My 100th blog............ Our Memorial Day outing....

Agawam Diner
When Don and I are hungry and want to "get out of town" for a short time, our car seems to head towards the Agawam Diner on Route 1 in Rowley Ma. Having been around for about 60 years, this food institution is famous for serving breakfast all day. And if you don't want breakfast, fried chicken, fried seafood, yankee pot roast, and Donald's favorite; hot dogs with potato salad, finished off with lemon meringue pie, are just a few of the New England staples served up fast and plentiful.

Did I say pie? You can get.... any pie you want..... at the Agawam restaurant............. and Donald loves them all; banana cream, blueberry, apple, coconut cream, chocolate cream, custard, strawberrie rubbard. I had a fish sandich and passed on the pie. Watching my figure!

Hot dogs and potato salad..........

Champagne Breakfast Celebration……….

Ali, Rose, Jen, Mary, Terry & Ada

We placed our bets on the 2009 NSMC Cancer Walk…..

They might be calling us the booze and betting team, but last weekend, friends, and frequent guests of the Amelia Payson House, sponsored a Poker Tournament in Dix Hills, N.Y. on behalf of Ada & Jen’s NSMC Cancer Walk team, “There’s Something About Mary” and raised over $1450.00 with a wine raffle and poker night for charity. Hosted at the home of Terry, Frank, & Ali, their generous friends played cards and bet their chips all for the benefit of the NSMC Cancer Walk. As a new Cancer Walk team this year, Ada & Jen have been trying to come up with some fun and different ways to raise money in support of this well-established annual walk that will take place on June 21st. Although gaming wasn’t considered until suggested by Ada’s frequent guests from New York, the thought of taking money from Yankee fans, for charity, seemed perfectly acceptable.

This weekend Terry and Ali are visiting Salem for their annual Mother/Daughter getaway so Ada seized the opportunity to have them meet team co-captain Jen, her sister Mary, who we are all walking for, and Rose from the NSMC Cancer Walk Development Office by hosting them for breakfast at the B&B his morning. It might have been the promise of those heart shaped waffles that got them here, but we all had a great time chatting and getting acquainted, before e-mails were exchanged and cameras started clicking.
While we did have other guests, fortunately all women, they blended in and enjoyed the excitement of the morning. And where was Donald?????

With 10 women in the house, he was hiding in the kitchen and keeping the coffee flowing til noon………..

Bam! We’re serving what Emeril’s serving…………..

Heart shaped waffles.....

Every Mother’s Day, Emeril Lagasse surprises a mother on Good Morning America with breakfast in bed. While we're not serving breakfast in bed, (just the messy thought of it sends chills through Ada), we served the same heart shaped waffles as they did on TV today. Of course, mine came with strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, raspberries and bananas. Ada’s five fruit wake up call to good health. Jen, are you listening????????

After 25 years, even websites need a facelift..........

Check out our new duds at www.ameliapaysonhouse.com

Just a little more sophisticated in style, our renewed website went online today. Loaded with many of the same photos, and some new ones, our webgal always seem to catch the essence of our home and hospitality style. While Ada usually writes most of the prose, she would be the first to admit she would be lost without Barbara at ISSI to handle the visual layout, mechanics and functionality of the site. Thanks Barbara for keeping us "looking good"..............

It’s all about celebrating Anniversaries this year………..

Salem revisited................

I always joke that we are now hosting, as guests, the grown children of parents that stayed with us in years past. Kind of makes you feel your age. Ouch!
Kidding aside, we are glad that they are keeping their love of Salem and the Amelia Payson House in the family and returning time and time again.

Over the weekend, we hosted a couple returning after 12 1/2 years. They spent their Honeymoon in Salem, and stayed with us and have returned to romantically reconnect to Salem once again. While so much has certainly changed in Salem since they were here last, they were quick to notice all the new shops, restaurants, and endless activities that keep the town truly hopping day and night. And, of course, they revisited the House of the Seven Gables, the Trolley and the PEM; memories they felt were well worth repeating.

Will we see them for their 25th? Who knows, but we had a chuckle just thinking of where we all might be in that future time. No promises made, especially from Donald………..

First Prize........................

Mary has the honor……….

