re surely worth some money don’t you think?

Can you imagine having a staircase like this?  I can because while I was growing up we had a long staircase similar to this and we used to slide down the bannister…when our Mother wasn’t around!  I can also remember the burns I’d get on my bare skin from sliding so fast…ouch!

I have to confess.  I mainly took pictures of the fashions during the different decades.  I’ll be doing a story about them in the future.

We then went to the Roswell Museum of Fine Arts and saw an extremely well done display of all things cowboy and Indians.

The intricate work that was done on some of the Indian clothing made me wonder how many hours were spent perfecting it.  The work had to be first-rate.  Look at how long it has lasted.

I was somewhat disappointed because this museum talked a lot about Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings.  And, I wanted to see them because I admire her work.

This is Ram’s Skull with Brown Leaves, 1936.  That’s it.  There was only one painting.  It was explained that her paintings sell for 1-2 million dollars and the museum can’t afford to buy more.  That’s good…that’s fair.  But, please don’t advertise that you have Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings.  Be clear that you have only one.  There was a black and white photo display of her home, Ghost Ranch done by a talented photographer.   Maybe that’s what they were referring to.

We left Roswell with our heads filled with things past, present and future and made our way to Odessa, Texas to visit with the Pilot’s former CO in the Navy and his wife.

Al & Carolyn had us over for dinner and fed us Texas BBQ that was fit for…well, cowboys and friends.   And, if that wasn’t enough, Al gave me a gift.

A bottle of chocolate wine.  May I take a moment to tell you how smooth and velvety this wine was?  As you sipped the wine your palette was rewarded with…Chocolate Goodness!

The next day the four of us started out for the Petroleum Museum that tells you everything you wanted to know about oil…in Texas…Black Gold…Texas Tea…liquid gold.  You get the picture.

This is a replica of the Santa Rita #2 in 1923 in the Permian Basin.  It was a disappointment because it only produced 30-50 barrels a day compared to the Santa Rita #1, who produced 100 barrels a day.  I think I could live with the disappointment of Santa Rite #2.  I don’t always have to be #1.

That was then…this is today.  As we drove along the highway the landscape was filled with oil rigs that now look like this.  The rocking arm of the rig kept plunging into the earth with a rhythmic motion while the back part did somersaults to ensure that the rig would get closer to finding oil.  This was oil slick country and we were impressed with all its equipment and technology.

Inside the museum I was in for a complete surprise.

Sulfur crystals.  Now, they may not seem like much to you but to me…they mean the world.  You see, my Grandfather Pietro Tamburo, worked the sulfur mines in Sicily when he was a young man.  This, and working the salt mines, contributed to lung problems in his later life.  Now I have another memory to store about my grandfather.

This artist’s rendering is called “Flowing Gold” for reasons that we are all familiar with.  Can you imagine having this scene on your land?  Just barely scraping by?  Trying to get enough money to even dig for oil?  And, once they’ve dug, you’re never sure if it’s going to produce oil.  But, brother, when it does….it rains pure gold.

It was a wonderful visit for us…and especially for the Pilot and his CO.  They talked about when they were in Vietnam and where their lives had taken them.  We all talked about where our lives were now and we were all in agreement that we were very lucky people.

Stay steady and strong with the wind always blowing at your back while you travel down the road to your next adventure.  Until next week…keep creating Sentimental Journeyz in your RV.

There never seemed to be a lull in conversations.  No awkward voids of “What do we talk about next?”  There seemed to be a lot of anxious moments of “Oh, oh…I have something I want to tell you!”  Then I step back and marvel at where the years went, as we all do, and more than anything, “Are we really this old?”

My sister, Leslie, and her daughter, Joni, cooked for us, made us laugh and make us appreciate them even more than we already did.  It was so hard to leave.  We only see each other every couple of years.  Remember when families all lived close to one another?  Before we all became so transient?  Before we all grew older?

We looked at family photos and played guessing games of who looked like who?  Do I really have their nose?  Whose eyes do you think I have?  Am I really your sister?  I asked that question because both of my sisters used to tell me that I was adopted.  But, then again, doesn’t that happen in a lot of families?

During our stay in Mesa, we had dinner with the Pilot’s second cousin…who we’d never met.  I knew Amy through Facebook and was anxious for us to make the connection in person.  And, what a connection it was!

We met Amy and her fiance, Julio, at the Olive Garden…where memories are always sure to take place over their good food.  Hmmm…do I detect a theme again with this week’s blog?  Anyway…what a reunion that was.  We learned about Amy and her family and she learned about her Mother’s side and some of the family’s  history.

I had to laugh because the first words out of Julio’s mouth were, “I heard your family was into Moonshine!”  Ahh, yes.  That little tidbit of information has followed the family for years.  I wrote an article last year about the family’s involvement that included pictures.  I referred him to it as I filled them in on some of the history.

An added surprise was that Amy had invited her Dad, who the Pilot had met years ago.  Dale had been married to the Pilot’s cousin, Bethel, who died in 2003 and was a favorite of his.  So, this meeting again was a bonus.  By the way…Dale is now married to his high school sweetheart, Kay.

