Roadside Shrine

On our way home from Globe, Arizona, we once again stopped at the roadside shrine just west of Miami. I've been fascinated by altars/shrines since our first trip to Mexico, and I was really surprised by this one when we discovered it last year on a weekend trip. It's almost always busy with people lighting candles and saying prayers for loved ones. On Saturday, I waited while two groups of people paid their respects with flowers and candles. When I got home, I decided to google the Miami roadside shrine to see if there was a story behind it. And yes, there is! Click that link!

What a wonderful story! I love the roadside shrines -- the candles, photos, and ritual. It all seems so exotic compared to my Midwest Baptist upbringing.

Which reminds me, I'd love to return to Isla in early December. On my December 2005 trip, it seemed like there was a procession almost everyday for a week. There was the Virgin of Guadalupe celebration, the procession with the Virgin of Isla from the church through the streets onto a boat flotilla, the families and their first communion girls walking in mass down Juarez, the boys parading in their traditional dress the next day -- it was fascinating to watch.

The wheels are turning. I must be going nuts! I haven't even finished booking our July trip!

Another Trip to Joe's

Craig and I made a trip to Joe's Farm Grill last night for a treat to celebrate a good first day at work for me! The weather was just beautiful, sunny and 80 degrees, with lots of families eating outside on the patio and at the picnic tables under the trees. While we were waiting in line, I decided to try something different. The BBQ pork sandwich and slaw. Craig had his usual, the Farm Burger and fries.



Both were great! Lately, Joe's has been crowded due to the fact that they've been featured on the Food Channel once again. I actually tried to stop by for a mid-afternoon meal last week when Craig was in Philidelphia, but the line was out the door and extended to the parking lot. I was flabberghasted, but maybe it was a special event? I just drove right on out of the parking lot because I'm too impatient to wait in that kind of line! Tonight wasn't quite as bad, but it was a pretty good crowd for 5:30 p.m. on a Monday night.

This video on YouTube is a clip from the show that's been rerunning on the Food Channel. I watched it tonight and it makes me want to run back out there and order the BBQ Chicken Pizza. Or the Ahi Sandwich or Salad! Anyway, take a look at this video! This is what I'm talkin' about!

In the Jailhouse Now

I thought a jail post would be highly appropriate since I'm headed back to work today. : )

On our trip to Globe, Craig wanted to take a tour of the historic Gila County Jail. I'm not wild about touring jails (Alcatraz gave me the creeps), but I decided to throw Craig a bone since I was dragging him through antique stores. LOL

Well, we got in there and I quickly wanted out! The jail was built in 1910 and was the scene of a murder where a gunman shot a man in his cell from a courthouse window next door. They also described an inmate who had jumped to his death from the upper-story metal bridge between the courthouse and jail. And there was some graphic skinhead white supremacist graffiti on the walls of the cells that made me more than a little nervous.



The place just felt cold, clammy, and dank. Coming into the cellblock, I had noticed cameras set up all over the place, but just assumed it was for security purposes. I was taking photos of the cells and the wall graffiti when my camera just suddenly shut down. I commented that it was weird because I'd just replaced the batteries that morning. The man giving us the tour immediately said that was a fairly common event with cameras in that area of the jail. I acted puzzled, so he finally spelled it out for me. All the cameras I'd noticed were for an investigation by a paranormal group because the jail's haunted. And cameras shut down because something in that area doesn't like photos! Uhhhhhh -- yikes!


The only place I wanted to be was out of there! I was able to turn the camera back on and finish taking a few more photos, but departed fairly quickly and left Craig to complete the tour.

Downstairs, the woman at the desk commented that if I saw anything unusual in my photos, to please let them know! I haven't noticed anything, but if you spot any ghosts, point them out. LOL

Bridge between jail and courthouse.

Jail memorabilia.

The cellblock. I don't see the ghost!


Skin head graffiti.

Cell where the murder took place.

Adios! Manana. Keep your fingers crossed. Maybe I'll get probation or an early release. : )

March in the Desert

Our weather this week has been fantastic with blue skies and 80 degree temps. I've been spending my week out and about, taking Saby for morning walks, and hopping on the bike for morning rides in the regional park down the road. The park's trails loop around past marshy lakes where visitors can observe the wildlife and plants. Arizona wildflowers are in bloom right now and just gorgeous.

Saby's also loving the good weather! The ice cream truck is back in the neighborhood. It's a large brightly painted van with psychedelic blinking lights that plays Don't Worry, Be Happy. Saby was so happy to see it last night, she took off running down the middle of the street after it! Fortunately, I had her on a long leash. I'm not sure what she thought it was, but it was funny!

The Globe Antique Road Show

I showed you my flea market finds from Saturday's trip. Here's some of the interesting stuff I didn't buy. I wish I had unlimited funds, but just looking is most of the fun!

These aluminum trays from my childhood seem to be popular now!

He's in love, he's all shook up! (Hopefully he's not in love with that clown!)

Oh my. Is THAT Grandma Weezy?

Love all the sidewalk antique displays!

White Porch Antiques


Ringy dingy. I have a friend who collects these. Too bad she wasn't here!


Another typewriter like Grandma Bowman's. I swear, when I find the old Mission library table, I'm buying one of these!

Little banana crate. I have a big one at home that we used for Michael's toy box.


Cowboy bathtub!

Cute Mission oak library table, but no drawer. And I want a drawer!


Uhhhhh. Whatever floats your boat!

This sign is SO Arizona!


These would make such pretty seaglass!





I learned to type on one like this!

Sidewalk sporting goods. I like the old shopping cart!

Should have bought the wire basket!



Weiner dogs rule!

Where's the Beach?

I've been away from Isla and the beach for too long! Since November? Yesterday, I changed my header to a photo of Playa Norte in 2004 edited in cinemascope. So what the heck! I decided to put some more of those 2004 Isla trip photos through the same process.

On the ferry to Paradise in May 2004!

Caribbean Queen pre-Aluxes. That beach just doesn't look the same now with all those palapas.

Shhhhhhhhhhh.

Sidetrip to Tulum. I was barely walking that day after dining on shrimp tacos for lunch at La Tarraya in PDC the day before. Only bad case of food poisoning I've had in Mexico. Note to self: If banos are filthy, don't eat there!

Garrafon Zipline

Craig lunching at Playa Lancheros.

Playa Norte 2004 -- look at that expanse of sand!

Entrance to Paradise

Pelicans on the old Garrafon Hotel dock.

I can't wait to get back to Isla in late June. My seat's booked, but I'm still watching for those summer fare wars to buy Craig's ticket. Right now tickets are double what they have been in the past -- $600 and up! I've booked lodging for a week (you'll have to wait until I've moved for that report since I try to keep my location on the down low), but think I may just wing it for the rest of the trip unless I see some good rates. (I always say that, chicken out, and book in advance.)