WHAT'S DOWN with the BREHMS, 5 JUNE, 2012

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.