Before we write this, I gotta tell you we were shocked to turn on the computer this afternoon to learn that a U.S. Representative from Arizona, Gabrielle Giffords, was shot today in an assassination attempt. The shooter was a 22-year old whacko. We’re sorry, Representative Giffords, on behalf of all of us. Other died in the shooting, and we apologize to all of them as well.
* * * * * * *
The first real event of our winter rally was a visit to Desert Bar. What? You’ve never been there? Desert Bar, more formally known as the Nellie E. Saloon, is five miles out a dirt road in the desert near Parker, Arizona, on the site of an old mining camp, in country that Al of the Bayfield Bunch would love! .
The Nellie E. is hard to describe, as it is an experience as well as a place. It’s been operating since 1983, and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from Labor Day to Memorial Day, plus summer holidays. It has no electricity except from solar panels, and water from a well the owner dug in 1989 (and a new one drilled in 1997).
It’s a full service bar accompanied by a limited grill: hot dogs and hamburgers, mostly, and never any cheese! There is also a second cooking area leased out to a local group. Today they featured ribs, grilled chicken, pastrami sandwiches, tri-tip and pizza.
We had great pastrami sub sandwiches. Live music was playing all afternoon.
Beside the parking lot stands a ;church” made of steel. It is a two-sided façade, really, with a small enclosure. No services are held there; all religions are welcome, as well, I suppose, as those with no religious leaning at all. It has served as a wedding site, however!.
So, the place is hard to describe. We’ll let the pictures (each worth 1000 words) describe it for you!
That’s Don (above) and Sharon (below) of Gypsy and the Mariner.
The bridge was built in 1991. How did people get across before that?
You had to be there!
Come see us again as we continue this rally during … Our Life on Wheels!
That looks like an interesting place. What a menu!
ReplyDeleteThis rally looks like a great place to be!!!! I want in on the desert bar!!
ReplyDeleteFollow the long line of cars to Desert Bar. What a place, and food besides! Sounds like you are having a good time with the other rally folks.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's our kind of country alright. Especially liked that last photo with the rigs & their reflections in the water. I think it is the shades & hues of green I find so appealing in that photo
ReplyDeleteYour pictures do 'say it all'. I've heard of this place before but this is the first time I've seen photos of it so thanks for posting them. Looks like you had a nice weather day to boot!
ReplyDeleteI'm still wondering why a bar in the middle of nowhere is such an attraction though? Must be the novelty or something.
what a fabulous day you both had!..love the new header shot..great angle!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for recording our trip to the Nellie E. Saloon, Jerry! Except for the pic of me stuffing my face (!), I enjoyed seeing it again through your lens. What a beautiful day and fun time!
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting posting! Sure looks like a day of fun.
ReplyDeleteJohn
relaxedrush.blogspot.com
Love the photos. It looks like a great place to hang out. I am going to have to put it on my bucket list for when I get on the road full-time.
ReplyDeleteI must need a new pair of glasses, because I don't see any pictures of rigs and their reflections in water?? :)
ReplyDeleteGreat! How in the world did we miss that? Or maybe a better question is how did you find it? Now we have to go back.
ReplyDeletenow that looks like my kind of place.
ReplyDeleteI could find a bar closer than that,,,you wore me plumb out!!!
ReplyDelete