Wow, surreal experience at Pepsi Amphitheater at 7000 ft elevation in the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world with Bajarriba Skybox VIP seating for Midland sold out concert which was opened by Flatland Cavalry (who could have been its own headliner band) - 3200 cowgirls, cowboys, students, tourists, some traveling Europeans visiting the Grand Canyon and the great Navajo Nation all representing respectfully at what I believe might just be the coolest outdoor arena in the USA, rivaling Red Rock in Colorado. The acoustics of this venue are second to none and “Sipping out of Cabo” with Bajarriba Tequila makes this the ultimate experience!!! Gracias R-entertainment for putting on such an incredible event and bringing top-notch entertainment to Northern Arizona!! BONUS was celebrating Connie’s Birthday with her and seeing the delight in my wife’s eyes of our Bajarriba logo & bottle everywhere Peace, Love & Tequila surrounded us!!  For more information and concert lineup for 2025 season check out www.PepsiAmp.com

At the end of this Blog, I copied & pasted 8 of the 17 Trip Advisor Reviews, of which 15 of 17 were excellent and 5 STAR recommendations. When we / Bajarriba Tequila was approached by R-Entertainment, being 1 of 3 Tequila brands that were being considered as the only Tequila served at PEPSI Amphitheater I went to look at the reviews as you can tell a great deal about the organization as a whole and how staff treat their guests, the level of service with food and drinks and the overall experience of the venue.  Even though I felt incredibly comfortable with R-Entertainment co-founders / owners Kerry and Cynthia Dunne, Reed Glick and General Manager – Steve Strickland, I still felt it important to do one more due diligence item – see what the customers have to say about their visit and experience. The reviews chosen are from recent of late last season 2024 to 2016 showing that the service and standard remained consistent and high for the last nine years.

This last March 2025 while at Flying E Ranch in Wickenburg listening to Suzy Bogguss and Mark Chesnutt some friends introduced us to a couple from Michigan – Todd & Marsha D. who then told us about this historic hotel they had stayed at in Flagstaff, AZ – the Weatherford Hotel.  On our visit April 26th we stopped in as promised to take a gander at the Weatherford Hotel and to our surprise Ms. Pamela “Sam” Green who owns it with husband Henry Taylor was there and she gave Connie and I an intimate, behind the scenes tour of the entire renovated hotel which has 3 lovely hand crafted, long bars which have traveled half way across the world to be sat at by thirsty travelers around the globe.

On January 1, 1900, the $10,000 Hotel Weatherford opened its doors to the public. It was the biggest and best; according to The Coconino Sun, “There is no finer hotel in the whole southwest.” Of owner John Weatherford they say, “He is careful of the interests of his guests and every comfort obtainable is afforded them.”  Please do yourself a favor and click onto this site and explore the Weatherford Hotel history. https://weatherfordhotel.com/history/

Twin Arrow NAVAJO Casino Resort had an awesome, almost too good to be true promotion for visiting attendees at the Midland / Flatland Cavalry concert at PEPSI Amphitheater. When booking a two night stay at $99 per night, we were given a choice of $100 Food & Drink Dining Credit or $100 Free Casino Play, plus a $25 Chevron gas card redeemable at the Navajo Blue Travel Plaza which is close to and part of the resort. There are 5 different restaurants to choose from including their award-winning Zenith Steakhouse – Proud Recipient of the DiRōNA Award of Excellence 2025.  Unfortunately we did not have enough time to dine at Zenith Steakhouse but did manage to get an unforgettable BUILD YOUR OWN BURGER for $18 using Source Verified Premium Ground Beef – 8 OZ and a CHOICE OF THREE items: Swiss | Cheddar | Pepper Jack | American | Blue Cheese | Sautéed Onions | Sautéed Mushrooms | Bacon | Green Chile | Salsa | Sliced Avocado | Jalapeño  $1 for any extra toppings after three.  Connie and I shared a burger which came with tasty large French fries. We ordered our burger – medium rare with Cheddar Cheese | Sautéed Onions | Sautéed Mushrooms | Bacon which made it $19 and well worth it and we were both beyond satisfied and full.  For more information on Twin Arrows please go to the website provided and Twin Arrows is the Hotel Sponsor at PEPSI Amphitheater and run specials / promos in conjunction with most or all concerts on the www.pepsiamp.com site. The rooms are new, clean, quiet and comfortable.  I also used the indoor hot tub and large swimming pool during our visit – nice and relaxing.  www.twinarrows.com/

The largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world stretching from near Flagstaff, AZ along the Mogollon Rim, to the White Mountains region, encompassing over 2.6 million acres. This extensive forest spans the state's diverse landscapes, including the Coconino Plateau and the area around the Grand Canyon. This visit is a must for any world traveler, but I will give extra emphasis to Arizonans as I have met plenty who have never been to the Grand Canyon which is within the state they reside – what a shame.  Now there is another wonder of the world (a Bucket List item) which is on your same route to the Grand Canyon from Tucson, Yuma, Wickenburg, Kingman, the Phoenix and Scottsdale metro area – which will earn you a few days of relief from the intense sunshine and heat of summer by taking in a concert at PEPSI Amphitheater, one of the greatest outdoor auditoriums built by man while taking in the fresh mountain air and natural beauty compliments of GOD.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo, one of the biggest tequila drinking days for both mixed margaritas or sipping it straight with great, non-additive tequilas or for those other not so healthy or tasty agave drinks – throw it in the back of your mouth to get the party started liquid tequilas
And do not forget, this next Sunday is all about Your MOTHER – Mom, the one who helped make us successful and did without many times so that we as children had pleasant memories.  Happy Mother’s Day to my dear Mother – Nina, my Aunts and all the other wonderful, caring Mothers I know out there!!
 
 Trip Advisor Reviews from latest to earlier:
 
Robert Plant/ Kraus.  Gerry H. – August 26, 2024 Norfolk, VA
Great venue in serene campground setting. Seats A-H are the best seats as they are on a incline and bolted to the floor. The concert was outstanding. Kraus and Plant have excellent vocals, and the sound system was excellent. It was a very enjoyable night.
 
Great venue. Good size.  Joel C. – Aug 6, 2024 San Tan AZ
We were here for the Bruce Hornsby concert. It was our first time. Assigned seating is covered by roof. Otherwise, it's lawn seating. Really clean venue and courteous staff. The acoustics were very good. I would call this an intimate setting. So much better than the expensive stadium concerts. I'll be watching their schedule from now on.
 
Gorgeous outdoor venue! Nearby camping and wheelchair accessible!  Nancy W. – July 27, 2024 Vail AZ
We went to see Michael Franti and Spearhead, and it was an AMAZING and perfect venue! Next time I'd like to try camping. The campgrounds were great and walking distance from the venue. The pines were lovely, the grass was soft, and the concert was awesome! It was also accessible to wheelchairs as there were a few wheelchair users in the "pit", up close to the performers!
 
Lord Huron concert- great show!  Jason C. – May 31, 2024, U.S.
Great venue for Lord Huron! The show was excellent. Easy to get to and parking was easy to access and just a short walk to the entrance. Plenty of options for drinks and there were food trucks offering different options. 
 
FANTASTIC SURROUNDINGS!  Side T. – July 2019, Almeria Spain
If there is a gig here while you’re in Flagstaff well worth it. Very well designed stage area that blends with the pine forest around it. I saw Buddy Guy here and it was one of those gigs I’ll never forget.
 
Beautiful Setting.  Kevin M. – May 2019, Tucson AZ
What a beautiful place to see a concert surrounded by pines! We went here for the first time this past weekend for the Grateful Festival. You can bring your own chairs and blankets to sit on the grassy area. The sound system was top notch and you could clearly hear every note no matter where you are located in the park. We can't wait to go back. Also, the staff at the facility were very friendly and helpful!
 
Great location for music!  Marissa B. – May 2017, Tucson AZ
Smaller more intimate amphitheater surrounded by ponderosa pines. Can bring blankets or chairs to sit out in the grass or move up to the standing area right in front of the stage! We paid for GA tickets and started out on the lawn but moved within 10 feet of the stage during the show! Lots of amphitheaters I've attended you pay separate for lawn or standing area up front, here it was just one cost (can get reserved seats for parking at the venue and not pricey to park (5 bucks). Went in late July for a night concert and the weather was PERFECT. There's also an extreme adventure course right near the amphitheater that's a blast if you have the time.
 
A nice place and a nice park.  Arpana01 – March 2016, St. Augustine FL
We went there and enjoyed the amphitheater. There were picnic grounds that surrounded the area that made the place very nice for the family.
 
 Rico Austin PhD
Tres Cabo Amigos, LLC which owns the BAJARRIBA Tequila brand
Co-Founder / Managing Partner 
 
 
 

GIVING BACK
As I give thanks to GOD for my companion of 26 years and wedding anniversary of 21 years for Connie it gives me time to reflect on how she has been one of the incredible partners I’ve been blessed with on our BAJARRIBA Tequila adventure and historic journey.
It has now been 4 ½ years since I filed for our LLC with the Arizona Corporation Commission in forming our Tres Cabo Amigos, LLC which owns the BAJARIBA Tequila brand and a bit over 2 years since we sold our first bottle in December 2022 and all the great things that have taken place in the last few months after 4 years of sweat, blood and tears. Not much blood as only a cut leg when a metal strap was snipped on breaking loose a pallet as it lashed out and tore through my skin, but lots of sweat and some real tears (both happiness and the not so …..).
WHY & HOW? I believe that our Company & Personal Philosophies of “GIVING BACK” are one of the main reasons we have been able to be so successful and have created some great partnerships with incredible Corporations in such a short time. Yes, we have a great product with an award-winning bottle and quality, premium tequila which in itself is unique, but too, we strongly distinguish ourselves by our character of helping others & “GIVING BACK!”
I am extremely proud of all our partners / investors in the BAJARRIBA brand as each and every one is a caring, stand-up individual and good human being who believes in helping others less fortunate or when in need. For example, Partners Mark and Beverly Nuessle have hosted HOPE KIDS Boots & Bling event since first introduced in Arizona. The two years that they could not host it because of having a new home constructed and living in a rental, one of our other partners – Mr. Jim Brown steps up and hosts it at his Cave Creek Outfitters Ranch in North Scottsdale as well as donated his time this last year in November 2024 as emcee when our other partner Mr. Tom Chambers was unable to emcee as he has in past years due to having a scheduling conflict with Phoenix Suns game to work and announce. Tom also donates his front row seats at the Footprint Center aka Phoenix Suns arena for the live auction of which this last year brought a $10,000 single donation to HOPE KIDS. Likewise partner Jay Nance and his wife Marinette have donated use of his yacht, time and the gasoline bill which comes attached to helping charitable events. My wife Connie and I bid on an event of $5000 allowing 80 kids and their families go on the Polar Express (we received five, beautiful, hand written thank you cards by some of the children who had an awesome experience with their families in Northern AZ (of which I’ve shared at bottom of Blog). Another event we bid on which allowed Connie and to enjoy VIP at Wickenburg Music Festival “Party in the Desert” including lodging at Flying E Ranch which was donated by??? - yep, our very own partner and amigo Mr. Jim Brown, donated about 5 or 6 of these including the grandest of which Tom Chambers won the live auction bid of $2000 all going to HOPE KIDS charity. Mark and Bev’s contribution to HOPE KIDS of the Boots & Bling Events have literally raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. Too, Connie and I have donated 100 of my children’s books “ARIZONA Is Where I Live” to charity – FLCK aka Feeding Los Cabos Kids and helped serve meals that very same day while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas – what a great and rewarding experience. Partner TC Thorensten has graciously donated his time and dinero many times to a great Arizona charity in Cave Creek, AZ -
“Cowboys for Kids” as well as other organizations. Partner Mr. Ira Gaines donates to the Arizona Symphony as well as other organizations. The list just goes on and on. I implore you to go to our website: https://bajarriba.com/giving-back and check out all the charities of which our organization have helped and YOU too have helped all of these charities as well. When you purchase a bottle of BAJARRIBA Tequila you are supporting one of these charities. THANK YOU!!!
YES, we are now proud to announce we’ve teamed up with the second largest grocery chain and most respected in the United States with Albertsons / Safeway. BAJARRIBA Tequila can now be found in 41 Safeway and 14 Albertsons throughout the great state of Arizona with another 28 to be added within the next month. Wow, Thank You Ms. Nicole and Team.
We now have the largest spirits distributor in the U.S. – SGWS (Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits) having distribution in 46 states within the Union. We are so blessed, Thank You Mr. Jim, Mr. Eli, Mr. Mike and Team!!
DDP Entertainment and The Cowboy Lifestyle Network – BAJARRIBA Tequila is slated to help and sponsor in Las Vegas, NV two events in 2025: Daylight Beach Club / Saddle Club at Mandalay Bay Resort on May 3rd and RIO Hotel Casino & Resort on July 4th; Sponsoring two events in Puerto Penasco aka Rocky Point, Mexico – Country Fest at Manny’s Beach Club May 16th – 18th and Country Fest at Esmeralda Beac Resort on October 3rd. The Stillery in Chandler, AZ will host the LIVE LIFE Arizona Hall of Fame Music Awards. We are ready to Party, Thank You Mr. Dennis, Ms. Diana, Mr. Cliff, Mr. Jeremy, Mr. Kevin, Mr. OD, Mr. Danny and Team.
Too, our latest partnership is with R-Entertainment who secured the PEPSI Amphitheater as our latest Sponsorship, and instrumental in helping us to become the only tequila to be served at that 3200-person outdoor arena in Flagstaff, Arizona. Talk about being excited as the list of 25 shows enable to see some incredible acts and artists and too, we will be able to share our VIP seats as social media giveaways, entertaining clients, or for our own team’s listening / viewing pleasure. Excited beyond expectations, Thank You Mr. Kerry, Mr. Reed, Mr. Mike, Ms. Cynthia, Mr. Steve, Ms. Bella, Ms. Claire and team!!
Here is the list of charities Tres Cabo Amigos and BAJARRIBA Tequila have given to, some even before we had sold even a single bottle. For more information on these worthwhile charities and how you can help further, please go to: https://bajarriba.com/giving-back Feeding Los Cabos Kids, Cabo English Church, Los Cabos Missions for Christ, Cowboys for Kids Rodeo, Barb’s Dog Rescue of Rocky Point, Corazon de Vida, Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, Childhelp, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Hope Kids, Gigi’s Playhouse, Children’s Cancer Network, Veterans and Patriots Association, Soldier’s Best Friend, Marsing Booster Club, Agave Posada & Toy Drive, Tempe Diablos Charities.


Also, please check out the two commercials we have: top one is an audio created by Mike (ROC) Muraco of On Air Sports Marketing and R-Entertainment featuring Albertsons / Safeway ad where Bajarriba Tequila can be found and purchased.
The one below it is a video w/audio created by Director Chaz Lee of Six Gun Entertainment featuring Bajarriba Tequila for the Cabo / Enhanced Lifestyles. Please feel free to share these with your contacts.
OASM_BT_AM_30_033125.mov  
 https://www.facebook.com/BajarribaTequila/videos/532564382919231 


Best Regards, rico austin

The Idaho Christmas Story

     Once in a great while when my mother was in a soft, good mood, she would awaken me with the words “rise and shine, looks like it might be a nice day out.”   Those times were few, but were so pleasant.

I do remember a tender side of her on one occasion.  It was on Christmas Eve of 1974, one of 
the same years that I didn’t see my dad for several months time due to his heavy drinking.  That Idaho winter was also one of the coldest on record to this date.  It was a cold and snowy late afternoon on December 24th, 1974; all five boys and their mother were wearing layers of clothing to keep warm in our 12 x 60-foot mobile home.  Blankets were strewn on the couch, where we all bundled together to stay warm on that Holiday evening.  No gifts, no heat, no candy canes were in the house, but we did have joy, laughter, love, cookies and hot tea to help give us warmth, (oh, and we had potatoes, lot of potatoes).  My brothers and I sang Christmas carols and tried to console our Mother in telling her we did not need any presents as we had each other, a home, and a GOD that loved us. 

     Suddenly we became quiet as an unexpected car pulled in front of our trailer house with the sliding glass door that was partially frozen shut and had ice build up on the lower half of the glass.  The six of us peered out at the lady who stepped out of the four door, gray sedan covered in red from head to foot with hat, gloves, heavy coat and black shiny boots, we watched intensely as she opened the trunk of her car and pulled out a large green canvas military style bag. Immediately we started working on loosening up the door to let our unknown guest into our home.   With canvas bag slung over her shoulder, she climbed the wooden steps to our humble abode.  Our guest once in our home, asked if we werethFamily of 205 Canal Street?  Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes sounded the replies from five curious boys, awaiting to see what was in the large green bag. The lady looked at my mother, then spoke these words, "Well, I am with the Salvation Army and we received information that your family could not afford gifts for Christmas, so I have brought gifts of toys and clothes donated for you." The Angel of a woman had barely finished her introduction, when my mother replied quite harshly, "We do not accept Charity!" The Salvation Army woman began to explain further that it was not considered Charity, but my Mother continued her vehement stance, "That this family would not accept these gifts," and she added, "thank you for coming."  The lady picked up the bag, again slung it over her shoulder and headed back into the cold. Our Mother turned and saw five distressed looking young men that would have a hard time singing any more Christmas Carols that evening and she hung her head. She then slid open the door and called out to the lady as stoic as possible, "Please come back in, each of my boys can choose one item each," she then looked at me, smiled and said, "Rico, go help the lady carry the bag."

