A New Era From Tucson

So lets get this started in the right manner---there is a new Sherriff in town and he has the first result in his favour.

Jose is back and the mighty Blues get a home win against Hull City.

And a great find from my Lynda for flicking through the TV and coming up with the NBC live match for me bearing in mind that I was trying to find a sports bar here in Tucson to watch the game. Poor second half and Chelsea were not hungry enough to close the game out with further goals.

So , back to the trip and yesterday was all about Tombstone visit and ending at the hotel that we always light--the Ramada in Tucson.

For those younger folk who have no knowledge of American Cowboy history, Tombstone was all about Silver Mining in around 1870 and also being a fairly lawless town, where the Earp's came and straightened it out with the most famous gunfight ever at the OK Corral . Anyone not seen the movie get the version with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer--it for me is the likely most like what it was all about.

 The boss campaigning to be the first lady of Tombstone--no chance in this Male dominated town.

 A bit like the carriage's in Aegina but this guy is hilarious as he mimes a tape of the narrative for the people in the stage coach.

 More of this place later

 Damn these pictures keep up sideways even after turning them.

 I will try to straighten this again as it is a good shot of Lynda having found a guy nice enough to pose with -- actually it is always a bit odd looking at a guy dressed as a cowboy for the day texting on a Mobile Phone.

So after all the shooting and killing and suicides they all ended up here----

Some of the grave markers below with one very funny one---

 The man who was hanged by mistake

 Clearly was a tough place to live in the 1870's for Women

Got the exchange car right in the end and this Ford Edge is a good SUV.

Back in to Tucson, and see the shots below of the USA airforce base that kind of puts these planes to sleep until they are needed again.

And finally here is the temperature that we had as we arrived at Tucson in the afternoon.

104 degrees.

Sorry Lynda , I tried to get you photo straightened but no success.
OK so we are having a rest day by the pool today before we go into the Tanque Verde ranch tomorrow.

Our children-- if you are reading this know that we are thinking of you guys and love you all loads---hey it's our Blog and we will get as much as we want to---so there.

Adios Amego's

"Is There Anybody There"

For a start ,let me tell you that I for one believe that there cannot only be us in the Universe--I mean it stands to reason that if in the sort time---relatively speaking--that man has evolved from crawling out of the water, then in the infinity that is the Universe so far, there has to be other species.

Mind you I hope that there isn't another David Beckham type, you know , good looking, talented, rich and genuinely nice bloke--but two would be too much. And you would have to hope that in another galaxy there would be no room for a Simon Cowell type either -- can you imagine the type of TV-- "Interstellar's Got Talent" or "The Interplanetary Factor".

Anyway --back to Roswell and Aliens.

There is a Museum and a study building, but it is surprising that the USA are happy to have the conspiracies and the private enterprise develop this whole cottage industry on peoples imagination but some 66 years after the whole speculation started they cannot seam to be able to let themselves come clean.

I mean, the UK has the Official Secrets act and that means that the People have the right to see any Government documents that have been hidden in the past , after 30 years I think, where they have to come clean on what went on. However I am still not convinced that they release everything --well , I mean, how difficult is it to keep a bit back that they don't want us to know about.

Anyway -- back to Roswell and Aliens--again--Here is the Museum

OK, so open minds folks and bare in mind that this is 1947, and whilst there is crap communication, the USA is a country that was around that time very good at the misinformation games that went on in the 2nd World War, what was to come with the USSR and of course with the likes of McCarthy, so the little man--the farmer--might not be in any position to make people believe what he believes he saw, what he believes happened and very easy to discredit.

The following is a small selection of the images that we were able to photograph in the Museum and if you want to see the rets then you have to go on to the Full Profile where I will put the full package of photos up there.

 This is the start of it all with sightings and crashes in and around Roswell in 1947

 There are a number of sworn affidavits from various people , from ordinary farming folk to military personnel.

 I love this ariel photo of the air force base that was built to supposedly where stuff was buried underground, but look at the configuration of the layout and to me this looks like the shape of the latest stealth bomber---now how about there being trade off of information if the Aliens were helped by the USA and in return they get information and designs.

 These are symbols that have supposedly been seen in the incident and clearly there are similarities to similar symbols from the Aztecs and other older civilizations.

 The statement that a John Mosgrove  a dental technician recreated a replica mandible of an unknown origin--not human or known animal.

