Arizona Trip

First entry in quite a while. I and the wife just got back from a 9 day trip to Tucson, Arizona, one of our favorite places. It was hot (hit 105 or so a couple days), and dusty, but we had a good time anyway. Started early in the morning to hike or other outdoor activity, and in the pool generally by 1 pm. The locals come out after 7 at night, when it cools down to around 85 or 90, but we were fed, and in bed by that time, given the 3 hour time change from Florida. Above is a picture of me (small chubby person in the center), at Tumacacori National Monument. It's a 15th century mission, in ruins obviously, located south of Tucson, about 45 minutes. A beautiful, peaceful place, redolant with history, and haunted with the ghosts of the Spanish friars, native indians and outlaws. Because of the lawlessness in the area, the mission moved to San Xavier Del Bac, in Tucson, now on the Tohano O'Dham (spelling?) reservation. San Xavier is very much a working mission/church, and undergoing continual restoration. It's called the White Dove of the Desert. We also did Sabino Canyon, Saquaro East and West, Mt. Lemmon (12,000 feet), and had great Mexican food and cowboy steaks. Will talk more about our trip later. But, glad to be back to the Swamp (only 90 degrees high).

Bo Diddley Dies

Bo Diddley passed away yesterday, May 2. I did a post about Bo a couple weeks ago. He was a real original, a pioneer of R&R. His influence can be heard in everyone from Buddy Holly, to the Stones, Beatles, and all the hard rockers. His was not a blues beat, it was a rock and roll beat - didn't swing, just propelled you along on the insistent rhythm, and pounding guitar. I still dig those square guitars! RIP, Bo - they aren't making any more like you.