Yesterday, Mary selected a name for the Two Night Getaway at the Amelia Payson House Bed & Breakfast from over 80 generous contributors to our NSMC Cancer Walk Team: There’s Something About Mary”. In the first of three drawings, we are happy to announce that Ron & Theresa Weik are the winners of April’s drawing. While we have two more drawings planned, one at the end of May and one at the end of June, we wish everyone continued good luck as all entrants will remain in the basket for all three drawings; a special thank you to the many that contributed early and so generously. With over $2900 raised so far, our team has remained in first place in generating fundraising dollars, but the real contest is finding a cure and having as many people raising as many dollars as we can to help in that effort. Many thanks to all of you that are following our team and especially all the team members that have set up web pages and have solicited your friends and family for donations. It started as one donation in a pool that has certainly rippled out way beyond any of our expectations. We are excited to have two more months to continue raising money. Just wait until you hear what is happening on May 9th. Stay tuned……

Forever grateful,
Ada May, Jen, & Mary
Co-Captains: There’s Something About Mary
www.firstgiving.com/theressomethingaboutmary

PS: Thanks to Tom, our cameraman………

A Sure Sign of Spring……….

Grand Magnolia Tree............

Last week when I walked home from downtown, you could hardly see this house behind this magnificent Magnolia tree. Now, even though most of the pedals are on the ground, it’s still a beautiful sight. Situated across from the common, it’s always been my favorite tree, although better in their yard as I wouldn’t want to be the one doing all the raking. While it is the state tree of Mississippi, it certainly does well in these parts too. Just a bit backward, as it flowers first, sheds the flowers, and then it gets its leaves. Another import from China, but an annual outdoor splendor here each April..........

After the commercial, a beautiful song emerges...."Sissy's Song" by Alan Jackson

Going to the Red Sox/Yankee game today

Not me, but these Georgia boys are off to the game..........

and of course, rooting for the right team!

The Red Sox had a dry spell right after opening day, but now they seem to have found their mojo and are having a bit of a winning streak. Not to jinx them or anything, but we hope they continue doing whatever they are doing as they need a lot of games in the winning column to catch up and take first place in the division. The Yankees come into town today and while they aren’t doing much better, maybe even worse, the rivalry between the two teams is legendary and always makes for great entertainment. And, of course, everyone on the east coast will be watching all weekend for sure……… except Donald, who will be elsewhere, looking at model trains. Where are his priorities?

The New York Yankees–Boston Red Sox rivalry is one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in American professional sports. For more than 100 years, Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees of the American League have been intense rivals. Historically, the Yankees have had far more success. However, since the Red Sox' victory over the Yankees in seven games in the 2004 American League Championship Series, the rivalry has changed to a different direction, as the Red Sox have won two World Series since that time.

Post Game 1:

Well, it took 11 innings, but a walk off, out of the park, home run by Kevin Youkilis clinched the win.

Red Sox 5, Yankees 4..........

Post Game 2:

Red Sox 16, Yankees 11 (in 9 innings, but a long one: 4 1/2 hours long)

And so far, no one behaving badly....... Hope it continues.

Post Game 3

Red Sox sweep the Yankees in the final game.

Red Sox 4, Yankees 1.....

"Sometimes it's not just good things, but extraordinary things.
Ellsbury's steal of home with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth inning came against Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte. "

Now it's on to Cleveland..........

Window Box competition………

Spring has arrived and it’s always a race to see who in the neighborhood gets their window boxes planted first. While mine won’t be as spectacular as some of the ones up and down Winter Street, they usually have the distinction of being ahead of the pack. Maybe not contest winning; but don’t you think we are off to a pretty start? Granted, you have to like pansies, pansies or pansies, as it’s still too chilly in New England to plant much else, although, I did sneak some daffodils in the middle of each window box.
Not one to get her hands dirty, Ada cheated a bit and brought her window boxes over to Marblehead Gardens. They have a deal too good to be true. If you buy the flowers and a bag of dirt there, they plant them for $10. Of course, Donald agrees this is a real bargain as well, especially when he doesn’t have to get his hands dirty either… Now, who do we get to water them eveyday?

Ghost Gathering...........................

