Boot Scootin Boogie...........

Friday nights at the Cactus Moon Saloon is the place to be for Country music and dancing for the true Western folks. Long established as the best nightclub in Tucson, it's really a mixture of young and young at hearts, all sharing their love of dance (or exercise), Margarita's, beer, and live entertainment. Last night we took Judy, who is visiting from Massachusetts, there for a true "honky tonk" experience. Donald, with a filly on each arm, had the night of his life. His dancing card surely filled.............

Happy Thanksgiving!

Good Morning. The pies are in the oven and Donald is watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV and his favorite balloon character, Buzz Light Year, just came down the parade route. It's a lazy morning and I'm trying to save my appetite for the big meal.

Lena & Judy

Yummmmmm, I can smell Lena’s turkey cooking from my house…….
Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday for many reasons and this year especially as we are so glad to be out west and enjoying the day with Lena and Steve, Rhonda, Dan, Nancy, Gloria and Sully, and Judy, who traveled from Salem to celebrate the holiday week in Tucson. While we all have so much be thankful for, nothing matches having Lena back in her kitchen cooking up a storm and directing the rest of us. Although it has been a long recovery after her stoke last November, what a difference a year makes. She, as usual, has beaten the odds with defiant will and a lot of hard work, and we all couldn't’t be more thankful to have her back, almost new, and with a flare. Now that’s a Happy Thanksgiving!

Three Caballeros

It's raining in the desert today.........

Rainbow on the patio, so pretty..............

But that's alright. It will help to keep the plants a little greener and it doesn't really pour here, unless it's monsoon season (July and August), just misting and cloud covered. It's definitely a good day to make spaghetti sauce. Once Turkey day has past, I'll be ready for my next favorite meal, Italian night.

The Snowbirds have landed............

Home away from home................

After a final 10 hour drive yesterday, we arrived safe and sound. While our bodies today still feel like were moving at 85 miles per hour, it's good to be here, especially where it is sunny and 75 degrees. Unpacking, now that's a chore we are putting off for a few hours. Couch potatoes for the day is more like it. And, who needs food. I think we left mocrowave popcorn in the pantry. Then, there is always that can of beans...............

SIX FLAGS.............

Nooooooooo, not the amusement park, (although Texas history is where the park’s name comes from) but it is actually the number of flags flown over Texas from 1519 to the present time. Texas has flown the flags of Spain, France, Mexico, Texas as a Republic, Texas in the Confederacy, and Texas as a state of the USA. Texas is a big state, approx 900 miles wide from Texarkana, which is where we were this morning, to El Paso where we will be tomorrow. Of course, everything in between is big from the big sky, the 10-gallon hats, and the monster trucks; gun racks optional. And, the bumper sticker of choice is, “Don’t Mess with Texas”. Certainly, I ain’t misbehaving till I get to New Mexico.

Never too much country...............

The Ryman, Nashville, Tennessee

The Grand Ole Opry is the show, the Ryman Auditorium is the threater, and WSM/650 on the am radio dial is the live broadcast to the nation. Whether you like country, bluegrass, or gospel music, it's all happening on stage every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights to a packed house of country music fans. Last night Don and I enjoyed a night at the OPRY with Bill Anderson, Jimmy Wayne, Montgomery Gentry and the Hee Haw comedy of little Jimmy Dickens.

They say it's one of a 1000 places you need to see before you die

Franklin, Tennessee

Well, at least one travel writer thought so. It is a very nice town just south of Nashville where, you know who, lives. Donald wanted to go to a train shop there. It was heavily advertised in a Nashville brochure, so off we went. It was a bit cold walking around, but it was a very neat little town with a well preserved downtown. We walked up and down this street, both sides a few times. There was a "made in Tennessee" store we were hoping would open, but it never did. Sign said 10am-5pm, but they must have been on holiday.

http://www.1000beforeyoudie.com/.

Franklin is a unique blend of history and progress. Since its beginning in 1799, it has grown from a tiny, agricultural community into a strong blend of residential, commercial and corporate citizens. And, so many of the country artist live here. (You can sense their presence.) There is much to see and do in Franklin, from a Civil War battlefield, to a host of museums and antebellum mansions, to their thriving downtown shopping area, and just a few miles from town is the Natchez Trace Parkway. If you like antiques, Franklin has some of the best shops in Tennessee. And if Donald were asked, he'd say Ada went in all of them...........

