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March 26, 2010

Thursday and Friday Roll-Up

Heading South on AZ 77 from Holbrook, you will pass landmarks like Five-Mile Wash, Painted Wash and Corduroy Creek. After that, you're back on US 60, heading into Pinon Pine Forrest. The smell is unmistakable.



Equally unforgettable is the Salt River, which must be crossed. This is on the descent into the canyon, the ascent is on the opposite side. This is a two-lane highway, with 35MPH as the posted maximum speed. There are numerous crosses and memorials for those that ignored the advice.



And I succeeded at reaching the first Castle. I also got to meet G and M who are the current residence. They were surprised by my visit, and more surprised to learn that I once played with Tonka Toys atop the same wall which has been turned into a wonderful backyard showpiece. Heavy construction ahead! At the end of the wall was a BBQ...




... a BBQ that is now missed by the current owners. The remains of the BBQ were hauled above the installation site, and deposited. This is one of the larger chunks showing the mortar work and the use of local stone, just like the retaining wall. If only we could talk to the craftsman.



Like small towns, this place has a main street. This is now considered the historic section. You can find this crossroads at the intersection of US 60 and US 70, approximately 1,055 miles West of Bad Brad's BBQ place.


Continuing on US 70, also known as AZ 77, I passed a sign and took a short detour to a University of Arizona project location. I opted not to take the tour, and have put this place on the future vacation to-do list, after adequate research. If you recognize this place, let me know.
It was shortly after this shot that I realized that I had completed a loop, as AZ 77 becomes North Oracle Road (after passing through Oracle, AZ) and descends through the Oro Valley and into Tucson. I was now travelling the same road, in the same direction, without having driven it the other way.

Sometime in the next 48 hours, I will need to spend eight of them headed west. Keep checking, as I do plan to capture some additional images on the final westerly leg of this vacation. Until then, enjoy!
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March 24, 2010

Travel Day and the BBQ Frontier

It has been a long time since I sampled Texas BBQ. I was passing through Amarillo, and with assistance of the yellow-pages directory in the navigation system, I was able to locate a mini BBQ. The quality of the meat was excellent, and it was served pulled, on a bun, just like Brad's. Less smoke flavor, drier, and the sauce was not sweet and smokey, but a bit under-powered with Santa Cruz Chili Powder. That's Texas BBQ. I almost stopped at another BBQ.


I've gotten a bit better at catching trains. This is out the passenger window, using the best-shot-selector. No more blur, but you gotta time it right. There is significant lag with a digital camera.


I cleaned the windshield, and there were some sun-dogs to catch over the New Mexico desert.


Of course, everyone is asking about the sauce. Here it is, loading down the passenger side of the vehicle. Albuquerque is at the left side of the map, at the nexus. Now you know exactly where the sauce was when the photo was taken.


A quick pause at a rest-stop provided an opportunity to make some nice PS3 wallpaper. Here is a standard aspect shot of the Varga and Snow that I was driving through.


Even through the dirty windshield, a sunset shot was possible today. Enjoy this New Mexico sunset. I punched through Albuquerque, Grants and Gallup, penetrating 50 miles into Arizona before stopping for the night in Holbrook. I was jazzed about getting back to my own time zone, crossing two time zones boundaries and over 900 miles in one day of travel.
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Olla Podrida - 2nd Edition - 1788

At one time in my life, I had the opportunity to bid at auction for the contents of a storage unit. It was a massive 10'x20' unit, but only a quarter full. I had no trouble re-organizing the entire contents into my mainly vacant 10'x10' unit. Among the items I inherited in the transaction was this example of Gutenberg Pressmanship. The 443 pages of printing (111 sheaves) has held up rather well when compared to some wood-pulp publications that are far younger.





We can see that this book was part of a library collection at one time. These pages are the most frequented, as expected, but the later pages are very clean and clear. The fact that this is a second edition indicates that it is a work of some popularity. I've read a few of the "numbers" and am somewhat taken aback by the re-use of a "f" to mean an "s" but in most cases, the forward portion of the cross-bar on the "f" is clipped off. Perhaps this is due to the fact that this part of the lowercase "f" wore out? I have no idea.



It's is definitely interesting to have something that is older that the Constitution of the United States. At a published date of 1788, and a date of 1781 on the binding, it is a conversation piece. What is far more interesting is the language inside.


Perhaps this will, one day, become a Google Book. It has been rescued directly into my care.


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March 22, 2010

Bad Brad's


Believe it or not, the URL for Bad Brad's Bar-B-Q appears to be broken. I've posted it anyway, and will update it as needed. They have refreshed their logo, and the menu, but everything is the same down to the multiple police vehicles in the parking lot. An officer was pulling in after me. I know I was doing the speed limit. He was making a bee-line for the door.



