SHADY SIDE POOL

This is the pool on the shady side, and you can see the Tiki Bar in the middle. They also have 2 spas and two kiddie pools.

SUNNY SIDE SWIMMING POOL

Emerald Cove has two large pools. One in the sun (this'n) and one in the shade. In between the two pools is the Tiki Bar. Open from 11:30 till midnight. Cheap drinks (plastic cups) of course, and karaoke in the evening.

BIG LEAGUE KETTLE CORN

We don't do anything in a small way, here at Emerald Cove. This is the itinerant Kettle Corn concession in the park. Just in case you need something to wash down with that beer or margarita.

CAMPGROUND FOR THE RICH

Yes, boys and girls...this is how the rich enjoy the river. These are mostly weekend homes for celebrity entertainers, athletes, and other persons of means.
This photo is taken from Trailer Trash on the Shore, a modest, temporary abode for the less affluent. But we like it better, I think.

BREHM'S LANDING, EMERALD COVE, PARKER AZ.

Not a bad spot, one row back from the river. Less noise, less sand, nice and level with 50amp service. Important when running two air conditioners, refrigerator, washing machine, and microwave all at the same time.

PARKER THOROUGH BRED RACEHORSE

These wild burros are everywhere here in the desert. They just wander out in front of cars begging for food, money, or to clean your windshield. We drove from the campground (Emerald Cove) to the dam and saw about 20 on the way.

DAMN! WHAT A DAM

This is the downriver side of the Parker Dam. On the other side is lake Havasu, which is a whole other world. A little more tame and touristy. The river seems higher than I have seen it in previous years. Didn't see and sand barges at all.

A LITTLE FUN IN THE SUN

Nothing much more restful than sitting on a floating bar on a nice sunny day, watching expensive boats ripping up and down the river, while sucking down a cool draft.
Diane demonstrates her technique here.

AVAST YEE MATEY, THERE BE HAPPY HOUR HERE, ARRGGGG............

Emerald Cove is a pretty colorful place to spend time. A whole fleet of very impressive race boats, ski boats, party boats, and even an occasional fishing boat. The people are pretty colorful as well, as are their campsites. Kind of reminds me of Mission Beach in the "60's".

PARTY TIME ON THE ROADRUNNER

This is the famous "Roadrunner" floating bar. It's right on the Colorado River in Parker. The last one. There was a time when the river had many floating bars, but as they needed permits for repair or rebuild, they were denied. Too much fun I guess. Since they all have docks to tie up to, there may have been to many drunk admirals out there

THE SEXY SALTON SISTERS GANG

Before we left Johnson's Landing at Salton Sea, we had to capture this photo of the ruthless Salton Sisters Gang for their new Wanted Poster.
    These girls are like teenage sisters for a couple months each year. and they are from left to right; Sandy Schwarting, Maxine Dimmick, Diane, and Grace Davis. Approach with caution, they are considered mature and dangerous.....

CHOPPED, CHANNELLED, STROKED, LOWERED, FRAKED and SEQUESTERED.......

For several years, the Jamul Kiwanis have sponsored a car show/chili cook-off for charity at a local nursery. The nursery sold out last year, so Thousand Trails Pio Pico picked up the gauntlet and hosted the car show/ chili cook-off at our campground. It was a success, and will probably be bigger next year.

"32" with a heavy Hemi

There were about 80 hot rods at the Pio Pico/Kiwanis Car show. Most were local East County cars, and a couple from other states. This one was a real eye catcher with a Mopar Hemi 372.

A DAY IN AFRICA

Sunday, our daughter took us, along with boyfriend Ray, and her granddaughter, Jocelyn, to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. We had a great time, and of course, thoroughly enjoyed the company. We saw most of the park and took the tram ride out into the animal open areas. It is so nice to see all the different types of animals sharing the same space.

Country Pork Ribs, MMmmmmmm!

I just couldn't resist taking this picture. These are the ingredients to a Dutch Oven prepared meal. The Dutch Oven is placed in a contraption called a "Volcano" which contains the burning charcoal. A couple of hours, and viola!
Some of the ingredients beside the ribs are; potatoes, onion, garlic, pasilla peppers, jalapeno peppers, carrots, tomatillos and seasonings.

Secretary Bird

An amazing fact at the bird sanctuary at the Wild Animal Park is that all the birds in the show are free flight birds, that is, there are not caged and not tethered. They fly around, inside and outside the arena, and always return to their handlers.

ANDEAN CONDOR

This guy is enormous. Ten foot wingspan. The Wild Animal Park has been instrumental, maybe the most instrumental in saving this species. Many have been collected, strengthened, breed, and returned to the wild. While they are still a protected species, I believe they are no longer on the endangered species list.

Our Hosts for the Day

We had a wonderful, fun day at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, now known as "Safari Park". We were invited by our lovely daughter, Donna, her boyfriend, Ray, and our great granddaughter, Jocelyn.

