EASTER MORNING 3/27/2016

It really looked more like Christmas time this morning than Easter.  I guess March is going out like a Lion.  It will all be gone by the middle of the coming week as temperatures are suppose to be in the 50's and maybe even 60.  I guess it is pretty for now even though I am not a big fan of snow.

A shot of the backyard with the frosty Maple tree.

Another backyard shot with the frosty trees.

Bird Feeder City.

It doesn't show real well in this picture, but I still get a kick out of how the water turns black from the white snow for a short period of time.  The river was closer to a light brown color yesterday.

Front yard.

My garden spot is in front of the white fence.  Be glad when I can start planting.

No grilling today.

Hope you have a great Easter.

Patrick

LIME TREE

I have been making new support stands for my garden tomatoes this year.  Pat saw them and asked if I could make a new support stand for our Lime tree.  I have now finished that project and the tree is on the new stand.  The following pictures show the old supports I was using to hold the limbs up, three Limes on the tree now and the new stand with the tree.

These were the paper clips and rubber bands that were attached to wooden dowel rods that were stuck in the dirt around the tree.  They did the job, but were about worn out.

More of the supports.

The beginning of this years crop.

This is the new stand.

This is the new stand with the tree installed.  There are more cross supports that I will install after the limbs get settled down some.   

Patrick

ANNIVERSARY

Today, St. Patrick's Day, was our anniversary.  We celebrated by spending last night and half of today at the Treasure Island casino near Welch Minnesota with our friends Dan and Carol.  It was a fun time although not real profitable.  The following pictures were taken today.

A shot this morning, just before sunrise, from our hotel room window on the 6th floor.

Another scenery shot.

Us at breakfast in our green shirts for St. Patrick's day.

This is the new weather vane that Pat got me for our anniversary.  It is in the front yard about half way between the house and the row of trees in front of the house.  Works real well.

These are the new ear rings and ring that I got Pat.  The little balls on the ear rings have the jewel Tourmaline around them and the ring has a large one in the mount.  

This is a close up of the ring in the previous picture.

Patrick

BIRTHDAY BOYS

Today was Jim's birthday and mine is tomorrow.  We met friends for lunch today and got the following pictures.

This is Jim and Joanne (Pat's sister and brother-in-law).  Looking good!

This is me, Jim, Joanne and Pat.  Good looking bunch!

Patrick

AFTERNOON SIESTA

The following picture is of some Canadian Geese and Swans that were sleeping on the ice on the other side of the river from our place.  You would think that would be a cold nap, but I guess their feathers insulate them.

There are 3 Canadian Geese on the left side, 5 Swans in the middle and another Canadian Goose on the right side.  They all have their heads curled around on their backs and I guess they are asleep.

Patrick

SWANS ON THE RIVER

There have been several swans, geese and ducks on the open water of the river in front of our place.  I got the following pictures of some of the swans this afternoon in the bright sun light.

Four swans a swimming.

Five more out in the middle of the river.

Sort of a regal looking pair on the ice on the other side of the river.

Patrick

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT!!!

Today is Pats birthday.  To celebrate we went to the Jackpot Junction casino and met our friends Dan, Carol and Marcia.  We did some gambling and had a nice lunch.  It was a nice relaxing day.  The pictures below are of the casino building and the group at lunch.

Outside of building

Group at lunch.  Pat on left and Marcia, Carol and Dan on the right.

Patrick

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Yesterday afternoon we visited the Lake Mead Recreation Area.  This area starts just north of Bullhead City and goes north to totally include all of Lake Mead.  Also included in the area is Lake Mohave which is formed by the Davis dam on the Colorado river.  Lake Mohave is about 3 miles north of Bullhead City.  We drove around Lake Mohave and checked out a number of coves and recreation areas.  There are several boat ramps for the lake.  We see reports in the local paper that there is a lot of fishing being done just below the dam for the lake with some big Stripped Bass and Rainbow trout being caught.  The Trout are placed in the river each year.  The first picture below is a map of the recreational area.  The green area is the recreational area.  Lake Mead is at the top of the map and Lake Mohave is near the bottom.  Las Vegas is at the top left and Bullhead City is at the bottom.  The other pictures are of the scenery around Lake Mohave.

 Map of the recreational area.

Mountains on the west side of the Lake Mohave

More mountains with the Lake along the bottom.

Just an interesting formation east of the lake.

Another formation.

Patrick

SCENERY

While waiting for Pat to get her hair cut today, I went for a ride and got some pictures of the area scenery.  There are mountains on both sides of Bullhead City with the river down in between. Because of the angle and my elevation, I couldn't get the river in the pictures. Also, I am including a picture of what Pat and I had for supper tonight.  Pat bought some steaks a couple days back at Sam's club and when I saw them I though they were small roasts.  You will see what I mean in the picture.  I grilled the first one tonight and it came out well and very tasty.  We cut it in half and had plenty for both of us.  The steaks weighed around 1 1/2 pounds each.

Mountains northwest of Laughlin, Nevada.

Badlands type area to the left of the mountains in the first picture.

I call this one the Knob.

This one could be a castle.

This is the beginning of casino row in Laughlin.

This is the Colorado Belle and to the left of the picture the Golden Nugget.  They are at the other end of the casino row.  I wasn't able to get the middle this time.

Our steak for this evening.

Patrick

HUALAPAI

Yesterday we went to the Hualapai mountains near Kingman, AZ to meet our friends Jim and Sara Johnson for brunch at the Hualapai Mountain Resort.  They have a very good all you can eat Sunday brunch for $7.99.  We have been here for the brunch in previous years.  One of the things they are known for is the herd of Elk that stay out in front of the picture windows in the restaurant.  The following pictures are of the Elk and one of  the Hualapai mountains.  As you can see they have snow up there.  The restaurant is at around 6,000 feet elevation.

This is the herd.  There were at least 12 of them there.

This was one that was off by herself and right next to where you can walk up to.

This one of the Hualapai snow covered mountains.

Patrick