     Five young boys squealed with pleasure, the oldest at fourteen, the youngest at seven years of age, the other three in between.   The ‘Christmas Angel’ or ‘Santa’s Helper’, she was honorably named many things that evening, she from the Salvation Army came into the house with a huge smile. Gently she opened the "Santa Claus Sack" and put all the contents onto the cold, linoleum floor, we carefully analyzed each item as if they were diamonds, jades, pearls, gold, and sterling silver.    I knew the instant I saw it leave the bag, what gift was mine.  A great looking, used, McGregor leather, baseball glove.   I put that leather stitched ball mitt on my left hand and it fit perfectly, just as a glove should.   I do not remember what my four brothers chose that beautiful Christmas Eve, but I do remember all of them being as pleased and thankful with their gifts as was I with mine.   I looked at my Mother with more love than I had ever known for her, knowing that she had made the choice of bringing joy to her sons over her strong sense of pride.  She had suffered humiliation as a human being but had triumphed as a mother of goodness.   

     The youngest sibling of the five boys was still able to believe in Santa Claus as we concocted a story that the Lady was a friend of St. Nicholas and she was helping him out that night as he was so busy with other children's deliveries around the world.   We would celebrate three more Christmas Eves and Days together as a family before the youngest was taken from us in this world to be an Angel in Heaven.  He was lucky, he still believed in Santa Claus when his life had ended in a tragic accident.  Little Steven had broken his neck after falling from our apricot tree while playing and enjoying life.

     That following Christmas after Steven’s untimely death that rolled around in cold December never heard a Christmas tune in our household; all of us were still grieving, we never got over not having our littlest brother asking questions about Santa Claus, his elves, his reindeer and the North Pole.  It took me tens of years to again enjoy the Christmas Holiday, it was my least favorite time of year.    (excerpt from Chapter 10 of My Bad Tequila, copyright © 2010) 

Rico Austin PhD

Austin Boys = pictured behind their trailer on Canal St. in Marsing, ID;  first day of school August 1976, last picture they were all together;  Pictured youngest to oldest, Steven - age 9, Samuel - age 11 , MIchael - age 13, David - age 15, Rico - age 16;

​Want to know what makes Bajarriba Tequila different / better than most every tequila out there? First of all, it begins with using Mature 7 - 9 year old 100% Blue Weber Agaves grown in the highlands of Jalisco at 7000 feet elevation near the town of Atotonilco El Alto. Many of the competitive tequila brands use immature agaves at 2 - 4 years and then need to add sugars, flavorings & coloring to make it taste and look like good tequila. Of course, they save lots of dinero as the agaves are much less expensive when a farmer can have 2 to 4 times as many crops with immature agaves as to having to patiently wait and nurture his fields an entire 8 years for a single, great crop of mature agaves with the right amount / yield of sugar content. Secondly it is our overall Distillery Method and Equipment used which includes our slow cooking the agaves in Stone / Adobe Brick Ovens and our Extraction Method of using a Roller Mill.  Yes, it does take longer but it is worth it to our discerning tequila clientele and their sophisticated palettes. Our Bajarriba Tequila is fermented in Stainless Steel Tanks - closed fermentation and without all the fibers. We only use Stainless Steel / Copper Hybrid Stills and then Age our Reposado & Anejo in American White Oak Whiskey Barrels. These last two ingredients are just as important as our mature agaves - our water source which we have 2 Deep Water Wells and having our own Proprietary Yeast. Then we have our tequila bottled using a state-of the-art glass enclosed / sterile environment at our bottling plant. This entire process can take up to over 9 years for our Plata, 10 years for our Reposado and 11 years plus for our Añejo. So, when you sip our Bajarriba Tequila think about the years and time of love it took to get that bottle to you. Not to mention the 2 years it took us to perfect our Bottle - shaped like the BAJA California Peninsula upside down as we had to have two-piece steel molds made in the shape of our bottle and then having to reshape as we were only getting one out of six bottles without breakage and now we achieve 100% bottle rate success using recycled glass! Salud & Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah & Prospero Año Nuevo 2025 from All of US at Bajarriba Tequila!!!  Receive free shipping when ordering 2 or more bottles of Bajarriba Tequila use Promo Code:  BottomsUp at    www.ShopBajarriba.com  
Peace, Love & Tequila!! #bajarriba #additivefreetequila #bajacalifornia #bajarribatequila #peacelovetequila #airgasm #margarita #tequila #tequilalovers #margaritaville #Atotonilco #AtotonilcoElAlto #BAJA #BajaCaliforniaSur #CentralLicorera #88spirits #sgws #bootleggers #mountainviewpub #barcoaagaveria #MexicanSpirits

​Back when I used to like Kansas City, decades before teeny boppers were allowed in Arrowhead Stadium and other iconic football stadiums.  And too there was a time in the past when Mahomes and Kelce’s main focus was playing football, not helping sell an insurance company - State Farm to homeowners and car owners and whoever else is watching television.  We are constantly having State Farm Insurance being thrust into our face and big screens (little screens too).  Yes, State Farm is my insurance company, and my rates continue to rise due to having to pay Patrick and Travis along with their coach who understands how a combo meal is similar unto bundling all insurance needs and coverages rather than ordering a burger and fries separately. The Gecko’s rates or Flo’s rates are much less than having to pay two professional, premium football players and their coach, whom just won last year’s Super Bowl in my home state of Arizona.
Yes, I agree with you, I have given this Blog entry a very long title, but nothing else worked for the frustrating writing I am compelled to share as watching NFL with many comrades, amigos, ex-roommates, amigos and just ordinary persons with Steelers, Dolphins, Browns, Cardinals, Cowboys, Bills, and even Patriots fans in bars, restaurants, on the couch, on the patio, with a cat eating a rat with a Green Bay hat. Sorry, I have a Dr. Suess book on the table for story referrals.  We all share the same disgruntled dismay of having to see Swifties purchasing NFL football tickets to wherever the Chiefs go to play. Not because of their love for the game of good, old fashioned American Football and thus leaving many true fans having to miss seeing their favorite gridiron players because of the shortage of tickets and the cost of the seats driven up by rich little girls and boys of the “Me” generation of millennial who need hard lessons on what life is really about.  Shame on our generation who raised a later generation of “I need a Safe Spot!”
Below is the beginning history of the NFL for those “Swifties” who might be open-minded to learn something other than the lyrics to a new Taylor Swift song about breaking up with an ex tight end.
“The National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) with ten teams from four states, all of whom existed in some form as participants of regional leagues in their respective territories. The league took on its current name in 1922. The NFL was the first professional football league to successfully establish a nationwide presence, after several decades of failed attempts.[citation needed] Only two founding members are still in the league, the Decatur Staleys (now the Chicago Bears) and the Chicago Cardinals (founded in 1898, joined the NFL in 1920, now the Arizona Cardinals) is the oldest NFL franchise.” – Wikipedia
Thank goodness I can still enjoy Kansas City Barbeque without having a “Swiftie” tell me that they and Taylor made it famous and no one had heard of it before their unique discovery.
Think I’ll listen to some real music and artists such as Merle Haggard, Johhny Cash, Elvis Presley and Jimmy Buffett! 
Peace, Love & Tequila will get us all through!

Following are the words I awoke to on a Facebook feed the morning of September 2nd, 2023: “Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.” – Parrotheads, The Offical Jimmy Buffett Fan Club

Strangely enough when I read the unfathomable, sorrowful, despairing news of the Songwriter / Music Man was on early morning of the Saturday before Labor Day while attending my first ever Rocklahoma event in Pryor, OK about 45 minutes from Tulsa. First thing that came to my mind other than disbelief and salty water dripping from my eyes were the lyrics of Come Monday,’ “...For the Labor Day Weekend Show …”

I’ve always believed that Jimmy Buffett R,I.P. would be around as long as I had breath and a margarita in my hand. Unfortunately fate and GOD had different plans for the one-of-a-kind troubadour of which music critics wrote and stated that Jimmy’s style of music would never make it, but did he ever prove them wrong. Some call it Trop Rock, others say Caribbean Country, but to hundreds of thousands of Parrot Heads it was and is music, “…some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic…”

Jimmy is one of the main reasons I got hooked on that 100% blue agave juice and have co-founded our Bajarriba Tequila brand, “that frozen concoction that helps me hang on … wasted again in Margaritaville ...” Mr. Buffett has played such an important role in my life for someone that I only knew from a distant seat in a crowd anticipating his iconic appearance and singing along with him while he performed for thousands of fans, just like me, some closer to the stage and some farther seated in the grass or lawn chair or bleacher stands than I. Three of my books mention Jimmy Buffett as in some of his songs, just the same way as I had mentioned the Eagles or Bret Michaels in one of my stories – music is so related to life, especially Jimmy’s or as some referred to him as “Bubba.”

Some of you may be asking about the two words I used earlier in the second paragraph: What is a Parrot Head? It is like minded individuals who love the music genre that Jimmy Buffett started with his hit song ‘Margaritaville” that portrayed a lifestyle as “island escapism” in 1977 which is ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America’s list of “Songs of the Century.” There are literally hundreds of Parrot Head clubs around the US and the World. I personally belong to the Arizona Parrot Head Club of which we just celebrated 24 years as a club. The first Club was established on April 1st, 1989 in Atlanta, GA with 15 members. By the end of 1992, clubs had emerged in Beaumont, Dallas, New York City, Orlando, Detroit and in New Orleans where Jimmy began his music career in 1969. The nickname originated in a 1985 concert in Cincinnati, OH, where Buffett fans were carrying inflatable parrots and wearing Hawaiian shirts. The Parrot Head Clubs are “Party with a Purpose” as written by another Trop Rock icon – Mr. Brent Burns in the song ‘Parrot Head Rendevous’ who coincidentally has played for years at Lulu’s in Gulf Shores, AL which is owned by Jimmy’s sister. Over the years, the Parrot Heads have raised more than several million dollars for various charities all while having fun and listening to Buffett style music.

Born James William Buffett on Christmas Day in 1946, and changing latitudes for a better place on September 1st, 2023. Jimmy was an American singer – songwriter, musician, author, and a businessman who ruled the empire known as Margaritaville and all it’s merchandising. “He was best known for his hit songs known as the “The Big 8” which included “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday,” “Fins,” “Volcano,” “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” “Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” and another couple great songs he penned were “Son of a Son of Sailor,” “He went to Paris,” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”

Over the years I attended three of his many live concerts, in Phoenix, Santa Barbara and Denver, each time I felt as if I didn’t have a care in the world when listening to him.  I saw Jimmy more than any other artist whom I had to pay my hard-earned dollars to see live at a venue. To exhibit what this meant to me, consider this, I’ve seen the Eagles twice, Sammy Hagar twice, George Strait twice and all the other greats such as The Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks, Bret Michaels / Poison, Joan Jett, Rod Stewart, Alice Cooper, Beach Boys, Kid Rock, Cyndi Lauper, and many others, one time only.

Here is what Joe Walsh posted on his Facebook page on September 2, 2023: “Jimmy Buffett was an immediate friend that day we met back in 1970. He got signed to the same record label as the James Gang, Three Dog Night and Steppenwolf. We all had a good laugh wondering what the hell he was doing there with such a motley crew… even Jimmy himself! But he showed us all that he was built to last. A great sailor, a good friend and a man who did a lot of good for this world while nobody was looking. I’m still honored to have played at his and Janie’s wedding. Here’s a pic from a fan video of us doing what we did best… playing rock and roll for charity gig back in Chicago in ’99. I love you, Jimmy. I miss you already.”

“Wrinkles only go where smiles have been” Jimmy Buffett 
                                                                                                                                         
“I have always looked at life as a voyage, mostly wonderful, sometimes frightening. In my family and friends I have discovered treasure more valuable than gold.” – Jimmy Buffett

Only three times has the loss of a “Celebrity” caused me so much pain and grief only known to happen when a friend or family member has passed. I didn’t know Elvis, nor Princess Diane or Jimmy Buffett, but felt as if I had known them from what I saw on television, what I read and with Jimmy on what I witnessed when he was on the stage live and I only a few hundred feet away from the Man, the Songwriter and a performing, living Legend.
​
Yes, the ‘Margaritaville’ singer Jimmy Buffett, who turned beach-bum life into an empire has passed and is now on a distant shore, resting from the work, the play, the goodness, and all the fellowship he created. The next time you’re on a beach and the sunset is sinking into the ocean, if you look closely, you might just see Jimmy “strumming his six-string ….”, and if you don’t appreciate his music, well then “that’s your own damn fault!”  - Rico Austin, September 3, 2023

This was taken at Coors Field in Denver, CO when I last saw Jimmy;  He opened for the Eagles!

Jimmy Buffett live in Santa Barbara, CA, 2nd time I witnessed his greatness at a live concert!

Jimmy Buffett and Coral Reefer Band in Santa Barbara, CA - "Son of a Sailor" tour

The Man, The Songwriter, A Living Legend - Jimmy Buffett R.I.P. at Coors Field!

​Hola TEAM BAJARRIBA,

Lots of Great IMPORTANT News packed into this email.  Please read it fully as I spent the time on my Saturday morning to put this together and as investors / partners you all need to know what is going on. This will be time well spent and please mark these events on your calendars as I hope to see all or most of you at these events.

I just heard from Mr. Mike Morales of famed Tequila Aficionado Magazine and his article about our (Jay, Connie, Carlos - Mexico partner, Mike M. and me) Guadalajara, Atotonilco El Alto and Tequila El Viejito visit last October 2022 should appear in April 2023, same issue as our debut of BAJARRIBA on the Cover of TA.  Connie is currently working on that cover, and we get a bonus ad of which will be in that issue as well.  This is an exciting time for Tres Cabo Amigos, LLC so be sure to let your friends and family in each of your own private circles know and spread the word.  Opportunities like this only come up once in a great while or lifetime to have OUR BAJARRIBA Brand appear on THE MAJOR TRADE INDUSTRY MAGAZINE of which we / BAJARRIBA are a new and growing part of.  Too, BAJARRIBA Tequila will be featured on the cover of December 2023 issue of Tequila Aficionada, I believe this will be the first time ever that a brand has appeared twice in the same year on Tequila Aficionado. April will be TA's 40th straight monthly issue of print. Gracias Ms. Lisa Pietsch and Mr. Mike Morales for allowing Bajarriba to share in your dream and creation.

All, I would encourage you to order your own copy of Tequila Aficionado February 2023 hard copy (glossy paperback of which I have copied the link below for your convenience) issue through Amazon.com as there is a 13-page story titled "Who's Who in Agave Spirits" featuring Bajarriba and yours truly.  Our partner / consultant Jim Riley has too in the past been featured in years past (as tequila consultant and as a founder of his own brand Azunia Tequila of which he sold to ex NBA All-Star Bill Walton and associates) as "Who's Who in Agave Spirits" so we now have two of our tremendous team featured in Tequila Aficionado and will have more of us / you in the future. 

Tres Cabo Amigos will be having three events coming up and two during Arizona Bike Week and I encourage you to attend if at all possible - Jay, Connie and I will all be there - (1) First event is for a contest for our great CA Distributor 88 Spirit's salespersons in which if two different sales criteria are met then the top two winners will be flown from LAX or ONT to PHX using my Southwest FF points for a two night stay in Scottsdale or North Phoenix, hosted to a Diamondback Spring Training Baseball game and Mr. Jay is contributing / donating his Carver Yacht for a day of boating fun on Lake Canyon.  Too, 88 Spirits owner / founder Mr. Hari Dhiman will be coming along as well on his own dime to offer his support and he too has sweetened the deal offering some super incentives to his salesperson to compliment what Tres Cabo Amigos is doing. This will be March 22nd - 24th;

(2) On March 26th, BAJARRIBA will be doing a Bajarriba Tequila tasting at Mountain View Pub in Cave Creek (a personal favorite spot of partners Mark and Bev Nuessle) on the first weekend of AZ Bike Week. Time to be announced, but festivities will be all day.  We will be giving away BAJARRIBA koozies. MVP owners Michelle and JP are great friends and personally Love our tequila. When stopping in to have a drink or great meal, please support our brand, Plata is at $18 per shot and $19 for Reposado, their shots are very generous.

(3) Thanks to the help of our own ex NBA All-Star Phoenix Suns Legend Mr. Tom Chambers we will be hosting a BAJARRIBA Tequila luge at either the world-famous Hideaway Bar & Grill or at The Roadhouse (Hideaway is an icon, but Roadhouse is larger venue - both owned by Mr. Mark Bradshaw and managed by Mr. Rick Stahl, so whichever venue Rick believes we will get more bang for the buck).  The ice luge will have our Bajarriba / Tres Cabo Amigos logo etched into the ice with our agave blue/green color and two of our Bajarriba bottles (Plata & Reposado) will be encased in ice so lots of Bikers and Babes will be taking photos of this and we should get tons of publicity and more importantly visitors / bikers from many states and Canada will for the first time be exposed to Bajarriba.  We plan on donating (1) case of each Plata and Reposado for this event (case is 6 bottles of 750 ml).