Jocelyn Feeding a Lorikeet

Jocelyn thoroughly enjoyed the hands on interface with the animals and birds at the park. Her full day demanded a nap on the way home.

     This will probably be our last special outing in San Diego. We will be departing in about 10 days for Parker AZ. ("The River"). After a couple of weeks, we will head out toward Gillette, WY. for a rally called an Escapade.

Gettin Down with the Brehms, April Fools, 013

Happy Easter to all our friends and family who have nothing better to do than follow this blog. Thanks for being interested. This is the other half of the "Happy Hour" crowd I showed in the previous posting. From left to right, they are; I don't know's other wife, Maxine Dimick, Lorri, Paula Greco, Diane, Grace Davis, and Sandy Schwarting.

Main St. Johnson's Landing

This is it! The high rent district. Our yearly sabbatical, our escape from the ravages of retired life.

Bocce Ball, Barbeque, and Beer. It's all here!

Just the idea of sitting in the desert next to a dying sea for 2 1/2 months sounds like exile to many, but we really look forward to it. Twice a week, this camper generated arena of warrior athletics is a central attraction for many residents. Bocce Ball!!! From time to time, tournament status prevails, and the BocceQue comes alive with boisterous challenges, cold beer, and burnt animal offerings to the attendees.

Tower, this is Sam, request clearance for TO

These guys are actually contemplating trying to get this pile of rubbish into the air with them somehow attached to it. I'd prefer the lawn chair with the helium balloons and the beer cooler.

Sam to tower! Holy crap, I'm flying

Somehow, these crazy people get airborne, and they do it every year at the Salton "Fly In". I have done some nutty things, but the prospect of strapping a lawn mower engine on my back while running into the wind, dragging a bed sheet behind me is a little more that I can get into..

"Antenna Jack" on Guard duty

"Antenna Jack" has been part of the family for many years. He traveled aboard the Blazer from 2000 to 2011, and was transferred to the Jeep soon after. He has seen the whole country and always looks forward to the next adventure. "Party Animal"!

Jurrasic stealth off-road garbage truck

Now here's a real enigma, a 1958 enigma as a matter of fact. The thing I like about these type of events, is the possibility of stumbling upon the seemingly impossible. This sucker is worth it if only for the picture.

Articulated Suspension! The Jeep also.

This is just one of the hundreds of Jeep suspension modifications available at the Tierra del Sol show. These things can drive over rocks the size of a Yugo limousine with only a 6 cylinder engine due to these great suspension systems.

Exteme Ram at the TdS run

Yea baby, this Ram has been highly modified. The front doors are Lamborghini type fold ups, and the rear doors are Mercedes SL gull wing type. There were some real strange birds out there.

"Vendors Row" at the Tierra del Sol event

The desert between Borrego Springs and Salton City was filled with every off-road vehicle type in the world. And of course, to help separate these enthusiasts from their U.S. monies, were a plethora of vendors and manufacturers selling off road gear that hasn't even been invented yet.

IN QUEUE

Note: These posts are in reverse order. I'll do better next time
The desert was one big parking lot and events center for the off-road crowd at the Tierra del Sol annual event. If you look real hard at the back row, just the other side of the American Flag, you can see our Jeep.
I have a bunch more pictures from our trip which I will try to include in a week or two. Summer is coming, hope to see some of you out there traveling. Stay in touch. Maybe we can hook up somewhere sometime.

TdS HILL CLIMB

Another roadside attraction. The off-road club, Tierra del Sol has it's annual off road event just a couple of miles from our camp. Both sides of the Salton Parkway, the road between Borrego Springs and the Salton Sea, were covered with thousands of Jeeps, buggies, quads, side by sides, and a plethora of hybrid sand machines.

DIANE'S NEW SWEATER

Good friend Sandy Schwarting knitted a sweater for Diane. A welcome gift on those cool evenings in January.

PELICANS ON THE SALTON

The Salton Sea gets smaller each year it seems. There have been problems with the rerouting the Colorado River for irrigation purposes causing the water level to diminish, therefore, the salt, and pollution from farm chemicals are not being diluted. The "Sea" has a lot of tilapia, and used to have corvina, but many have died and washed on to the shoreline. The smell has been a little pungent in the past but seemed much better this year. The pelicans are still here in large number

MOON OVER SALTON CITY

It is really hard to beat a sunrise or sunset in the desert. The bright reds, yellows, oranges and other colors are great. We also enjoyed a nice big, bright full moon while out there. The beauty of the desert is uncluttered, primitive, and peaceful. We love our time there.

THE BIG "60" FOR DIANE

It was nice of Diane to have her birthday the same time as Super Bowl. Each year all the folks come over to our coach to watch the Super Bowl on our outside TV, and celebrate Diane's birthday during a happy hour environment.
This year, the birthday girl turned over a new decade, her 6th.

