Sat Jan 28 2023

Good morning Angels, It was a cool start for 8 bikes and 2 ladies angels. Gary lead us and Dennis was our tail, as we headed East on the 60 for Globe. We had a little cooler weather going thew the canyon, and also a little snow and ice cycles. The rest of our ride got a little warmer. We went on to the Apache Gold casino. Our breakfast was good, but slow like most restaurants because of lack of help. But after getting most of our food a couple of rider food got to the table a little late but we all finished about the same time but me. We decided to go back by way of .winkelmen. We stopped for a short time, no one needed fuel or anything. On to Serpior and home on the 60. All in all, it was a nice ride, got home at about 1:30.

Wed ride looks to be in the 50s and higher. Sat Feb 4th looks to be in the '70s. Looks like the weather is getting warmer. Thank you AZ.

                                                        Paul B

Angels shirts

Hello Angels, Mini Al has the Blues Angels shirts in. If you ordered one or would like to get one Mini Al has them at 74 Jackknife. Or call 2074 or 920-866-2595. 

                                                      Paul B 

Fwd: A cool ride to Cassa Grande

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Six bikes with seven riders met at the station under a clear cold sky this morning. The plan was to visit the Hideout Steakhouse in the east mall at Casa Grande, where other groups had dined before. Dennis was our leader today as we chose the 79 to Florence with the idea that we would see the water flowing under the Florence bridge. Instead, we joined a half mile backup of traffic as the ongoing construction appears to be accelerated by the river's flow.

 

The Florence bridge is described as a monument to the river's treachery. Most riders remember it was always bumpy. It has been rebuilt three times before this construction, and was the first bridge over a river in Arizona, and the last resurfacing had been in 2000.  Now separate lanes are being built in each direction.

 

Without seeing the river, the Angels ducked right on the Hunt Highway, past Coolidge on the 87 and south to 11 mile corner. The Cotton gin yards are full of raw cotton from the fields, probably because they are short of workers. It appears many fields of wheat are being grown this year, because wheat grain has passed historic high prices, caused by the war in Ukraine . We noticed two farms next to the defunct Phoenix market are being sold. Does that mean new life for an abandoned project?

 

The Hideout is a neat new bar and restaurant next to the Harkins theater. We were seated in their large back room, where we were soon cradling, orange mugs of coffee.  Gary knew about a meal called Pain Perdue that several riders ordered. It was good! We enjoyed the meal and the talk.

 

We made a fast return trip on the 10 because a couple riders have appointments to meet. As we left Casa Grande we were riding beside a shiny new Lucid electric car that was probably making its maiden voyage from the factory only a few miles back.

 

Our ride today was 125 miles at 55 mph with 2:16 hours lapsed time.

 

Jean and I will return to Minnesota on Wednesday for a date with the snow. We hope someone will take up pen and camera to keep this story going. I'll be back in March, looking forward to new territory. We need a Leader to assure us good spring rides and a Spring Banquet!

 

Phil Parsons. 

 

Sent from my iPhone

 

 

Fwd: Like birds on a rail

blues angels m/c group

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Like birds on a rail fence, eight riders on seven bikes lined up at the station on this crisp and clearing day after a couple days of rain. Gary was our leader with Dennis at the tail. There is no sense of economic recession in this area.  As we ride south on Ironwood  a huge swath of desert is being prepared for residential development. A few miles later we see two huge cranes in the distance, making an "X" against the horizon.  Later on our trip, there are rows of new buildings, housing goods and stores that seem to be unendingly busy.

 

The target today was Tags Restaurant at Coolidge; always a great place where locals gather, and everybody feels at home. The table talk ranged from Wi-Fi news to the fast flowing Gila River we had just  crossed on Attaway Road.  The quiet puddles of a couple days ago have turned into a torrent working its way across the plains to join the Colorado at Yuma.

 

Have you sometimes wondered about the "C" painted on the mountain north of Coolidge? Have you ever traveled the twisting road from there to Blackwater?  Today we did, crossing the swollen Gila three more times on our return trip. The photo is near Sacaton. We have never seen water at that location before. The Angels have frequently ridden through Sacaton past the Ira Hayes memorial. The reservation including Sacaton is within their Gila floodplain.  Gary Knudson knows some of the geography of the river.  It begins on the San Carlos reservation east of Globe, then passes through the Coolidge dam, followed by Winkelman, Florence, passed Avondale and Buckeye, then under the iron bridge north of Gila Bend and onto Yuma. Only this year have we seen  Water all along the desert channel you can read the colorful history of the Gila River on the Internet.

 

I trip today returned through Chandler to the 202 and back home by 12:30 PM. I had 103 miles in 2.36 hours at average 39.6 mph . On Saturday, the ride will go to Cassa grande. The group are hoping to have a meeting soon to plan for spring rides. 

 

Phil Parsons

 

Sent from my iPhone

 

Fwd: A Rounded Square

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Phillip Parsons <parsonspj@live.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 7, 2023 at 4:18 PM
Subject: A Rounded Square
To: Paul Breuklander <pbreuklander1@gmail.com>

What started as a request for a short ride today turned into a 161 mile circle around much of our area south of Apache Junction.  Our group doubled in size from last time as snowbirds returned from their Christmas bout with the weather.  There were 14 bikes with 21 riders, so we were divided into two groups. The first was led by Dennis and the next by Dan Knorr.  Stories of Minnesota blizzards, and some mechanical problems kept everyone talking.

