MADDOGS
THE ADVENTURE CREW: Master, The Nomad, Sweet Bird of Freedom (aka Freeta Roam), Pixie & Pod, Miss Cycle, Ivan the writing muse, Jude, and the brains of the crew--Croc. DOUBLE-CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGEMonday, June 23, 2008
The ADVENTURE CREW is on the MOVE (click here)
The Crew has moved to a new site that is less Geek Technical and gives easier control of the postings.
Just click on the title above and away we go!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sometime before March 17, 2008
sometime before March 17, 2008
Way high above this mountain is some kind of blimp used in border protection.sometime before March 17, 2008
What could Cousin Renae and the Shadow Dog be looking at?
The Shadow Dog Mountain!
Campsite by Shadow Dog MountainSometime before March 17, 2008
One of our campsites in the desert.
Ours were the only tire tracks in. And ours were the only tire tracks out.
We spent our time walking, hiking, looking for quartz and pretty rocks, playing around with the telescope, and generally being lazy bums.
Cousin Renae in an afternoon trance.Sometime before March 17, 2008
Made it to Quartzsite and made camp off-road in the desert. Didn't know what day it was. Didn't know what time it was. Didn't care.
Went into town one day and saw the sights.
Local bookstore called Reader's Oasis and run by Paul Winer, who is a nudist, and his wife. Don't say he didn't give you aire warning with the sign out front.
The naked bookseller and his wife.
Had dinner at the Best Mexican Resturant in town. No, that's it's name. The Best Mexican Resturant. And while we ate, we were seranaded by....
Lonesome Larry.He sang old, old cowboy songs and had a very good voice.
Sometime before March 17, 2008
Stopped at Lake Havasu City, Arizona and saw the original London Bridge.
Originally built in London in 1831, it became unstructurally sound for modern traffic and was sold to the founder of Lake Havasu in 1962.
Originally built in London in 1831, it became unstructurally sound for modern traffic and was sold to the founder of Lake Havasu in 1962.It was taken apart and each piece numbered, then reassembled in Arizona. The job took 3 years and had its gran Arizona opening in 1971.
sometime before March 17, 2008
Well, it was good we saw the burros outside Oatman, because Oatman was so freakin' busy with tourists who had carrots, that it was impossible to enjoy the burros.
What is a town without an Ore House?
What is a town without an Ore House?
Or a mine cart of ore?
One store was papered with tens of thousands of dollar bills.
Here's Judy in front of Judy's Saloon.
And there were cowboys galore.Sometime before March 17, 2008
Part of our adventure took us along the famous Route 66. At the sight below, we met a man from Germany who was living his dream of driving Route 66 on the back of a Harley Hog.
As you can see, they are very friendly, especially since Jude had carrots at the ready.
Oooh-weeeee. Look out for those fingers!
The burros were curious about Shadow Dog. Eventhough he was bark-bark-barking and had no carrots, the burros still came around.
On the way to Oatman, we came upon a small herd of wild burros.
Oatman was a mining town in the 1800s, but when the miners up and left, their burros were turned loose. They bred and generations later, the descendents wander into Oatman for free handouts.
As you can see, they are very friendly, especially since Jude had carrots at the ready.
Oooh-weeeee. Look out for those fingers!
The burros were curious about Shadow Dog. Eventhough he was bark-bark-barking and had no carrots, the burros still came around.Sometime before March 17, 2008
Campsite on the way to Oatman.
Just pick the most rough, gravelly, undriveable road -- and take it.
Just pick the most rough, gravelly, undriveable road -- and take it.Of course we took it after dark, This is what we saw in the morning.
Sometime before March 17, 2008
Big horn sheep.
As Renae and Jude caravanned, we utilizied a pair of walkie-talkies -- and talkied all the way. Renae spotted a group of big horn sheep and we immediately pulled over and got out the binoculars. Spent about an hour, until they got too far away.
As Renae and Jude caravanned, we utilizied a pair of walkie-talkies -- and talkied all the way. Renae spotted a group of big horn sheep and we immediately pulled over and got out the binoculars. Spent about an hour, until they got too far away.Wowizer!
Sometime before March 17, 2008
DOG is my co-pilot.