Lastly, but very important is to please Support in visits and in sending friends and family to the aforementioned establishments who support us and the ones which I am mentioning now.  Juan Jaime's Tacos & Tequila in North Scottsdale off Hayden, Los Olivos Mexican Patio in old town Scottsdale, Mavrix Sports Bar, Bowling and Arcade at Pavilions / Talking Stick Shopping Center in Scottsdale and TREVOR'S Liquor - a full-service Liquor store for purchasing full bottles, complete with full bar, tasting bar, cigar bar, golf simulator games, pizza oven all in one huge, fun location at Mayo & Scottsdale Road in North Scottsdale just south of the 101 on Scottsdale Road exit. We are soon to be in Kasai and Sushi Brokers thanks again in large part by Tom Chambers. Our trusted AZ Distributor - Manuel Bros Fine Wine Transport delivers to all of our restaurant / bar and liquor store partners.

If you have any ideas for Cinco de Mayo, would love to hear them as I am currently looking for a venue / partner for us to celebrate one of my dearest holidays!

Thank YOU All for YOUR Support, Ideas and Help in making this a fun endeavor of which we can all be proud to be a part of.   Watch out Patron, Clase Azul and Casa Amigos, we are making our own way into the Tequila World!!!!  Don't forget about ordering your copy of Tequila Aficionado with link below.  I would encourage you all to get on Tequila Aficionado's email list for the electronic version which is sent out monthly.   Salud y Gracias, rico

https://www.amazon.com/Tequila-Aficionado-Magazine-February-2023/dp/B0BTRPG2LB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VBIRCC8VBJNB&keywords=tequila+aficionado+magazine+february+2023&qid=1677952177&sprefix=tequila+aficionado+magazine+february+2023%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1

Gracias & Best Regards, rico 
Peace, Love & Tequila!!!
​Sip out of CABO!!!

Peace, Love & Tequila!!! That is the slogan of the Tres Cabo Amigos who have brought the new, exciting and exquisite taste of BAJARRIBA Tequila to the forefront of distribution. This newly formed company by three long-time friends consisting of Rico Austin, managing member & co-founder; Jay Nance, co-founder; and, Michael Hill, co-founder who too had the idea of trying to have a bottle designed as the BAJA upside down. This idea was expanded upon and the Tres Cabo Amigos, Rico, Jay & Mike combined the two words of Baja and Arriba to form BAJARRIBA which loosely translates to “Bottoms Up.”

Rico’s wife Connie Austin designed graphically on her Mac computer the bottle that is now in production, adding in mountains, towns, and the lone highways that connect transportation from the beginning of the Baja Norte to the southernmost tip of Baja Sur of Cabo, where the famous Land’s End Arch divides the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean of endless fishing waters. This is where the Tres Cabo Amigos’ story began 20 years prior.

Mike (Miguel) Hill had lived in Cabo since 1989, moving there from Ensenada. Mike originally from California started a maquiladora in Ensenada in 1984 making backpacks and met his first wife Josefina Collins at San Nicolas Hotel and Casino. Mike wrote Josefina a song that very first evening. Her family was one of the four original families who homesteaded and founded Cabo, she invited Mike to visit and meet her family in Cabo. Mike loved Cabo as much as his new girl and moved there in early 1990 where they married and later a beautiful daughter was born. Mike pursued his music career and formed his band, Miguel Hill and the Cabo Cowboys. In 2004 until 2010, Mike and Josefina ran their restaurant / bar called Miguel Loco’s. Mike had also founded his tequila brand Arco del Cabo which was a two-piece bottle in the shape of the famous Land’s End Arch in 2006. Mike later was dangerously ill in 2016 – 2018 and nearly died in 2018. He moved to Payson, Arizona in 2019 where he married his second wife Pamela Jolley.

Jay Nance moved to Cabo in 2004 and purchased the Cabo Lounge of which he sold in 2009 and moved to Las Vegas working as a Marketing Manager for a start-up company.  Prior to that Jay had lived in Texas and Nevada working as an Investment Banker, Licensed Stockbroker and Entertainment Promoter. Jay met his wife Marinette in Vegas and the two moved to Mesa, Arizona in 2018 so that Jay could help care for his aging parents. Jay is a boating enthusiast and spends most of his weekends on Canyon Lake with his 40-foot Carver yacht. Jay originally from Iowa is a son of a banker and is proud of his Midwest heritage. Jay and Marinette have a daughter and grandson who still live in Nevada and whom they visit regularly.

Rico Austin visited Cabo for the first time in 1992, thirty years ago and has been traveling back and forth there for nearly 100 different trips, sometimes visiting as many as five times a year to see friends, vacation, fish the waters and drink tequila. Rico grew up in Idaho and moved to Arizona in 1991 where he met his wife Connie in 1999 as next-door neighbors. They married in 2004. Rico has worked at various jobs and several roles during the last 50 years including as a real estate agent, land developer, marketing manager and the last 12 years as a Western Region Sales Manager for an International Tire Company. Rico also writes in his spare time, has 10 published books and novels including his first novel – the award winning, best-selling My Bad Tequila which has won over 15 national and international awards. His latest short story DOG took first place honors in 2021 Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest with entrants from all over the 50 states and the entire globe. Rico has a PhD in Tequila and states, “I wasn’t drinking, I was studying,” when asked about it. Yes, this is a real thing of which less than 200 people in the world can lay claim to!

Connie works as a graphic design artist and has down the final cover touch-ups for each and every one of Robert Redford’s Sundance Catalog for the last 23 years. Connie originally from Minnesota, left for Arizona in August of 1990 and has been living the AZ Loca Vida since arriving in the Land of the Sun. She was raised on a 660-acre farm where too, they had a dairy farm and raised cattle and sheep in McIntosh, a small town in Northern Minnesota. Connie first visited Cabo in 1986, all the way from Minnesota, before most persons even knew about Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico.
​
Next month, I will expand on when and how the Tres Cabo Amigos all met in Cabo and reunited in Arizona to form what is turning out to be the most anticipated Tequila with the Hand Painted Artisan Collector’s Bottle with an engraved Medallion Cork. 
Peace, Love & Tequila!!!  Rico Austin PhD

What has happened to decency and not littering? This is at COSTCO parking lot at 27th Ave. in Phoenix; normally not in this area, but had just picked up a firearm for the wife and parking lot is adjacent. I could not believe all the discarded masks and gloves. People who do this are no better than Heroin Addicts who leave their dirty needles in the alley ways or Pet Owners who do not pick up their doggies' waste. All the above have no respect for their fellow Mankind and expect others to put themselves in harm's way cleaning up their contamination and waste. Thank Goodness did not see this in my neighborhood at Scottsdale COSTCO; If they don't want dirty gloves and masks in their vehicles then find a trash receptable or carry a plastic trash bag and discard into and dispose of when they arrive home. I believe most of my Amigas & Amigos have more respect for themselves and their fellow women and men and I thank YOU for that!! This makes me ashamed to be a Human!!! Remember, just because your neighbor or fellow man did not see you, GOD or Your Higher Power does and KARMA is quite a ruthless Bitch!!  Rico Austin PhD  Peace, Love & Tequila!!!

Now, continue scrolling down for photos!
​
Photos at the end of this Blog after the signature page below:

​www.ricoaustin.com  
"Have a Double Shot of Reality"  TM
"Peace, Love & Tequila"  TM
 
Rico Austin 
Author - "My Bad Tequila"
 
50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading - Winner 2016 of The Authors's Show 
John E. Weaver Excellent Reads Award - 2017 Winner of Fiction Adventure & Memoirs
Hollywood Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011)
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Silver (Fiction - Mystery - General genre 2011)
Amazon eKindle - #1 Top Rated Kindle eBooks (Mexico Travel genre 2011)
"Five Parrots in a Palm Tree" - Superb Island Reading award 2011
#1 Book to Read, June 2011 - NY Professional Reviewer, Fran Lewis
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - General genre 2011)
Arizona Authors Association - 3rd Place (Fiction Book of the Year 2011 - 2012)
London Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2012)
Los Angeles Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011-2012)
New York Beach Book Festival - Honorable Mention (General Non-Fiction genre 2012)
New Mexico - Arizona Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - Mystery genre 2012)
Bibliocracy.com - Author of the Month (June 2012)
Suspense Magazine - Review & Article (July 2012 issue)t
Book Town - February's Book of the Month (March 2013)  www.booktown.ning.com 
 
Co- Songwriter - "My Bad Tequila"
Songwriter - "Havin' a Beer on the Santa Monica Pier"
 
http://amazon.com/author/rico.austinwww.ricoaustin.com  

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC - End of Day 7 Social Distancing! I’m still surviving, wow a week, 24 hours multiplied by 7, too full to go find my calculator. If anyone is out there, please send a message or a bottle filled with tequila (no need for notes). Pantry is still almost full except for chip section and peanut butter shelves! New recipes going well with chips and peanut butter as main dish, sure I’ll have my first cook book soon. Bad news with my hamster, yes, as in singular. Who knew that feeding them BBQ sauce on their little meals would be life threatening? (I was just trying to marinate them from the inside in case no other food alternatives left). I now have one that is walking on the little wheel that goes round and round (I guess he - Donald had more of a will to live than the other, weaker one) the one of whom I referred to as Daisy; she is frozen in my new deep freeze which my soon-to-be girlfriend Amazon delivered (you'll hear more about her later). It is a shiny white color with a full lid cover, just like the ones you see in the gangster movies of where the bad guy chops up one of his partners because something happened that he didn’t quite agree with. I have made contact with a couple different people, one is a male who wears a brown matching outfit with short pants and has the letters UPS on his truck of which also matches his charming outfit. The other is slowly becoming my best friend – I call her Amazon Woman as she is quite strong and delivers to my door usually three to four times a week. If she’d let me get closer than six feet, I believe that there could be chemistry, but I have all the time in the world to just pine and wait. My ammo is down to 2435 rounds as on day three I lost a round doing inventory as it rolled into the heat vent. I have used 64 rounds target practicing with three different weapons in my backyard. My neighborhood is more alive now than I first thought, as some neighbors who had unsuccessfully attempted suicide come out to see what the noise is about, but are quite nice and go back into their habitat as I politely, safely wave at them with gun in hand. Hand washing is getting to me, having nightmares of never-ending soap operas (just kidding, I wanted to make a joke, get it soap operas – hand washing?) But, seriously my skin from the tips of my fingers to just above my wrists are dry and cracking more than my knuckles. At night I lie in fear of what the coming days will bring as I know that summer is just around the corner and comes with it the heat. Many thoughts run through this pretty head of mine: What if my air conditioner breaks down? What if my pool boy decides he wants to stay and quarantine? What if I run out of margarita mix? What if I never get to see Amazon woman again? What if 768 rolls of toilet paper are not enough? What would I look like in a bra? Where can I find a chicken to lay eggs? What do I feed a chicken? Can a hamster and chicken live in the same cage? Will my hamster shit on the egg before I can retrieve it from the cage. So many things to think about as I shoot my guns and inventory my rounds of ammo. Yes, this social distancing has taken a toll on my mind, but my body remains strong; well bigger as I am relentless on staying healthy and have gained an amazing 14 pounds in 7 days. Getting a bit worried though of if I can do sit ups when I decide to start after 60 days of social distancing. Still would like a flare sent or to be flashed in a private message. I am no longer particular on it being only female as stated on day three of no males, please. I just need to feel needed. Stay Safe & Healthy out there! In case you don't remember what happened on Day 3; I have posted it below! Rico Austin PhD Peace, Love & Tequila!!!,

Check out the Photos below the signature and credits:

www.ricoaustin.com
"Have a Double Shot of Reality"  TM
"Peace, Love & Tequila"  TM
 
Rico Austin 
Author - "My Bad Tequila"
 
50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading - Winner 2016 of The Authors's Show 
John E. Weaver Excellent Reads Award - 2017 Winner of Fiction Adventure & Memoirs
Hollywood Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011)
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Silver (Fiction - Mystery - General genre 2011)
Amazon eKindle - #1 Top Rated Kindle eBooks (Mexico Travel genre 2011)
"Five Parrots in a Palm Tree" - Superb Island Reading award 2011
#1 Book to Read, June 2011 - NY Professional Reviewer, Fran Lewis
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - General genre 2011)
Arizona Authors Association - 3rd Place (Fiction Book of the Year 2011 - 2012)
London Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2012)
Los Angeles Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011-2012)
New York Beach Book Festival - Honorable Mention (General Non-Fiction genre 2012)
New Mexico - Arizona Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - Mystery genre 2012)
Bibliocracy.com - Author of the Month (June 2012)
Suspense Magazine - Review & Article (July 2012 issue)t
Book Town - February's Book of the Month (March 2013)  www.booktown.ning.com 
 
Co- Songwriter - "My Bad Tequila"
Songwriter - "Havin' a Beer on the Santa Monica Pier"
 
http://amazon.com/author/rico.austinwww.ricoaustin.com  

Coronavirus Pandemic, day 3 of Social Distancing!! If anyone is still out there, I’m alive, but struggling. Food is running low. Have only 462 days worth. My hands are raw & super sanitized and my butt is sparkly, ass-wipe clean. Down to 2499 rounds of ammo (dropped 1 round down the heat vent while doing daily inventory). I’ve gained 6 pounds as I will not neglect to try & keep myself healthy through this turmoil. Power still on, but for how long? Missing human interaction; but, I have my hamsters, for now.. (I'm soaking their food in BBQ sauce in an attempt to marinate them from the inside, just in case I have to eat them). I fear dark days ahead. News is mostly bad. Neighbors have attempted to leap from windows to their death, (or near death... most have single story homes so they are badly bruised & infected by cactus needles). Blew through most HULU series so may have to re-watch some again and trying to recall the good ol’ days while listening to Donnie & Marie records. Daily Survival is a never-ending challenge. I vow to persevere to the end, I am a survivor as I have watched 22 seasons and can negotiate properly with my inner demons. Please, if there is life out there, communicate with me, send a flare or flash me in private message, (female only, por favor) to help preserve my sanity.. .... Rico Austin PhD Peace, Love & Tequila!!!
​
www.ricoaustin.com
"Have a Double Shot of Reality"  TM
"Peace, Love & Tequila"  TM
 
Rico Austin 
Author - "My Bad Tequila"
 
50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading - Winner 2016 of The Authors's Show 
John E. Weaver Excellent Reads Award - 2017 Winner of Fiction Adventure & Memoirs
Hollywood Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011)
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Silver (Fiction - Mystery - General genre 2011)
Amazon eKindle - #1 Top Rated Kindle eBooks (Mexico Travel genre 2011)
"Five Parrots in a Palm Tree" - Superb Island Reading award 2011
#1 Book to Read, June 2011 - NY Professional Reviewer, Fran Lewis
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - General genre 2011)
Arizona Authors Association - 3rd Place (Fiction Book of the Year 2011 - 2012)
London Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2012)
Los Angeles Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011-2012)
New York Beach Book Festival - Honorable Mention (General Non-Fiction genre 2012)
New Mexico - Arizona Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - Mystery genre 2012)
Bibliocracy.com - Author of the Month (June 2012)
Suspense Magazine - Review & Article (July 2012 issue)t
Book Town - February's Book of the Month (March 2013)  www.booktown.ning.com 
 
Co- Songwriter - "My Bad Tequila"
Songwriter - "Havin' a Beer on the Santa Monica Pier"
 
http://amazon.com/author/rico.austinwww.ricoaustin.com  

Our third and final week of vacation started at the beautiful St. Pancras Train Station with its giant pink letters, a 20-metre sentence glowing in neon below the clock in St Pancras station, spell out a love letter from the artist Tracey Emin – but the words, "I Want My Time With You" are addressed to Europe, not to a man or woman. Connie and I were both excited to ride the Eurostar through the Chunnel from London to Paris on a high speed train that exceeded 300 kph or 186 mph on a trip which took about 2 hours of time, most of the trip which was actually above sea level through the country side! The service was first class as we had first class tickets both ways, seats were roomy, lots of luggage space where we could keep an eye on our belongings at all times as it was stored above us on both sides; Not all the seats were booked, so chatter noise was at a minimum as we raced towards France.  I do remember talk of the Chunnel as I was studying at Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent during the fall of 1993 and that summer before I arrived on June 20th, 1992, the first Eurostar test train travelled through the tunnel to the UK from France. Construction of the 50.5 kilometer or 31.4 mile tunnel began in 1988 and was officially opened by British sovereign Queen Elizabeth II and the French President Francois Mitterand at a ceremony in Calais on May 6th, 1994. I remember this quite vividly because it was such a grand feat for a simpleton, country boy from Marsing, Idaho who believed that a large body of water could only be crossed by using some sort of water craft, a spanned bridge or an airplane / balloon.  Never had it entered my mind that a tunnel could be dug and secured under the water, what an incredible feat.  Evidently, I wasn’t the only unsophisticated thinker on the planet, because in 1996, the American Society of Civil Engineers named the tunnel as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and I would second that motion.

