Different City, Different Event...

Just a few blocks from our campground in Indio, California is the fairgrounds at which we have attended several motorhome rallies. This time, however, we hit the date for the actual Fair and Date Festival. So when was the last time you were at a National Date Festival? Some might almost think it has something to do with speed dating or internet dating or any of the other kinds of dating that happens today... Actually it refers to the dates you eat and you can't imagine how many different kinds of dates there are. This picture shows one of the display cases where dates were displayed for judging. (Make the picture bigger to see all the different kinds.)

Just across the aisle is where the lemons, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, etc. were displayed. These are two displays you will never see at a Minnesota Fair. In other parts of the building were vegetables and other fruits but it did not appear that there was any judging for that produce - just displays and a quiz on how to tell when fruits and vegetables are ready to be eaten. Supposedly the darker and more vibrant the color of fruit, the better it is for you.

This quilt, on the other hand, could easily have won a blue ribbon at the Steele Co. Fair.

There are some things that just don't change from one fair to another - there is always lots of food and rides.

Somehow it just looks more exotic with palm trees.

And then, of course, fairs always have competitions. Since I had never been to Ostrich and Camel Races, I persuaded Mike that was something we really should do. When we got to the Grandstand, the ostriches were at the gate and ready to go. Either that or they were looking over the crowd; always good people watching at an event in California...
You must have to have Bud Light and the National Anthem at every event in every state in the union! Once the singing had stopped, the races began. Who knew that a Minnsota girl would be the best jockey on an ostrich.

After a while, it doesn't even look weird; Ok, yes it does. I have never seen a human ride a bird before.
And then it was time for the camels to race. After an introduction, they took off out of the gate with pretty good speed.

And they continued that pace for the entire (very short) race. They looked almost graceful.

After the races and checking out a couple of buildings, it was food time so Mike went in search of a Tri Tip Sandwich and we shared a date malt (they are sooooo good, very rich). By the tri tip stand, I found this explanation of the meat that we often cannot find anywhere but California.

Yes, that is fresh sweet corn on the cob being sold in the background. It looked and smelled good and I was almost tempted.

As for entertainment, neither of us could believe what we were seeing in one tent - this age group doing line dancing and loving it! The queen and attendants were watching carefully.

So is this something new among teens in MN? It might be in a couple of years...

Mike and I enjoyed the fair but, as with all fairs, we compare them to the Minnesota State Fair, which is the best anywhere! So, this one was alright, itll do, nothin' special etc. etc. And the food was even more expensive, if that is possible. $7,50 for a Tri Tip Sandwich... Hey, Dan, I think we should start marketing those out on the BLM land around Quartzite - make up for the falling stock prices...Wanna??? Huh Huh???

A Stormy Day in Palm Springs

If you are a fan of the weather channel (or if you are in the Southwest), you know that the last couple of weeks have brought some rain, snow and just plain stormy weather to this area. This is some of what we saw one day in the Palm Springs area.

The road going up to the Tram.

The windmills were working overtime.

You can't see where the Tram was going or where it came from.

The view of the new moon from the park in which we were staying.

Somewhere under the clouds, at the base of the mountains, is the area known as the Palm Springs area or the Coachella Valley.

Today, there is sunshine, and snow on the mountains.

O'Odham Tash (Casa Grande Indian Days)

As I have commented before, one of the benefits to being on the move and "Along The Side Roads" is that you just never know what a day will bring. This past Sunday was such a day.


After church (we were Presbyterian this week), I decided to plant my springtime garden and so made a trip to Lowes for plants and soil. After spending over an hour carefully choosing flowers I thought would "travel well", I went home and enjoyed digging in the dirt. While my hands were filthy and my heart was joyful (flowers do that to me), a lady stopped by to take another look at a mirror (we are back in the business on a limited basis). Mary is one of those people you instantly like. We had chatted for a bit at the craft show the day before so I knew she was from Iowa and that she and her husband were farmers who only traveled for three months in the winter. Anyway, she was kind enough to ask if I would like to go to the "Indian Thing"; of course, my answer was yes. (It was a TV day for Mike as the Daytona 500 was on.) I cleaned up my mess and we took off.


A few years back, we were in Casa Grande during "Indian Days" and enjoyed the parade, but the entertainment and competition were even better. The first competition we enjoyed was the young dancers and believe me, they danced... such focus!


Notice the Mickey Mouse fabric on this young ladies' outfit.



Next came the young warriors.

I loved the look on concentration on this young man's face before his dance began. He is from the River Rock Clan.