 OK, so these are just a bit of fun but its all about tinkling the imagination isn't it.

 There are a myriad of website , some from some really strange people  and I am sure that if you want to you could get quite into this.

 More information that demonstrates that there were links back to Aztec times -- this is a picture of a huge carving from those times that depicts things that are symbols for Space and Alien related.

 AREA 51-- fascinating that in the very early 1950's the US government gives the go ahead to construct a US airforce base north of Vegas in the desert. Now I am sure that the US military will tell you that the base and its location are ideal as the harsh conditions help with security and it is far enough away from the general public that if anything bad happened by way of an accident then no one would be effected. We also know that there were in the cold war , a number of very deep underground nuclear bunkers built so what was to say that there wasn't such a facility built here to keep any evidence of Aliens in.

Remember the film Independence Day---maybe an element of what really happened being
 allowed to be portrayed

 Around the same time crop circles started to appear. Now, while I seriously believe that the majority are produced by clever sods of the earth or posh university farmers kids, when you get them produced in what looks like a Micro chip circuit board then I am not so sure--even the hooray henry's might struggle with this.

 Symbols like that above to me are so very complex but can be likened to any number of things that history books may show----it could of course be likened to the latest pattern for a new shower head.

So is the picture above real---were there a number of bodies found--at present this is guess work. However there was at least one death that was possibly suicide of a female witness but who many think was killed by government agencies---remember in the 50's, you could get away with pretty much anything if you were asked to supress stories.

So the big question is , having gone round the museum, do Lynda and I really believe that there were Aliens on this planet and are being researched in secure underground facilities--- well the answer to that is ---

Meet the family---

 

Now where did I park the motor---

 

Ah -- there it is

Just Like Having a Tardis

When you travel with me distance is never an issue and if you lay back and close your eyes, your where you want to be when you open then again---hey , it's a fact, 550 miles--sorted.

So yesterday was a trip horizontally across Texas from East at Dallas to the West,  past Lubbock - home of Buddy Holly---What do you mean "Who" - Fricking Buddy Holly, rock star that's who---- Him Below that's who---

At 16, I was quite like him---I was---well I had dark glasses anyway--

So we went to Roswell--home of the Alien crash site , if you believe that stuff-- Me?, well maybe not so much before I went there but I do believe that looking at some of the locals , I would have to say that ET and his mates have been breeding like rabbits.

Below are a few photos of things of interest on the way on yesterdays trip---

 We started singing some Beatle songs yesterday, but the McCartney , long and winding road didn't seam appropriate when the majority of the I-380 looks as straight as this.

There are variety of symbols in Texas, most of them huge like this one of the mighty Texas Steer--we definitely saw a few of these while there.

Lynda has had a habit of counting railway carriages and I think her record is around 150 on one train load with three engines front and back. Yesterday though she was counting Nodding Donkeys like the one below---

She stopped at around 5,500 and they are only what we could see alongside the road---the Americans and in particular , the Texicans are pumping for all they are worth--Water, Gas and Oil doesn't matter which , if it make a buck then pump it up--I can feel a song title there somewhere.

So much of the drive was a bit like this, so it just becomes a blur.

 And of course, you start thinking all sorts when there is nothing interesting to watch. Like getting into conspiracy theories--- Like the fact that it would be very easy for the government to set up dummy properties like this one---the LE Ranch--on both sides of the 380 for about ten milesgoing out as far as the eye , or anything else could see.

It is a fact that the US Government built all manner of secret Nuclear bunkers and facilities in the 50's and 60's, so how easy would it be to expand that to incorporate alien life and ships. I swear I am a born sceptic, someone who like logic and not something that has no real evidence or substance but, man, I think something has taken place--well using logic, why isn't it possible---if we can go up into space, why cant they have been here.

Anyway, very much more on this in tomorrow's blog.

 So we got here, started panicking about a hotel before realizing that we had crossed a time zone so could put the clock back an hour.

 

Not the greatest place in the world and the Best Western had the worst Wifi I have had so far in the states which is why I am writing this on the evening and not first thing this morning.

 

So we drove to Tombstone but decided to stay in a town called Sierra Vista, Arizona, and found a Vietnamese restaurant to eat in --very nice.

 

Gonna sleep now but will be back soon

Back on the Road Again

There has to be a song in there somewhere , with a title like that. This is what we will do in a while again , heading for Roswell and Area 51-- what do you mean you don't know what that is.