Day 16, Sunday July 29th; We arrived at Paris Gare du Nord at around 11:00 am local time and after walking around the station confused for about 30 minutes finally a friendly Parisian hailed us a taxi and off we were to Hilton Paris Opera a splendid hotel. Our room was not ready so we were offered to visit the Diamond Lounge to relax and wait for the maids to ready the room. The lounge was comfortable with snacks, pastries and drinks of all sorts free of charge. I then returned downstairs to visit with the concierge to find out about perhaps visiting the Eiffel Tower in the early afternoon.  She advised against it as it would be difficult to get there by taxi as many of the roads were closed due to the final day of the Tour de France.  I asked her, did you just say the final day of the Tour de France?  Where can we go to watch? Is it far? My questions were all pleasantly answered and I made reservations for the following late morning for the Eiffel Tower as Connie was excited about finally seeing it in person after all of her years of dreaming of Paris.  I had visited Paris once before around the year 2000, it was winter time with heavy rain so not very crowded and I decided to climb the slippery metal stairs as I was a much younger man at that time. I too was enriched by the experience but the views were disappointing due to the heavy rain, fog and clouds.

My first visit to France and Paris had been disappointing as many of the French persons were rude. I was on business with Michelin and traveled from Greenville, South Carolina where the US corporate office was to Clermont-Ferrand, France as that was the World HQ and where Michelin tires were first manufactured.  As soon as I arrived at the hotel, I practiced my poorly developed French accent on the desk clerk after getting checked in by asking for a close gymnasium or if the hotel had an exercise room.  The clerk was very impatient with me and he finally blurted out in English with his snooty French inflection, “What are you trying to say?”  I then pleasantly replied, that I was searching for a gym or work out room.  He shook his head in disgust and answered, “Why don’t you lazy Americans walk?”  and so I did.

Our world transportation meetings were much better and the hospitality of the French involved with Michelin was second to none. I was in charge of airport tires world wide and there was an Italian who was in charge of shipping ports, a Brazilian who had the title of Railways or Railroads world wide and such as there were eight of us Michelin employees, all from different parts of the globe, all meeting in Clermont-Ferrand and Mr. Robert Pommelet one of the kindest persons I have ever met with a great sense of humor who was born and raised in the area.  Bob Pommelet couldn’t have been more genuine or sincere of welcoming the seven foreigners to his country.  Unfortunately, I found Mr. Pommelet to be the exception and when I stayed in Paris for three days before returning to redneck South Carolina the Parisians were so systematically rude and dog shit on the sidewalks everywhere, including a few in the restaurants, very nasty. So you might come to the conclusion I was not as overly enthusiastic about returning to France.

After getting checked into our aesthetically pleasing quarters, we stepped out into the French sunshine and finally made it to where the barriers were placed to see the parade and then the bicyclists. Many streets were blocked off and police officers galore, but eventually we found a great spot to stand and view.  Absolutely electrifying to be able to be at the Tour de France on the final day as the leader and his followers raced to the finish at Champs-Elysees.  Below is a bit of history and description taken from Wikipedia for those unfamiliar with the Tour de France.

Wikipedia:  "The Tour de France (French pronunciation: ​[tuʁ də fʁɑ̃s]) is an annual men's multiple stage bicycle race primarily held in France, while also occasionally passing through nearby countries. Like the other Grand Tours (the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España), it consists of 21 day-long stages over the course of 23 days.

The race was first organized in 1903 to increase sales for the newspaper L'Auto and is currently run by the Amaury Sport Organisation. The race has been held annually since its first edition in 1903 except when it was stopped for the two World Wars. As the Tour gained prominence and popularity, the race was lengthened and its reach began to extend around the globe. Participation expanded from a primarily French field, as riders from all over the world began to participate in the race each year. The Tour is a UCI World Tour event, which means that the teams that compete in the race are mostly UCI World Teams, with the exception of the teams that the organizers invite.

Traditionally, the race is held primarily in the month of July. While the route changes each year, the format of the race stays the same with the appearance of time trials,[1] the passage through the mountain chains of the Pyrenees and the Alps, and the finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The modern editions of the Tour de France consist of 21 day-long segments (stages) over a 23-day period and cover around 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi). The race alternates between clockwise and counterclockwise circuits of France.

There are usually between 20 and 22 teams, with eight riders in each. All of the stages are timed to the finish; the riders' times are compounded with their previous stage times.[1] The rider with the lowest cumulative finishing times is the leader of the race and wears the yellow jersey.[1] While the general classification garners the most attention, there are other contests held within the Tour: the points classification for the sprinters, the mountains classification for the climbers, young rider classification for riders under the age of 26, and the team classification for the fastest teams.[1] Achieving a stage win also provides prestige, often accomplished by a team's cycling sprinter specialist."

We took several pictures and waved a small French flag and had an extraordinary time with all that we met being of the polite nature. Day 16 total – 5.4 miles, 13,974 steps, & 2 floors;

Day 17, Monday July 30th; A tasty breakfast awaits us with pastries and breads galore. We then walk to the Seine River and look at all the monuments, statues and galleries too many to name, but two – Pantheon and Luxor Obelisk aka ‘Cleopatra’s Needle’.

Wikipedia: "The Seine is a 777-kilometre-long river and an important commercial waterway within the Paris Basin in the north of France. It rises at Source-Seine, 30 kilometres northwest of Dijon in northeastern France in the Langres plateau, flowing through Paris and into the English Channel at Le Havre."

We took several photos as strolled and made our way to the rendezvous point for Eiffel Tower tour of which I realized when we arrived at the magnificent man-made structure that we had paid more than twice the amount we needed to.  Our guide was a cute and adorable young Parisian girl of about 20 years of age, her name Margo, a full-time student working as a guide mostly for Americans as she had plenty of referrals and antidotes that reflected Midwest Americana. As I stated previously, everyone we met on this France / Paris trip had been so helpful, so considerate and kind that I couldn’t believe that I was in the same country by the treatment received 20 years earlier and no dog shit on the sidewalks and in the restaurants. It seems that the warning which was issued to dog owners in Paris was as such: “If you don’t begin cleaning up after your pet, we will follow suit / law as initiated and passed in Stockholm, Sweden and give everyone an opportunity to find their dog a home in the country by such a deadline date and those that are still in the city shall be eradicated!” The reason Stockholm passed this was that they did not want to become another Paris with dog shit all over the city.  Well, it appears that the warning was received and taken to heed as it was 100% cleaner and more inviting than my previous visit. The Eiffel Tower had become so full that day we visited that management shut down the entrance for over two hours as it was dangerously overfilled with passengers and visitors.  It became downright frightening trying to get an elevator back down to the second tier of the tower. The day was so warm that many were cooling off in the cement pond near the Louvre and I stripped down to my shorts and joined in as there was absolutely no breeze which made us quick to dry. A beautiful dinner was eaten at a French café near the Hilton we stayed. That evening I looked for a place to visit in the countryside of France and Le Havre seemed the practical spot since the train station that went to Le Havre was only a block walk from our hotel. Day 17 total – 8.1 miles, 20,458 steps, & 12 floors.

Day 18, Tuesday July 31st; A quick breakfast, a brisk walk to the train station and then the dreary waiting on an anticipated platform to be named just minutes before departure. We had first class seats, but due to all the confusion and a couple hundred kiddies going on a camp outing we ended up with several screaming children in our car. After things settled and the little rascals received their sack lunches I went venturing for the first class which was very welcoming. The countryside was extraordinary and a pleasant two and one-half hour journey to Le Havre came quickly. Upon arrival Connie and I took a small commuter train to the water from the main train terminal and exited. This was one of the few nights we did not have a pre-planned hotel stay arranged, so Connie sat on a bench with our belongings as I strolled over to the Chamber of Commerce building and again the most pleasant and helpful women and girls recommended a hotel on the seaside which was less than a mile’s walk, called and negotiated a very great price for us at Les Voiles le Havre which translated means the “The Sails at le Havre!” The lady at the front desk of the hotel gave us a couple of different rooms to choose from, all spacious with a view of the sea and beach three flights above the bar, with a patio / deck on the outside where almost 90% of the partygoers and revelers were.  Since we still had much sunlight, we put our swimsuits on and went down to the seaside, all stones, no sand to walk or lie upon. A person adjusts their blanket or towel on the rocks and then you lie down to sunbathe. Very uncomfortable although the locals made it look very comfortable, but many of them have nothing to compare it with, have never had sand to lie on and walk on unless they travel to other parts of France and Europe.  After getting some French sun we joined the noise down below our room for several pints, then walked to an Italian French restaurant and devoured a delicious meal. Day 18 total – 3 miles, 7,449 steps, & 4 floors.

Day 19, Wednesday August 1st; This would have been my mother and dad’s 58th wedding anniversary had my Dad lived to be at least 77 instead of passing away at the young age of 41.  The very cheery desk clerk at hotel recommended that we take the city route bus to visit Etretat which was less than an hours ride to a gorgeous landmark with an arch in the water which reminded me of Cabo San Lucas, Baja Sur, Mexico. 

Wikipedia: "Étretat is best known for its chalk cliffs, including three natural arches and a pointed formation called L'Aiguille or the Needle, which rises 70 metres (230 ft) above the sea.[1] The Etretat Chalk Complex, as it is known, consists of a complex stratigraphy of Turonian and Coniacian chalks.[2] Some of the cliffs are as high as 90 metres (300 ft).[1]
These cliffs and the associated resort beach attracted artists including Eugène Boudin, Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet.[1] They were featured prominently in the 1909 Arsène Lupin novel The Hollow Needle by Maurice Leblanc. They also feature in the 2014 film Lucy, directed by Luc Besson.

Two of the three famous arches are visible from the town, the Porte d'Aval, and the Porte d'Amont. The Manneporte is the third and the biggest one, and cannot be seen from the town. The GR 21 long-distance hiking path (Le Havre to Le Tréport) passes through the town."

When we return we decided to go swimming at a nearby swimming pool we had heard about, but it was a private club and the cost was prohibitive for just one relaxing afternoon, so we started walking to another recommended public swimming pool as advised by another very friendly, young Frenchman who mistakenly told us it was only about an approximate ½ mile walk, turned out to be closer to two miles and we were already tired from having hiked at Etretat and around town in Le Havre.  When we did finally find it, the French Nation rules that all men must be wearing a Speedo, no regular swimsuits that the rest of the normal world dons.  There was a vending machine with several different colored Speedo suits for men which started in cost about 10 Euro all the way to nearly 30 Euro depending on which Speedo was needed to strut your stuff and show your junk to all of France. I didn’t want to spend that kind of money on a suit I’d only wear once, when I had a swimsuit with me and plenty of other suits in my bureau back in Arizona.  The head lifeguard took pity on me and purchased one for me since we had already paid.  There was water on the floor when you entered the locker rooms and I did not realize we were to take our shoes off before entering the locker room, so many harmful glances were sent my way.  The pool was nice, half indoors and half outdoors.  Connie liked the suit on me so much that we decided to keep it as a souvenir for me to wear around our pool when just the two of us were present. Another great summer evening on the coast of France enjoying an excellent meal. Day 19 total – 7.4 miles, 17,020 steps, & 21 floors.

Day 20, Thursday, August 2nd; We arise early, walk to the train station and ride it back to Paris, check back into the Hilton Paris Opera for one last evening, take the train to Versailles Palace and walk the grounds, many photos and I would highly recommend clicking onto this Wikipedia site and learning much more about this piece of important European History with many photos:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Versailles    Later that evening we walked to Moulin Rouge and the shady part of Paris where all the sex shops, massage parlors, and strip clubs are as we wanted to visit the famed Moulin Rouge, most of the walk uphill. We did not get to see inside as tickets for dinner and a show were upwards of $250 Euro each, which is about $280 per person and neither of us wanted to see it that badly so we walked around and store gazed, had a brilliant meal back near the hotel and into the sack early as we had a full day of travel back to our native home land. Day 20 total – 5.4 miles, 12,644 steps, & 5 floors.

Day 21, Friday, August 3rd; We take the high speed train from Paris through the Chunnel to London, catch the tube underground to near London Heathrow, then a bus to our terminal, board our Virgin Atlantic flight to San Francisco, change planes onto Southwest and arrive back into Phoenix that evening and in our home all before midnight on the same day.  One long, tired ass day. Day 21 total – 2.1 miles, 5,926 steps, & 1 floor. Total for Week 3: 31.4 miles, 59,058 steps, & 44 floors.

Week one:  50.9 miles, 154,594 steps, 93 floors
Week two:  40.7 miles, 98,540 steps, 63 floors
Week three:  31.4 miles, 77,471 steps, 44 floors

Total Miles of the entire Western European Vacation: 123 miles; 330,605 steps & 200 floors / flights of stairs climbed;

Day 22, Saturday August 4th; I fly from Phoenix, AZ to Spokane WA to the 4th Annual Northwest Cabo Friends Weekend at Amigo & Amiga Dave & Marnee Bambino and have a great time with Super Friends. Day 22 total – 2.4 miles, 6416 steps, & 1 floor;
Now, continue scrolling down for photos!
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Photos at the end of this Blog after the signature page below:

"Have a Double Shot of Reality"  TM
"Peace, Love & Tequila"  TM
 
Rico Austin 
Author - "My Bad Tequila"
 
50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading - Winner 2016 of The Authors's Show 
John E. Weaver Excellent Reads Award - 2017 Winner of Fiction Adventure & Memoirs
Hollywood Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011)
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Silver (Fiction - Mystery - General genre 2011)
Amazon eKindle - #1 Top Rated Kindle eBooks (Mexico Travel genre 2011)
"Five Parrots in a Palm Tree" - Superb Island Reading award 2011
#1 Book to Read, June 2011 - NY Professional Reviewer, Fran Lewis
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - General genre 2011)
Arizona Authors Association - 3rd Place (Fiction Book of the Year 2011 - 2012)
London Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2012)
Los Angeles Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011-2012)
New York Beach Book Festival - Honorable Mention (General Non-Fiction genre 2012)
New Mexico - Arizona Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - Mystery genre 2012)
Bibliocracy.com - Author of the Month (June 2012)
Suspense Magazine - Review & Article (July 2012 issue)t
Book Town - February's Book of the Month (March 2013)  www.booktown.ning.com 
 
Co- Songwriter - "My Bad Tequila"
Songwriter - "Havin' a Beer on the Santa Monica Pier"
 
http://amazon.com/author/rico.austinwww.ricoaustin.com  

     St. Pancras London Train Station, where we boarded the EuroStar Chunnel Train!
                    The pink letters written:  "I want my time with You!"
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                   The Eurostar train is the Yellow one in the middle!  
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               Passengers exiting the Chunnel Train after arriving into London from Paris!
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             Rico checking into the Hilton Paris Opera Hotel, a gorgeous place to stay!
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                        Tour de France 2019!    Racers galore that bike fast!!!
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    Spectators of the Tour de France and our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in background!
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               Waiting for the Tour de France riders to make another circle through!
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                                    Tour de Fance 2019 & we're there!  
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               The flyover of Jets after the Tour de France 2019 is completed!
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                    Here come the Jets as the Tour de France 2019 draws nigh to end!
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                 Parade at Tour de France before the riders arrive into Paris!!
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                                           Hilton Paris Opera lounge area!
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                    Hilton Paris Opera, the bar is back near the mirrors!
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                 Connie's dream come true, to visit the famed Eiffel Tower!
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                                 Rico in front of the Eiffel Tower in July 2019!
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                     a selfie with Rico & Connie and the architectural feat of the Eiffel Tower!
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      Our friendly & knowledgeable Tour Guide - Ms Margo with the cute French accent!!
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   City of Paris below the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame standing tall before the fire in April 2019!

                Rico & Connie with a selfie at top of Eiffel Tower with magical Paris below!!
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                                        Notre Dame with its twin towers! 
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                     Notre Dame passing by on the Double Decker Bus!
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                                  Notre Dame on the Seine River!

                              Notre Dame as we cruised the Seine River in Paris!
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                     le Colibri, where we had a nice evening meal outside and people watched!
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                      Rico walking in Paris, in front of our hotel Paris Hilton Opera!
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   When Paris is experiencing Arizona weather, the locals & tourists cool off in the pools!
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                                    Enjoying the cool water!
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                                                     Paris, France!!
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                   I can't remember the names of all these monuments, but many photos!
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                            Very busy intersection  on the Avenue des Champs - Elysees!
       Wikipedia:  Frequently described as ‘the world’s most beautiful avenue’, the Avenue
         des Champs-Élysées is a Paris must-see. Tourists and Parisians can be spotted
           strolling at any time of day or night and at any time of year along this iconic
​       two-kilometre stretch between the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. 

      Rico & Connie listening to the tour while cruising on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 
                                                 the most beautiful avenue in the world!!!

