St. Peter's Car Show

Last Saturday was a car show at St. Peter's in Litchfield Park.  The day was going to be a hot one, so I got there around 8:30 am.  The cars were all parked on the grass so it made it pleasant to walk around and spend time looking at the cars.  I was impressed with the number and quality of cars.  Although there were quite a few sharp looking autos in the show, I was particularly attracted to a 850hp 2012 Camaro called the "Freedom Fighter".  This car had a patriotic themed mural painted across the entire exterior.  I'm lucky I got there early to photograph it since it attracted a lot of people standing around and admiring it.

Here are some of the more interesting cars in the show.  Additional photos can be viewed on my web page:  http://azbigbill.weebly.com/st-peters-car-show.html

Scottsdale Walking Tour

Earlier this month, I went to Scottsdale, AZ to do some sightseeing.  I was impressed with all the attractions in town, so I decided to make another trip this past Friday to catch up on some of the areas I missed.  It's a great place to just look around and take pictures.  Of course there is a lot of shopping and restaurants to spend some time and money.  There is 3 hour free parking throughout the downtown, so you can walk around one area and then drive to another.  The free trolley is also terrific to hop from place to place.

Here are some interesting photos from this trip:

Rubbing elbows with the locals.

Motorcycle Event

Saturday was the day for the Sanderson Ford Memorial Day Motorcycle Ride.  There were several hundred cycles that started off at the Ford dealership, went through the National Veterans Cemetery, and then ended up at the Westgate Center near the Cardinals football stadium.  I don't ride my cycle anymore, but I enjoy looking and listening to the big cycles coming by.  The cyclists end up having lunch and entertainment at Westgate, so it's a great place to hang around when they arrive.

We had lunch before the cycles came and then watched them drive in and park all along the fountain area.  There are great viewing areas around, and plenty of room to walk around and admire the cycles up close.  I took a lot of photos and also some video which I put together as a YouTube.  I've included a few of the photos here, but posted quite a few more in my web page:  Cycle Photos.  The YouTube video is less than 3 minutes and can be played at this link:  Cycle Video.  After leaving the event, we went to the adjacent Outlet Mall for a little shopping.

Trip to Las Vegas and Laughlin Nevada

Last week we took a getaway week to Nevada, spending 3 nights at Paris casino in Las Vegas and 2 nights at Harrah's in Laughlin.  Not a whole lot of gambling but a lot of sightseeing.  The Paris resort is a great place to stay in Vegas.  We bought the 24 hour buffet and visited 5 buffets during the period.  Tried a little bit of everything but used restraint so as not to feel bloated afterwards.  Some of the highlights from wandering around Vegas:

1. Stopped at the Boulder City Railroad on the way and walked around the old train machinery
2. Saw the new Linq ferris wheel between Flamingo and the Quad.
3. Did the pool at Paris and worked out at the fitness center (had to work off those buffets)
4. Visited Count's Kustoms--a wild car and cycle customizing shop featured on cable TV
5. Visited Battlefield Vegas--a shooting range near the strip with military vehicles and backdrops
6. Toured Container Park--a new attraction on Fremont Street with a park and shops made from actual shipping containers.
7. Went to the Bellagio conservatory and walked along the Strip.
8. Visited the Pinball Museum--lots of the old pinball machines, still playable at 25 cents a shot

Then on to Laughlin, about an hour south of Vegas on the Colorado River.  Stayed at Harrah's casino for 2 nights.  While there we:

1. Toured the Riverside Classic Car Collection--a free museum in the Riverside Casino containing about 80 classic cars and motorcycles.
2. Walked along the river the length of all the casinos and took the water taxi back for the return trip.
3. Did the pool at Harrah's.
4. Only did one dinner buffet at Harrah's.  Took it slow and easy and had a relaxing meal.
5. On the way back home, we took Route 66 north of Kingman and stopped at Hackberry General Store--a great trip down memory lane with old cars and momentos from the golden age of travel.

All in all, a very nice trip with lots of interesting things to see and do.

I'm putting together a website of some of my favorite photos.  Right now it includes recent trips to car shows and car museums.  More items will be added as time allows.  You can visit the site at:   www.azbigbill.weebly.com