This adventure required that the Shadow Dog come along.
This adventure required that the Shadow Dog come along. When we went to San Diego, the Shadow Dog quit eating and drinking, and got flat as a pancake, and almost died. So Jude knew we couldn't leave him in SacTown without his mom.
As a result Shadow Dog became the co-pilot
Sometime before March 17, 2008
OK. By now Jude has lost track of time. The phone was set to the "must start back to SacTown" day, but that was as close as we came to clockwatching.
Sign posted at an oasis.
Sign posted at an oasis. 
Oasis. The pond contained a multitude of fish, but because of the "stuff" in the water, they were colored like tropical fish. There were also turtles in the pond and they became our main look-hard-and-long to find thems.March 8, 2008
One last look at Valley of Fire before heading to Arizona.
Renae inside a huge pipe running under the road. All about were Flash Flood warning signs. This pipe was to keep the road from being washed away.
Saw this cross when The Crew left Valley of Fire the first time. It was too dark to get a good look, so when we came back, Renae and Jude made the hike. The story isn't as good as the cross.
Sunset. You can make out the Nomad in the lower, left corner, as she patiently awaits our return. We stayed here a good part of the night watching stars.
Renae inside a huge pipe running under the road. All about were Flash Flood warning signs. This pipe was to keep the road from being washed away.
Saw this cross when The Crew left Valley of Fire the first time. It was too dark to get a good look, so when we came back, Renae and Jude made the hike. The story isn't as good as the cross.
Sunset. You can make out the Nomad in the lower, left corner, as she patiently awaits our return. We stayed here a good part of the night watching stars.
March 7 & 8, 2008 Lake Mead Campsite
Spent a couple of days here. Went metal detecting to the shoreline, then Jude threw rocks in the water while Renae skipped them, looked for shapes in the clouds, watched boats and fishermen.Drove into Overton to an Anasazi Museum. Learned the the largest Anasazi civilization discovered lies on the bottom of Lake Mead, buried in a water grave when Hoover Dam was built.
March 6, 2008 Valley of Fire
On the way to Valley of Fire, The Crew stopped at and Indian store/resturant/casino, and after looking around Jude decided to play a penny slot machine. After putting $1.80 in, she hit a $32 jackpot. She cashed out and considered herself very lucky. The bounty more than paid the entrance fee into the Valley of Fire.
Road into the Valley of Fire.
This was on one of our first hikes. Little gratitude offerings on rock shelves. Actually we didn't know what they were, but gratitude offerings seemed to fit the bill. Balancing gratitude rocks became our custom on this adventure, as we left these offerings everywhere we stopped.
There was such beauty everywhere we went. Since the summer temps get to 130 degrees, we were fortunate to be here in March when the temps were in the low to mid 80s.
A steep climb up a rock mountain ended in a spectacular display of petrogliphs.
And as always were were blessed with crow and raven sightings.
Sunset on an awesome day.
Road into the Valley of Fire. 
This was on one of our first hikes. Little gratitude offerings on rock shelves. Actually we didn't know what they were, but gratitude offerings seemed to fit the bill. Balancing gratitude rocks became our custom on this adventure, as we left these offerings everywhere we stopped.
There was such beauty everywhere we went. Since the summer temps get to 130 degrees, we were fortunate to be here in March when the temps were in the low to mid 80s.
A steep climb up a rock mountain ended in a spectacular display of petrogliphs.
And as always were were blessed with crow and raven sightings.
Sunset on an awesome day.March 5, 2008
So the plan was that Spud Cuz and Jude would meet in Las Vegas.
But when The Crew got to Las Vegas, Spud Cuz was on her way to Mesquite. So.....the meeting place was moved to Overton.
But when Spud Cuz got to Overton, The Crew was at the Valley of Fire. So......the meeting place was moved to Lake Mead.
But when The Crew got to Lake Mead -- down a 1 lane road with no street lights, no electribal or phone lines -- no Spud Cuz.
So....Jude phoned Spud Cuz and said if she got to Lake Mead and The Crew wasn't there to call because Jude had obviously gotten us lost again.
But after we had set up camp, cooked, and eaten -- who should drive up but Spud Cuz, Renae.