I had to fire the flash to get this shot. There is the fireplace that I shot from the outside yesterday. There is a second dining room as well. If the parking lots a full, just wait for a parking spot to open and there will be a seat inside. There are also picnic tables outside for extra nice days, which are coming on fast.


No blue plate. Just a wrapped sandwich and a bowl of beans. No need for an appetizer and the drink is a root-beer. Cold bottle beer is available too. There are three police cars in the parking lot. If it is noon, there is contingent of lawyers in the forward dining room. This restaurant is 1.0 miles from the county courthouse. Ergo, the one and done policy for beer and the strong preference from the root variety.


This is the original home-brew smoker. This is where the magic of BBQ happens. They let it run for a very long time, based on how deep the smoke reddening goes into the brisket. Take a really close look at the sandwich. It's sliced brisket. The shed for this smoker is new. Here's why:


There is a second smoker in the shed now. It's nearly identical to the first, but slightly updated and improved. This is where the liquid smoke for the BBQ sauce is produced. Without the magic in these two crucibles of BBQ perfection, you'd never get the sauce that comes from this place.

It is all in the taste, and the fact that I saw the liquid smoke collection system in years past. I happen to believe that the liquid smoke is more valuable than the smoked eats of all kinds that come from these kettles. Of course, the two go hand in hand. After eating here, I could qualify for a case of smoke inhalation at any hospital emergency room, and all I've done is eat BBQ. I will be tasting Bad Brad's for days.

It is in this chamber that more magic happens. Outdoors, it is here that the smoked meat finishes it's cooking. Very slowly. This place is locked up at night, as it takes well more than 24 hours for a new piece of flesh to make it's way to you your table, and it's never chilled as far as I can see. In fact, there are stacked warmers in the prep room. Literally, this place is a continuous bar-b-q operation, as are many other pit BBQ places. Brad's has three locations in Oklahoma.
If you call ahead, they've got a drive through. There's no cord to drive over, so you have to honk. They're more likely to come out the door to do business.

But if you ask, they'll do the drive-thru thing with the little window and all. Seems a bit rushed after 1600 miles of driving, but if that's your only reason for coming, I suggest you buy a few gallons of sauce and as much smoked brisket as they will sell you. Call ahead if you need allot, an they are happy to oblige. I plan to save room for some brisket and other smoked goodies, time permitting.
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March 21, 2010

Closed Sunday

Yup. I drove all the way to Pawhuska for nothing but a snapshot from across the road. At least you can see that it was snowing on my favorite BBQ place. This is the original Bad Brad's BBQ joint. I had planned to sit by the fireplace. Bummer. You will get to go here. I promise.



I decided that the Icicles hanging from the awning of a pale shopfront were worth stopping for. Good thing, because while breaking to park, all the snow from my hood finally lurched off landed in front of the car. It would prove to be a wheelspinner when I took of from the photo op.


Not to be un-BBQ'd, I resorted to the best Sunday BBQ on the planet. Dink's Pit BBQ on Frank Philips Blvd. in Bartlesville. Above, you have their signature appetizer (as far as I am concerned). They are called Onion Strings, and pair well with Beer and BBQ Sauce. You can eat them plain. Please note that it is a half-order that is pictured here. It will serve as a appetizer for four (4) people.


I opted for the Solo Plus which is a chopped beef brisket sandwich with the side of your choice. In this case it was the baked beans. Brisket and beans. These are the two things that I forever define a BBQ place by. I've tried dozens over the years, and this dish is always unique from place to place. Having seen all of the changes over the years in Bartlesville, it's nice to know that Dink's remains the same.




Sun Day?

The blue is snow. Bartlesville is at the center of the map, and the rotation of the storm has us on the back side. The wrap-over as I call it. While there is a good 4" of snow on well insulated rooftops, the wind has done a better job at removing snow than anything else. The roads are clear but slushy. Today will be a good day to take a scenic trip over to Pawhuska for a nice afternoon meal by a warm fireplace in an old stone house.

March 20, 2010

Snowing in Barttlesville

I did run a check on the weather for the first week, and it was pretty accurate. I brought my umbrella anyway, since I know the weather in northeast Oklahoma can be very changeable. Tomorrow is supposed to be the first day of spring. I wonder if the birds know something.


This tree is on the lee side of the conference/restaurant section of the hotel. My view is left of center and of the rooftop of the extension. The rail in the photo is the wall extension that makes the building look like it has a flat roof from the ground. It hides the peaked roof and HVAC equipment so you don't see it from the road or parking lot.

There is just a bit more that 1" of snow on the rail. They are saying up to 6" total may fall over the next 36 hours. Then it will be cold. Good thing about this is that I will not overheat moving my items from the garage to storage. I brought my light gloves that will help, but will not be perfect. Nothing is. The worst part is that my snow shovel is missing too.

