4-30-2010-American Gothic in 3D

4-30-2010-After consuming my two piece fish and chips and rootbeer with my Labs downing their monster burger from Pete's Fish and Chips I decided to view a controversial sculpture in downtown Mesa at Main St. and McDonald.
The downtown area has thirty six sculptures made of bronze, cement, steel with traditional themes, to out there in right field. The Downtown Mesa Association, DMA spent $18,000 to have J. Seward Johnson Jr's. sculpture God Bless America on display from March 5th- July15th. His sculpture is based on the iconic American Gothic painting by Grant Wood from 1930. It is said that during this time period as America had struggled through the great depression the painting had come to symbolize the country's,"Steadfast Pioneer Spirit".
The sculpture arrived from Chicago were it had been on display for a year. (click on any picture to enlarge).
As with the painting it seemed that the farming couples eyes were following you as you ventured around the sculpture, creepy!
God Bless America stands slightly over twenty five feet tall, Impressive.
I was safe from their stare from this position.
Seward Johnson's signature on the wife's left shoe. If you get the opportunity to come to Downtown Mesa be sure to check this out, it's worthwhile and its cool to observe others with their pointed and interpretive views of the sculpture.

Glad to share a little of the Downtown Mesa Art Scene.

God Bless, Sly

19th Annual Tour de Phoenix

April 10th,2010-El Tour de Phoenix. This was the 19th annual ride benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The ride is sponsered by the Perimeter Bicycling Association of America. I haven't ridden the ride in several years since my battle with Hairy Cell Leukemia and Non-Hodgekins B-Cell Lymphoma. By Gods grace I am in remission from both cancers and back on the bike and riding, but not up to riding the 72 mile distance of the tour. Sheri and her riding partner Terry were riding today. The Tour begins in Mesa at Red Mountain Park, through Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Fort McDowell Indian Reservation past Saguaro Lake, along the Salt River, up and over Usery Pass and back to Red Mountain Park. The desert portion of this ride is probably some of the most scenic and beautiful desert in Arizona. 1400+ Riders participated this year raising over $30,000 for the Desert Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Sheri was the 2nd. highest fundraiser with just over $2,000 in donations! Thats my girl!
The tour is well publicized so residents are aware of road closures, law enforcement was present at all intersections giving the bicyclist the right of way.
Motor Officers escorted the lead riders as well as following in the last rider.
End of the ride.

Tired and sore cyclists' took advantage of the many massage therapists offering their service.
Many vendors were present and doing well.
Sheri and Terry at the finish.
Showing off the hardware.
Sheri receiving the Conquistador Trophy for being the second highest fundraiser.
Mens first place was Clay Murfet of Youngtown, Tazmania a few thousand miles from home. Womens first place Erica Allar from Charlotte, North Carolina. Clay's time was 2:51:28 with Erica's time being 2:52:42, dang fast for both of them.
One of the many bike shops and vendor displays.
Beautiful weather, awesome scenery and a great course and gracious donors made for another successful Tour de Phoenix benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Desert Chapter.
Congratulations to Sheri with her fund raising efforts with donations coming from those who are near and dear to us, thank you,

May God Bless you in your journeys, Sly

Late Desert Bloom-4-20-2010

Our weather has been absolutely crazy! The Desert bloom usually takes place in mid March but cooler weather and an abundance of rain delayed the bloom until late April. As I hopped on the VTX I headed east to the Las Sendas area. Clouds, wind and temperature in the low sixties was putting a damper on the blooming plants. An occasional ray of sunshine tempted a few of blossoming flowers to open mildly.
The three following pictures are from the Usery Pass area as I continued east and north of Los Sendas.
The cacti were beginning to bloom but weren't in full bloom yet.

Looking east towards Pass Mountain. From Usery Pass I continued north to Bush Highway along the Salt River. Several times I came across very young Quail chicks with the male scout leading them across the highway with momma rounding up the stragglers. Two large Rattlers that apparently were trying to warm up on the highway became road kill courtesy of passing vehicles, much to the Buzzards delight!
Along the Salt River a lot of yellow blossoms could be found, the orange wild poppy's were absent, when present the orange adds to all of the yellow turning the desert into a sea of gold.


Nesting Eagles are generally found in this area of the Salt River as food is plentiful and the rugged mountains providing protection for young eaglets.

I continued on a few more miles just enjoying the ride and the desert beauty. The temperature was continuing to drop as a cold front was moving in from California with high winds and the possibility of more rain. I headed home finishing a short fifty mile loop but any time on the motorcycle is a good time!

God Bless, Until the next time, Sly

7th Annual UMFF Poker Run

7th. Annual UMFF Firefighters Poker Run. April 16th 2010- The United Mesa Fire Fighters Poker Run is done in conjunction with Arizona Bike Week. The ride is a 180 mile scenic route through east Mesa to Superior, Miami, and Globe. Roosevelt to Jakes Corner on down the Beeline into Fountain Hills ending in Scottsdale. The money raised goes to The East Valley Fire Fighters Charity Fund.

The ride began at Superstition Harley Davidson. After registration a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, ham and coffee was prepared by the Legend, Captain Dale Miller and his skilled team of many firefighters. Your first card for your poker hand was drawn here. ( Click on any picture to enlarge ).
Registration was quick and easy.
Roots new scoot, he rode it with just the seat pan, his tooled leather seat is about two days from completion.
Stop two was at the Drift Inn Saloon in old town Globe.
Our group, we were quit the mix.
Second card draw.
Old Globe fire unit.
The infamous Jakes Corner Bar,
Jakes again.
Jakes Corner Store. We had a nice cloud cover that keep the temperature down and an occasional light sprinkle. The ride on to Scottsdale to WestWorld was smooth and fast.
My friend John, a.k.a. The Panda at the family booth, Phoenix Trike Works.
Checking out the vendors.
I'd like to ride a jet bike just once, what a rush that would be as the power would just keep spooling on!
Hey Taylor, these pics are for you, Boss Hoss Motorcycles of Arizona had a nice 'Stang for sale, in your price range $29,000.
You'd like it!

What a great day, weather, food, friends, and the ride were perfect although I didn't win either the high or low poker hand. Demo rode some bikes, I'll keep mine though. Didn't stay for the Dierks Bentley concert that started at nine had to get home to see the end of the Coyotes Red wings Game, Go 'Yotes. Started at 8am got home at 8pm, totaled 236 miles, perfect!

God Bless, Ride Safe, Sly