Then the older dancers took their turn. Each set of dancers was judged by elders in the group and awards were given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

All of the dancing was very impressive; the clothing was beautiful, the energy level and concentration by each person intense. But, what impressed me the most was the honor and dignity and respect shown to all participants no matter the age or gender. I saw a young woman slowly walk to the side of the dancing area when exhaustion overcame her. She remained composed and stood and watched her fellow dancers although you could tell that to do so was difficult. An elder made his way over to stand with her and an older woman did also. After the dance there was concern expressed by the announcer and a round of applause for her.

After each dance, the competitors stood facing the audience and awaited the judges decision.

And after the announcement all competitors shook hands with all the judges and each other and the Lead Dancers. I saw an old Indian man shake the hand of a boy who placed third and into the young man's hand, he pressed a one dollar bill. At one point, some gift baskets were placed in the circle for any adult to claim and then packages of candy were put out for any child to claim. After each person took their gift, they made their way to those presiding over the event and shook their hands in thanks, even the youngest of the young.


As to the Lead Dancers, evidently a male and a female is chosen (how I don't know) for this role - they presided over circle dances and she was honored by all as she made her way around the circle of spectators and participants. Two female relatives were also honored. Here are pictures of that ceremony during which we were all asked to stand.


This is the Lead Dancer.



Her "attendants" are the ladies behind her.

It was a very respectful, yet joyful, ceremony.

It was a perfectly delightful way to spent an afternoon! I enjoyed getting to know Mary and loved the peek into the Native American celebration of culture. This was the 42nd annual O'Odham Tash. I got the feeling that this picture could have been taken at one of the early celebrations. Isn't it wonderful that some traditions have survived through the years.

The Center of the World

Sometimes on our travels we run across something we just can't believe, something that totally baffles us. Just west of Yuma and right along side the 10 is such an entity.

We spent part of the week at Pilot Knob RV Park near Winterhaven, CA; it is 8 miles from Yuma. (I still haven't been able to find out where the name of the park came from, but that is a different story.) Anyway, across the interstate to the north sets a small chapel on a big pile of sand; at least that is what it looks like from a distance.

One day when we were coming back from golfing in Yuma (actually found a place where we could play 9 holes for $11), we decided to drive over there and take a look. . . What we found was

That is the "church on the hill" in the background. After driving another block or so, we come across this sign.

Now I know that Yuma is a growing community and that many many many thousands of northerners spend the winter here, but come on... the center of the world... Just across from the plaza sign is this one...
All you can really see at this point is a hedge of azaleas, and the tops of some new buildings and what looks like slabs of granite and of course, the church on the hill. And when you park and look around, that is exactly what there is. To the left, a sign announced that the "brassiere" is open from 11 - 3 each day. A gift shop sign was up but no activity. On the right is a few rental units - I know this because there was a sign saying units were available for rent - smart aren't I!

This "Center of the World" became more interesting as we looked around and I actually came back the next day to find out some information and to do a little picture taking. This is what you see when you visit this "tourist attraction????".

The granite walls are pyramid in shape and stand about 3 feet high - some are just there and others have words engraved but no pictures, and some are complete with both.
There is a great deal of detail in each completed drawing.

On the "Wall for the ages", there is a complete listing of the graduating class of Princeton for 1949 and a list of all graduates of some other school for about 20 years. On another wall, there is a tribute to the French Foreign Legion and Veterans of the Korean War. Also, a history of languages in the world and a tribute to pilots and air flight can be found.

No matter where you are, you see the chapel.

When I made my way to the hill, this is what I saw looking up.

Inside the "church on the hill", there is virtually nothing - no pews, no beautiful stained glass, only a simple podium and a simple chair on the altar. There is a sign. There is also a very small, 10 inches tall, cross behind the podium. So, from this treck, I learned that there was a St. Felicity... who knew!

This is the view from the church entry. Once I was "off the hill", I went over to where some men were working to ask them a few questions about the place.

The men etching the granite only spoke french...

The men moving the earth and the granite, only spoke Spanish...

At least, that is what I was told! So, I went away from "The Center of the World" with more questions than answers. Later, when I talked with a fellow fulltimer, he told me the whole thing was started by an individual, with French roots, who founded the town for his wife... you guessed it - that would be Felicity. Oh, I didn't tell you that opposite the church on the hill is this It seems that this fellow claims the "real" center of the world is inside the pyramid and a couple of years ago you could go in and have your picture taken there for $1 - that evidently didn't work out real well as the pyramid was locked up when I was there. I think the whole emphasis may have changed - at least it seems that way.

So, if you really wanna know about this strange but true place, check out the website at :
www.historyingranite.org