But when The Crew got to Las Vegas, Spud Cuz was on her way to Mesquite. So.....the meeting place was moved to Overton.
But when Spud Cuz got to Overton, The Crew was at the Valley of Fire. So......the meeting place was moved to Lake Mead.
But when The Crew got to Lake Mead -- down a 1 lane road with no street lights, no electribal or phone lines -- no Spud Cuz.
So....Jude phoned Spud Cuz and said if she got to Lake Mead and The Crew wasn't there to call because Jude had obviously gotten us lost again.
But after we had set up camp, cooked, and eaten -- who should drive up but Spud Cuz, Renae.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
AN HOUR DOWN THE ROAD...
An hour down the road at Baker, we take the exit that will lead us to the Mojave National Preserve -- when DING! The pesky battery light goes on again.
We give our friend, Rick a call, and he tells us to take The Nomad to Freeway Auto Services in Baker. We call Freeway and get the address. Street number only, as Baker only has one street.
Wait! Uh-oh! An interplanetary alien craft has landed. Jude knew all along those stories of Barstow & nearby Baker were all true.
Baker. Home of the world's largest thermometer. Today is a balmy 68, but on closer inspection, the summer temps can get up to 130! Makes SacTown's summer heat seem like life in the Arctic Circle.
Remote Office #97
We have a date with the mechanic at 9am tomorrow morning.
We give our friend, Rick a call, and he tells us to take The Nomad to Freeway Auto Services in Baker. We call Freeway and get the address. Street number only, as Baker only has one street.
Of course Jude gets lost (remember this town only has one street), and we have to call for directions. Again! We finally get there -- took us all of 1 minute. The mechanic looks under the Nomad's hood, and what does he find? Stuff like gray lint poking out of the alternator vents.
So now we're are taking in the sights of Baker while we wait for an alternator to be delivered tomorrow. Where is it coming from?
Barstow, of course. Here we go again with the eerie feelings.
Alien Fresh Jerky. Yummm! Those Alien's are mighty tasty.
Wait! Uh-oh! An interplanetary alien craft has landed. Jude knew all along those stories of Barstow & nearby Baker were all true.
Baker. Home of the world's largest thermometer. Today is a balmy 68, but on closer inspection, the summer temps can get up to 130! Makes SacTown's summer heat seem like life in the Arctic Circle. 
Remote Office #97The Crew has set up camp in the shade and Jude so Jude can put some time in with the Master.
We have a date with the mechanic at 9am tomorrow morning.
BARSTOW
Many years ago, Jude read this sci-fi book about the end of the world, the only survivors living underground in Barstow. As Jude remembers the story, it was eerie. Over the years, she has thought about the tone of that book and always thinks of it whenever she hears anything about Barstow.
So here we are, about 50 miles outside of Barstow, when Jude sees this two-lane backroad called Old Highway 58 and decides we should take it. No sooner do we get on the road that there is a DING. Checking the gages of the Nomad, we find the battery light is on. Better not take the 2-lane. Better get back on the highway and stop in the next town. Barstow. All the while Jude is remembering what she remembers of the book (mind you she has lost most of the specifics), and enjoying the eerie feelings and goosebumps.
Afraid to turn the engine off, we don't stop until we see an Auto Zone.
Our friendly helper, Rick (who LOVES the 120+ temps of Barstow summers), tests the battery and discovers it is bad. So we buy a replacement and Rick installs it. We are good to go.
So here we are, about 50 miles outside of Barstow, when Jude sees this two-lane backroad called Old Highway 58 and decides we should take it. No sooner do we get on the road that there is a DING. Checking the gages of the Nomad, we find the battery light is on. Better not take the 2-lane. Better get back on the highway and stop in the next town. Barstow. All the while Jude is remembering what she remembers of the book (mind you she has lost most of the specifics), and enjoying the eerie feelings and goosebumps.
Afraid to turn the engine off, we don't stop until we see an Auto Zone.
Our friendly helper, Rick (who LOVES the 120+ temps of Barstow summers), tests the battery and discovers it is bad. So we buy a replacement and Rick installs it. We are good to go.Freakin' A
So last November (2007) Jude takes a full-time (40 hr/wk) assignment (front office at an elementary school) that is supposed to last for approx. 2 mos -- for maternity leave, she (Kelly person) thinks.
