OUR HOME FOR A WEEK

Greetings from beautiful downtown Bakersfield, "garden spot of the dust storm". We arrived here about a week ago from 3 weeks in Las Vegas. We are on our way to Morgan Hill, CA. Horse country, wine country, and mushroom farms. We were scheduled to go there tomorrow, but Diane has been a little under the weather, so we may delay until she's back on track.

BUCK OWENS CHRYSTAL PALACE, BAKERSFIELD

As some of you may know, Bakersfield is home to Buck Owens, you remember, the "Hee Haw" guy. Also home to Merle Haggard. The story goes that much of Buck Owens career took place in dirty cowboy honky tonks, and when he made it big, he wanted a classy venue for country music entertainers to perform. Hence, the Buck Owens Crystal Palace.

BAKERSFIELD BREHMS

Our temporary home is pretty nice, cement slabs, lawns, pool, spa, and all the good hook-ups, including cable TV and wifi. Bakersfield has become quite a metropolis since the 60's. Has all the stores we gypsies use, plus entertainment, and a country atmosphere just a few miles out of town. Great farmer's markets!

CEASER'S on the INSIDE looking like the OUTSIDE

Just a couple of left over pics from Vegas. Most of you probably recognize this. The Forum at Ceaser's Palace.

STROLLING THROUGH THE ART GALLERIES

She sure dresses up that stained glass, doesn't she?

CHECKIN OUT CEASERS PALACE

THE "STRIP"

Oh well, I thought it would be a nice picture...........

WHAT'S DOWN with the BREHMS 28 MAY 2012.

THOUSAND TRAILS, LAS VEGAS

We departed San Diego on 5/10 for Las Vegas to attend the 80th birthday party of good friend Andy Clarkson, and we are still here. It is sometimes difficult to find a place to camp on Memorial Day Weekend, so we dug in here. We will depart on Thursday to Bakersfield, then on to Morgan Hill.

VIEW FROM THE CAMPGROUND

Incredible as it seems, this is what we see from our campground. We are on Boulder Hwy. between Sam's Town and the Boulder Station casino's. It is way too easy to find buffet meals and machines that repeat the famous Las Vegas slogan "Game Over".

HEY BIG RED, ARE YOU POLE-ISH?

While here, we decided to see a show that looked interesting, and was affordable for "trailer Trash". We went to Planet Hollywood and saw the Beatles Show. It was very good. The musicians did not really look like the Beatles, but the music was fantastic. Before the show, we strolled around the place

DAM INSPECTORS

Ever since we left San Diego, we have had the pleasure of the company of Gene and Darlene McDonough. A couple of days ago, we went to Hoover Dam and took the tour. We have done this before, but I am always amazed at the things man is capable of. The statistics on the construction of this behemoth are difficult to comprehend.

THE DAMNED DAM SIGN

Happy Memorial Day to all the VETs that read this, and if you're not a vet, give thanks to those that served with their lives.

Memorial Day weekend has been fairly calm here. Traffic is normal (whatever in the hell that means), and the campground is no more packed than any other day.

HYDROELECTRIC GENERATORS

These hydroelectric generators were placed here in the 30's and are humongous. There are 7 on each side of the main flow of the river. 7 in Arizona and 7 in Nevada.

LOOKING DOWNRIVER FROM THE DAM

The bridge you see here was recently completed. Last time we were here, the Arizona and Nevada spans had not yet been connected to each other. You would think driving across it would be a thrill. You don't even know you are on it. The view is just road up ahead. Take care! stay in touch! and stay tuned...............

DOWN WITH the BREHMS, 30 APRIL, 2012

Old Town San Diego

MARGARITAS AND MEXICAN CUISINE

Greetings and salutations from Old Town San Diego. Our daughter invited us to spend the afternoon with her family here. We had a fun time, ate some good food and washed it down with some margaritas.

We are almost ready to take off for the summer, all the doctors appointments out of the way, with healthy results. Some upgrades and maintenance items handled on the coach and the Jeep. This was an excellent opportunity to play tourist before our departure.