"FLY IN" WEEKEND

Every year about this time of the year, they promote a "Fly In" in the desert. Mostly motorized parachutes, some with wheeled carts, like the one shown here, and some that are motorized pack packs, which requires take off and landing on your feet. There are also some fixed wing ultra-lights. One of the two landing strips is right at Johnson's landing. The sky is full of these guys so we get a good show.

HAPPY HOUR AT JOHNSON'S LANDING

Here are some of the Happy Hour contestants. From left to right: Jim Dimmick, Bill Van Ornum, Glen Davis, I forgot, Gene McDonough, Steve, I forgot's wife, and Maxine Dimmick. Others not shown are: Grace Davis, Laurie, Diane, Roger and Sandy Schwarting, and yours truly. Great bunch of friends.

WINTER VACATION SPOT

We meet every year here with friends from all over the place that we have met in our travels. Lots of good companionship, golfing, bocce ball, cards, 3:00 pm happy hours, casino buffets, and road trips to the big cities, Indio, La Quinta, etc.

DOWN with the BREHMS, 25 MARCH, 013

Greetings and salutations to all our patient followers. We just returned to Pio Pico (Jamul, CA) after spending Jan, Feb, and a good chunk of March at the Salton Sea. We camped at the West Shores RV Park at Johnson's Landing. I was unable to update the BLOG while there because electronic communication has not been invented there yet, so I will spend some time trying to catch up.

We Wish All of You A Very MERRY CHRISTMAS

DANG NEAR HOME, DEMING, N.M.

So, here we are in Deming, New Mexico, two days drive from San Diego. I'm not sure how long it will take to drive those two days because we tend to spend a lot of time exploring and visiting friends. This years trek is coming to a close, but we are already looking forward to our desert trip to Salton Sea and who knows where in early January through most of February. Hope you are all doing well, and look forward to our next hook-up. Love you all and God Bless....

Good Omen, American Flag at end of the Rainbow

Couldn't help but feeling all cheered up when I went out the door in the morning, here was this beautiful sight. A gorgeous rainbow, and at the end was the American Flag. After all the crap we are going through domestically and abroad, due in large part to our apathy toward American dignity, this Made my day.

Garden spot of Colorado, "Plaza District"

Check out the condition of this sign! It was a harbinger of things to come. The campground we made reservations at, was a ragged old truck machine shop, construction company equipment yard, and behind all the maze and clutter of old truck parts, and excavation equipment, was a weed and gopher hole adorned field with utility pedestals peeking out of the tumble weeds. We could not distinguish the approach to the campsite without walking it first. As it turned out, it was okay, and better than fighting the weather and wind on the highway.

JUST SOUTH OF CHEYENNE

Colorado went by in a whizz. After such a long period in small towns and uncomplicated traffic situations, things changed when we hit Colorado. In one day, driving a 40 foot motor home, towing a Grand Cherokee Jeep, we went through Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. I slept well that night.

HEADED WEST AND SOUTH

The roads in the high plains states, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota are absolutely the best for their condition and structure. You can see the highways forever. They are lightly traveled, four lanes and straight as an arrow.

Land of the Stone Faced Dead Presidents

The weather in Rapid City was not too bad. But bad enough to keep us from doing much sight-seeing. We did manage to make it to Cabella's, a place we always love to tour through.
As cold as it was there, especially at night, there was some guy living in a small 2 person tent, pitched on a field behind a nearby truck stop. We just don't know how good we have it some times.

SNOWY CHRISTMAS TREE REHERSAL

These are some beautiful pines alongside I-90 in Wyoming, South of Gillette. They were dusted with snow, and along with deciduous trees along the rivers and creek beds showing the fall colors of golds, reds, yellows and oranges made for a great view.

OCTOBER SNOW IN WYOMING

After getting our licenses renewed, we left Rapid City, SD, headed west to Wyoming. From Gillette, WY, we headed south to Wheatland, spent two nights, then on through Cheyenne to Colorado. Drove through Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, to Walsenburg, all in one day. We stopped in Walsenburg for two days due to Thunder Storms and high winds. And yes, there was snow in the mountains all the way.

RANCH HOUSE IN SHERIDAN, WY.

Greetings to all you family and friend followers. We are both well and happy. No mechanical problems. Everything is great.
As you will see in the following pics, we have been doing more driving than usual. The short explanation for this excursion from normalsy is, we had to renew our South Dakota drivers licenses, and wanted to get it done and over before the onset of winter in the high plains. After getting our new floor, we drove from Oregon to Idaho, through Wyoming, and on to South Dakota.

GETTIN DOWN with the BREHMS, 15 Oct, 2012

                                          Sunset in the RV park, Eden (Twin Falls) Idaho