The Trip III

We spent Saturday night at the Firesky. It was a warm peaceful night once we arrived--the next day we would head to Sedona. The next morning, the temperature was well in the 110s as we got right to the pool. The pool had a service bar, which will have significance later.
Since Deb had not been to Phoenix before, and I had not been there since 1982, we braved the heat to snoop around Scottsdale, a beautiful western themed town. We had lunch at the
Cafe Carumba which was very good. Afterward we checked out a couple of stores. There was a free trolley that chugged around town and we decided to board. That was a big mistake. We got off the trolley after it made it's run around town and realized that we were lost again. Everything in Scottsdale looks alike. After walking the town on the verge in hundred plus heat with no water, we finally asked where the restaurant was. In the nick of time we found the Cafe and began our drive to Sedona and normalcy.

to be continued...

Arrival In Phoenix

The saving grace to arriving in Phoenix late at night, was that temperatures would be cooler, boy we were wrong. The minute we stepped outside, it was like walking into an oven, and this was around midnight. The plan was to rent a car, spend the night at the beautiful Firesky Resort in Scottsdale and drive to Sedona in the morning.
After checking out our rental car, we were giving instructions on were to find the vehicle, we could not find the car that we to drive until we realize that we had read them wrong. This was after walking all over the garage. At the end of our rope we were glad that googled the directions to the Firesky. This should come in handy, while traveling in what I believe one of the 10 largest cities in the nation. We left the airport with Google directions in hand, we just had one problem, a sea of flashing lights. We had run right into a police dragnet, there were helicopters above and television news cars all around. We asked at a gas station how to get to the resort and no one could tell us. We did find out that someone had shot a police officer. We finally where able to call the Firesky and get directions. More to follow....

The Trip Begins:

Our trip to Sedona (above) began Saturday, June 28th. We were very early for our flight, we just did not realize how early we were. Our flight from Sea-Tac airport to Phoenix was delayed for two hours for mechanical problems.

to be continued...

We flew home today from the Phoenix Airport, the Barry Goldwater Terminal, reminds me of Senator Goldwater's candidacy and this ad. It is ironic that we have the Senator that took Goldwater's place upon retirement, John McCain seeking the presidency this year.

Barers Return To Maple Valley

We just returned home from a great trip to Scottsdale and Sedona. Although I snagged this picture from Google Images, we took plenty of shots at some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. There also was enough incidents and pratfalls to where I can chronicle the trip over the next few days. If that sounds good to you, we will see you here.

Darcy Burner And Family OK

Darcy Burner, her husband Mike and son Henry were able to escape a fire at their home in the early morning hours of July 1st. Their Dog, Bruce Wayne was also rescued, but they were unable to save their cat. I know that the community sends their love and prayers to the Darcy Burner family.

Shut Up And Sing: Dixie Chicks Documentary

In 2003, The Dixie Chicks, were one of the top American recording acts when during a concert in England, Natalie Maines made comments critical of President Bush and the Iraq war. This movie documents the controversy that arose out of what of a singer speaking her mind. Bush's popularity numbers were at record heights as the country at the time was stirred up by the events of 9/11. In addition Karl Rove was very much in charge of White House PR and a spin campaign was on to keep the radical right in charge of all parts of the the government. It was easy to paint the "Chicks" as unpatriotic. As a result, they were basically blacklisted.
The movie shares some down home moments with the Dixie Chicks, and gives a glimpse in their personalities. Without a doubt, the salty Maines is the driving force in the group.
The movie also shows that it was not the original intent of the Chicks to start a controversy. I admired them however for speaking out when no one else in the mainstream really did. The DVD "Shut Up And Sing" is available at Amazon.

McGraw Fan Tells His Side

Another Northwesterner gets his 15 minutes of fame. Marcus Nirschl tells his version of why he got a personal invitation to rumble with Tim McGraw.

If Anyone Thinks It's Dull In South King County

I would not normally post a link from a Tim McGraw Concert, but at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, not more than 20 miles from here, this incredible video shows McGraw in a tussle with a fan and still finishing his song.

George Carlin In Prime Time

I found it, which is no surprise. Everyone that has happened since the age of video is filed somewhere on "YouTube" This is the clip of George Carlin on the Flip Wilson show. Flip Wilson was a commedian who's show on Thursday nights on NBC featured the best in entertainment.

It's Felix Hernandez In Historical Win And Loss

Mariner pitcher Felix Hernandez hit the first grand slam homerun by an American League pitcher in 37 years also making him the first Mariner pitcher ever to hit a home run in in a 5-2 victory over the New York Mets last night.
The feat was dampened when Hernandez was injured covering homeplate in an atttempt to stop Carlos Beltran from scoring. The ensuing collision left Hernandez with a sprain ankle and he had to leave the game. His prognosis is uncertain at this time.

More On George Carlin

George Carlin passed away today. Not only was he entertaining, but very enlightening. I remember him as a guest on the Flip Wilson show in the 70s, and although I cannot find the clip, this one clip of him off the cuff at a booksigning at Borders.

Good Bye George Carlin!

Comedian George Carlin is dead at 71

Michelle Obama Does The View

An inside look someone who may live in the White House. The beautiful articulate Michelle Obama.

Seattle Sports Fans Rally To Protest Proposed Sonics Move

Seattle does care about the Super Sonics!

Chicago Is Where It's At For Baseball

Unlike here in Seattle, Baseball has got to be fun in Chicago. The Cubs and White Sox are leading their respective divisions, both teams have fiery managers in Ozzie Guillen and Lou Piniella who will not except anything but the best from their players.

I have been a lifelong fan of the Cubs since watching their AAA farmclub in Tacoma on Cable Channel 11 as a boy. That was when the Cubs had Ernie Banks and Ron Santo. They were probably the best team to never go to a World Series. 30 years later Safeco Field opened , my wife and I attended an outdoor Major League baseball game for the first team in Chicago's legendary Wrigley Field (that was a month before Safeco Field opened for the Mariners) and wouldn't you know, the game was stopped because of a terrible rainstorm. What happened afterward is a story for a different time.
The White Sox and Cubs will face each other this weekend for a series in Wrigley.

Boeing Wins First Round On Super Tanker

A Congressional oversight committee has upheld Boeing's protest of a 35 billion dollar Air Force Contract awarded to Northrop Grummond Corp, they recommended that the contract be rebid.

Sonic Fans Rally In Seattle

Photo is courtesy of Seattle Times.

Mariners Fire Bavasi

Newspaper reports have been saying that this Mariner season has been as gloomy as the June weather. As the sun has come up the temperatures have warmed, Mariner fans seem to feel some optimism as Bill Bavasi has been replaced as general manager. Bavasi had been under fire for what has been seen as some poor free agent signings and the team's lackluster play. Lee Pelekoudas, Vice President of Baseball Operations, will take over as interim GM.

Sonic Stars And Fans To Rally At The Courthouse

You can show the world that you care about NBA basketball in the Seattle area by coming to a rally at the Federal Courthouse tomorrow (Monday June 16th) at 4:30pm. Sonic legends Gary Payton and Xavier McDaniel will address the crowd and Sean Kemp (pictured above) will be in attendance.

The federal legal proceeding attempting to keep the Sonics in Seattle are scheduled to start tomorrow at the courthouse in Downtown Seattle, 700 Stewart Street.

If the Sonics succeed in breaking their lease, who is to say that the Mariners or Seahawks would not try to do the same in the future.