From Tucson to Phoenix in just 7.5 hours!!

Oh sure, it's a straight shot up Interstate 10 for most people, but then you miss a beautiful drive through some pristine desert. It was just me and the 3 adorable children who love to spend hours together trapped in a small space and we all agreed to drive out Oracle Road to see Biosphere 2. Upon our arrival, the debate raged as to whether we hang around 45 minutes for the next tour to start or pay the admission and not be able to enter the facilities. As it turns out, by the time we gooped up with sunscreen and walked over to the living quarters and actual Biosphere 2 facility, we didn't have long to wait at all. The guide sure gave us looks though when explaining that only bottled water was allowed inside; absolutely no food. I got the hint and had the kids spit out their gum, heh heh. We departed the grounds at around 4:15pm and headed up the state road. I figured we'd enjoy the scenic route up to about Florence and then take that junction on over to I-10 and zip on home from there. What confused me were the mileage signs that kept telling me how far the town of Globe was, instead of Florence. Sure, I could've consulted the map. Except for the part where my husband had removed it from the van because who needs a map?! After almost an hour, I accepted the fact that I'd gone wrong somewhere, but it really was a beautiful drive. The 2 younger kids were watching Lion King instead of fighting and my teenage was playing with his phone instead of sighing of constant boredom. And, c'mon!...we wouldn't have to drive TOO far, would we, before a junction came along? When it finally showed itself, we were in Winkleman (and who names a town Winkleman, may I ask?--just kidding Winkleman) where my options were the mining town of Globe or the mining town of Superior. Well, I happen to know that Superior is closer to Phoenix than Globe is, but that wasn't good enough anymore. I stopped and bought a map.
I'd like to say it was smooth sailing after that, but I managed to overshoot the junction of US60 when we hit Superior. I was laughing so hard at my son's description of the movie he was creating in his own head that I ended up in a residential neighborhood while my 6 year old daughter whimpered in the back seat, needing to find a restroom. I guess this thread is long enough without going into the idea of flaming sahuaro arms landing on people in Barstow...a 14 year-old with an imagination can be an amusing thing when they're inspired by huge open pit mines that you drive past during 7.5 hour trips; let's just leave it at that.
We did manage to lose even more time when I jumped off the freeway in Mesa to find the Bajio Mexican Food restaurant that I knew was somewhere near the movie theater at Stapley and the US60. After about 30 minutes in the shopping center, we found it across the street. Closed for the day. Sigh. We settled for a Chinese buffet near home in the end.
So to sum it up: we checked out of the hotel at 1pm and arrived home at 8:40pm. And it was all good. Except for the big fight that broke out after Superior, but I made them all think of something they loved about each other and then say what it was and apologize. After that my 5 year old son led us in a rousing rendition of The Ramones "Blitzkreig Bop" and we all lived happily ever after.
The End.

The Story of George

This comes from an email I received from Peakerhead Ray who recently returned from Iraq:

A little history

I drove to Iraq with the 3rd Infantry back on 20 March 03. It took us 3
weeks to reach Baghdad. Along the way we lost several soldiers, 5 of
them I knew well. It makes it hard when you lose friends.

We arrived at the airport on 8 April 03 and we moved around till we
found a spot to settle in. We set up shop near the cargo side airfield
at the telephone switch building.

Shortly after setting up shop we found that we had a parrot hanging
around. No one could get near to it but we all tried. I finally got it
to eat and started feeding it. We named him George. We figured he
escaped the bird statuary at the palace next to the airport. I had seen
several exotic birds in the area and Saddam kept a small zoo at the
palace.

George and I became close friends and woke wake me up every morning
wanting to be fed. He would follow me around and even fly to me to be
pet. He loved having his chest feathers rubbed. I fed him by hand and
when ever I would sit down outside he would fly and sit on the back of
my chair. He did not do that to anyone else.

The unit that I supported left at the end of May and so George and I
were left on our own till the end. I left for home on 20 Oct 03.

The story of George takes a sad turn:

Obituary for 8-25-03 - It is with deep sadness that I must report that George the Parrott is dead. He was brutally murdered this morning sometime between midnight and 4 AM. An unnamed assassin known as “The Cat” carried out this murder. The cat was seen earlier in the day lurking about but was thought to have left the area. There have been several attempts on George’s life the latest being a month ago when he was ambushed by two pigeons while flying to his place of residents at BIAP. Several Iraqis reported that the attack was unprovoked witnessed the attack. This assassination was sanctioned by the local mob known as “The Brotherhood of Pigeons”. George leaves behind a very large family most of the overseas, none were available for comment. He is an OIF survivor escaping from his captures during the first days of the war. Local Iraqis and Americans alike are saddened by this tragic and horrific murder. The burial will be sometime today once all the remains can be gathered up. He was my loyal companion since April 15th. He was a good friend and he will be missed.