53rd ANNIVERSARY at ORGAN STOP PIZZA in MESA, with Update

Thank you FFC for the Anniversary post card that we received today!! October 28th that is!!

October 24th we went to Organ Stop (but today I am going to add to this October 24th Blog, info about the Wurlitzer Organ. I meant to give this info when writing the original Blog, but forgot!! But that is not new anymore!!

Think that maybe we should have had someone else take our picture?? But we enjoyed the food and music, and our celebration. Doesn't seem like 53 years, but I do feel older!!

We had him play "Lara" theme song from Dr. Zhivago for us.  It was awesome!!

We always love to hear the Wurlitzer, but we want to go back to hear the younger organist. We thought before when we saw him that he added more personality to it!!

When friends from Ohio come to Mesa, we like to take them to see and hear it.

Organ Stop purchased the instrument in the early 1970's and several additions were made to the instrument from parts from other ill fated Wurlitzer's and it was installed in their original facility in 1975. The enlargement and improvement has been an ongoing project. This is the largest console type ever designed by Wurlitzer. As of today, this organ has nearly 6000 pipes. The massive quantities of wind required for operation are provided by four huge turbine blowers. The console is "presented" on an 8000 pound rotating hydraulic elevator. Many of the percussions, such as xylophones, glockenspiels, and drums, etc. are installed in the dining room for audience appeal.
(I give you this information from Organ Stop's brochure.)

We arrived home to our new solar patio lights. I think that they are still charging. They probably need a little more sunlight each day.

I did bed and bath linen laundry today. Think that maybe I will go now and do some thrift shopping!! I really do not need to spend even a dime, but am looking for a few in a series about wagons traveling west by Diana Fuller Ross.  If I could find them for twenty cents like those I found the other day across from the resort!!
Have a great day!!

VISIT WITH SALEM FRIENDS AT PAYSON AZ

Yesterday we drove back north to Payson to meet with Bob and Donna for lunch. She picked the place on YELP as it had a four and half star rating, Suzie Q's Barbecue. I've never heard of YELP before, but you can bet we will use it in the future!

I missed seeing the pink pigs when first driving by, so we had to drive around the block. We got to see the owner load the pig cooker before we left. It smokes for 20 hours to be ready for the next day. They sell both pulled pork and beef brisket until they are sold out.  Many stop and buy to take home and to their RV Park, while many stop and eat there. It was yummy and they were generous with the portions.

Suzie's Q Barbecue on Rt 87 south side of Payson.

Gary, Bob, Donna and Audrey

We've finished eating, but talked with the owners
since it was quiet for a while.
Bob and Donna

Owner, Suzie, telling us of her plans to move the business
to Prescott soon. She wants more floor space and can not
find it here in Payson. I believe she does catering also, so
Prescott area might be better for that also.

The other owner is loading the cooker for the night.
He comes back in the middle of the night to add more
wood. In the mean time the cooker is well locked up!
The police park often in their parking lot at night.

While visiting, Bob told of his son in Maine who was in a bad motorcycle accident. A truck turned in front of him so he and his bike went over top of it.  He had many broken bones and was in surgery for nine hours. The back of his helmet was crushed also.  Since that surgery, the tests that they have done showed another problem. They found an aortic aneurysm which needs care asap. They do not think that was caused by the accident, but Mark is considering himself lucky that he had the accident or this might not have been found in time.  God sure works in what we consider mysterious ways.  So we ask that you keep Mark Parker in your prayers!!
We had a wonderful visit and plan to try to get together again a time or two before we leave Arizona. We will probably go to Quartzite when they are there. Now they are headed to Las Vegas to meet up with some of Donna's family. Have fun!!

The drive going north on Rt 87 gave us a different view of the same mountains that we saw the other day. It was so hazy that we assumed it was dust in the bright sunlight. It did not make pictures of very good quality until later in the morning.

Salt River Indian Reservation

Six and seven % grades were one after another!!
Gary said he sure would not want to drive the motorhome
through here, though the road was good and we passed others.

Tonto National Forest.

Tonto National Forest

Here southbound Rt 87 crosses over the northbound lanes.

Got a kick out of this "moving load".
The bottom of the chair was spinning continuously.
Wonder if the bearings lasted this move??

 Almost home!!  It's been a long day.

Gary has been getting some of the outside decor put out. Debbie, he put all except the Christmas solar lights out. I am glad that I got them while there in Indiana. We are waiting for them to get charged up by the sun.  A little at a time. I will try to get a picture when they are lit up.

We like the red cup holders that we found at Menard's.
We got one for each of the red chairs.
Now we just need company!

So much parking space!!

So long for another day.  We did not sleep well last night, but did get up okay to get to church. There were two baptisms today. 

We sure napped this afternoon.  We just have errands for tomorrow. I may get started on scrapbooking. I need to get the address for the nearest Walgreen so that I can get some pictures ordered.

Not sure what our next adventure will be. Stay tuned.

SCENIC DRIVE TO GLOBE AND SHOW-LOW, ARIZONA

Wednesday, October 18th - Took a scenic drive to go to Show-low Arizona where we have never been. First we took the route up through Globe. 

Leaving the city desert behind!

And the city trailer parks!

Housing developments, going toward the mountains.

We just love those rocky mountains!!

More than one way to get through the mountains!

I can tell we are getting closer to Globe!

 We are close to copper mines.

Plant life is interesting too!

I'd say he's got quite a hike ahead!

Yep, we are in White Mountain Apache country now!

Salt River here. It goes clear down into Mesa AZ and beyond.
We are now into the switchbacks! We sure wouldn't want
to drive the motorhome here, but others did!

Wonder if these are former cave dwellings?

Hm-m-m, smoke?

We did not find much of interest in Show-Low, but also passed through Payson on our way back to Mesa.  Show-Low is a golf, ATV area, and probably skiing. We are now getting into pine forrest area.

Yesterday we received a call from Ohio friends Donna and Bob who are right now in Cottonwood, on their way to Las Vegas to meet with Ohio family.  They winter in Yuma much of the time. They also like Quartzite area also. We made plans to meet with them in Payson on Saturday for lunch and a visit. We always look forward to these visits!
It was a long drive, but we survived it and can tell we are getting back home, to Mesa that is.

Back in the city!!

Hope you enjoyed these pictures as much as we enjoyed the scenery!!
Take care and God Bless you all.