                         Moulin Rouge as we walked up hill from our Hilton Paris Opera hotel!
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                                  Moulin Rouge close up, at around 5:00 pm!
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                Sex Shop near Moulin Rouge - they were everywhere in this part of Paris11
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                        another erotic clothing & sex toy store near Moulin Rouge!
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         Rico & Connie having a couple of beers in Paris and of course the cig is for Connie!
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              the Spire atop Notre Dame which was spared in the great fire on April 15, 2019!
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              the Spire of Notre Dame as we drifted peacefully down the Seine River!
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                 Rico on the top level of the Eiffel Tower, so breathtaking is Paris!
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                        on the train to le Havre in Normandie, France!!!
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                                          a grand home in le Havre!
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                             French countryside looking out the window of the train!
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         the rocky coast line in le Havre, but the French didn't mind, they would lay their
       blankets or beach towels on the rocks and sunbathe!   No wonder they love Florida!!!
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                       Connie enjoying a pint in le Havre, Normandie, France!!!
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                         Countryside from the Bus as we traveled to Etretat!
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                                            France countryside!
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                                        farm land near the coast in North France!
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                               Cottages alongside the road!
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        perhaps France's version of Paul Bunyan???    but that ain't no Blue OX named Babe!
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                     Tractor out cutting wheat between le Havre & Etretat!
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                             an adorable home in the countryside of France!
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                                            a small village or complex???
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                                a quaint restaurant & inn along the roadside!
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               Dairy Cows in action while I rode in the front seat of the bus & took photos!
                                                 The Bus Driver, she was very accommodating!

                         Working the fields, maybe picking strawberries?   
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               up close and personal on the narrow lanes of le Havre!
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                        Corn & Tractors made me think of Idaho, my birthplace of long ago!
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                Kool - Aid Man,  didn't see him in France, but it is a nice country scene!
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         We are near are destination of Etretat, a beautiful coastal town in Normandie!
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                             some colorful flowers in the background behind Connie!
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                     Etretat Beach, notice all the stones and rocks, no sand!
                                               & another arch in the rock!
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                  Etretat has an arch, reminded me of Cabo San Lucas, Baja Sur, Mexico!
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                     Rico on hike to top of arch, a great day to climb the countryside of France!
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                Yes, it is a ways down, using the guard rail as we look over!
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                            Connie near the top of Etretat!
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    Church on the other side of where the arch is, there were 3 arches, we saw 2 of them
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        at the top of the larger Arch looking out towards the smaller arch & sail boats!
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                       another incredible shot on a funtastic day in France!
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                                the City Center in Etretat!             

             this is where our walk began & ended, the city bus dropped us off & picked us up!

                                     our return to le Havre!
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                   Connie & Rico enjoying the stones & concrete of le Havre coast!
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             Walking the rock beaches of Le Havre, Normandie France!

             Art work in Le Havre, made from metal shipping containers!

                            Walking to the entrance of Versailles Palace -
        home of Louis, including Louis XIII, XIV, XV, and Louis the XVI with Marie Antoinette!

                       Rico & Connie at gates of Versailles Palace outside Paris!

        back side of Versailles Palace which extends out to the grounds & pools!

                            Rico standing in front of the back of the Palace Versailles!

              This is the view of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette living in extreme,
    extravagant wealth while the country of France suffered during French Revolution!

   Front entrance to Versailles Palace, what extreme beauty, but at a large cost to the            French people and her country.    Marie Antoinette was known as "Madame Deficit!"  
  The American people had the same problem with Michele Obama of lavish spending and more than twice the maids, butlers and help at the White House along with her Mother.
                    Antoinette was killed for treason with a guillotine! 

      would highly advise to learn more about Versailles by clicking onto the following link:                          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Versailles 

                                    Versailles Garden what a beautiful sight to witness!

  Rico giving a two thumbs down for the Petits Train Ride around the Versailles grounds!
        Very bumpy, long, uncomfortable ride along dirt roads seeing nothing but trees!
                 I think the cost was about 6 pounds which was 5 1/2 pounds too much!
  This was the only negative of the Palace visit as it is free to the public to walk the grounds!
                                      Two Thumbs up for the People of Paris & France!!!!

ENGLAND VACATION BLOG – Week Two, July 21st – July 28th;
​Day 8 – July 21st; This day had us up early to catch the train from Cleethorpes to Dundee Scotland and we were both excited to see the Northern part of the United Kingdom. I too had never visited Scotland although I had traveled to England many times and had even been to Wales a time or three.

In order to catch an early morning train on a Saturday a person needs to awaken early of which we did, only problem is the management sleep in and so did all the other guests. There was a door downstairs that displayed an alarm which was set and if we opened the door everyone within a two-block radius would be aroused and angry at the two Americans slipping out of Nottingham House.  There were two alternatives, to go down the fire escape which consisted of a narrow metal ladder (which looked as if it had the carrying capacity of an 80 pound weakling,) that was draping next to the brick building with our luggage being carried by a couple in their late fifties three floors down starting from the roof. I looked and became weak at the knees, Connie looked and said, No way in Hell, so back into the building we went, opting then to knock on a door of which we saw one of the waitresses enter several times the night before and we noticed a bed in the room, so we took a chance that she was living on premises and the gamble knock paid off. The young lady was pleasant although she looked as if a rough night of drinking were responsible for her swollen eyes and unruly hair. She turned off the alarm, bid us farewell and we walked to the station where there were only a handful of Brits awaiting the train to Doncaster of which we changed trains again. 

The train ride was non-eventful until we stopped about 2 hours south of Newcastle upon Tyne and the reason of why I mention this city is that is where the party crowd exited.  When we picked up the twenty or so men, Connie and I both figured that they were all going for a guy’s weekend to the British Open where we too were bound. But after seeing some of the crazies with very little on, short, short jeans cut to the crotch and shirts cut away to show lots of man skin and many giving each other the tongue and hearing Congratulations on getting married, we soon discovered this was a “Hen Party” with dudes.  Not all seemed to be gay, there might have been a couple out of the entire group who were not fondling another man or pinching each other on the ass or ……  However, when they brought out the Tequila I joined in the fun of drinking as each of them loaded up with more booze than clothing for the weekend trip.  One unfortunate guy lost his bag, as they were moving car to car changing seat and make out partners, with that going on and the tequila being freely passed from lips to lips his gym bag with clothes and toiletries were not found.  Once we reached Newcastle the train became quite empty. We changed trains again at Edinburgh (Waverly) station and we talked with a nice Scottish lady for most of the rest of the trip to Dundee. We grabbed a taxi right away and the driver quickly took us to the Hampton Inn in Dundee within about five minutes time. After checking in we found a couple of pubs – one namely The Globe, took some photos and watched some of the third round of The Open with many other local Scots.  We had dinner to go at Istanbul Take Away where they had delicious Gyros and Pizza.  We ended up eating there twice since it was so delicious and the staff were Super Friendly. End of Day 8, Sunday, July 21st – 2 miles, 5081 steps & 3 floor;

Day 9, Sunday July22nd – We walked to the train station and to our dismay there were literally hundreds of Americans, Scottish and British men and a few women boarding the train in Dundee to Carnoustie, home of the 147th British Open. The thing I remember about Carnoustie was watching the Frenchman Jean van de Velde losing in dramatic fashion The Open in 1999 of which he held a three-stroke lead going into the 72nd and final hole of the Championship.   With his name and legacy all but engraved on the Claret Jug, Jean Van de Velde made some poor shot decisions that will be remembered for as long as the Scottish days are long. Needing to make only a 6 on the par-4 18th hole at Carnoustie Golf Links to secure the British Open on Sunday, Van de Velde squandered the championship in excruciating fashion (for him and for us watching thousands of miles away or for those who were fortunate to see history in the making), clanging one shot off the bleachers, then dumping another into the water, taking his shoes off, rolling his pant legs up to hit out of the water, reconsidered since it was in deeper than van de Velde realized, taking a drop and then chunking that shot into a bunker before finally making a triple-bogey 7.  These horrible link shots put him into a three-man playoff with Justin Leonard and Paul Lawrie, who won the championship by three shots in the four-hole format.

This left Van del Velde and the French forever wondering about the 18th and what could have been.

So after arriving by train to the course,  walking around to find a beer, spending some money for gifts and self at the gigantic golf store, taking our photo with the prized and famous Claret Jug and then walking the entire course, following favorite Phil Mickelson for a few holes, the two of us then settled into the second row of the first set of bleachers close to where the Frenchmen’s ball went into the water some 19 years earlier. Here we had excellent vision of the approach shots onto the 18th green, occasionally one not making it and landing in the moat or in one of the bunkers.

YES, we saw many famous golfers including the eventual Champion – Francesco Molinari, the first Italian to win a Major Golf Championship.  We saw Tiger on the leader board, English favorite Justin Rose, Ireland’s favored Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Ricky Fowler to name a few and saw each and everyone of them walk to the 18th green right in front of our great spectator viewing point. Day 9 total – 8.3 miles, 19,008 steps, & 8 floors;

Day 10, Monday July 23rd; Took the train to Edinburgh where we drug our suitcases a couple miles in town then caught a taxi as we were most nearly there at the Hilton. If we would have taken the next stop into Waverly Station we would have been a mere ½ mile from the Hotel, but that is part of the fun – adventuring into unchartered territory for us.  We took advantage of a two day tour bus pass and explored the town by bus and had a couple of pints in The Last Drop in the Grass Market area with many a pub and restaurant and lots of outdoor dining and drinking seats.  We set our sights for the next day’s anticipated visit of the Edinburgh Castle which is more of a town fortress than castle. Day 10 total – 3.7 miles, 9,873 steps, & 13 floors;

Day 11, Tuesday, July 24th.  Immediately after breakfast we hopped the bus to the Edinburgh Castle which is quite the tourist spot, in fact it is the most-visited paid Tourist attraction in all of Scotland and we gladly paid our  40 pounds each which was included with the Edinburgh Majestic Tour as was a quick peek into the a Scottish distillery of which we purchased a what resembled a milk can with Magnum Original Scottish Cream Liquer aka Highland Cream that had a red checkered Scottish knit cap that fitted over the screw in lid.

Taken from Wikipedia:  “Edinburgh Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Dhùn Éideann) is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position on the Castle Rock. Archaeologists have established human occupation of the rock since at least the Iron Age (2nd century AD), although the nature of the early settlement is unclear. There has been a royal castle on the rock since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and the site continued to be a royal residence until 1633. From the 15th century the castle's residential role declined, and by the 17th century it was principally used as military barracks with a large garrison. Its importance as a part of Scotland's national heritage was recognised increasingly from the early 19th century onwards, and various restoration programmes have been carried out over the past century and a half. As one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle was involved in many historical conflicts from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century to the Jacobite rising of 1745. Research undertaken in 2014 identified 26 sieges in its 1100-year-old history, giving it a claim to having been "the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world".

Few of the present buildings pre-date the Lang Siege of the 16th century, when the medieval defences were largely destroyed by artillery bombardment. The most notable exceptions are St Margaret's Chapel from the early 12th century, which is regarded as the oldest building in Edinburgh, the Royal Palace and the early-16th-century Great Hall, although the interiors have been much altered from the mid-Victorian period onwards. The castle also houses the Scottish regalia, known as the Honours of Scotland and is the site of the Scottish National War Memorial and the National War Museum of Scotland. The British Army is still responsible for some parts of the castle, although its presence is now largely ceremonial and administrative. Some of the castle buildings house regimental museums which contribute to its presentation as a tourist attraction.

The castle, in the care of Historic Scotland, is Scotland's most-visited paid tourist attraction, with over 2 million visitors in 2017 and over 70 percent of leisure visitors to Edinburgh visiting the castle. As the backdrop to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo during the annual Edinburgh Festival the castle has become a recognisable symbol of Edinburgh and of Scotland.”  Day 11 total – 7.3 miles, 18,926 steps, & 6 floors;

Day 12, Wednesday, July 25th; Early to rise we walked to the Edinburgh Waverly Station and headed out to explore Ireland via Holyhead in Wales. I spent most of the morning and early afternoon looking out the window at the gorgeous countryside while trying to book us on a daylight trip to Dublin from Holyhead on Stena Line Ferry. There were no openings for the afternoon crossing, only availability in the dead of night with a full moon only a couple of days away, but Connie won’t do even do cruises, she watches too much crime TV and that Woman’s channel where dames are always getting tossed off the ship by their lovers or come up missing and the spouse or the boyfriend is always the number one suspect because of a fight they once had two years earlier. Due to not having endless time and not wanting to spend a day and night in Holyhead for obvious reasons, it is a port town and not much else I tried everything trick I could on the internet with several refreshes and trying to book over and over when I noticed a “Senior fare with a bicycle” of which I clicked for 2 Seniors and 1 Bicycle to cross at a very reasonable rate, much lower than the 2 adult fares without a bicycle for two. I booked immediately and we were confirmed on that afternoon ferry arriving early evening into Dublin. Connie and I rehearsed our story on why we didn’t have a bicycle with us upon check-in and hoped that ID wasn’t requested. Our bicycle for two had been stolen in Edinburgh and so we were afoot, no longer traveling by bicycle, but going to hoof it and we practiced our sad, forlorn expression when mentioning about our long lost blue bicycle with a basket on the front that we’d had for 25 years and had taken it all over the globe only to have it lifted from us in Scotland as we enjoyed a pint at The Last Drop. To our utter dismay, they didn’t even notice that we didn’t have a bicycle for one or for two and that all we had was a suitcase each, one backpack and a Harrod’s toy bag filled with snacks and souvenirs. All that stressing and rehearsing our necessary fibs for nothing, not a single raised, suspicious eyebrow was cast upon us.

The Irish Sea was for the most part quite calm, some wind, clear skies and excellent service was ours as first-class Senior Citizens without a bicycle. Televisions galore, we had brought our books and the cafeteria was open as was a snack bar with coffee, tea, juices all included with the price of a first-class affordable Senior fare. When arriving into the port of Dublin, after unloading there was a taxi awaiting with a kind, gentleman of about 65 years of age who had taken two phone calls from both his son and his daughter of which he was none too happy with as both wanted him to stop what he was doing and come give each of them a ride home from whenever they were. He told us they were grown and without much responsibility and woe is he. We were taken right away to the Hilton Garden Inn Dublin Quay along the river just across from most of all the pub and restaurant action. We did a bit of walking and exploring a pub or two that day. Day 12 total – 4.5 miles, 11,391 steps, & 3 floors;

Day 13, Thursday, July 26th;  Connie and I walked around the town a bit, then caught a train from Pearce station in Dublin out to Bray along the shore where a carnival was permanent for the most of the summer, everyone wearing shorts and a light weight top, Connie and I with our swimsuits beneath our shorts, ready to take a swim in the Irish Sea. The seashore was rocky, but I still braved the cold sea as few were experiencing the water. We strolled slowly taking in all the views of the Cliff Walk as I let the warm sun dry my wet body and hair.
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Taken from Wikipedia: “Bray (Irish: Bré, formerly Brí Chualann) is a coastal town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is situated about 20 km (12 mi) south of Dublin city centre on the east coast. It has a population of 32,600 making it the fourteenth largest urban area in all of Ireland and the ninth largest urban area within the Republic of Ireland (at the 2016 census).

Bray was a resort town, and its proximity to Dublin make it a destination for tourists and day-trippers from the capital. Bray is home to Ardmore Studios, and some light industry is located in the town, with some business and retail parks on its southern periphery. Commuter links between Bray and Dublin are provided by rail, Dublin Bus and the M11 and M50 motorways.

Bray is a long-established holiday resort with hotels and guesthouses, shops, restaurants and evening entertainment. The town also hosts a number of festival events.

In the town's vicinity are two 18-hole golf courses, one tennis club, fishing, a sailing club and horse riding. Other features of Bray are the amusement arcades and the National Sealife Centre. It has a beach of sand and shingle which is over 1.6 km (0.99 mi) long, fronted by an esplanade. Bray Head, which rises 241 m (791 ft) from the coast, has views of mountains and sea. The concrete cross at the top of the head was erected in 1950 for the holy year.

Bray is used as a base for walkers, and has a mile-long promenade which stretches from the harbour, with its colony of mute swans, to the base of Bray Head at the southern end. A track leads to the summit. Also used by walkers is the 7 km (4.3 mi) Cliff Walk along Bray Head out to Greystones.

In January 2010, Bray was named the "cleanest town in Ireland" in the 2009 Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey of 60 towns and cities.”

When we arrived back later that afternoon we hopped the Ireland Tour Bus, got off at the Teeling Distillery where we both loved our first Whiskey tour, enjoyed a few pubs, especially the live music by Sharon Hussey of her CD titled Tradisfaction,  www.sharonhussey.com (of which I got Connie a copy to listen to when arriving back in Arizona) at the World Famous “Temple Bar” and had an excellent meal later at the hotel.  Day 13 total – 6.9 miles, 16,322 steps, & 9 floors;

Day 14, Friday, July 27th; The day looked a bit dreary and to Connie’s satisfaction it looked as if rain might find us. Did I mention she brought lots of rain gear with a jacket and hat and I decided that I did not want to lug more poundage aka luggage and opted to possibly getting a bit damp when / if moisture was dominant as is usually the case, but this is the only day where rain might have a chance to see Connie’s rain jacket. We boarded the train to see the Castle of Blarney which was about 3 hours away by train and then another twenty minutes by bus or taxi.

