Dead Man’s Burden

A western set on the New Mexico frontier a few years after the Civil War and centered on a struggling young family and the mining company who wants to buy their land.

Trailer: 

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Rotten Tomatoes Dead Mans Burden

IMDB Dead Mans Burden

Fay Canyon
Sedona, AZ

(Apology. Our photo library is a bit sketchy. I had not yet discovered that most of the photos
(I thought I was taking) were lost due to my ignorance in how to operate Rose’s camera properly.)

Fay Canyon  /  Trails End

In Canada I had worked 7 years in road construction – paving.  Mostly on hand crews, shoveling 450 degree asphalt.
It’s long hot days of hard, dirty work in the sun. But I was young and fit. And when the temperature hit 90 F, nobody worked.
And in past visits to Sedona, I’d only came in the Fall – to avoid the excessive heat.

Yet here we are in late May and it was hot already. Over 85 F in the morning sun – and climbing.
“1.1 miles” said the sign at trail head.

Not far, but …

Up the canyon we went. Our time is short and precious.

Canyon Wall

Knarly brush along the trail …

Eye of the needle ?

Chimney Rock

For a far better synopsis of Fay Canyon and it’s glories visit
Cindy Bruchman’s Blog

http://cindybruchman.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/fay-canyon-sedona/

Enchantment Resort

Staggering out of the canyon I wheeze to Rose: “I see a cold drink in my future.”
It was more of a promise than a premonition.

We chug over to nearby Enchantment Resort.

On the patio we enjoy a fine (and not too expensive) lunch – and several refreshments.

Enchantment Resort – The view from the terrace

On the Patio

Enchantment Resort – Rose / Ivy

Outta here.

A Glimpse of the Garden -
Scottsdale, AZ

When we were in Scottsdale, Rose had this idea to go to Scottsdale Botanical Garden (it wasn’t high on my list I have to admit – somewhere far below sleeping and watching TV). But off we went – like Canadians in the desert.
Well … I gotta tell ya, it was quite a treat.

Scottsdale Botanical Gardens

There’s humming birds, lizards and other critters in there … somewhere.

Saguarro Castus – they don’t get much bigger than this … even in Texas

Rose and I .. at an unusual statue. Nature spirit?

Beauty to see … prickly to pick

Montezuma’s Castle – National Monument

The remains of an ancient culture

A brief stop at Montezuma’s Castle

800 years ago the ”Sinagua people … inhabited this riparian “oasis” along Beaver Creek for over 400 years.”

http://www.nps.gov/moca/historyculture/index.htm

Most of this once extensive structure has fallen

On to Sedona …

Sedona – Cathedral Rock

American South West

Wow! We’re back.
Like most things, you can read about it and watch it from afar all you like … but until you actually go there and experience it …
Especially the heat. We’re tanned and tired. But it was great (except for the dental stuff).
I now have a mouth full of teeth. Sort of. No gaps anyway.
Modern dentristry has come a long way, but they still haven’t figured out how to completely remove the pain.
Maybe I shoulda thot about going to one of those guys who ‘puts you under’ – anesthesia. Or … I coulda just drank a bottle of whisky with John Wayne and had him knock me cold.
But where can you find a John Wayne when you need him? Well … right here!

Lottsa Pictures

We took lottsa pictures – over 400 (not including the ones I sadly lost)
Posting a few for your curiosity:

Sedona – entering

Below: the view from our 4th floor room in Sedona – partial. Not spectacular as many vistas in the area, but still nice.

Sedona View

Sedona View Too

Rose and Fountain

Old fat guy in pool

At poolside Rose and I call ourselves “The Tsunami Twins” – cuz when we jump in the pool the water level rises by several inches and unwary bathers are frequently washed ashore.

Rose (Tsunami Twin #1) – and survivors

 Whew !!! enough for today …

Coming Soon: completions for Western Movie Badguys: Lee Marvin. 

John Wayne and Gail Russell in Angel and the Badman (1947, Republic Pictures). Filmed in Sedona in 1946.

http://arizonaslittlehollywood.blogspot.ca/2010/05/sedona-fashion-gets-back-in-saddle.html

Yuma

Arrived back here this afternoon. 110 degrees F. You don’t see many folks walking around on the street. And this is just the start of their hot season.