 

The goal set for today was the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Arroyo Golf Course, where we were once last year.  Because of a tournament, our reservation was set at an outside table. With temperatures in the 50s, nobody liked a table in the shade, so we moved on to the Ak Chin casino. With a bit of time, tables together were arranged, and most people had their hands around a cup of really good coffee. The meal was very satisfying, and the conversation buzzed .

 

The best part of the ride was still ahead as our leaders turned south on 247, then left on Highway 84 past the feedlots through Stanfield to Casa Grande.  We made a right turn to Florence to complete the Circle as we returned to Apache Junction.  Isn't it nice to see fields of fresh green alfalfa?  Did anyone notice the lowered white Cadillacin  convertible  on the left side in Cassa Grande? How about the new factory and fields of  flowers along 87 across from the prisons?

 

Our return to Apache Junction was at 2:45 PM with the 161 miles at average speed 48 mph in 3:20 hours of lapsed time. Everyone enjoyed a sunny day in Arizona.

 

Phil Parsons. 

 

 

Fwd: FW: Winkelman Ride on January 4

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From: Phillip Parsons <parsonspj@live.com>
Date: Wed, Jan 4, 2023 at 8:40 PM
Subject: FW: Winkelman Ride on January 4
To: Paul Breuklander <pbreuklander1@gmail.com>, Peter Parsons <beringbigdog@gmail.com>

 

There were nine bikes with 10 riders leaving from the station on this day  with a promising cool start. Dennis was our leader, followed by Gary at the rear. As we passed Gold Canyon, Picket Post Mouuntain appeared clearly against the bright morning sky.  We were on our way to the mountains and Winkelman for breakfast.

 

Clouds were trapped in the Roy Mine as we covered the familiar route from Superior to Winkelman and Marias café. As we pass Kearny, I can remember some nice restaurant stops at that place that are no longer there. The nice young waitress at Marias took our orders, including mugs of hot cocoa to warm us up after the cool 50° start in the morning.  Although it took a while, Marias burritos are hard to beat.

 

Turning towards Globe, the mountains turn steeper, and the Saguaros marching up the slopes soon gave way to snow caps at the higher elevations as we reach the  drier land of the San Carlos reservation. Along the way we pass through the Dripping Springs community, which I always think of as a lonely place that I should explore.  Most interesting were the towers on the highest peak near Globe where a fog cloud had covered them with ice. It was striking picture in the morning sun.

 

After a stop in Globe, we were headed home through Devil's Canyon and Superior . All agreed that each ride gets better this season. We had traveled 150 miles at average 52 mph in two hours and 52 minutes lapse time.  There was a hint that Saturday's weather will  be nice, and Casa Grande might be the target.

 

We need a leader for Blue's Angels to conduct our program. It would help our riders to know where we were going, and to conduct the spring program, including the banquet at GV. I have some ideas, and we should talk about them.

 

Phil Parsons.

 

Phone change

Good morning Angels, Well my airport runs are getting fewer. So I should make more rides I hope. I changed my phone number. It is 480-217-6805. HAPPY NEW YEAR and sorry for all the rain but AZ needs it.

                                             Paul B

Fwd: New Year's Eve Ride. Welcome 2023.

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From: Phillip Parsons <parsonspj@live.com>
Date: Sat, Dec 31, 2022 at 4:49 PM
Subject: New Year's Eve Ride. Welcome 2023.
To: Paul Breuklander <pbreuklander1@gmail.com>, Phil <parsonspj1934@gmail.com>

New Year's Eve Day brought a bright sunny day with a few clouds as the Angels group of eight bikes with 10 riders led by Gary and Laurie Knudsen left the Chevron for the trip to Petro.  It is a freeway restaurant south of Casa Grande that we like and have not visited for more than a year. We traveled the local road system past Coolidge, working our way south on Highway 87.  South of Coolidge we met lots of traffic that had apparently been caused by an accident on the 10, diverting traffic to the north and west from Picacho intersection.

 

Petro is somewhat different after COVID; the buffet has been taken away.  It  is the place for a big breakfast; our hungry riders at the table found plenty to eat.  A couple of the riders had appointments to meet, so they left quickly.  Just north of the restaurant, we saw the Casa Grande factory of the new electric Lucid car. Turning right for a stretch towards Tucson there is Picacho Peak straight ahead. It will be covered with flowers in about a month, then becoming the most popular camping place in the area.

 

At Eloy  we watched skydivers dropping slowly to earth.  We'll go there to watch at the airport later this spring.  From there the 11 Mile Highway goes north, then northwest on the 87 past the Indian community of Sacaton to Chandler, then west on Riggs Road, for 20 miles of city. We circled two sides of Williams field, the second Phoenix airport, to reach the 60 and the last 10 miles  toward Flathead Mountain and home.

 

Our total travel today was 147 miles, and we arrived home at 1:45.  Rain is expected in AZ for the next two days, so the ride on Wednesday is subject to clearing weather.  Arizonans always like rain, and there has been more than usual this year.

 

We wish all our friends here and at home a very happy and profitable New Year. Perhaps some of you will be with us in Arizona.

 

Phil Parsons.