GhoStock 7, a paranormal enthusiasts' convention, kicked off in Salem yesterday. In addition to hearing lectures by everyone from our own local witch Christian Day to Chris Fleming from the Biography Channel's "Dead Famous," visitors will be poking around the Witch City to see what they can sense all weekend long.

Hosted by Patrick Burns of Tru TV and Court TVs investigative series "Haunting Evidence", GhoStock is taking place in Salem, Massachusetts, for the first time this year. The first six GhoStock conventions have taken place in Savannah, Georgia. This move creates a new adventure for fans of GhoStock and other people with an interest in the paranormal. As always, the event will be hosted by Patrick Burns, who is the founder and director of the Ghost Hounds Paranormal Network and was recently featured on TruTV's Haunting Evidence. Guests include such notables in the paranormal field as Dave Schrader from Darkness at the Edge of Town radio, Keith Age from Spooked! TV, and Fiona Broome, author and psychic medium. The keynote speaker will be John Zaffis, a noted authority on demonic and malevolent hauntings.

The highlight of GhoStock, though, is the opportunity to participate in an actual paranormal investigation. Guests are divided into small teams and will conduct private investigations throughout Salem. They will then review their evidence and present their findings during the conference. And..... the Amelia Payson House has two guests that will not miss a moment of the hunt. Then sleeping, of course, with one eye open!

On your mark, get set, their off………………

A Massachusetts holiday, Patriots Day, April 20th, commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord; the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. And to thousand’s of residents, visitors, runners, and the rest of the Country and the World, it is also known as Boston Marathon Day. And this year, it is the 113th running of this 26-mile route that starts in sleepy Hopkinton, Massachusetts and finishes in downtown Boston.

The BAA (Boston Athletic Association) was established in 1887 and has had the mission of managing sporting events and promoting a healthy lifestyle, but no event is more famous, worldwide, than the Boston Marathon. And no runner connected to this event has more name recognition than Bill Rogers, who certainly help popularize the sport of marathon running in the 70’s. He’s also won it four times between 1975 and 1980 and he plans to be on the starting line once again. While he broke many course records back in his day, Monday he is “running for the fun of it”; being cheered on by at least a half million fans lining the route, encouraging all the 26,000 plus runners to keep on going. (Fact: Bill Rogers has as many running miles logged in as I have on my mini-van, 125,000. That's amazing!)

In my other life, before the B&B, Don and I ran the Boston Marathon. Always weekend runners, we seriously trained for a year and were so excited just to be in that line, (although, way in the back of course) as that gun went off and 10,000 plus runners slowly moved pass the starting line. Good to go for most of the route, even at “heartbreak hill”, until Donald got a blister and we had to stop about 20 miles into the route. Just the same, we will always have fond memories of the day, pain and all. Of course, Ada was just glad she was not the one to stop first, and Donald has never been able to live it down……….

Parents, Cousins, Aunts and Uncles visit Salem from Belgium

Folks from Belgium are our first guests of the 25th season....

We should have known, it's like riding a bike and you never forget. Our first day back in the B&B saddle proved to run seamlessly. Ada, who is always ready for any malfunction, rechecking her list more than twice that even Santa would be proud. Donald was happily in his kitchen, Master Brewer of the tea & coffee; so important to the success of every breakfast. Although our guests spoke perfect English, Donald enjoyed practicing his French, accents and all. Given our guests were spending most of their week in Massachusetts, our Boston accents were a topic of conversation for sure, poking fun at the "pak your ca", and chowda.......... We all decided, who needs r's anyway..........

Celebrating 25 Years of Fun!

The Roberts' are back from their Western hiatus and are excited to be

Celebrating their 25th Year with the B&B.

Open the doors. Let the fun begin!

Ok, where did the time go? Could it have been a just a dream? Well, if it is, we certainly wouldn’t be surprised after hearing thousand’s of guest’s say that this is a business they have always dreamed of operating. All I know is, that if it is a dream, it’s been full of wonderful people, some characters, and a lot of good times; where visitors become friends for life in the process………..