Area 51 is where the Americans took the Aliens that crashed to earth in the mid fifties and have them secured in an underground scientific research facility.

What do you mean that you don't believe that---it's true I tell you--just like the scene from Independence day.

Its true I tell you--ok -- so I really shouldn't show this--official secrets and all that but sneak a look at the photos below but don't tell anyone----

 

 

 

Ok, so hes in disguise, but I assure you that he is an Alien---at least I think he is a he--difficult to tell when there is no evidence down below--if you know what I mean. Anyway whatever he or she is--they are working hard in a Mexican restaurant near Allen City in Texas.

 

Make sure you do not laugh at this cause it could be your mother.

 

Anyway further reports from the intrepid 2 from London, later.

 

Meanwhile Lynda and I had a leisurely day  -- it was still 100 degrees yesterday--we shopped a little --found a flower shop for a pretty plant for our friends and then met up with them at there really delightful house.

And had mad games from their crazy dog, Harley.

 

Their beautiful daughter Brea was really suffering--4 wisdom teeth out all at the same time--- man oh man I think you would need to be a navy seal to put up with that pain but her she is with Harley---

 

Ok Brea so you and harley are cute enough together to have your picture up twice--still got to work out how to remove when I end up clicking too much.

 

Had a great time with Carl and Brenda and they took us to a proper Mexican restaurant-- really they are so many different types good,  bad , indifferent etc, but our meal was great and even though I chose a spicy one it was fine and slept well without any tummy rumbling.

 

So all round a really top day and the fact that England went and beat the Scot's at Wembley last night albeit close score line it ended a fine day .

 

So here we go , and if you don't here from us on here in the next 2 days then please go to the british foreign office as we will possibly have been detained or kidnapped by Aliens and we would rather not have then messing with our bits , thank you very much.

 

As Captain James T Kirk or Spock  might say--"Live long and prosper"

All Around Dallas and not a Ewing in Sight

Ok, so Larry died and the poison dwarf went dancing on ice or something in the UK, but at least there could have been Bobby and Pammy waving at us as we went by South Fork yesterday-ah well!.

Having decided to re-visit Fort Worth and the Stockyards area we eventually decided to go via Plano where there just so happens to be an Office of the M+W Group - yes the company I work for. Well it would have been impolite not to stick my head round the door.

That of course is if you can find the place---I googled it , wrote down directions and then someone forgets to put the name of the road up at the main road and I did get some stick from my navigator for being too stubborn to ask someone directions - she is right of course , but don't tell her I said so---I can only think that most americans must have sat nav.

Any way Percy Verance wins again---

It was also my great pleasure to be able to meet my good friend Carl Williams , who is doing a fantastic impersonation of the Zsar of Russia, with a fine growth and looking forward to seeing him and meeting his family later today---

This picture is for those of you who do not know where Plano is.

So Lynda and I went off in the 100 degree weather, and visited a great area that we only really spent a little time in previously and that is Stockyards--- there are a whole bunch of photos on the full profile page if you click on there---

Not so many visitors when the air is like being in an oven--I think , having not tried that particular thing--and middle of the week .

Now here is a question that I think needs answering. If America is the home and originator of the Ice-cream parlour , why then , when it is melting the shoes on your feet, is there no said , Ice-cream parlour anywhere that we could see in Stockyards---you would have to clean up, with people like my wife desperate for such a thing---anyway we had to make do with a very nice milk shake instead.

For those fold that might be in this neighbourhood and want to learn a little of the habits of the Texicans then you need to have an evening in a certain Billy Bob's--

Great place and is huge -- someone told us that they can get thousands in there for concerts with some of the big stars ad it is where Rod Ann Lynda and I were first introduced to the Texan two step dance, which is very peculiar to this part of the world.

There also for the old TV affectionardos of the black and white western and kids running around shouting Yes Kimosabe--don't ask - then the next 2 pictures are for you only--

Ok so we did all this sight seeing malarkey, and instead of using the interstate to get back to McKinney where we are staying we decided to cut across country on the more scenic route--- a typical Englishman abroad -- and got duly lost in and around an area called Grapevine, which has to have one of the largest estates of $ 2 - 5M homes I have ever seen, very nice-- definately ended up taking us twice as long to get back to the hotel but we did get a really nice swim on our own.

A pretty uneventful evening with a take away and a bit of tv and reading so a quiet way to finish the day.

