Monday, May 8, 2017

2017 CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIP - APRIL 22ND, 2017 - YUMA WITH FAMILY

Saturday, April 22nd, 2017  


9.48 p.m. and we are back in our hotel after a wonderful day meeting up with Gregg's aunt and cousins.  


We had arranged to meet at Gregg's cousin's house this evening for dinner.  We settled in to catch up on the laundry -  yes I know, pretty boring but we were rescued.   


An invitation from Cousin to meet for lunch, as well as another cousin, (her brother) and his son at a really neat place called Lutes in the historic part of Yuma. We had the best time, it was wonderful reconnecting with everyone and enjoying each other's company.  


I loved Lutes and all its brickabrack on the walls.  It certainly was a popular place.









There were many actors on the walls.  Here's one of Audie Murphy.  My Dad and I watched many of his western movies when I was growing up. My Dad was a big fan.  He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  I made a point of visiting his grave once, as I had this connection with my Dad, and Audie too.


This actor is Danny Trejo and my son has enjoyed many of his movies and is a fan.  I took this photo for my son.  Danny had quite a start in life and I'm glad everything turned out well for him.


Another western star whom I remember from watching all those movies with my Dad, Walter Brennan.



One of Babe Ruth, the famous baseball player.


The husband for sale joke made me chuckle, especially the bit about the remote.


These were taken when we were leaving.  I had noticed the mural on our way in.  I tried to get it all in frame as best I could.
  

There were outside tables blocking my way and it was difficult.  One of those fun murals that are similar to greetings cards I have seen, and have bought in the past.


This mural was just down the street.


After we left we came back to the hotel and Gregg did laundry. I caught up on emails and downloaded photos. 


It wasn't long before it was time to meet up at Cousin's house. In addition to everyone we met earlier, there were Gregg's Aunt and Cousin's three grandchildren. We warmed to them immediately, each an absolute delight. The oldest, 16, was a super young man, very mature for his age and very loving and protective of his younger siblings.  He was also a great guitar player and we had an enjoyable conversation with him about a number of things. His knowledge impressed us.  His sister, a dear and sweet young lady (I like to think we made a connection through our love of wildlife), and youngest brother, a darling little boy.  We all talked and talked before, during and after dinner.  Great people, great company, and a most delicious meal.  All too soon it was time to leave.

This day was a whole lot of fun. Each made us feel very much part of the family, which we will remember with great fondness.  We send them all lots of love and hugs, which include the children's parents. We didn't get to see them this time as they were out of town, but their kids are very special indeed, and I look forward to the day when we can meet them too.  They are all very much in our thoughts.


On the road again tomorrow. We are heading to Joshua Tree National Park in California. 


36 comments:

  1. I love the murals, and Lutes! Was he food as great as the place looks? This is a beautiful palm tree photo, with a brilliant blue sky behind. I remember Walter Brennan! I used to watch him on The Real McCoys!

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    1. Hi Ginny, the food was really good but I was so taken with our company and those surroundings, I forgot to take pictures, and now I can't really remember what we had. If it comes back to me I will add it to my post. The palm trees were at our hotel. They were all lit up at night, they were very pretty. Many weekly westerns were shown in England but The Real McCoys never made it over the pond unfortunately.

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  2. Gregg did the laundry while you caught up on emails and downloaded photos? In case you didn't know, that man is a keeper.
    I am so pleased to hear that you are still having a wonderful time.

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    1. Thank you! Yes EC, he is a keeper :) He always insists on doing the laundry when we are in hotels, as he does not want me walking down lonely corridors, or laundry rooms for that matter :)

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  3. I'm having so much fun traveling with you. Oh gosh! I can still remember Walter Brennan's voice.

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    1. I am glad Kay :) He does have a distinctive voice doesn't he?

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  4. I was a fan of Audie Murphy. I swear I used to dream about him. Heehee I liked the husband and remote sign - and there was me thinking mine was the only one guilty of hogging the remote.