A labor of love, life at the B&B has had many rewards and only a few disappointments. The ability to work side by side (or upstairs from) your spouse, and the short commute to work each morning from the third floor to the kitchen, are just a few of the perks that running a B&B provides. While long days are the norm, each one is as different as the guests that visit and leave that special footprint in our memory. People always query about the high maintenance guest, expecting tales of horror, but for sure they are far and few between. Usually, most of the off day stories are “this old house issues”, especially when comfort amenities fail to work or outside forces beyond our control cause interruptions in our perfect world. Looking back, these moments make for some funny tales, but, we won’t tell.

While the length of our journey is considered a milestone in the industry, we couldn’t imagine doing anything different; a do over for sure. Now, even though we have reached retirement status, we look forward to future years at the B&B, one at a time, and all the people we are yet to meet. It’s a lifestyle we have come to love and we truly appreciate all the wonderful and faithful guests that have contributed to our 25-year success.

And We Thank You,
Ada May & Donald Roberts

RED SOX OPENING DAY.....The boys of summer are back!

Amid the backdrop of a giant American flag hanging above the Green Monster, Fenway Park spectators were riveted by the pregame ceremonies of Opening Day, the highlight of which was new Hall of Famer Jim Rice driving a golf cart in from left field with Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy riding alongside. After a stirring hand from the crowd, Kennedy was greeted with a handshake from Red Sox manager Terry Francona. They then moved toward the mound, where Kennedy threw a ceremonial first pitch to Rice. And then another. A do over, sort of...........
There were some other unique aspects to the festivities. When the Red Sox players were announced during pregame introductions, each one emerged though the crowd, walking through the grandstand aisles between sections 15 and 25. This gave fans a chance to exchange high fives or handshakes with the likes of Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and John Smoltz as they walked by. The presentation of colors was made by representatives of all five branches of the United States armed forces. The national anthem was performed by maestro Keith Lockhart and members of the Boston Pops along with the Tanglewood Festival chorus.
At the conclusion, there was a flyover performed by four F-15 tactical fighter jets from the 104th fighter jets from the 104th fighter wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.
Johnny Pesky, the Red Sox icon who had his No. 6 retired last September, then grabbed a microphone and roared "Play Ball" to the delight of the packed house.
The action carried right over into the early portion of the game, with Red Sox ace Josh Beckett registering two strikeouts in the top of the first and Dustin Pedroia, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player, drilling a solo homer into the Monster Seats in the bottom of the inning. While not lucky enough to be there, all this was caught on TV, and in the end, they beat the Rays 5-3. A good start, and a little retribution after a disappointing end to last season's 7th game loss in the playoffs to those Devils...........

Dustin rounds the bases after his home run...............

At Epcot with Commodore Dave.........

Commodore Dave, Ada May & Donald at Epcot.....

Check out our 25th Anniversary Disney buttons......... Although, I never thought Donald would put it on, he was a good sport and enjoyed the special attention we received from all the Disney cast members and other Disney World visitors during our stay. This year Disney's slogan is "Celebrate the Magic", so if you are having a birthday or anniversary, they are going all out to help you celebrate. While it's been about a decade since we've been to Disney, there were so many changes and new places to see and explore, but visitor hopitality is still there number one priority and we certainly appreicated all the attention to detail from the themed resorts, and all the perfectly manicured grounds. At Epcot, they were hosting a "Festival of the the Flowers" so everywhere, spring was in the air. And making it extra special, we caught up with Salem's own Dave Butler who works at Disney. When he's not driving the Salem Trolley in Salem, he's navigating the transportation boats, coincidently called the "Friendship" fleet, between resorts to the International Gateway of Epcot. Doesn't he look so smart in his uniform.

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, it's off to Disney we go............

"To infinity and beyond........"

Donald going back to see his friend "Buzz Lightyear"

Ok, kids at heart, we're off to Orlando to see Mickey and all his friends for three nights. It's been about a decade since we've been to this resort of resorts. Now that the grandchildren are grown, there has been little reason to go, but, believe it or not, this is Donald's idea and Ada certainly jumped on it before he changed his mind. Not a parks and adventure ride person, it's all about staying on the property and all the different theme hotels for Ada. Her fun has always been about staying in a different resort each visit and I think she has stayed in them all, except she did see that they have recently opened a new one called Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. For sure, we will be over there checking the decor, food and fun things to do.