Right then, if I don't pack this up there will be no breakfast left so I got to go folks.
Later's

Air Con at Night ---No Way

So there is really a first time for everything --- it was 96 degrees at 9pm last night -- if we were ever going to get any sleep then the air con had to be on. I think the middle east is the last time I ever had that kind of heat at night.

Did not do too much yesterday at all--- I an really sorry Carl, but your hometown of Oklahoma does not have too much leaping off the page at us as tourists---as it was around a 100 degrees for most of the day. Above is for the disbelievers.

Spent the day at the pool--it was a good one---

Driven down early to Dallas, and plan to go to Fort Worth today. Below is a development of a gambling complex called the World Casino just before the border going in to Texas --it is massive. The facades all have different known capitals including ours----- That's big Ben to the right.

So, here we are in McKinney and looking forward to catching up with a good friend and his family tomorrow so we are going to get on the case with some pre-planning for what comes after and before Tanque Verde ranch next Monday.

BTW, I have found the Doc Holladay Sports Bar in Tombstone that will be open for the first Chelsea Match on sunday morning---keep an eye out for the Chelsea shirt getting another airing but this time from Arizona--cant wait.

Keep the blue flag flying high.

slow day needed

Well, I have to say that yesterday went by as just like a single cloud drifting across a bright blue sky---well actually that did happen--man that was hot yesterday , around 90 degrees, spent a good bit around the pool in Oklahoma.

One thing I did do was go to the airport and change the hire car from the cheve equinox to a Ford Edge and is such a difference to drive.

Lynda did a couple of washes and spent a sweltering hour or more ironing.

We had a really nice dinner early in "Pearls Fish Restaurant" which was really a nice change as it is almost a self service--go in , chose your dinner and drinks--they have this huge round tub full of ice with loads of beer bottles in with a bottle opener fixed to the side. Really good chowder and fish cakes and shrimps.

Anyway , we slept for about 10 or 11 hours last night which is amazing--I guess that every couple of days of long driving we need to do a chill out and catch up, so I can see another lazy day coming up.

Just as an aside-- our mate Rod goes back to the doctor for a check-up on his broken wrist today so we hope you are ok mate.

So this is a little boring blog today with no new pictures, but a good time for reflection on an Englishman's views of America and the way things are done over here that don't quite work for us--

- Why do American restaurant's shut so early.
- How did bacon get chosen to be served so crispy and how can breakfast have syrup with your eggs.
- Who worked out how to make the intersection between the I-35, the I-44 and the I- 40 so complicated.
- In parts of the country where there are temperatures of 90+ regularly how can Hotels have no shade umbrella's around their pool and why do most hotel pools get designed to be at the front of the hotel by the main road--noise and fumes issues.
- why have 2 queen beds in a bedroom -- why not more king beds.
- Who set the rules on tipping--in hotels, restaurants, cafe's and the like--it is difficult for us brits to understand what the guidelines are. As an example, Rod Ann and Lynda and me got scathing comments from a maître D, for what we left in a Tuscon restaurant a few years ago---its confusing but also if the meal is say $100 and you leave $20 then that is a lot to add on as a percentage, should be on the bill.
- Why is it that most places in America do not know how to make a cup of tea--and if they do then the blend used is usually undrinkable.
- Air conditioning in restaurants for us brits means we have to pick and chose where we sit or get frozen to the core , where Americans think it is fine.
- We like the heavy scrutiny that the Homeland Security use when assessing newly arrived people into the USA -- but please, please put on more staff.
- More barriers needed on the mountain roads of Colorado , when looking down a 1000 feet of cliff face on narrow roads and especially if it rains.
- Make sure that the gas stations have lots of magazines that have the discount coupons in for Hotels--we need to have some help with the money.
-------- And finally---the portions of food are too much--every time we look at starters , main course and desert, you could feed an English family of 4 on one Americans meal, please America, help us out here, we don't need any more pounds piled on.

So that's a snap shot on some of the things that bug us but let me tell you that the good things list would be incredibly long---these are small issues that we except because we love the USA so much.

Just something I forgot to put on the blog the other day is the different types of critters we have seen on the trip so far --

- Buffalo herds
- Bear ( well I saw one anyway)
- A whole Bobcat family
- many Deer,
- hundreds of Chipmonks
- Obviously Cows, sheep and pigs
- trout--quite a few
- a number of hawks
- Goffers

I am sure that there are more but that's it for now.
Have a great day

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