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    1. smiling here Valerie. I remember my own crush :) I think many of us can relate to husbands and the remote :)))

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  5. I want to see cottonwood trees and Joshua trees and now I am thinking of the two movies by the same name, Last Train to Yuma. I have watched both of them several times. sign me lover of the wild west

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  6. Some of these places are unreal with all the stuff they have on the walls. I can tell you spent time looking at the stuff and probably didn't see half of it.

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    1. You are right on that Red. For instance, I certainly didn't see the foot sticking through the ceiling ;)

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  7. Making more lovely memories!

    And I was thinking about laundry. On a long trip, you have to do it. Well, even on a short one, it is wise. Much less to pack, when most is washable. It's the drying that is more difficult. unless it easily hangs dry over night, in the bathroom, on hangers or etc., which you brought with you.

    You know, that is a post topic, in itself! How you manage the clothes, on a long trip!

    :-)

    Be safe!

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    1. Thank you LC, lots of lovely memories. Keeping up on the laundry is a must while traveling as you can imagine. I always take easily packable clothes detergent and fabric softener with me. Easier when you have your own car. We also use the hotel's dryers and hang things up immediately so that they don't crease. We carried plenty of quarters with us but one of the hotel's we stayed at offered it for free. We took note of it and will definitely be staying there again if we are in the area. A good subject for a post as you say. Thanks LC :)

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  8. What a fun place and thanks so much for taking us along. Love the murals and the husband for sale sign :-) Keep well Diane

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    1. Thank you Diane. You are very welcome, I have enjoyed sharing our travels.

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  9. The mural work appeals to me. I have distant cousins down in the States. Some I've seen on several occasions, others once or twice while on trips west with the family.

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    1. Gregg's mother's family came down from Canada originally.

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  10. Wonderful meetup, looking forward to the next stop too!

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  11. Looks like a great time, Denise! I love all the old photos, and the "husband for sale, remote included" made me laugh. I love all your photos and travel experiences...and your restaurant pics as well. I enjoy your posts very much.

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    1. Thank you Linda, happy you enjoyed my posts :)

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  12. Wow! We were just back in Tucson and might have been able to meet somewhere! :-) I've never been to Yuma, even though we lived not far for those five 1/2 years. We had a wonderful time at the Viet Nam reunion in Austin, then in Round Top TX for two+ days, and then flew to Tucson where we were waiting for our friend to return from an unexpected "out of town" trip for a funeral, because he had our jeep and trailer in his yard. We hadn't meant to stay in Tucson almost a week, but it ended up being a great visit, and then we finally headed home.

    Lutes looks fascinating! Great photos. Enjoyed the murals. Glad you got to meet with extended family there. Loved the Hollywood shots too...Danny Trejo is the scary guy who advertises Sling TV. I've never seen him as a young man!

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    1. So close Marie but I am hopeful we will meet up one of these days :) I would enjoy exploring Tucson again one day. So sorry to hear of your friends funeral, especially as it was unexpected. I loved meeting everyone in Yuma, they were sweet and very welcoming. I haven't heard of Sling TV before. Happy day to you! I am going to enjoy mine especially as we are home :))))

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  13. Yuma is a snowbird destination for a lot of folk. Glad you could spend some time with extended family on your journey.

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  14. I would love to look at all the pictures, etc on those walls. I could spend some major time doing that. The family members sounds wonderful to meet....so glad you got to see and visit with them.

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    1. Me too, I was mesmerized by what I did see. Getting to see his aunt and the cousins, and their families, definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

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  15. You guys really did some cool traveling!!! Saw some really neat things and places. I need a vacation now! haha

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    1. I need a vacation after my vacation Pam, lol!

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  16. What a wonderful afternoon and evening. I especially would like to visit and eat at Lute's when we )eventually) take our western route road trip. Glad your next to last day in CA turned out to be so delightful as the rest of this trip has been for you both!

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    1. Thanks Beatrice, the only thing I would say is be prepared for the heat :)

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  17. Great photo's you've shared Denise.
    So pleased you got to meet up with family members.

    Those murals are lovely and colourful.

    All the best Jan

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  18. Looks like a nice, interesting restaurant.

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