Also, our dear friend Dave works at Epcot. Can't wait to see him in his captain's uniform. He navigates the boats that travel between Epcot and the Boardwalk and YachtClub resorts. (Donald always teases Dave about the boats being on underwater rails, but really, they aren't. Dave definitely has to navigate them.) Judy and Katy will join us on Saturday and Katy loves the thrill rides, so Space Mountain will certainly be on the docket. No doubt about it......

You could be a winner.........

Win a Salem Accommodation’s Getaway for Two……….

Sponsor Ada & Jen by donating to their NSMC Cancer Walk website and be entered into their contest to win two(2) nights accommodations at the Amelia Payson House Bed & Breakfast in Salem, Massachusetts. Celebrating 25 years of service.

Once a month, starting in April and continuing thru June, (three winners total) names will be drawn from the list of all the donors that have contributed to our Cancer Walk website: http://www.firstgiving.com/theressomethingaboutmary

Donate early and have a chance to win every month. All names will remain in the pool through June and you can enter as often as you like. Each donation will have a chance month after month after month to win.

The Details: Minimum donation: $25.00. One entry for every $25.00, so the more you donate, the more times you will be entered. ($50 two entries, $75 three entries, etc.) Accommodations are for two(2) adults only, non-smoking.
Reservations are limited to the days the Amelia Payson House is open for business, has availability, and exclude the month of October.

We hope you share our passion to support an organization that has been making a difference for almost two decades in the care and treatment of all the Mary’s on the North Shore and beyond. We truly appreciate all those that have been so generous to our team: There’s Something About Mary.

Thank you,
Ada May Roberts & Jennifer Wessell
Co-Captains for Team Mary

Campus Life......

The University of South Florida in Tampa serves more than 46,000 students on campus and one of them is our grandson, Nathan, a freshman. (Short for Nathaniel and named after Salem's favorite son.) Boasting rights, Nathan is on a full scholarship here in the Engineering School, taking after his grandfather Don who can hardly spell "engineer" but became one just the same. Nathan has settled nicely into campus life, regardless of what his dorm room looks like. It was a nice side trip to see him, pass him a few bucks and to walk endlessly around the campus on a beautiful 75 degree Florida day.

On the road again..........

It's good to have our own vehicle back and on the road again. Good bye Boerne, Texas, and hello Jennings Louisiana....... But before then, we will travel through the big cities of San Antonio and Houston. Two of Ada's favorite places, but not to drive. San Antonio, famous for its River Walk, the Alamo, Tejano culture, and home to the SeaWorld San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme parks, the city is visited by approximately 26 million tourists per year according to the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. San Antonio is also home to the first museum of modern art in Texas, known as the McNay Art Museum. And then there are all those Cowboys at the rodeo......... Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and the largest city within the state of Texas. Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in the energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, transportation, and health care sectors and is a leading center for building oilfield equipment; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters in the city limits. More importantly to Ada, it's home of the Houston Astros baseball team. Now let's get our priorities straight!

What do you do when your car breaks down while traveling cross country????

You go rent another one unil they can fix it.......

Not quite the Mini-Cooper Donald wanted to rent, but it's what they call in the rental business, an "economy car". Not even enough room to wear his Stetson. How can they even have these cars in Texas? In any case, making a bad situation tolerable, we got our room back at the Hampton Inn and dropped off our gear and went for a ride to Bandera, about 20 miles south of here in Hill Country.

Bandera Texas - Cowboy Capital of the World (I think every Texas town claims this.)
Bandera, Texas was founded 1852 as a cypress shingle camp, and the site of a Mormon colony established 1854. It is one of the oldest Polish communities in the U.S.
An authentic Western town, surrounded both by working and guest ranches, Bandera, Texas bills itself as the Cowboy Capital of the World. Rodeos are held at least twice weekly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Horseback riding is available, plus swimming in clear Hill Country lakes and rivers. Visitors enjoy fine year-round fishing, hunting in seasons for wild turkey and white-tailed deer, camping, hiking, rodeos, horse races, two 18-hole golf courses, and Country/Western dances. It's a suburb of San Antonio, which is only 30 miles away if you are looking for city lights and night life. Otherwise, it's "lights out" early in these parts........

