Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Josh Edwards kids selling punch for charity
The things we miss when we don't attend a race. So sweet.

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Well it is another beautiful day here in Phoenix. It is supposed to be a little cooler today (only in the 90's). Things don't get started for a while now. We are staying here today and having the brakes on the truck looked at by a Freighliner dealer in the morning.

Here are some pics from last night. Danny and Floyd, we took your advice and went to the Rustler's Roost for dinner. You were right. Good food and lots of atmosphere. As you will see from the pics, we had a great time.

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This is the main attraction outside the restaurant.

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Here is "Old Horney" just waiting his turn at being dinner!

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This is the buffalo head inside with a couple of "Wild and Crazy Guys"

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Mike and Paula Cotten at the beginning of the evening.

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That's me and Larry with the cactus behind us!

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Mike and Paula bought us all cowboy hats! This is Eric and Deb Bell. Eric is the only one who is still in today.

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Gary Hampton, Mike and Paula

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These are some friends of Eric's from Sweden. Adam, Peter, and Anaka. Peter has a '70 Cuda.

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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The whole group!

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All of us!

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Paula and Deb doing one of those country dances!!

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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This one's for Mike. He liked the pigtails!!

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Paula having a good time!!

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Gary decided to join in on the fun!

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

You guys know how to have FUN!

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Wow! You guys are having a blast,,, glad you had a chance to take it all in.
Danny Durham

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Glad you enjoyed it. I never miss it when I get to that part of the country.
Did you try the rattlesnake?

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

No, Floyd we didn't try the rattlesnake. Is it like alligator and tastes like chicken?

We are at the Freightliner dealer now getting our Jake brake looked at before we get back on the road. I have a few pics from yesterday that I will post shortly.

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Larry talking with former Stock racer Jason Line and your PRO Stock winner for this year.

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1000' in the finals of Stock

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Randi Lyn filling out the paper work after her win! Look at that smile.

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Ryan looking pleased after his Super Stock win!

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Thanks to Eric and Deb Bell for a great Bar-b-q and a good time last night. Eric races SS/EA with a 70 Challenger and he used to be a professional baseball player. There were some great momentos of his playing days on the walls and I tried to get pictures, but they didn't turn out very well. I am going to post them anyway!

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Yeah, Larry, it's kinda like alligator tastes like chicken. They have a real neat way of presenting it. They put a piece of the snake spine on the plate. Kinda looks like a comb. It's a clever gimmick for first timers at the restaurant.

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Hopefully our Jake brake is adjusted and we are about to get back on the road again. We are headed to a KOA campground in Williams, AZ for tonight, then tour the Grand Canyon tomorrow, then on to Vegas!

More later.

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Between Phoenix and Flagstaff.

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Just off I-17

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Don't touch the cactus!

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Well we are stopped for the night. We found out something interesting about Walmarts in Arizona. Most will not let you park overnight. Also they are not RV friendly as being able to get in and out of the parking lot. We gave up on the one in Flagstaff after driving around the building and with all the trees and curbs not being able to park. We did stop at the Sam's, but it wasn't very easy to get in and out of either.

We arrived at the KOA in Williams, AZ expecting a 100' pull-thru spot like they told me on the phone yesterday that they had. Then we found out that the water and electric to that one had been turned off. So we are in a spot less than 75' long and hanging over. Then the plug is at the end of the spot at the end of the trailer and our cord would not reach. They finally got everything wired up and then you had to have something to lay the sewer line on because it could not lay on the ground. Anyway as good as the KOA in Holbrook was, this one is just as bad.

Then when I called yesterday, they said they had tour vans which would pick you up here and take you to the Grand Canyon for the day, which was the main reason we stopped here. So when I called about the tour, they said they wouldn't do it for just 2 people. So then we had to find a rental car, which we did. So we are about 50 miles from the Grand Canyon Park and we are looking forward to getting lots of great pictures tomorrow!

More tomorrow

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

I took my Cub Scout Pack to that KOA. I-40 truck traffic all night and trains every 1/2 hour to hour running with the horns blaring. Of course your RV is probably a lot more insulated than our pup tents!
Other than the Grand Canyon, I can't think of anything else for you to see on the way to Vegas. There is an airfield in Williams and they have some WWII fighters on display. I've never gone but it can't be that bad. I know they have a fly-in every year that brings in a decent crowd.
But if you haven't seen it before, go on the Hoover Dam tour.

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Larry and Patsy,

It was great meeting and hanging out with you two after enjoying your posts, for all of these months (and last 2-3yrs)! I'm glad I was able to share in your western fun, and also glad you got that brake issue worked out. I look forward to your posts from the Grand Canyon, and hope your travels to 'Vegas include more fun moments such as those at the Rustlers Roost, and being out there with Mike & Paula Cotten, Eric Bell, his wife, and friends! That Electric Slide was fun... :)

GOD BLESS YOUR TRAVELS, and I hope we meet again sometime next year!!!

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Well we are back from our wonderful day at the Grand Canyon. If you have never visited this National Park, you need to put it on your bucket list. We have never seen such incredible sites over and over all day long. We rented a car at the campground and drove up, stopping by an Air Museum along the way. Here are a few shots at the museum:

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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look at the spark plug wires!

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This was on the back of the door in the ladies room in 6 languages.

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2014 CJ engine!!

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

The rest of these are all taken at the Grand Canyon. No explanations are necessary. Enjoy!!

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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To walk under this bell is supposed to bring you luck. We will see when we get to Vegas!

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A squirrel!!

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So how many of you have seen a mountain lion ahead sign?

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A big crow sitting on the wall eating!

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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The road leads to nowhere (over the edge).

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Thanks for taking the time to post all of these pics.

I'm sure it's even better in person!

Very cool!!

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

You are welcome Carey. Here are a few more:

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Late this evening it had gotten a little smoky from a controlled burn.

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Great Pictures Larry!

I will be leaving on Tuesday and see you all in Vegas. I just made up my mind to drive the "Orange Peel", my Hemi Orange 2008 Challenger out, rather than fly, and take the time to see the countryside again. Last year was great, and when I drove it the year before, it was georgeous, so this year should be even better...

Isn't this an awesome, beautiful country?

Looking forward to seeing everyone again in Las Vegas.

David
The New Hemi Guy

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Shadows do weird things in the evenings.

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The Watchtower built in the 30's.

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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For our friend Bob. It looks like a gargoyle!

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Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

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Leaving the park at dark.

Well I hope you have enjoyed our picture show. It has been a long, tiring day, but one we will never forget!

We get back on the road in the morning heading to Vegas. I think it is about 250 miles from here. So more tomorrow!

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Hey David,

We will see you in Vegas! Please be safe in your travels. It's a long way out here!

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Great way to chronicle your trip. Thanks for all the pictures and sharing. Good luck in Vegas.

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Larry and Patsy, thanks for the great pictures. That is a remarkable part of the country. Also thank Teddy Roosevelt for our National Parks.

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Thanks to TR and many others like John Muir ....for those who've haven't seen the PBS special it is must see. Larry and Patsy would appreciate the Grand Canyon segments.

http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Great trip , our family did the same in the summer of 2001, motorhome, w/trailer, probably the same campground in Williams ,AZ, raced at Pomona and then up to Woodburn. Make sure to spend some time today at the Hoover Dam.

Thanks for the photobook essay

Re: "Live" from our Southwestern Swing
 

Ya'll are welcome!

We are back on the road this morning on I-40 headed toward Kingman, AZ, then on the Vegas, baby. So how many rigs are at the track parked already? We will see you this afternoon!