Yarnell Daze

Gerald and I took Saturday morning off to drive into town. It was Yarnell Daze, and all sorts of activities had been planned.

We had breakfast at the Ranch House, which was packed. Here's where it pays to be a regular. Our waitress, Christy, saw to it that we got a good table quickly and took very good care of us despite the general chaos.

There was also a pancake breakfast at the community center. Vendors were lined up along the road selling things like jewelry and rocks. A politician was campaigning. There was a band, as well as the occasional street musician. Later in the afternoon, the library hosted a "piescream" social. But the big draw was the parade.

The Grand Marshalls were Lee and Bonnie Sorrells, who own the ranch that abuts part of Ruger ranch. Here they are. The announcer said they have been married 65 years.

The Fire Department was well represented with this, Yarnell's first fire truck. The town's brand new ladder truck came later, along with several other vehicles and rows upon rows of firefighters marching on foot.

This was one of our favorite entries. The announcer assured us that no animals had been harmed in the making of this float. We saw the float after the parade, once the riders had disembarked. The legs are fakes. The riders were actually standing inside the barrel.

There was a mobile bluegrass band.

And lots of riders. Here's our soon-to-be former neighbor, Kathleen, who has also served as the POA secretary/treasurer ever since Blackhawk took over from Arizona Land and Ranches. She was a wonderful officer and a good neighbor. We will miss her.

We usually try to get together with Kathleen at least once whenever we come up, but she was so busy we didn't get to see her at all except for the parade. She looks like she's waving good bye.