MEXICAN SALAD BAR, MUCHOS NOPALES

It's been quite a while since we visited Old Town. There are new shops and restaurants, and many of the old traditional places are still there. The landscaping is different and well done. Mostly in containers and mostly cacti and succulants. Nicely displayed.

MEXICAN BUNNY HOP

I'm not sure why, whether it was Cinco de Mayo approaching, or some other celebration, but there was constant folklorico type dancing. Very colorful and entertaining.

FLOWER AMONG THE CACTI

Recognize this seniorita?

MEXICAN FOXTROT

We hope you are all having a wonderful Spring that flows into a great summer. For those of you that will be traveling, please stay in touch, maybe we can hook up somewhere. We will be in bordering states for a month or so, then probably up Oregon, Washington, then East through Idaho, Wyoming and into South Dakota by early October to renew our drivers licenses. We will start the trek back to San Diego in early October.

JOCELYN

Our Great Granddaughter, Jocelyn with a butterfly on her cheek. Free face painting booth in Old Town.

4 GENERATIONS OF BEAUTIES

Granddaughter, Jamison, daughter Donna, Great Granddaughter Jocelyn, and Diane. They went for a horse drawn wagon ride through the Old Town Plaza.

DOWN WITH THE BREHMS, 23 APRIL 2012

KEEPING THE DUST DOWN

Sorry it's been so long for an update. I have decided my two best excuses are: 1) Not much has happened here at Pio Pico, and 2) We have been busy doing all the things we do before taking off for the rest of the year. We will be hitting the backroads and super slabs in a couple of weeks.

Our biggest events have been our Great Granddaughter's 3rd birthday (that's) Jocelyn in the previous picture...............

CHOPPERS UP

watching the helicopters picking the powerline poles up from the campground, and planting them in holes up on Otay Mt. Pio Pico leased out a part of the campground for SDG&E to stage and build up the power lines. Because the choppers raise so much dust, a water truck (previous pic) wet the whole area down. Those chopper pilots are very good and precise in placing the poles and equipment.......

MUST BE THE POLISH AIR FORCE

Flying poles, get it? ha ha. This is one of the poles being transfered from the playground, dubbed "SDG&E base camp" to pre-drilled holes up on the mountain running South toward Tijuana.......

CHEVY POWERED FORD

Another exciting event is the annual Simpson's Chili Cook Off & Car Show. There were many great hot rods and customs. This year, I passed on the chili cook off sampling. Mixing that many toxic porridge recipes can create a weapon of mass destruction rivaling that of North Korea. I had the sense to go to Brody's Beer & Burger Pub after the car show instead.........

"40" Ford

I believe ever since I was 15 years old, I dreamed of having one of these babies. There were 3 of them at the show for me to drool over..

RAT ROD MAGNAFIQUE

A typical old "30's" open wheeled roadster sporting a 472 Hemi.....nice for a paper route.

Other than loosing our great friend and companion of 20 years, Rossie, these have been the biggies in San Diego area. We hope you are all doing well and are having a splendid spring. We will be leaving soon, probably North through Oregon & Washington, then East to South Dakota to renew our driver's licenses in Oct. Please stay in touch and let us know where you are.......

GOOD BYE FRIEND

GETTIN DOWN WITH THE BREHMS, 26 FEB. 2012

Greetings and salutations from the Desert. Still camped at Salton City and enjoying life. Visits from Mike and Marsha from Bisbee, Kathy from Susanville, Terry and Glenda, who stopped by for a visit and signed up for a month here at Johnson's Landing, Russ and Sharon and Rick and Darlene are camped at Thousand Trails, Palm Springs, and may stop by for a visit. Weather has been beautimus, and the company fantastic.

ELEPHANTS? MAMMOTHS, MAMEPHANTS?

There is an artist/welder somewhere in the desert that has tried to recreate noah's ark in Borrego Springs. Here, the artist has assembled a flock of pakyderm. We drove here with Terry and Glenda Lynch. Had a nice day visiting all the steel bellied creatures, sharing a sobroso Mexican lunch, and telling lies.