Red Rock State Park

It was 95 yesterday when Rose and I went on a hour and a half hike in Red Rock State Park in Sedona (AZ). I gotta tell you that I felt it later. I’d like to just rest a day or so, but our time here is so limited that we are trying to squeeze as much out of the opportunity as we can. We may never get back here again. It’s just a misfortune that my dental work in Algodones (Mexico) became necessary at this time – as we would normally (wisely) come in cooler months.

Sedona Slide Rock Park

We also snuck (hiked) into Sedona Slide Rock Park earlier in the day. Several of the most popular places around Sedona are actually on private land – such as Red Rock Crossing below Cathedral Rock and it will cost you 20 bucks to get in there. It’s worth it if you never gone there before, but 20 bucks is still 20 bucks.

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Jerome Arizona … Western Wonder

Jerome Plaque

JEROME ARIZONA

TOO STRONG TO DIE

THE FIRST MINING CLAIMS WERE FILED IN 1876. WITHIN 20 YEARS JEROME WAS A BILLION DOLLAR COPPER MECCA AND ONE OF THE WILDEST, WICKEDEST MINING TOWNS IN THE WEST. DRINKING, GAMBLING, BRAWLS AND FROLICKING WITH LADIES OF THE NIGHT OCCURRED AROUND-THE-CLOCK IN TWO DOZEN MAGNIFICENT SALOONS. BY THE TIME MINING SHUT DOWN IN 1952, ENOUGH COPPER HAD BEEN PRODUCED TO PUT 13 POUNDS IN THE HANDS OF EVERY CITIZEN IN THE WORLD. GOLD AND SILVER PRODUCTION COVERED MINING EXPENSES. THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, JEROME BECAME ONE OF THE WEST’SMOST CELEBRATED ‘GHOST TOWNS’. ALTHOUGH THIS IMAGE PERSISTED INTO THE 1970’S, JEROME’S POPULATION GREWIN THE 1960’S. BUILDINGS BEGAN TO BE RESTORED TO THEIR GRACEFUL PRE=1953 CONDITIONS, AND IN 1970 JEROME WAS DESIGNATED A NATIONAL LANDMARK. TODAY, JEROME IS AN ARTS ORIENTED VILLAGE OF 500. A MILLION TOURIST A YEAR STROLL IT’S TWISTED STREETS AND GAPE AT THE 100-MILE VIEWS. WITH ITS RICH HISTORY AND TENACIOUS CITIZENS
JEROME IS A TOWN TO STRONG TO DIE.

DEDICATED APRIL 8, 1995

LOST DUTCHMAN CHAPTER 5917

E CLAMPUS VITUS

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jerome_Grand_Hotel_(Jerome,_Arizona).jpg

Jerome Grand Hotel
Former Hospital and Asylum – rumoured (by many) to be haunted.

Modern day Jerome is pleasant surprise. We spent the whole day there and didn’t see everything. Several excellent restaurants and art galleries among the usual tourist trappings.

Jerome has a lot of history and stories to tell. Wish I had more time and space.
Curiously, I had passed through Jerome back in the 70′s on my way to California. I had no time but to glance about before moving along. This was my infamous blunder of trying to cross the Mojave Desert in daytime without and air conditioning. Barely made it.

Anyway … a very interesting place. Recommended.

Can’t do much on the blog until I get back home and have access to my graphics programs and download the photos.

Over at the Chamber of Commerce (downtown) tourist Information, Ron was telling me about a chap who is trying get a Western Movie museum set up here. Over 70 Western movies have been shot in and around Sedona area over the years – so that’s quite a heritage.

