Monday, November 20, 2017

Hidden in the Hills

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Joan and I are guests at the home of friends in the  suburbs north of Phoenix, Arizona.  Our motorhome is set-up in one of four RV spaces they have on their large property.   Our hosts are Model T aficionados, never far from their collection of Ts.

Ralph and Ann in their 1913 Touring Car
I am lucky to be a student at the Model T "academy" here at our host's winter residence.  I get the opportunity to work on engines, transmissions, cooling systems, electrical systems, tires and chassis, under the guidance and instruction of a master who has repaired, built and rebuilt Ts for over 34 years.

On this particular morning Joan and I have been invited on a tour with our hosts, and two other couples.  Our entourage includes a 1910 Commercial Roadster more commonly known as a "mother in law car" which we will be driving,  our host's 1913 touring car, a 1912 speedster, and a second Commercial Roadster.  Our plan is to take the Ts on the 21st Annual Artist Studio Tour called Hidden in the Hills which is an extended tour of various artists studios and residences in Cave Creek, Carefree, and N. Scottsdale, area. 

But first we drive our fleet of Model Ts 15 miles to the nearby city of Cave Creek for breakfast at Big Earls Greasy Eats, a re-purposed 50s style gas station which is now a very popular diner on Cave Creek Highway.  Four Model Ts make a big splash anywhere they go and here is no exception.  The newest of the cars is 104 years old,still looks good and best of all, still runs well!

Dick and Helen  arrive in their 1912 Speedster

This art tour is huge and it is not possible to see it all in one day.  The format is like a treasure hunt.  The eight of us navigate from place to place with our map/brochures in hand, following the sinuous back roads of this beautiful community.

Paul at Desert Rat Forge shows his metal smithing skills
Some houses were modest, some were storefronts or commercial studios, while others were million dollar mansions like gems in the hills above town.  Hard to say what impressed me the most, some of the homesites or the art- both were superb!  We saw jewelry, pottery, paintings, woodworks, ironworks, tapestry, glass, gourds, etchings, sculptures, bronzes, ceramics, photography, stone, leather, drawings, gems, collages and more.  Everywhere we went we were welcomed and given preference in parking.  Anonymous, but driving celebrity cars!

The sunset as seen from our patio
After an exciting day of touring we returned to our home on wheels in time to take in another beautiful Arizona sunset.

Your Traveling Friends

Jeff and Joan

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