Guess what? No one is pregnant, nor was anyone ever pregnant. So 4 months later, Jude is still working. FREAKIN' A! Does this sound like a J-O-B or what?
But Jude actually likes this J-O-B, so for the time being (meaning while Holly is still in college), she's staying put for as long as the assignment lasts.
Here's the joke: The school calendar shows gray for days off, like 2 days at Thanksgiving, 2 1/2 weeks at X-mas, President's Day etc. So Jude gets to thinking that gray days mean no school OR in other words, Time Off. And lo and behold, there are 3 weeks of gray days in the spring. Spring Break, right?
BUZZZZ! Wrong! This time is actually for intercession. But Jude has already made plans. So the principal is nice enough to give her 2 weeks off. Meaning The Crew is on a MADDOG ROADTRIP!
THE PLAN: To meet Spud Cuz (Renae) in Las Vegas, then caravan to Arizona, hike to some Anasazi cliff dwellings, see the wild burrors of Oatman, and shake it up at Quartzsite.
Jude got off to a good start Monday afternoon, taking the WRONG freeway south. Here we go again! About 9pm, she was ready to call it a night. We pulled off Interstate 5 where there was no town -- just a couple of gas stations, a couple of fast food joints, and one hotel. But many truckers were parked, so we parked on the curb in front of the hotel. And Jude was out.
We were on the road at 5:30am. Croc saw to it that we made the right connection to get us to the right freeway (Hwy 99) and The Crew was on their way.
Guess what? No one is pregnant, nor was anyone ever pregnant. So 4 months later, Jude is still working. FREAKIN' A! Does this sound like a J-O-B or what?
But Jude actually likes this J-O-B, so for the time being (meaning while Holly is still in college), she's staying put for as long as the assignment lasts.
Here's the joke: The school calendar shows gray for days off, like 2 days at Thanksgiving, 2 1/2 weeks at X-mas, President's Day etc. So Jude gets to thinking that gray days mean no school OR in other words, Time Off. And lo and behold, there are 3 weeks of gray days in the spring. Spring Break, right?
BUZZZZ! Wrong! This time is actually for intercession. But Jude has already made plans. So the principal is nice enough to give her 2 weeks off. Meaning The Crew is on a MADDOG ROADTRIP!
THE PLAN: To meet Spud Cuz (Renae) in Las Vegas, then caravan to Arizona, hike to some Anasazi cliff dwellings, see the wild burrors of Oatman, and shake it up at Quartzsite.
Jude got off to a good start Monday afternoon, taking the WRONG freeway south. Here we go again! About 9pm, she was ready to call it a night. We pulled off Interstate 5 where there was no town -- just a couple of gas stations, a couple of fast food joints, and one hotel. But many truckers were parked, so we parked on the curb in front of the hotel. And Jude was out.
We were on the road at 5:30am. Croc saw to it that we made the right connection to get us to the right freeway (Hwy 99) and The Crew was on their way.
Labels: Roadtrip - California - Nevada - Arizona
Monday, November 05, 2007
Sunday - Final Day of the Reptile Show
Pick 'o the day is a two-headed turtle -- pic taken of turtle underwater. So the question is: Do we say IT or THEY?
Here is Rude Jude with a 130 pound, 16 foot Burmese python Wait a minute.....Or is the Burmese python with Jude? In any event, the python constricts it's victims. Is Jude is trouble or what!
The Crew had a tan-fan-dango time in San Jose. Jude used to live there in another of her lives. We cruised the town, where she used to work, shop, and live. Once again, she didn't recognize a thing -- so all her memories are NEW. Is that a deal or what? Jude is soooooo busy having Adventures with The Crew that the world is always new.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
SAN JOSE REPTILE SHOW
And the color of the day is.......BLUE!
Jude and Issy the iguana.So Jude's job was to man the raffle table: free raffle tickets for reptile accessories AND $1 raffle tickets for cool electronics (ipods, stereo, video game systems etc) with the proceeds to benefit WILD THINGS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY http://www.wildthingsinc.org/.
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