The Factory Shops and Antiques

Real Southern Comfort

Sweet ice tea, pecan pie and chicken fry.

On my hips they will be

but, I'll surely take all three.....

No place has better comfort food than the south and it doesn't get any better than at the Loveless Cafe here in Nashville. Chicken and gravy, biscuits and grits. Good thing we are only staying here two days. Ada would weigh 300 lbs for sure....PS: We are not staying at this motel.

Just in time...........

Prices coming down............

When you're driving 2800 miles it's nice to see these kind of prices. When we filled up in Salem yesterday before we left, gas was $2.09. What a difference a day makes. In Virginia we saw the prices as low as $1.77, but we had already filled up today at $1.99. I'll take it.............

Happy Trails............

Arizona or bust.............

He doesn't get any happier than he is today. Donald, behind the wheel, ready to drive his steel horse 2800 hundred miles to the promise land. While it may be a week before he gets to see that desert sky, half the fun of getting there will be the adventures along the way. First overnight stop, Wilkes Barre, PA, then Bristol, TN, then the fun stopover in Nashville, TN where Ada most likely will be stalking a few country artists. Going to the Ryman for sure; Montgomery Gentry are the headliners Tuesday night. And for my Fantasy Football friends, the Tennessee Titans are playing away, but the stadium is just over the walking bridge from downtown, so a stroll over there might be in order. I hear they are going for the perfect record. Now, where have I heard that before..............

We've saved the best for last..........

Three generations visit Salem

Our last weekend for the season, Don and I were so happy to have two of our most welcomed visitors finish out our 24th year, and bring more family along for the fun. Terry and Ali (standing), returning for a Mom and Daughter weekend getaway, decided that this would be a nice treat for one of the Grandmother's birthday. Having heard their daughter and granddaughter talk for years about how they love coming to Salem, the grandmother's wanted to come too. Led about town by two pros, both grandmothers truly got a fast paced Salem 101 course. They are going home tired, but a good kind of tired..............

They found Vintage Photography for a cherished family portrait.

Pass the Amelia Payson House and collect $200

Terry & Ali, our favorite Yankee fans, have just arrived and brought Don and I our very own personalized Monopoly game. What a clever idea. It's everything Salem, Arizona, the B&B, City Hall, the Red Sox and the Patriots, all around the board. Certainly, a labor of love and a lot cutting and pasting from the website and blog. Even down to the Alan Jackson $500 bucks and the Leanne Rimes $100's, they have truly captured our circle of life. Thank you...... On display. You have too see this!

Click on the picture and you can see the detail.

Our New First Family

Barak Obama, Congratulation!

American Won, America One......

Today's the day.................new residents moving in soon

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

By tonight we will have a new President, and while I'm glad that all the robo calling and TV commercials will come to a halt, I can't help but feel that there will be a void on Wednesday. I guess it's common to feel some withdrawal and hopefully sheer joy will take it's place. I'm certainly hoping that my candidate wins, but I'm worried about my dear friend Lena if he doesn't. Last time she didn't get out of bed for three days after Kerry lost as she worked so hard on his campaign out in Arizona. There will be no living with her if she is disappointed again. (Thanksgiving dinner at her house will definitely be cancelled, a real shame.) The last election catapulted her into politics in a big way as she proceeded to run for State Representative for her District in Tucson. This energized democrat not only won, she topped the ticket.

Whatever happens today, we are indeed going to see change. And for my friend Lena's sake, and my favorite meal, I'm expecting a celebration. Go vote!

Fantasy Football, Queen for a day...............

News Flash

I hate to brag, but today I top the leaderboard of our Fantasy Football team, "SalemCity" on ESPN Fantasy Football. I'm sure my placement will be short lived and I will be knocked down to my rightful place as the novice that I truly am. But it is exciting even if just for a fleeting moment. Sara, our other girl teammate should be congratulated as she has been number one too, and for a few weeks. GIRL POWER............ I think they thought they would just easily take our money. Not so fast guys.

Halloween 2008

Another Halloween, our 24th, was certainly a record setter. Estimated at approx. 100,000 revelers strong, our City managed to keep the peace, protect personal property, and put on the greatest show on earth for it's visitors. I'm sure there are a few guests feeling the pain today, but they all had a grand time and they all say they want to come back again.
Boy, have I heard that before. We need a bigger place!


A Salem Lights cigarette & ashtray and a princess.
A Jack Sparrow lookalike threatens his wench.........



Elvis is a live and well, and this Scream character just won't leave town........