The grounds are immaculate in and around Blarney Castle, a slight rain greeted us as we got our tickets and walked to the castle which was about a half mile strut with flowers of gardens to make the hike seem like a couple hundred yards. The rain became a bit more intense as we waited in line to begin the tight stairway crawl through and to the top of the castle which had seen its glory days fade with many rooms not having a roof and as we reached the pinnacle of the castle, near where the Blarney Stone was laid, it was down right pouring, a summer, rain storm indeed where the castle became very slick as it is made with rock which has been smoothed for stairs, walkways, foundation, floors and walls. The line quickly dispersed and only a handful of us dared to continue walking the catwalk, barely able to see with water crashing down horizontally and vertically. Connie said, “surely you’re not going to try and kiss that stone upside down are you, not in this torrential downpour!”  I responded back with, “of course I am, I didn’t travel all the way to Blarney, walk to the top and then let a fierce rainstorm stop me!”  She said that she was not going to do it and I pleaded with her to stay with me so that she might take some photos that I might have proof that I did indeed kiss the Blarney Stone and being a writer made it even of more importance as those that kissed the stone became gifted with great eloquence of words. My turn to kiss the rock came sooner than expected and two helpers steadied me while I hung upside down, grabbed two bars, faced the ark like rain and put my lips upon that block of limestone which I’m sure the germs from the others was already quickly washed away due to the heavy pour of rain from the heavens. I must admit it was a bit unnerving looking down several stories and seeing hard rock as a landing zone and the rain making every slight move a slip and slide event, but hey I am Dr. Rico Austin, the most interesting writer in the world, so I must experience LIFE to the Fullest!   And then, Connie kissed me so that she might claim to have nearly kissed the Blarney Stone as my lips still tasted of slimy, green limestone and were as smooth as french wine.

Taken from Wikipedia: “Blarney Stone (Irish: Cloch na Blarnan) is a block of Carboniferous limestone[1] built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, Blarney, about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Cork, Ireland. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of the gab (great eloquence or skill at flattery). The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. The castle is a popular tourist site in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world to kiss the stone and tour the castle and its gardens.

The word blarney has come to mean "clever, flattering, or coaxing talk". Irish politician John O'Connor Power defined it this way: "Blarney is something more than mere flattery. It is flattery sweetened by humour and flavoured by wit. Those who mix with Irish folk have many examples of it in their everyday experience." Letitia Elizabeth Landon described its contemporary meaning in an article entitled 'Blarney Castle' in 1832.

The ritual of kissing the Blarney Stone, according to the castle's proprietors, has been performed by "millions of people", including "world statesmen, literary giants [and] legends of the silver screen". The kiss, however, is not casually achieved. To touch the stone with one's lips, the participant must ascend to the castle's peak, then lean over backwards on the parapet's edge. This is traditionally achieved with the help of an assistant. Although the parapet is now fitted with wrought-iron guide rails and protective crossbars, the ritual can still trigger attacks of acrophobia, an extreme or irrational fear of heights.

Before the safeguards were installed, the kiss was performed with real risk to life and limb, as participants were grasped by the ankles and dangled bodily from the height. In the Sherlock Holmes radio dramatisation "The Adventure of the Blarney Stone" (first broadcast on 18 March 1946), a man attempting to kiss the Blarney Stone falls to his death. Holmes' investigation reveals this as a murder as the man's boots having been surreptitiously greased before the attempt.”

We had a great day and Connie was pleased as punch over her not getting wet and I looking like a drowned London rat, shivering the entire train ride back to Dublin. Day 14 total – 5 miles, 10,965 steps, & 16 floors;

Day 15, Saturday July 28th; Another early morning, followed by an extremely long day of Ferry rides and train trips with an overflowing Wales train where I gave my seat after the first stop to an elderly grandmother, standing and swaying to the rock of the ancient railways most of the way to London. There were even a couple of stops where no one exited and not another individual was allowed to board because of being over capacity, but hey I loved the adventure. We arrived at London Euston station and walked literally across the street to the Hilton. We walked around the neighborhood a bit that evening and stopped into Mabel’s Tavern where an International Ladies bicycle race was taking place in London and saw the most horrific crash near the finish line that made both Connie and I feel ill to the stomach. We did not watch the replay on the tellie as the British call the television set. An early evening because tomorrow would be our First Class Eurostar Adventure as we would take the Chunnel to Paris, France. Day 15 total – 3 miles, 6,974 steps, & 5 floors;  Total for Week 2: 40.7 miles, 98,540 steps, & 63 floors;    

Next blog will be the final and third week of this European Vacation as we visit France & Paris!
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Photos at the end of this Blog after the signature:

"Have a Double Shot of Reality"  TM
"Peace, Love & Tequila"  TM
 
Rico Austin
Author - "My Bad Tequila"
 
50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading - Winner 2016 of The Authors's Show 
John E. Weaver Excellent Reads Award - 2017 Winner of Fiction Adventure & Memoirs
Hollywood Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011)
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Silver (Fiction - Mystery - General genre 2011)
Amazon eKindle - #1 Top Rated Kindle eBooks (Mexico Travel genre 2011)
"Five Parrots in a Palm Tree" - Superb Island Reading award 2011
#1 Book to Read, June 2011 - NY Professional Reviewer, Fran Lewis
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - General genre 2011)
Arizona Authors Association - 3rd Place (Fiction Book of the Year 2011 - 2012)
London Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2012)
Los Angeles Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011-2012)
New York Beach Book Festival - Honorable Mention (General Non-Fiction genre 2012)
New Mexico - Arizona Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - Mystery genre 2012)
Bibliocracy.com - Author of the Month (June 2012)
Suspense Magazine - Review & Article (July 2012 issue)t
Book Town - February's Book of the Month (March 2013)  www.booktown.ning.com 
 
Co- Songwriter - "My Bad Tequila"
Songwriter - "Havin' a Beer on the Santa Monica Pier"
 
http://amazon.com/author/rico.austinwww.ricoaustin.com  

                
                     Connie & Golfin' Fanatics takin' the 10:08 from Dundee into Carnoustie                   
                                              to watch the British Open 147th year!

                       
                               Rico at the Globe Pub in Dundee, Scotland established 1823

  The bay outside Edinburgh, Scotland upon our arrival, by way of Dundee to see the Open

           Watching Saturday's round of The Open at the Globe in Dundee, Scotland!

                   Sunday's Championship Round of the British Open - 2018!

            Rico all excited about being in Scotland & seeing the British Open in person!

                                the 147th British Open - Carnoustie Golf Course!

      Following Amigo Phil Mickelson a few holes, he waved at me which surprised Connie!
                              She asked, "Does Phil know You?"   Of Course, Phil knows Rico!

                 Rico with the Claret Jug at 147th Open at Carnoustie!

 
       Tiger short of the 18th Green & not happy as he disappeared from the Leader Board!

     
                 Don't know who this is behind Rico, but his golf ball almost hit us!
                                                       Photo Op!

                          a selfie with Jordan Spieth, why not?  He's a good ol' Texan Boy!!!

 
       Lots of folk just stayed & watched the giant screen as it was near the Beer Garden!

           The Entrance of The Open & shopping galore, had to purchase a few mementos!

         One more glance of that Claret Jug close up, may never be that near it again!

                                                       Connie & the Penguin! 
    There were different, brightly colored Penquins all over  town of Dundee, Scotland!  

            Two young Scottish pipers outside The Open grounds on the way to the train!

    Queen's Hotel in Dundee, Scotland which is quite nice inside, lots of golfing photos!

                                 YESSSS,  a Phoenix Pub in Dundee, Scotland!

        Rico & Connie at Phoenix Pub established 1856 about same year as Phoenix, Arizona!

               Connie loved those Scottish Pipers, the music is stimulating in Edinburgh!

                         Edinburgh Majestic Tour lookin' at the Ghost Bus Tours!

 
                 Our view from the window of Hilton Hotel room out over Edinburgh!

                              Entering Edinburgh Castle concert and jousting area!

                            Edinburgh, Scotland from the Edinburgh Castle!

                                     Photos in the "Last Drop" pub in Edinburgh!

      an interesting read concerning " The Last Drop" in Grassmarket area in Edinburgh!

                     Braveheart & Rico outside the Scottish Whisky Experience!!!

                                 Yes, there are Unicorns in Scotland!    & I've seen them!!!

 
    walking the deck while crossing the Irish Sea from Holyhead to Dublin on Stena Lines!

                         We rode the Irish Rail a couple of different days!

                                    Seacoast near Bray, Ireland from train!
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                    Rico in the Irish Sea, summer lovin' happened so fast, summer lovin' .....
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                          Bray Head Concrete Cross erected in 1950 for the Holy Year!
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                                  Rico on the hike to Bray Head, Connie slow walker!
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                                             Waitin' in line to get a Guinness Beer!   
                  must admit, I'm not a big fan of Guinness but many others are;
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   When You say Guinness, You've said it all!   oh, wait that is Budweiser - St. Louis, Missouri

           I don't remember the significance of this statue, but hey, nice set of "baskets!"

    Top of the mornin' to ya from McDaids on Harry Street, established 1779, Dublin, Ireland!
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                                           Wise words from William Shakesbeer!
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                         Time to take a Tour and drink some Irish Whiskey;  
              Notice that the Irish spell "Whiskey" & the Scottish spell "Whisky"
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                  The Phoenix sign at Teeling Distillery!  We just can't get away from Arizona!

              and this is the reason behind the Phoenix, Irish Whiskey reborn!
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                   three copper stills, all named after Teeling's three daughters!  
                                                        And, that's a fact Jack!

                                   Yep, a little bit more about the "Phoenix!"
                                                    Knowledge is Power!
 

                      Connie outside an Irish Pub along the Quay in Dublin!
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          Inside the famous "The Temple Bar" which is huge, great musica & lots of cerveza!
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                    Sharon Hussey with the violin and some other guy on the guitar!
                    www.sharonhussey.com if you want to hear some great Irish tunes!
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                    Here is Sir William Temple's story of Temple Bar if you can read it!
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                          and, not to be outdone, a plaque of Lady Martha Temple!
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                                         Blarney Castle Countryside - oh, how lovely a Green!
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                    getting ready for the climb and some moisture lingers in the Irish air!
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                       Rico & Connie getting ready to enter Blarney Castle, not raining yet!
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                         inside the main foyer of Blarney Castle!
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                        between this  sign and the Blog mentioning Blarney Castle
             you have a pretty good idea that you may need to see this place for yourself!
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     Rico getting laid out on his back to kiss the Blarney Stone as rain is coming down hard!
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            Rico kissing that Green Limestone so that he may continue to write great novels!
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            As you can see clearly from the photo that Connie is quite proud of herself
                  and extremely happy to have brought her rain jacket on this excursion,                                    that & she stole a kiss from me immediately after I kissed the Blarney Stone!   
                                                 Some Girls have all the Luck!
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                  and now to have a pint and get out of the rain while we await our taxi!

                                     Join us next Blog when we discover France & Paris!
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 ENGLAND VACATION BLOG – Week One, July 13th – July 20th;
What can go wrong when You share and begin your wife’s life long dream of seeing London United Kingdom, Paris France, Scotland and Ireland on Friday the 13th?  Well, plenty went right as I do not believe the curse of Friday the 13th affects me.  I’m not saying or writing that there is no curse as some persons are bound for trouble each day and especially on witching days such as Friday the 13th; 

Our journey began from Scottsdale, AZ as our great neighbor Mr. Don K. drove us to the airport so that we would not have a hefty airport parking bill after 21 days of frolicking in Europe. We boarded a Southwest flight from PHX to SFO that is Phoenix Sky Harbor to San Francisco International for those who don’t get out much or are from another part of the country or world other than the Western US.  All went well to San Francisco then we had to change terminals from Terminal 1 to the International Terminal where mega construction is occurring. We took the Sky Tram and sure enough it broke down and we are stranded and still.  When the door finally opened I told Connie my wife, let’s get off this thing while we can as our three-hour window of catching our flight to Heathrow was now one and a half hour.  We caught the tram going to the opposite way which took longer, we were back to where we started and then some, but arrived at the International Terminal and found Virgin Atlantic.

We did not have any luggage to check, we decided to both take small suitcases and a backpack which I hauled with miscellaneous things such as an iPad that Amigo Rich C. had loaned me which was much lighter than my laptop and if it was to be lost or stolen, Rich told me, “not a big deal.”   So, packing enough for 6 days at a time, we knew that we’d have to do laundry at least three times during our adventure to avoid wearing dirty underwear. Great thing about having only five or six outfits and having to wear them a few different times while on vacation is that we almost never saw the same person twice, that we know of.

Virgin Atlantic has great service and friendly flight attendants and staff, but the seats are closer together than Southwest’s and then when a full entertainment center is put into the back of the seat in front of you, just no wiggle room and the computer of the unit is down on the floor in front of your feet so you lose mucho leg and feet room also.   Ten and a half hours of being cramped, watching movies and being fed twice still makes for a long trek across the pond. Total walking distance 3.4 miles or 7,669 steps.

We arrived at about 2:00 pm on July 14th, caught the “tube” or subway to Paddington and switched to the Circle Line and off at Westminster where there was a Trump protest going on and no taxis available; Police on horses, demonstrators everywhere with signs, but most looked as if they were homeless or mentally ill.  I asked one protestor who was carrying a sign, who looked relatively normal, “What are you protesting Trump about?”  His answer was, “I’m not sure, but Trump is in England and I’m getting paid $100 quid (which is slang for sterling or pound) for showing up and holding this sign in the air.”  I asked who is paying you, he replied, “Not sure who is behind it, but heard it was another American bloke.”  I asked is it Soros?  He said, “Yeah, that might be the name, sounds right, but I’m not supposed to be talking about it. Good thing you don’t have my name; You’re not a reporter, are you?” Do my wife and I look like reporters with our luggage being dragged around on this bridge crossing the Thames?  “No, but you Americans are a tricky bunch.”  I told him that I was a writer, not a reporter and that I may tell the story, but his identity is safe as I didn’t even have a first name and chose not to take a photograph of him.

Another gal with about 10 different holes with rings, studs & various pieces of steel protruding from her face, tatted up on all bare skin showing which included all she cared to show with a low-cut tank top which highlighted an unsightly belly and bellybutton adorned with a huge star surrounded by more tattoos also spewing how she hated Trump. I asked her why she was protesting Trump and her answer, “because he kills Mexican babies and separated children from their mothers.”  I told her very untrue, that Trump does not kill any type of babies and that he is only trying to enforce immigration laws as did Barack Hussein Obama when he held the presidency.  She too was earning $100 pounds for showing up and picketing with a sign.

So, there you have it, this wasn’t Russia meddling in politics, it was a fellow American paying foreign persons to spew hate and lies. So sad indeed!!! I am losing complete faith in all politicians, the news and (fake) journalism. 