Deep in the heart of Texas..........

Boerne, Texas......30 miles west of San Antonio. Why are we here...........well, we were hoping to be on our way to Louisiana today, but the engine light came on in the vehicle and here we sit in a Chrysler dealership waiting for the $$$$$ news, and......... we'll probably lose a day here.

Before this delay, the trip has been good. Got out of Tucson without a hitch on Sunday and had a pleasant drive with a few stops along the way. Our trip taking us through the Gadsden Purchase. (here comes a history lesson.)

In 1846, President Polk declared war on Mexico and sent troops to New Mexico and California under General Kearny. This began the military era in New Mexico, which lasted for about 50 years. At this time, Mexican troops were garrisoned in Mesilla. By 1848 the war had ended and most of the state had been ceded to the United States by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
According to the treaty, the boundary between the United States and Mexico was to extend from the Gulf of Mexico and follow the Rio Grande to a point eight miles north of El Paso and then continue west to the first branch of the Gila River. The boundary was established from a map drawn by J. Disturnell of New York. When the United States sent men to survey the boundary, they found that the Disturnell map was in error. El Paso was actually located 40 miles north of its position on the map and the Rio Grande was actually 130 miles to the west. A settlement was made between the two countries known as the Gadsden Purchase, but diplomatic tension followed. In 1853, the United States negotiated with Mexico to resolve the boundary dispute which resulted at the termination of the Mexican War and to purchase the land in question. This was known as the Gadsden Purchase.

One of the most spectacular sights while driving is still in Arizona called Texas Canyon.
Located in Cochise County, Arizona about 20 miles east of Benson, AZ on I-10 and lies between the Little Dragoon Mountains on the north and the Dragoon Mountains to the south.
Known for its giant granite boulders, the canyon frequently attracts rockhounds and photographers. The stagecoach route of the Butterfield Overland Mail passed through Texas Canyon from 1858 until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 when the stage line suspended operations. Historically within the range of the Chiricahua Apache, Cochise made his last stronghold near here in the Dragoon Mountains during the mid-1870s.
In the mid to late 1880's David A. Adams arrived from Coleman County Texas, soon to be followed by other family members. Hence the name Texas Canyon - there were "a bunch of damned Texans up there." Descendants still live and raise cattle on the old family ranch.
The Amerind Foundation, a privately funded archaeological research facility, library, museum and art gallery founded by William Shirley Fulton in the 1930s lies about a mile south of I-10 in Texas Canyon at Exit 318.
The Triangle T Guest Ranch also lies about a mile south of I-10. This historic Guest Ranch has overnight accommodations, (RV sites, casitas) a Saloon and restaurant. The ranch has been the filming location for many commercials, movies and TV shows. We were headed to Las Cruses for the night, but maybe this would be a good over night stop when we drive by next year. It's definately in Ada's memory bank........

New Mexico's state bird is the Roadrunner

This is the godzilla of roadrunners that greets you when entering New Mexico.......

Officially adopted March 16, 1949. It was adopted under the name "Chaparral Bird". In Spanish, it is called "El Correcaminos". The comical roadrunner prefers running to flying and has been clocked at speeds of 15 miles per hour. They are approximately 22 inches in length and their diet consists of insects, lizards, centipedes, mice and snakes. They have been know to eat French fries as well.............. mine off my plate!

The last hurrah and final sunset.............

Tonight over 300 folks gathered at the barn for an appreciation dinner, hosted by the Tucson Rodeo Committee, for those that volunteered at the rodeo last month. Drinks, barbecue and country dancing made for a great last night in Arizona.

Already looking forward to returning next year for more of the same fun things we did this winter, we say good bye to Arizona and head east, 2800 miles, back to our other lives in Massachusetts. See you there.......

Cocktail hour

In line for the grub.......

Our final sunset over the rodeo grounds.........

Our Super Sonic lunch..........

Out here, Sonic is everywhere and a place that brings Donald back to his youth and the drive-up/car hop days. So for Christmas Ada got him a Sonic gift card. . (he's so easy to please.)

