Tag Archives: Escapees

Happy Birthday Ed

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Happy Birthday Ed

This is not only a neat story, it also explains the main reason we are here at the Steps, near Havasu on this weekend. When we heard this story we knew we had to be part of it. The Winter Blast fireworks were just a bonus.
Meet Duane. He and his wife Betty have come to the steps with the Boomers for years to enjoy Winter Blast. It just so happens that in 2008 the Saturday of the event was his birthday so it was decided to give everyone something to do before the fireworks they would have a birthday party for him. They all got busy on the preparations. Betty’s job was to go to town to get the birthday cake. First, she went to a grocery store. Oops, no birthday cake. Same thing at the next store. At the last possible store in Havasu that should have a cake once again, the same story. Now she’s frantic. You just can’t have a birthday party with out birthday cake. She explains her problem to the store manager. He goes into the bakery department to see what can be done.

He returns, looking a little uncomfortable. It seems they do have one cake left but it says “Happy Birthday Ed”. The family that ordered that cake had called this morning to explain that Ed had died the previous night so they wouldn’t be picking up their cake. But if she didn’t mind that it said “Ed” instead of Duane she could have that one for half price. Betty got back to the party with both a cake and a story. Since then, every year on the Saturday of Winter Blast, the Boomers have a birthday party for Ed, aka Duane.

Duane says he hears the concept is growing. He’s heard of other “Happy Birthday Ed” parties in other areas of America including one going on yesterday in Colorado.
So let me ask you: What are you doing next year on the Satuday of the President’s day weekend? We think we may have a birthday party. Wanna come?

Where Are We, Really?

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The Dunes after the rain Here’s on last look at the dunes. This was early yesterday morning, after it had rained all night.

Ok, just so we all understand. Wednesday we awoke in Yuma Arizona. Thursday we awoke at the Dunes in California but then left there and travelled back into Arizona. This is Friday and we are on the east side of Lake Havasu about 15 miles south of Lake Havasu City parked on the side of a hill in the area called “The Steps”
They call this area “The Steps” because years ago a developer bought this hillside and cut the “steps” into the hill so that he could sell it off as either a modular home or RV park. The story is he ran out of money before he got any services in here. Too bad, the views are fantastic. It is now a popular boondocking area, especially so with the Escapees. And that’s why we are here.
Ok, I’m with you so far you say, but why are you really there? I thought you would never ask.
We are here for the Winter Blast and that starts in Havasu tonight. Now you ask “What’s Winter Blast?” (Boy, you sure have a lot of questions!) Every year about this time there is a Western Pyrotechnic’s convention here in Havasu and each night during their convention the boys and the girls, the conventioneers, get together to shoot off  a few favorite and their latest fireworks. Just to show their stuff. It’s supposed to be one hell of a show, I know we’re excited.

With a l little luck, tomorrow we will have pictures.

Once again, thanks for the read.

Quartzite Day 11

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One of the highlights of Boomerville each year at Quartzite is the “Jeraldine Fashion Show.”
Each year top designers from Paris, Milan and London come to the desert to show their latest creations. They fly in their “A” models to display these pioneering fashions in their absolute best light. This event is unique in that instead of walking down the runway, these girls prance around the fire pit. The event is covered 24/7 by blogs like this one and may even rate a mention on George’s who made a special point of driving 5 miles further out in the desert for this monumental event.

Actually, he and Suzy  came out for a beer with us, even brought his own. Although I think he kind of took a shining to the model in the black dress (her name is Larry too)The fashions may not be the latest designer but they were the newest ones the thrift store threw out. Oh, and the girls are local, except they are not girls, except for the one dressed as a guy, he is a she and her name is Connie.

I snapped this one when we were out on our 4 x 4 adventure the other day. I was impressed with how thoughtful the people of Arizona are when considering the comfort of their fellow off road travellers. And how romantic! You’ll notice they have offer both a mens and a ladies.

One more from the Redneck Book of Manners:

When approaching a four-way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires always has the right of way.