After taking some tourist photos of a demonstration that no one seemed to understand exactly what or why they were carrying anti – Trump signs we hitched a ride with a bicycle cart dude who was one crazy ass biker and knew exactly where the Doubletree by Hilton in Westminster was. By this time, it is now 5:00 pm, we check into a lovely room overlooking the Thames river and a bar converted from a boat and decide to go for a walk and a pint or two so that we would be able to sleep soundly the coming night and fall right into routine with days and nights overcoming the nine-hour time difference.  Connie’s first English pub by the name of Marquis of Granby, a Nicholson Pub celebrating a famous, generous War Hero of the 18th Century. Arrival date of July 14th, 2.8 miles, 7,016 steps, 2 floors;

Day Two and Three: We hunt down the Original London Bus Tour which was tough as once again streets are blocked off, this time for a women’s bicycle race with used Hate Trump propaganda signs scattered all over the sidewalks and road by the littering protesters.  The tour package we purchased was a 48-hour tour which included a river tour. Over the two-day tour we saw Buckingham Palace, shopped at Harrod’s where we didn’t buy anything, but did get in an amazing “wow, look at that” & “can you believe how huge this store is” and we got a free Harrod’s felt bag from the Toy Department of which every child in the world should be blessed to visit.  What a place!  We toured Kensington Palace and witnessed the Princess Diana clothing collection which was magnificent – we all loved Princess Diana.  The parks were a bit disappointing, they were like weed fields with sidewalks and an occasional park bench with trees, very raw and I guess Earthy. The Tower of London was very nice, although quite crowded with school children and non-school children, some of which should have been locked away in a dungeon as was Anne of Boleyn.  Big Ben was having work done on himself, so he was mostly hidden behind big paint sheets most of the time. Riding on the tour bus was great, there were about 23 stops on one tour and 8 stops on the other tour, one was the red line and the other the blue line.  Connie & I took advantage of both tours some buses equipped with headphones telling about all the attractions, and some with a live tour guide educating us on sights and sounds of London.
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The subway system is one of the most amazing attractions to me on how far down into the bowels of London it goes. The structuring and complication of figuring out how to have a complete underground universe without the city of London and Westminster tumbling into the abyss is mind blowing to this Yankee.  We watched the World Cup Final with France vs. Croatia at the Marquis of Granby and later that evening took the tube (subway) to Piccadilly Circus where all the French were partying and climbing on a certain statue.  They were having the time of their lives at this road junction and public space of London’s West End in the City of Westminster. Piccadilly Circus was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly. In this context, a circus, from the Latin word meaning “circle,” is a round open space at a street junction.​  End of Day Two, Sunday July 15 – 9.7 miles, 24,074 steps, 15 floors;

Day Three, Monday July 16: The worst and scariest sounding alarm greeted us to the day at the Doubletree on Monday am; Apparently, each and every Monday morning at 9:00 am there is a routine, practice fire alarm which we did not get the pleasure of being informed.  We did not get up early that morning! Connie was in the shower when the siren and announcement went off.  I grabbed our passports, and whatever I had in my backpack, hurried Connie along in her wet hair and body covered with a Hilton bathrobe and we scurried down the stairs all the while this alarm is going off, sometimes it would say it was a drill and then it would say “This is not a drill.”  Of course we were on the 11th floor and we did not dare use the elevators as we’ve been trained our entire lives to avoid elevators in the case of a fire.  Finally, when we descended rapidly, yet carefully down the stairs, everyone in the lobby was acting completely normal. I went to the front desk for further instructions and the clerk told me, “Oh, on Monday morning we always have a fire drill, nothing to worry about!”  “Nothing to worry about??? I retorted.  What about our hearts beating frantically and Connie being in a robe, drawn from a supposed to be nice, hot, relaxing shower, I thought!  Also, he added, “Oh, didn’t the check-in person mention it to you?”  “Hell no, no one mentioned anything to me and besides, what if there was a real emergency or fire on Monday morning, none of your employees would know it was not a drill.”  He looked at me blankly, I asked for a Doubletree Cookie and we went up the elevator to start our day over anew.  We did take the boat cruise under all the London Bridges except for the London Bridge which had been sold to Robert McCulloch of McCulloch chain saw fame. I’ve been on, over and under that bridge many times in my life so great to hear the story about in in Dear Ol’ London! Oh, & we ate fish and chips on Sunday and on Monday.  7.9 miles, 19,455 steps, 12 floors;

Day Four, Tuesday July 17:  We took the train from London Marylebone (of which the men's bathroom had a giant Monopoly board above the urinals) to Stratford upon Avon, home of William Shakespeare, a most delightful town that I had visited before, and knew that Connie would love the place. I figured that they would have several different matinees, but everything is in the evening, except for this day, they were having a special performance of “Romeo and Juliet,” but were sold out as it was being filmed for “Live from Stratford-upon-Avon.” We walked around and came back to see if anyone was not going to show up or be present and sure enough, four tickets became available, each for 50 pounds which is equivalent to about $80 bucks, but hey the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre is magnificent, holding 1040 individuals; Our seats were in Circle Door 1, row C, seats 7 & 8; I had been to the old theatre in the early 90s and asked when this one had been constructed, was told the old theatre had been renovated in 2010;  I was quite disappointed in the play, the thespians were magnificent and talented, but the director had tried to create a modern day Romeo and Juliet combined with Westside Story and ended up with nothing short of a joke. No costumes, no sets.  All that was used was a steel contraption with stairs and a covering to use as a balcony.  I won’t even mention the Director Lady’s name as she does not deserve any recognition at all for ruining a great story that William Shakespeare had written. I felt the theatre shudder and am sure it was Billy Shakespeare rolling in this grave.  At this particular showing about 1/4 of the seats could not be sold as they were filming with several cameras this particular performance and thus why there happened to be a matinee.  Again, we had fish and chips at a much more reasonable cost in Stratford at Barnaby’s Waterside vs. the high prices in London.  Close to Westminster subway station and our hotel we stopped for a drink on the Battersea Barge. The Battersea Barge (or Maria II as she was known then) was built in Holland in 1932. Shortly after this, she set sail for France where she was used to carry grain between Rouen and Paris. In 1941 Hitler requisitioned every available seafaring vessel in order to transport his tanks to France for his planned invasion of Britain. Maria II didn’t escape this fate and probably carried at least two tanks along the canals of Germany and France. Luckily, she didn’t reach England until the 1970s. She was brought across the Channel to Lymington in Hampshire where she had a makeover, followed by a brief spell as a restaurant. Sadly, the owner died and she fell back into disrepair. She was spotted in 1985, derelict and unloved, and was towed along the south coast to the mooring where she remains to this day – on Old Father Thames in Nine Elms, Battersea. We rested well that night after a few pints, hoping an alarm would not awaken us or cut our shower time short. 6.1 miles, 14,662 steps, 5 floors;
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Day Five, Wednesday July 18: Boarded another train at Kings Cross Station, stood in line to get a photograph of a Harry Potter scene with a shopping cart going right into the station wall, but didn’t make the front of the line since it was time to relax into a First Class seat on the lovely Virgin train.  We met a perfect Indian gentleman named Prakash S. on the train who owns Paras Engineering Works and decided he too was going to visit Stonehenge (price 25 pounds per person) as the engineering feat of moving such large stones and their placement fascinated him.  He had come to visit England with his son who on that day went to visit Oxford, that evening they would meet up again in London. As we talked with Prakash he shared with us that he too decided against the formal tour as we had opted to visit by train.  We shared a taxi from the Salisbury station, quite a lovely town and had the friendliest taxi driver, a retired bloke who took us around town upon the return, showed us the cathedral and pointed out where Sting the English musician had a house in the country, yes Sting the former lead singer and bassist for the group Police who pursued a distinguished solo career by his sophisticated blend of jazz, pop and world music.  Later that evening we dined on a delicious dinner at Alto by San Carlos at Selfridges’ glorious Rooftop Restaurant serving fine Italian dishes with vino as recommended by British born Julie who now resides in Arizona and Hong Kong. Upon return from the busy downtown of London to our locale in Westminster we walked over to the Tamesis Dock where it is carrying on the true tradition of a floating pub in Central London of a converted 1930s Dutch barge. It is permanently moored between Vauxhall Bridge and Lambeth Bridge on the Thames where you can see the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and part of the Doubletree hotel we were staying all while seated on the deck enjoying a cool beverage.  At times this place has live music (mainly free) on the water, but you can rent for a private event. Very cool indeed.  7.2 miles, 18,013 steps, 17 floors;
 
Day Six, Thursday July 19: The day started with a short trek to the local laundromat where we were helped extensively by a lovely woman who was beyond retirement years, but ran those washing machines and dryers like a Swiss Man would run a precision timed clock. We had a relaxing day near the hotel walking to the park. Upon arrival back to the hotel, we rested briefly and then off to the Fortune Theatre to see Woman in Black, an excellent mystery performance by two superb actors and one scary woman in black. A brilliant play costing only 17.50 British pounds equivalent to about $25.00 per person. I might add that on the way to the theatre the nearest subway or tube stop is Covent Garden Station and one of the few stations in Central London for which platform access is only by lift (elevator) or stairs. The lift was crowded with long lines awaiting and we decided to take the stairs, after three flights already crawled, there is a sign stating to the top is eleven floors or 195 steps to ground level. It was at that time we knew why the long elevator (lift) lines as only a very few persons were taking to the concrete, circular stairwell.  A stop at McDonalds for a Big Mac, fries & diet coke and back home, this time waiting in line for the lift.  9.5 miles, 23,960 steps, 31 floors;
 
Day Seven, Friday July 20:  Early departure with Connie’s first ride in an English Black Taxi with loads of space inside the back seat. Since we had all our luggage, fresh clothes and a fairly long ride on the train, some of it first class, some of it no so first class from Kings Cross to Cleethorpes to see long-time friends – the Grandfather of my God Daughter Paris R., Mr. Bernard F. who is the finest and most loving Englishman I’ve ever to known.  Unfortunately, his bride of some 40 years + Ms. Madeleine had passed a few years prior and I’d promised them many times when they visited Tom, Julie, Paris and TJ that I would make the trip over to visit them in Grimsby Town / Cleethorpes.  With the help of Bernard’s other Granddaughter the lovely Georgia, daughter of his son Ian and daughter-in-law Caroline we were able to have a fantastic meal of Fish & Chips at the Coach House Restaurant in Grimsby Town. Also present was the comical and entertaining 10-year-old Jude.  After dinner we were invited over to their home where chocolates and wine were served along with joyous conversations, lots of laughter and many smiles from dear Ol’ Bernard.  Earlier that afternoon upon arrival, Connie and I walked the boardwalk and seaside taking in all the carnival rides, food booths and sea air before Ian and Georgia retrieved us at The Nottingham House in Cleethorpes and Caroline later that night returned us back to the quaint, clean Inn which had three pubs and six rooms for sleeping accommodations with a full dining room.  We would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Cleethorpes area.  Something exciting did happen on the train trip at the stop Doncaster which is about halfway between London and Cleethorpes 3 ½ hour trip.  As we arrived into the train station of Doncaster we did not have our luggage ready and little did we know that the train stop was only about a minute long, so some of the people got on right away and others got off right away.  Connie and I were dilly dallying and she had just exited the train with here suitcase when a loud bell went off & I hurriedly tossed my suitcase onto the platform as the door was shutting still with me, my backpack and my Harrod’s bag filled with food goodies and some souvenirs.  I frantically tried to open the door as the train began to pull away with Connie on the outside hysterically screaming, “My husband is still on the train,” while holding onto the door, running alongside the train and people on the platform are screaming at her to let go of the train.  I could see her already in tears as the we pulled away, gaining speed each moment that passed and separated us farther.  I went back to my seat, devastated, not knowing what Connie would do and an Englishman who had been seated near us asked me, “does your wife have a cell phone?” Yes, indeed she did and so did I, we had contacted Verizon to give us a European plan while on vacation as I needed to periodically check into work and answer questions for some customers who did not care whether or not I was / am on vacation, Emergencies, was the other reason for the plan and this was an Emergency. I called Connie who immediately answered, “hello?” with disbelief and I told her to stay where she was at and that I’d get off the train at the next stop in about half an hour and catch a train back to her. She had the passports and the train tickets, but I was not asked for either and made my way back to her. When she saw me, she was still crying, but now smiling and said as she kissed me, “I am so glad to see you!”  I could only mildly reprimand her to next time be quicker as some of the fault also lay with me for not having the bags ready. But, moral of the story, Connie after that was Johnny on the Spot five minutes before we rolled into any station where we were to exit.  4.3 miles, 9,745 steps, 11 floors;
 
Total walking for the week: 50.9 miles, 124,594 steps, 93 floors climbed and no need for an umbrella as July and August were one of the hottest months on record.  The UK can thank Us for bringing the hot, dry climate of Arizona to them.
 
Stay tuned for Week Two of the ENGLAND VACATION BLOG as we travel to Scotland for the British Open and then onto Ireland.
Photos below!!!
"Have a Double Shot of Reality"  TM
"Peace, Love & Tequila"  TM
Rico Austin
Author - "My Bad Tequila"
50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading - Winner 2016 of The Authors's Show 
John E. Weaver Excellent Reads Award - 2017 Winner of Fiction Adventure & Memoirs
Hollywood Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011)
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Silver (Fiction - Mystery - General genre 2011)
Amazon eKindle - #1 Top Rated Kindle eBooks (Mexico Travel genre 2011)
"Five Parrots in a Palm Tree" - Superb Island Reading award 2011
#1 Book to Read, June 2011 - NY Professional Reviewer, Fran Lewis
Readers Favorite Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - General genre 2011)
Arizona Authors Association - 3rd Place (Fiction Book of the Year 2011 - 2012)
London Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2012)
Los Angeles Book Festival - Honorable Mention (Wild Card genre 2011-2012)
New York Beach Book Festival - Honorable Mention (General Non-Fiction genre 2012)
New Mexico - Arizona Book Awards - Finalist (Fiction - Mystery genre 2012)
Bibliocracy.com - Author of the Month (June 2012)
Suspense Magazine - Review & Article (July 2012 issue)t
Book Town - February's Book of the Month (March 2013)  www.booktown.ning.com 
Co- Songwriter - "My Bad Tequila"
Songwriter - "Havin' a Beer on the Santa Monica Pier"
http://amazon.com/author/rico.austin
www.ricoaustin.com  
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 Trump protest as we exited the subway at Westminster across from the Parliament!
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                                     Dialing for Dollars in London!
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  Ringing the Bell does no good for some of the Parliament Members - Pints important!
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             Big Ben being worked on so we didn't get to see the full England Time!
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                Buckingham Palace - we await the Queen!
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       Rico & Connie locked out of Buckingham Palace; the Queen must have forgotten tea!
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         I do believe they may let me in;  the gate has been opened at Buckingham Palace!
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                     Statue outside Buckingham Palace!
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    Connie inside the Tower of London overlooking Thames River and London drawbridge
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                     the glorious Crown Jewels - Connie is going window shopping!
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     a very rare photo -  the Royal Crown inside the heavily steeled & guarded vault 
                                               NO PHOTOS ALLOWED!
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                         Zoo in the past at Tower of London, moat down below!
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                on the Thames cruise drawbridge in the background
        

   
       Kensington Palace - we toured the Princess Diana display of all her lovely dresses!
                             This is very her Princes & their wives live - William & Harry!!!
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​                                                 GOD Save the Queen!!!      
              Tower of London,  inside the castle were they keep the Crown Jewels!!!
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                    Eye of London as seen from Buckingham Palace grounds!
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                           Double Decker Bus & the Taxis - Pure LONDON GOLD!
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                            English style service on Virgin Train - Breakfast with a Smile!
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                   Countryside along the train tracks on day journey to Stratford-upon-Avon!

              The Royal Shakespeare Theatre on the banks of Stratford-upon-Avon!
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​                      YES - Shakespeare's most famous play - Romeo and Juliet at RSC!
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              Waiting for Romeo & Juliet to begin with the Royal Shakespeare Company!
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         Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre - soon, "O' Romeo, O' Romeo, where art thou?"

                      In great anticipation of Romeo & Juliet in Stratford-upon-Avon!
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    Notice all the cameras, seating limited as they were filming this matinee performance!

                           the Battersea Barge on Thames River
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                                                     Battersea Barge
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                                         On the Thames or on the banks of the Thames?
                                       To be or not to be? as Shakespeare would question;

                   
​                                        a look inside the ol' Battersea Barge!

                    on the other side of the Thames, trying to get to the Battersea Barge!
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                             Downtown London on the Double Decker Tour Bus!
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                                         inside Kensington Palace!
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                                        Gardens at Kensington Palace!
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    Kensington Palace, waiting for Prince William & Prince Harry - I'm ready for a pint or two!
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                    Harrod's Department Store - every shopper should visit - unbelievable!
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​                        Yes,  everyone shops at Harrod's!
                                        

                Here's my Harrod's Toy Bag I got just for looking at toys in Harrod's!
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                         Porridge at the Double Tree - the 3 Bears are nearby, I'm certain!

                         & here is Breakfast on the Virgin Train - First Class!
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        London has her share of Bridges - 7 or so of them in just London & Westminster!
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                                a view from the top of the Double Decker Tour Bus

      looks as if Connie is having a pleasant conversation in a famous London phone booth!
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                                 the Men's bathroom at Train Station!
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              & for taking care of real business in the Men's bathroom at London train station!

                Frenchmen & Frenchwomen celebrating the World Cup in Picadelli Circus!
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                                              STONE HENGE!
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                                     Rico at Picadelli Circus which means "Circle"
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                     Rico & Connie at Stone Henge;  Prakash is taking a photo next to us!
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                                      Connie taking a selfie at Stone Henge!   
​                                          Missing a couple of the stones??

                Our new Amigo from India - Mr. Prakash & Rico discussing Stone Henge!

                                    Stone Henge close!
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                                     Stone Henge not close - afar!
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              Rico & Connie lovin' the day at Stone Henge - Mr. Prakash taking the photo!!!
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            this is how it is believed the stones were moved many of hundreds of miles!
                                              AMAZING & CONFUSING!!!

                           Royal Sceptors at Tower of London - sorry no more Stone Henge!

                                             Cathedral at Salisbury near Stone Henge!
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                      Prakash from India taking photos of the Cathedral at Salisbury!
​                                             What a delightful fellow!

                                       Cathedral at Salisbury!
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                          ]
                              the town of Salisbury!     very alive & vibrant!!
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                                            Parliament Building!
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                Italian dinner at Alto by San Carlo at Selridges Rooftop Restaurant!
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                                            Selfridges going to the roof top restaurant!
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                                      Alto by San Carlo at Selfridges!
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   Finally made it to the top of Covent Garden subway station - 193 stairs later - all concrete!
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                                   Outside Fortune Theatre - London
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                                                  Fortune Theatre!
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                     the set inside Fortune Theatre - magnificent play & actors!
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    Yes, this is the station Doncaster where Connie & I were separated by a fast moving train!
                                     Our speed improved greatly on boarding and exiting!
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   Entering Grimbsy Town & Cleethorpes - notice my cell phone in case we get separated!
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                           more of Grimsby Town & Cleethorpes!
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             Rico taking a selfie after arriving Cleethorpes, Connie is ready to explore!
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                                         Cleethorpes very near our hotel!
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                           The Nottingham House - one night in Cleethorpes!
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       Connie slowed down enough to let me take this photo upon arrival in Cleethorpes!
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                       the Nottingham House - very nice inn with 3 pubs!
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       Rico outside the Nottingham House with his Arizona sweatshirt & cactus swimsuit!
                                  I'll bet he is going to walk across the street & into the sea!
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                                     Sure enough there's that adventurous writer!
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                                at the Seaside in Cleethorpes!
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                    very nice memorial in Cleethorpes - ROYAL NAVY!
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             Donkeys on the Beach - here's something You'd see in Mexico but England???
                                             Fish & Chips always!!!

                      meeting our Friends Bernard & his grand daughter Georgia!
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    Dear ol' beloved Bernard, I finally was able to visit him in Cleethorpes after many years!
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                   Fish & Chips with Gravy in Grimsby Town!    Yummy!!!!
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        Yes, I ordered the Large Fish & Chips!!!    Outstanding, I had some take out for later!!!
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                       Connie & Caroline enjoying their first meeting & new friendship!