Remembering we still had funds on the card, off to lunch we go. Donald's favorite is the Ex-Long Chili Cheese Coney. A seemingly never-ending hot dog smothered with a hearty dose of warm, meaty chili and cheese, mustard, chopped onions and more......... Add some tater tots and a lemonade and he's in food heaven.

While we have been eating down the refrigerator in preparation of leaving Sunday and driving back to the east coast, this meal, while not the most nutritious, looked pretty good compared to the options remaining at home. And far more fun..............

Play date............

Not many days remaining before we have to migrate east, so today we decided to take a drive to the east side of Tucson. Around here, hottop turns to dirt and then to washboard roads within a 45 minute drive. And then the climbing begins. About 5 miles on our way up Reddington pass, gun shots heard. I'm sure it was just target practice, but enough to say "lets get out of here". Beeeeeesides, we really should have a jeep for this kind of terrain; our Minivan not quite up to the task. But before we chickened back, we did get a few shots of the Tucson valley.............

So once down off the mountain top, we're off to Trail Dust Town

This Cadillac is packing serious weaponry......(click to enlarge)

Trail Dust Town has been a Tucson landmark for over forty years. Originally constructed as a movie set, it features wooden boardwalks, red brick streets, a detailed old-fashioned town square, and centerpiece gazebo.

No visit to the town would be complete without a dinner at Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse. Home of the Famous Cowboy Steak! Just leave your tie at home. Otherwise, it will join the rest, snipped from your neck and hanging from the ceiling.....

Considered Tucson’s premier “in-town” western town, over 500,000 people visit each year to enjoy the fine specialty shops and old-fashioned ambiance. An evening stroll in the soft glow of gas light adds to the town’s 19th century charm. Trail Dust Town hosts a variety of attractions including the Fiesta del Presidio carousel, C.P. Huntington miniature train, gold-panning, stunt shows, and the Museum of the Horse Soldier.

The new kids on the block................

Steak Out Restaurant ribbon cutting......

The Steak Out is an authentic western restaurant and bar known world round for its famous margaritas, mouthwatering mesquite pit broiled steaks & ribs and great live country music. And until now, we've had to travel to Sonoita, 2hours away, to enjoy this fun place. But, not any more. Today, the new Steak Out, just down the road, close enough to walk or ride your horse to, had it's official opening. Armed with my camera, I was off for the ribbon cutting this morning. After a tour of the facilties, kitchen and all, the politians and the owner (the guy with the scissors) posed for the ceremonial ribbon cutting. That's our Mayor in the center surounded by a few more of Marana's political figures.

Don and I look forward to listening to some country tunes later tonight as a country band will start playing at 9pm. On Wednesday, we have already made plans to go there for dinner with our neighbors, John and Kathy. Our last hurrah before we have to start that migration east.....

Steak Out Restaurant

Javalina in the back wash.....can you see the baby?

Javalina in the back wash, just over the fence. Usually a common sight, but not so much this year, or maybe, we just haven't seen them. Could be the coyotes have grown in number and scare them off as we certainly hear the coyotes loud and clear every night. Poor rabbits.........

Though some people think javelinas are a type of wild pig, they are actually members of the peccary family, a group of hoofed mammals originating from South America. Javelinas are common in much of central and southern Arizona, including the outskirts of the Phoenix area, most of Tucson, and occasionally as far north as Flagstaff. Javelinas form herds of two to more than 20 animals and rely on each other to defend territory, protect against predators, regulate temperature and interact socially. They use washes and areas with dense vegetation as travel corridors. Javelinas are most active at night, but may be active during the day when it's cold.

A day at the Desert Museum

The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is unlike any other museum in the world...... it's part park, zoo, museum, and botanical garden. And there's no place better to learn about the desert ecosystem than here.

Rapture Free Flight program

Raptors are birds that eat live prey and also have excellent vision, sharp talons or toenails, and hooked or curved beaks. Raptors included in the flight program are Harris' Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks, Gray Hawks, Barn Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Prairie Falcons. Other birds that are included in the Raptor Free Flight are Chihuahuan Ravens and Greater Roadrunners.

Prairie Dog (Ada's favorite)

resident Bobcat