PAIR OF RUSTED OUT MUSTANGS

These animals look so real, and from a little distance, are real eye stoppers. For those of you who have not seen this desert art gallery, and are in the southern California, or western Arizona area, we highly recommend that you do so.

EAGLE, CHICK & RATTLESNAKE

This is not a dissabled eagle on crutches. This is an enormous weldment with the wings supported by steel poles. At the lower left is a chick ready for takeoff, and on it's right, a rattlesnake trying to rob the nest. Obviously some hidden political message here. This is so big, I could have parked the Jeep in front of it, and all it would block is the base.

I'D WALK A MILE FOR A SNACK

Well, we reenlisted for another week out here. I'm not sure what it is, but this is such a great place to relax, and there is so much to do. Next weekend is the Tierrra del Sol 50th rally. This place will be packed. Wish we could make it, but we are leaving on Friday and I'm sure the crowd will dissolve our state of rest.

....SO, the GRASSHOPPER SAY'S to the SCORPION

"...I was just jumping from ocotillo to ocotillo, when this farmer's daughter caught me and............" Oh well whatever happened, the grasshopper survives in a somewhat state of transfixation, and the scorpion is bored to death and has become comotose.

DUNE DRAGON

This peice of structure is enormous, and streaches clear across the road. Compare it to the Jeep on the right. Incredible detail work!

ALPHA JEEP

These dudes have been trying to get off this rock for so long, they have rusted in place. This weldment is amazing in it's details, even the people in the Jeep have shoelaces on their shoes.

BOTTOMLESS BORREGO SUN GOD

Jose Gremlich, Borrego God of the Desert Sun. He is an Aries, likes long walks on the beach, terriyaki lizard, and Kenny G.

RAMMING BORREGO RAMS

Hope all our friends and family are having a wonderful winter like we are. As you know, we really enjoy your e-mails and think of you often. We are truly blessed to be living this life, and pray for us all that our quest for freedom and happiness will continue for our kids, grandkids and on and on. We must guarantee it!

TREE RUNNER?

This guy was busted while hiding in a tree at the golf course. What kind of a roadrunner hides in a tree? (You shoulda heard the coyotes last night)

"DOWN WITH THE BREHMS", 6 FEBRUARY, 2012

DIANE'S FRIENDS at her BIRTHDAY PARTY

Wow! What a week here at Johnson's Landing in Salton City. The week end was especially busy. Diane's birthday was Saturday, so we had a nice party for her here at the rig, with lots of goodies to eat. I think almost everybody contributed something. Sunday, of course, was super bowl, also celebrated here at our rig. Weather has been nice, no major reports of illness or misfortune, so we are keepin on keepin on, with a bunch of real nice folks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DIANE......

Last birthday of the "50's" for Diane. We must have had around 30 people over for barbeque and sides. Even though the weather threatened to be bad, things turned out fine.

There has been a lot of motorized parachuting going on, and the "Treasure Trails" off road event is about to happen, so lot's of excitement.

SURPRISE VISIT from BILL,the BIRTHDAY FAIRY

This is the "colorful" Billy Mitchell, relative of the great bomber pilot Billy D, Mitchell. Bill just wants to bring some color and smiles into

everyones, life. He does a good job.

SUPER BOWL GANG AT OUR RIG

Most of the folks at this gathering were rooting for the Patriots, but regardless of who won, it was a terrific game. We had enough goodies left over from Diane's birthday party to have another feast for the game.

DAS GRILL MEISTER, YA!

All right! who wants burgers and/or hot dogs? It was a good feed. We were hoping for a few more folks than were able to make it, but I guess last week was a good one for surgeries because two of our folks were under the knife, (this is not in anyway related to my cooking chores).

GRACE IS VERY PROUD OF HER LEFT HAND

We have had a wonderful time and hope you all are doing the same. We should be back in the San Diego area late Feb. for Dr's appointments and little get ready things. In May, we will leave for Las Vegas to help a dear friend celebrate his birthday. From there, not sure, but we have to wind up in South Dakota in October to renew our drivers licenses. Might do the Pacific Coast on the way.

NICE JACKET, WRONG GAME!

This Gene, our resident Cowboy and waitress wrestler. He is a good guy...........