GT Get Away Weekend 4, the Quest for Bugs

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Mr Blue Moose emulating his name sake at the Moose Lodge

 

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bungalow

Our Bungalow. I could get real use to this place.

 

[Blue Moose]

On the road.....

 

[Blue Moose]

On the road...

 

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[Blue Moose]

Ralphie's climb up to Tonto National Monument ancient Indian dwellings. He said he recognized this place.

 

[Blue Moose]

A very cool car guy. Thank you for keeping our roads safe!

 

[Blue Moose]

Awesome weekend. Thank you Rich!

From our rooms and we had visitors. Awesome weekend. Thank you Rich!

 

[RALPHIE]

4th Annual Ford GT Arizona Getaway

Well - After a great dinner on Friday night at the Chart House in Scottsdale, AZ, where we made our plans, we met up at Chip's house on Saturday morning at 8:00 am and headed out for Tuscon.

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As we passed Chandler on I-10, Michele and John joined us in their GT -

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As the title of our venture was "The Quest for Bugs" we stopped at the International Wildlife Museum in Tuscon and were greeted by

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[RALPHIE]

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This last picture shows the antlers of the Giant Deer, an extinct elk that had massive antlers that spanned 12 feet .

They also had beautiful displays of animals in their natural habitats

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This last being a recreation of the Giant Deer.

 

[RALPHIE]

We then traveled to the west of Tuscon to a lookout of the Sonoran Desert and then down to "Old Tuscon" - a replica town of the 1800s used by the movie studios for many of their western films. Rich provided us with cowboy hats and sheriff's badges

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Jim, John, Michele & I took the train ride around the "town."

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[RALPHIE]

Jim, Renea, & Chip -

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Goofing off -

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We were serenaded with western songs in the Dance Hall -

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The cars of our Group -

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[RALPHIE]

We then drove north of Tuscon to the Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain, where we were completely spoiled by our accommodations, and promptly cancelled the remaining evening activities to lavishly enjoy our surroundings -

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My room, if room is the proper term -

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My patio and view -

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[RALPHIE]

On Sunday morning I walked from my building (I had the bottom floor, Michele & John had the 2nd floor)

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to breakfast

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And then we regretfully left to explore Arizona's mining district (in the rain - poor Jim in the Cobra)

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[RALPHIE]

We wound up the day driving to Payson, AZ, stopping at the Tonto National Monument and climbed up to the Lower Cliff Dwelling (in the rain)

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The view from the Cliff Dwelling looks out over Roosevelt Lake -

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We reached Payson in the late afternoon, visited Chip's new gas station there, and had a great dinner at Fargo's Steakhouse next door. After dinner, Michele & John headed back to Chandler, and Renea & Chip drove back to Scottsdale. Evie & Rich, Jim and I got a room at a local motel and spent the night in Payson, driving back to Kingman on Monday, & I continued onward to Las Vegas and finally to the Eastern Sierra Nevada. It was a great time and we all agreed to do it again next year! Thanks to Rich & John for putting this trip together!!

 

[TO AWSUM]

Thanks Ralphie. Looks like y'all had a great time.

 

[RALPHIE]

Evie & Rich, Jim & I had a nice drive from Kingman down to Scottsdale on Friday afternoon - Here are a few pictures of that part of our journey.

Heading down US 93 after turning off from I-10

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Stopped a a nice rest area southeast of Wickenburg along the Hassayampa River -

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Oops - left the lights on - happens with older cars, after you get used to warnings

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[GT Tech]

WE FOUND BUGS !

Still catching my breath after the great weekend. 5 cars and 8 people made for a perfect sized group. Saturday night, sitting around the fire pit, was the highlight of the weekend. Nothing like a toasty fire and great friends. In spite of the nasty weather on Sunday, I think we all will long remember the trip.

Next year,
Jim and the Cobra will be back, WITH a top, and working wipers.
We will find a place for Dennis to park his massive toter home.
Ralphie will bring his GT.
Jeff's back problems will be gone so he can join us.
Barry will make the full trip.
Michelle will have more miniature animals to leave around.
Jim and I will be dried out.

It seems that Michelle bought handfuls of plastic tiny animals at our first stop. She then proceeded to leave them at various stops along the way. I found one on Sunday, and another in a bag as I was unpacking on Monday. Next year maybe we can do a scavenger hunt to find some of them.

To Chip and Renea, John and Michelle, Ralphie, Jim, Evie and I want to thank you for a perfect weekend, and we look forward to doing #5 next year,
"The Quest For ?????" :thumbsup

 

[RALPHIE]

...Michelle will have more miniature animals to leave around...It seems that Michelle bought handfuls of plastic tiny animals at our first stop. She then proceeded to leave them at various stops along the way. I found one on Sunday, and another in a bag as I was unpacking on Monday....

I found a lion in the Mustang, and a flamingo in my shirt pocket! Wondering if more will turn up! Thanks, Michelle!

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