Fri - Apr 6/12

Our neighbours are on their way - slowly - back to Montana. Their first stop will be Sedona, AZ. They have a zest for life and I know they will thoroughly enjoy their travels. We are richer for having met them - one of the joys of RVing.

I had enough time to print out a few idea maps (Monument Valley and Moab, UT) and pass them on before they departed. We always say a silent prayer for safe travels when friends depart.

I dropped "The Giving Heart" packages off to two other neighbours who could not attend last night's gathering due to prior commitments. We hope all enjoy the hearts as much and for as long as we have.

The next chore was to put the new drill (now fully charged) and HSS bit to use. The bike rack now has a larger (and locking) pin for safety and security.

We headed out to Mulqueen's Sewing Center in Mesa, AZ to check for Huck Towelling. This material is often hard to find. A close description (you need to be from the 50's to understand) would be the material used in service station washrooms in the wall mounted towel dispensers.  These "real" towels where used to dry your hands. The towels rotated out (and back into) the dispenser as you pulled on them (for a clean section) and dried your hands.

This material is what Charlotte uses to make embroidered tea towels that we often give as gifts to friends or RVers who do something special for us. We tried to find it at Joann Fabrics (2 locations); but the quality was really poor. At Mulqueen's we found the "good stuff". Bonus - not only top quality; but a better price. Charlotte purchased 20 yards - this should keep her hands busy for a while. As I often say: "Get extra - it's cheaper than gas!")

Supper (a surprise treat) for Charlotte today was Joe's Real BBQ located in a real 1929 brick building from the "golden age" of agricultural in the Downtown Heritage District of Gilbert, AZ. Here barbecue is slow cooked over pecan wood. This was our first visit to Joe's Real BBQ; however, we often frequent the "sister"  restaurant "Joe's Farm Grill" which was feature in an episode of Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" on the food network.

We chose to share the "BBQ Sampler Plate" w/2 sides which included over 3/4 lb. of ribs, chicken, pork and beef - all BBQed to perfection.

I also chose a "Jumbo Baker" which is a One Pound Baked Potato loaded with butter, sour cream, cheese and chives. I'm sure it weighed more than a pound - it was the size of the plate! Not only was this the largest potato I have ever eaten - the texture and taste was the best as well. Needless to say - we took some home.

We took the slower route back via Baseline Road to the RV being it was still the tail end of the rush hour.

The usual Friday night TV before bed after Jay Leno's monologue.