This is the Pilot on vacation.  Yes, he’s still working.  I’m showing you this photo because as soon as we left Texas, our home inspection business picked up like crazy and we had inspections that matched our numbers in 2008…before the real estate downturn.  Huh…this is retirement?

We sat down to reassess our trip and the need to get back to Texas so the Pilot could get in a class and review some software.  The Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert were cut from our schedule.  In hindsight it was probably just as well because when I checked the weather in Grand Canyon it was going down to 23 degrees some nights.  We’ll do this trip again in the future when the weather is more conducive…say in late spring. 

We are now making our way back home via Roswell, NM, Odessa, TX (to visit with the Pilot’s Navy CO) and then into the Hill Country.  The views on this trip have been exceptional.

The beauty of the desert never ceases to amaze me.

The gently blowing wild grass, with tufts pushing up above the clumps, lulled me into a peacefulness that you can’t achieve in the city. 

I’ll close this week’s blog with my favorite photo so far.  The beauty of these rocks and their shapes fascinate me and leave me in awe of God’s perfection.  This particular photo just may be printed out to sit by my computer to remind me that there is a power greater than all at work.

The town wasn’t deserted; in fact it was too crowded and the shootout wasn’t even ready to begin for another hour. Evidently, everyone decided to visit Tombstone at the same time.

I hadn’t been to Tombstone in over 25 years and found that it had changed…drastically. The gunfight used to be held in the street. They’ve moved it to the spot where it originally had taken place…out behind a building…where you had to buy tickets for $10 a person. I’m not complaining. After all, times have changed and everyone needs to make a living.

Okay…it’s a teeny complaint because the fight staged in the street years ago was far more authentic and dramatic than watching the one in front of a prop stage front. But, I’ll get to that in a minute.

As we walked into the main street I was struck by how the past and the present came together. There were a lot of people dressed in period costumes and it produced the desired effect. We were jolted back into today’s reality when we saw this biker talking to Virgil Earp and Sheriff Behan in the street.

One of the reasons I wanted to visit Tombstone again was because of the Big Nose Kate Saloon. that she ran for a while. Well, that and the fact that Candace Rivero, a fellow fulltime RVer, had just been there and raved about it.

I had written about Klondike Kate about a year ago when I did a salute to Saloon singers and Western women.  I had briefly entertained including Big Nose Kate but alas, she was a last minute cut from that blog.

However, with the visit to Tombstone I couldn’t leave Kate (Mary Katherine Horony Cummings, 1850-1940) out again. Not only is her name connected to the hotel/saloon in Tombstone but will forever be connected to…

Doc (John Henry) Holliday (1851-1887), of the infamous Gunfight at O.K. Corral along with his friend, Wyatt Earp.

Side Note: Kate was called “Big Nose Kate” not because of the size of her nose but because she always had her nose in everyone’s business. Hey, I learned this first hand from the woman behind the counter selling Big Nose Kate souvenirs!

We went to the saloon to get their famous Reuben sandwiches but could hardly get in the door. When I say it was packed wall-to-wall…I mean it literally. We finally left when we realized we weren’t going to be able to get a table for a long time. That was a disappointment.

We walked down to the Crystal Palace to eat and were greeted by John. Dapper man isn’t he? Well, we were genuinely surprised when he started talking to us…in an English accent. He was born in Texas, raised in England, spent many years in South Africa, made his way back to Spring, Texas and now resides in Tombstone. Oh, by the way, he is due to get married in two weeks! Lovely man…and I had a Crying Onion Burger that was delicious.

We passed a store that had this sign hanging by the front door. I don’t know if the saying is from the 1800’s or current times. My impression is that things just haven’t changed that much over the years.

We checked the time and realized we had to get back to the O.K. Corral for the gunfight that was due to begin at 2pm.

Virgil Earp and Sheriff Behan were still guarding the streets as we walked in to witness “The Gunfight”.

Once we were seated in the crowded bleachers, we watched the different players come out to set up the story.

I have to say that Doc Holliday stole the show with his drunken demeanor. The actor that portrayed him looked nothing like the real Doc Holliday…or even Val Kilmer (from the movie Tombstone) for that matter. He did, however, have the same very light blue eyes that Doc has been described as having.

The reenactment was somewhat long for the actual 30 second gunfight that took place in 1881. Most of the actors were pretty credible and looked like they belonged in that period.  Virgil and Wyatt Earp earned the “Best Dressed” honor in my book. 

As we were leaving Tombstone we passed Boot Hill but decided to get on back to Tucson since we were in the 5:30 rush hour traffic.  I’d like to go back to Tombstone and visit it at my leisure…without the crowds.  Even the people that work in Tombstone were surprised at how many people were there.

We’re now headed to Mesa to visit with my sister and her family…and then some of the Pilot’s family.  It’s been a fast week with a lot of things packed in.  One of these days we’re going to get the hang of how to act retired!