            My Amigo Ian, has been probably at least 20 years since I last saw him in Arizona!
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          time to leave after Wine & Chocolates!  Was to Great to see Mr. Bernard once more!
                      I've been promising him for 25 years that I'd come visit him in England!
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                     Ms. Georgia with her new book, I've gained some English readership!
                                                     Son of the King!
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                                  Tale of Two Cities -  Charles Dickens!
                                                             make sure to read the writing on the wall!     
​               Goodbye Cleethorpes & Grimsby Town!!!

Many of you have been to or read about Arizona, mostly the central part which consists of the Phoenix / Scottsdale metropolitan area where over 4.5 million citizens of the state’s 7 million population reside or the Northern part of the state with Sedona and Flagsttaff; But, have you visited the Southeastern part of the state?

As you head south of Tucson on Interstate 19 which runs from the east side of Tucson to the border of Mexico where you’ll encounter a border town named Nogales, AZ, population 20,000 on the US side and right across the border is Nogales, Sonora, Mexico which is over 15 times the population of the community north of the Mexico wall.

Nogales, Arizona is a quiet, clean community of which most of its business deals within the trucking and shipping business with lots of fruit and vegetable storage. Nogales, Sonora on the other hand is dirty, loud, bustling city with a railroad that runs right smack through the middle of town which does not separate the town, it just causes school children, working moms and dads, shoppers and retirees to cross the railroad tracks, sometimes several times a day, adding to the danger of living in a border town on the Mexico side.

In Nogales, Arizona there is an upscale steak, seafood restaurant also serving traditional Mexican dishes named Mr. C’s Supper Club of which I’ve enjoyed lunch with the delicious carne asada a couple of times. I’ve never spent the night there except for the time back in 1985 when on a Spring Break trip from Boise State University, other students and I slept in a park in our sleeping bags about 4 blocks north of the International Entry.

After spending the night at the Hilton in Tucson and meeting up with my Amigos Char and Chad Lynn at Hops for happy hour of Tequila that evening, I then drove the next morning to Tombstone, “the town to tough to die” or “Home of the OK Corral gunfight.”  I walked the boardwalk and dirt roads of about 5 blocks of the main street and a couple adjoining streets where the Birdcage Saloon and Doc Holiday’s Bar and Restaurant awaited me and my parched throat from that warm day at the end of November.  Too, I strolled into a shooting arena and fired a Ruger revolver with paint bullets at a human, metal silhouette and had a nice firing cluster of blue surrounding the heart of the lifeless, standing victim which was about 15 yards away. I practiced my fast draw, pretending to side with Wyatt Earp and his brothers against the bad dudes: Tom and Frank McLaury, Billy and Ike Clanton and trouble maker Billy Claiborne, severing all of their hearts with my six shooter and then received a high five from Mr. Doc Holiday himself after bringing the last of these bad boys to their death which would lead their bodies to a burial on Boothill.

I then mounted my Chevy Silverado and the horsepower carried me another 40 miles or so to Bisbee, an old mining town with a huge, open pit mine near the center of town. Thanks to a recommendation from Chad I inquired at the Copper Queen Hotel about spending the night in this historic, haunted establishment which holds the distinction of being Arizona’s longest continually operated hotel. This magnificent four story building was built from 1898 to 1902 by the Phelps Dodge Corporation to serve their mining investors and dignitaries during their visits to Bisbee, at one time the 2nd most populous city in the West, second only to San Francisco which became famous and overgrown during the rush of 1849.  The young clerk gave to me the room key 315, that room was marked Julia Lowell when I arrived. I unlocked the door and chills came over me and darkness enveloped my psyche.  I walked the grand staircase back to the main floor and lobby and inquired, “Who is Julia Lowell?  Her name is on the door.”  The answer which came from the lad’s lips explained of why the extreme and cold uneasiness I had I witnessed. “Julia Lowell is perhaps the most famous ghost in these parts of Arizona, she was a woman of the night, in her thirties and she was also the daughter of the proprietor of Copper Queen at that time. Ms. Lowell used the hotel for her clients and had the room nearest the bad stairs for easy, unnoticed entry into her prostituting world. After professing her love to one of her clients, he rebuked her and she became overwhelmed with grief and depression and hung herself outside her room.”  I noticeably shaken, drew the key from the pocket of my Levis and laid it on the counter. He continued, “Guests and staff here at the hotel have said that they feel her presence on the second and third floors of the west side of the building. Male staff and guests have actually heard a female voice (Julia’s) whispering in their ear.”  Uh, I don’t sleep very well to begin with so I sure as heck don’t want to be bothered by a whore ghost!” I replied emphatically to which his response was: “We’ve had a few paranormal ghosts tv shows done here and You are very lucky to have the opportunity as it is the most requested room at the Copper Queen.” 

I saw on the second floor, room 211 is John Wayne’s room, is that available?”  I was given the key and put my belongings in the “Duke’s” room where he stayed while filming westerns in the area.  There are 13 photos of the Marion Robert Morrison, his birth name before Director John Ford gave him his famous acting name of John Wayne. The reason that John Wayne choose this as his room is because it is next to the elevator and the closest room to the bar downstairs.  One night after heavy drinking, a shot was fired from Mr. Wayne’s room, but no one hurt, just a bullet to the wooden floor, seems the Big Cowboy had a loaded round in the chamber and didn’t realize it when taking off this gun belt and accidently fired the bullet into the hardwood. It created quite a ruckus that night and eventually everyone settled in again for the night without need of disturbing the law of Bisbee that late night.

There is also a room named after Arizona Author J.A. Jance as she writes several mystery novels about Arizona and has had a couple with locales in the Bisbee area. Must admit I’ve never read any of her books even though I have met her a couple of times. I have so many books that authors have given me that I try to find the time to read these before seeking out others of which are not given to me as gifts.  The clerk told me that sometimes Ms. Jance comes to Bisbee to write and they give her the room of which she spends many hours of seclusion.  I do hope someday I’ll have a hotel room named after me or with my name hung on the door for all to wonder what the real story is behind the closed door.

That evening I listened to some music by a great guitarist who played a 12 string and an 18 string guitar beautifully – Mr. Johnny Bencomo who has a voice like the late, great Marty Robbins. While in the bar of Copper Queen, I sat and lounged on the white, vinyl couch and chairs which were at one time in John Wayne’s room, but after making the room much smaller to accommodate more guests, Mr. Wayne donated the furniture to the hotel and in the bar it landed to be enjoyed by many generations of future guests.  I purchased two of Johnny’s CDs as Christmas gifts for my wife and walked over to St. Elmo’s Bar where a hard rock band Kaustic was playing. The next morning I arose, looked at the deep mining pit in the center of town and drove to my next stop in Douglas, Arizona.

I pulled in front of the glorious Gadsden Hotel in the center of town and walked around where Pancho Villa had ridden his horse some hundred years ago up the marble steps where there is a chunk of marble missing where Pancho’s horse’s back hoof caught the edge of the seventh step and tore the marble off, just narrowly slipping and falling to the bottom.

I then drove to Portal, AZ near the New Mexico border, a very lovely, mountainous retreat with a small post office and a library of which I donated a copy of each, My Bad Tequila and BAJA LOCO to the Myrtle Kraft Library for others to enjoy.

My travels then took me to the cotton fields and more Copper mining pits of the Safford / Morenci community where I took a few photos of cotton being picked by machinery and getting hauled to the gin.
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Lastly, I cruised slowly through Miami and Globe, Arizona which too are mining towns just a hundred miles East of Phoenix and then back home to my beloved Scottsdale / Cave Creek home.

Rico's fine books can be purchased at Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com;

Please visit his website at www.ricoaustin.com

 
​Downtown Tombstone Courthouse established 1882

Tombstone, AZ - fast draw target practice by Author Rico Austin
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Julia Lowell's haunted room at Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, AZ
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   the outside exit near Julia Lowell's room so that her customers of the night would not be seen leaving or coming into the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, AZ!
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  Rico outside John Wayne's room 211 at Copper Queen Hotel - the 2nd most requested room after Ms. Lowell's haunted room!
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  John Wayne's signature about half way up the list in 1974!
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   When You're staying in the Duke's room, You might need 3 locks to keep the bad guys & bad girls out!
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     John Wayne's room had a total of 13 different photographs of the Duke himself including the bust on the Cowboy on the dresser,  above Rico Austin's head!
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​     A very young John Wayne pictured here in the room!

 The bed that John Wayne & Rico Austin both slept in - over 40 years apart at Copper Queen
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          Author Rico Austin Ph.D.'s cowboy boots on John Wayne's green carpet!
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     Author Rico Austin enjoying John Wayne's furniture in the bar at Copper Queen!
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              Johnny Bencomo the 12 string & 18 string guitar player & performer!
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       Johnny Bencomo & Rico Austin with Johnny's 12 string & 18 string guitars!
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  The talented Mr. Johnny Bencomo with his autographed copy of "In the Shadow of ELVIS by Author Rico Austin Ph.D. outside the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona!!!
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                 the Open Pit Copper Mine in downtown Bisbee, AZ!
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          the Gadsden Hotel in downtown Douglas, AZ - border town in Arizona!
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             the beautiful Gadsden Hotel lobby in Douglas, AZ!!
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             Gadsden Hotel marble stairs of which Pancho Villa on his horse rode!
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  Rico Austin at t op of the staircase of the Gadsden Hotel where Pancho Villa rode his horse!
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      Chipped marble stair on the 7th step of the Gadsden Hotel by Pancho Villa's horse!
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                 top of marble staircase looking down into the lobby of the Gadsden Hotel
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                 The Saddle & Spur - tavern inside the Gadsden Hotel outside the lobby!
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    a great story about Pancho Villa & MacKenzie Lee Reidy's Great, Great Grandfather!
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               Pancho Villa story & history at the Gadsden Hotel in Douglas, AZ!
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              Post Office in Portal, AZ near the border of New Mexico!
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               Author Rico Austin & the mountains near Portal, Arizona!
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           Mountains near Portal, Arizona in the Southeastern part of the state!
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  Myrtle Kraft Library in Portal, AZ where Rico Austin donated his epic best selling, award winning MY BAD TEQUILA & a copy of the BAJA LOCO, 4 Racing Days & Tequila Nights on the NORRA Mexican 1000!
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         Cotton Field near Safford & Morenci, Arizona!
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      Cotton getting dumped before hauled off to the Cotton Gin!
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A Tale of Two Men and Two Uniforms – One a NFL Product, One a Struggling Hero!   
About this whole NFL kneeling situation we have going.
     One young man graduated high school in 2010.  His teenage years were a bit of struggle. He grew up in the south side, poor of town.  His mother was the breadwinner of the family and worked endlessly to keep clean clothes on his body, a roof over his head and healthy food on the table . Academics wasn’t his thing and his grades were below average at best. But, there was one thing that made him stand out:  he weighed 230 lbs and could run 40 yards in 4.3 seconds while handling a football.
     As for the other young man, he was the football player’s best friend, nearly identical  in all things except not as big in physical stature and he didn’t play football.  Instead of going to football practice after day after school, he went to work at the local grocery store for minimum wage. 
     The football player was heavily recruited by all the major universities and spent most every weekend of his senior year visiting the colleges where coaches and boosters alike made every effort to convince him their campus was best. Red carpet was laid before him.  Meanwhile, his best friend worked double shifts at McDonald’s. Attending a fine college was never an option for him. On the very day the football player signed with State University, his best friend signed paperwork with an Army recruiter. One young man went to summer workouts. The other young man went to basic training.
     The football player lived the next four years in the athletic dorm, eating at the university cafeteria. He spent his Saturdays on the football field, adoring fans cheering him as he ran out into the stadium. Free tutors attended to his every academic whim. He attended class when and if he wanted to.  Yes, he worked hard while lifting weights, running sprints, studying plays, and with that work and talent he became one of the top college players in the country. His best friend was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. While one led a pleasurable life in college, the other was deployed to Iraq once and Afghanistan once. He became a Sergeant and led a squad of 18 and 19 year old soldiers who grew up nearly in the identical circumstances he had. He shed his blood in Afghanistan and watched other young American Soldiers give their lives, limbs, and youth in serving the USA.
     Player went to the NFL combine and topped the charts. He hired an agent and was drafted in the first round while your agent immediately went to work, ensuring that you received the highest compensation humanly possible.  Young Man number one signed for $18 million although he had never stepped onto or played on a professional football gridiron. His best friend re-enlisted in the Army for four more years. As a combat tested sergeant, he is promised to be paid $32,000 per year.
     Football Guy will drive a Maserati on the streets of San Francisco.  His long ago forgotten Amigo in the Army will ride in the back of a Blackhawk helicopter with other combat loaded soldiers.  Player will get his rest at the Waldorf Astoria.  Soldier will dig a hole in the ground and pray for a couple hours of sleep.  Player will “make it rain” at the night clubs.  Soldier will hope for rain as the temperature reaches 120 degrees.
On early Sunday afternoon, Player will run into a stadium as tens of thousands of fans cheer and call out his name.  His former best friend, might now even realize what day of the week it is, as the days are seemingly the same except for the friends he has lost that day in battle.  No adoring fans are with him, only the opposition Taliban who are trying to kill him and his faithful soldier.  Once in a great, great while, he and his fellow combatant soldiers have the opportunity to rest from the front lines and “go to the rear” to rejuvenate.  Soldier might get lucky and  able to catch an NFL game on TV and brags of his famous friend from a neighborhood of years past. But, the moment the National Anthem plays Soldier jumps to his feet and salutes the flag on the television and tears well up in his eyes for the pride his heart and mind are feeling for his nation and countrymen.  It is then that the camera zooms in on his former high school friend who is seen on national television taking a knee while the Star Spangled Banner is being played and sung by another high paid celebrity. Soldier cannot believe what he is seeing, that his former high school class mate is defaming and discrediting the very thing that helps make this country great.  And, Player has everything in the world that money and fame can buy, but refuses to stand with his hand over his heart while the National Anthem is being performed. Soldier is devastated and no longer will share tales of his former friend’s world class life.
     While the NFL Football Player is protesting the plight and unfairness of the under privileged life of the black man in the United States, the other young man, thousands of miles away from being his own home soil will give thanks to God that he has the honor of defending his great country.
     To the players and owners of the NFL:  It is we the people who purchase your high priced tickets, turn the TV channel to your game, and wear the jerseys of our favorite squad or players’ number.  It is now sad and with regret that I write of our anxiously waiting for Sundays so we can cheer for you and your God given athleticism.  Please understand that we care little about your opinions unless we find them offensive and then you will hear US roar louder than we have ever roared before, and it won’t be in the stadiums across America. As human beings you have the absolute right to express yourselves, but we have the absolute right to boycott you. Your drug use, DUIs, domestic violence, and your vulgar displays of wealth have all been tolerated and forgiven until now.  I for one am ashamed of putting my admiration of your physical agility before what is morally right. You have now gone too far. You have insulted our flag, our country, our soldiers, our police officers, and our veterans.  As well-paid athletes you are living the ultimate American dream, yet you depreciate, belittle and discredit our great country. For now I am done with NFL football and encourage all likeminded Americans to follow your heart and beliefs and if that leads to boycotting the NFL, so be it.
     Yes, there are injustices and life isn’t always fair and we’ve all experienced them, some more than others, but we all make choices – good or bad, right or wrong; but, by the NFL players using our National Anthem and Flag on National TV to promote their so-called activism is extremely wrong, especially when many are themselves involved in illegal and immoral activities.
     Thank YOU Soldiers, Veterans and Police Officers for Your Daily Sacrifices which do help make our Country of the United States of America a safer and better place to live life.  GOD Bless the U.S.A.

Peace, Love & Tequila!   www.ricoaustin.com
https://www.facebook.com/rico.austin
https://www.facebook.com/Official-My-Bad-Tequila-Fan-Page-108959375814100/

  One of the most ungrateful human beings on the face of the Earth!!  made millions & then said he was underprivileged, but gave none of his millions to the poor - Colin Kaepernick = Loser!

  am American Soldier sacrificing life, limb for our Freedoms & Liberty, not paid much in wages!   Does not complain!

   Pat Tillman #40 a True Hero, gave up millions of dollars in the NFL  to serve his Country!