I can hear the maids making their rounds, and I will give them the day off today. It's time to rebuild my macros and do some campaign battle. Internet connection stress test time.

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March 19, 2010

Friday Wrap

For whatever reason, my stomach feels as twisted as the hasp above.



Weather Channel says snow tomorrow. It would be Winter's last spit.

This is the view from my back-yard. The six-foot fence is gone. A remnant remains to the right of the frame. Yes, those are railroad tracks. The centline of the tracks is 75' from my back property line. That is a total of 108' from the fenceline. The 33' in the middle was an alley that was abandonded and deeded back to the landowners. That means that I need a bunch of new fence.

By the way, that was as close to a sunset as we got today.




I got to sit in an Engineer's chair, and what was below?

I would have to say that this qualifies as the first heated seat.

There were three more such u-shaped pipes on the other side of the cab.

The middle seat did not need a heater.

It was reserved for the fireman.

The other chair in the cab is for the breakman.

Where was I?

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scroll down for the answer
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It has 10 wheel drive.

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Give up?

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Keep scrolling.

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Yup. A Santa-Fe 2-10-2 Freight Hauler.


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Case #1266

The title says it all. There is now an open case on the forced entry burglary that occurred in my absence. Aside from that, I am somewhat depressed over the discovery and the loss. I actually needed some of the tools that were stolen. That's why they were there.

Even my chess board was gone. It's at the neighbors, as a set of stepping stones. I must have word with the work crew. Pitty.

Luckily, I have some support from a new neighbor, who likes the idea of having a neighbor. I get to use his truck to move items that won't fit in the beast.

Perhaps a photo when I wrap the day.

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March 18, 2010

Thursday Wrap

It was neat to see more wind power.

These were the same kind of units that appeared on Dirty Jobs.

They are half way to Oklahoma City on US 40.




If you don't know this logo, Good. More for me.

It has to be Oklahoma's best kept ... Shhhh!





This looking back at Ponca City, across the Arkansas River.

Float downstream, and you end up in Tulsa.

The photo is taken from inside the Osage Nation.




I felt a little dark after getting to the homestead, to discover twisted hasps and missing property.

I will be busy for the next few days securing what remains of my belongings.



I will update accordingly.



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"T" Is for . . .

Train.

Not the San Diego post-modern rock band of Drops of Jupiter fame.

The real thing.

There are two east-bound trains moving here.

The container says it all.

I am calling this the breakfast phase of the Vacation. I was fairly beat when I finally sat down to post last night. I had to do the Daily first, of course. Before I could write, I needed food and a little inspiration. Some people can be cruel, and I've got something for the verbal history. Speaking of Breakfast, I was at the I-Hop, and succumbed to a 2x2x2, scrambled with bacon. Why the waitress came back to ask if I had ordered over-easy or scrambled, I do not know.

This morning is coffee, OJ, pre-sweetened corn flakes, and probably more coffee. Then it's shower and road time. With all of this breakfast, including the Special-K bars for those road snacks, it really is the breakfast phase of this trip.

If all goes well, I'll be in Pawhuska for dinner, and that means one thing. A really messy post when I get to my next Internet connection.
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Wednesday Wrap

I've been shooting some 16:9 format images.

Either of these may look nice on my PS3.


This sunset is partially over White Sands, New Mexico.

I ended up with a small room at a HoJo Express. Great upload speed.
I may have a surprise in the morning.
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March 17, 2010

Waypoint Wednesday

There are limits to what can be shot safely.
I have added this to the future acquisitions list.

This is another fine example of shooting sideways.
Auto-Pan I call it. Image correction is in order.
The black lines left and right are marked at mean sea level.



Some landmarks are unmistakable in your life.
Even blurred.

... and they look very different from little closer perspective.


If you hear a crackle on a hot desert night, it might be this.
The La Cholla (choy-'ya). Do not get too close. Period.


There is a reason I like this castle. I used to live in it.
The tangerine trees are still in the front courtyard.
I swear that driveway was steeper. Way steeper.


The GPS did not hurt, but I did not need to punch in the address to find it.
They enclosed the car port, which was always allowed in the original plan.
I remember building this house, from plastic pieces, adding in all the options.
It was the biggest we could make. It was also the last lot that would fit it.


There was one snarl on the way, in Huachuca City. Smoke from a multiple structure fire closed the highway for about half an hour, creating multi-mile long backups northbound. I was headed south, and stopped, and then picked a speed that I did not have to stop anymore.

There is allot of water in that firehose. I think they had two hydrants on this one. The structures were reported to be owned by the (former?) Mayor of the town. Hmmm..... Huachuca City.


I promised a Sunset. It's a little late, but here it is.
Not enough clouds for the traditional Arizona Sunset.
But it was there.



This was this morning's sunrise.
Now, it's off to see where we end up for the next sunset.

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