Here is a list of some of them:

Great Love Review – Western Movies in Sedona

By admin • May 30, 2009

http://greatlifegreatlove.com/great-love-reviews/great-love-review-western-movies-in-sedona/

Westerns Filmed in Sedona’s Red Rocks

1931 - Riders of the Purple Sage – George O’Brien
1932 – Robber’s Roost – George O’Brien, Maureen O”Sullivan
1937 – Texas Trail – William Boyd, George Hayes
1941 – Billy the Kid - Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy
1946 – Angel and the Badman – John Wayne, Gail Russell
1946 – California - Ray Milland, Barbara Stanwyck
1947 – Desert Fury - Lizbeth Scott, John Hodiak, Burt Lancaster
1947 – Cheyenne – Dennis Morgan, Jane Wyman
1947 – Last of the Duanes – George Montgomery, Lynn Roberts
1947 – Gunfighters – Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton
1948 – Albuquerque – Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton
1948 – The Fabulous Texan – William Elliott, Catherine McLeod
1948 – Corner Creek – Randolph Scott, Marguerite Chapman
1948 – Station West – Dick Powell, Jane Greer
1948 – Blood on the Moon - Robert Mitchum, Barbara Bel Gaddes
1949 – Tall in the Saddle – John Wayne, Ella Raines
1950 – Comanche Territory – McDonald Carey, Maureen O’Hara
1950 – Copper Canyon - Ray Milland, Hedy Lamarr
1950 – Eagle and the Hawk – John Payne, Rhonda Fleming
1950 – Broken Arrow – James Stewart, Debra Paget
1951 - The Red Head and the Cowboy – Glenn Ford, Rhonda Fleming
1951 - Indian Uprising – George Montgomery, Audrey Long
1952 – Half Breed – Robert Young, Janis Carter
1952 – Pony Soldier – Tyrone Power, Thomas Gomez, Penny Edwards
1952 – Flaming Feather – Sterling Hayden, Barbara Rush
1953 – Gun Fury – Rock Hudson, Donna Reed
1953 – Johnny Guitar – Sterling Hayden, Joan Crawford
1954 – Apache – Burt Lancaster, Jean Peters
1954 – The Outlaw’s Daughter – Bill Williams, Kelly Ryan, Jim Davis (star of Dallas)
1954 – The Strawberry Roan – Gene Autry, Gloria Henry
1954 – Drum Beat – Alan Ladd, Audrey Dalton
1955 – Stranger on Horseback - Joel McCrea, Miroslava and John McIntyre
1955 – Johnny’s Guitar
1956 – The Last Wagon - Richard Widmark, Felicia Farr
1957 – 3:10 to Yuma - Glenn Ford, Felicia Farr
1959 – Yellowstone Kelly – Clint Walker, Andrea Martin
1961 – The Legend of Lobo
1965 – The Rounders – Glenn Ford, Sue Ann Langdon and Hope Holiday
1967 – Stay Away Joe - Elvis Presley, Katy Jurado
1967 – Yellowstone Kelly
1972 – The Legend of the Boy and the Eagle
1972 – Fire Creek – Henry Fonda, James Stewart
1973 – The Wild Rovers – William Holden, Ryan O’Neal
1985 – The Quick and The Dead

Any Western Movie fan will recognize a few of those. So they’ve had some big names here over the years: John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Elvis … and many others.

The chap who is trying to get the museum going is McNeil, who has a book out called Arizona’s Little Hollywood: Sedona and Northern Arizona’s Forgotten Film History 1923-1973

Looks like an interesting and informative read.

Sedona Trip Day 4
Travelling Day …

We’re on the road for 13 hours – Sedona to Algodones (for more dental work) and back again. It’s not really as scenic drive across all that desert either. OH well …

Absolutely nothing has gone as I hoped or expected regarding my dental work. EVERYTHING has required more work and more time. I’ve tried to be prepared for the ‘the worst case scenario’, but it’s even exceeded that at every turn. Today was no exception. I’d thought I might just get my implants approved and moulds made for the teeth - then they would put in before I left. No Sir. Lots of needles work … and stitches … and all I get is ‘temps’ – temporary implant – and one of the ‘posts’ needs to be replaced. It’s torture – plain and simple. If I’d known what I was in for before I started all this, I might well have reconsidered the whole thing. Yet I’m assured it will all be for the better … in the long run.

You know what … I’m normally a pretty cheerful guy. But this is really testing my resolve.

A lost day … as far as any Holiday is concerned.

But starting tomorrow we get 3 days to have some fun!

Ya !

Sedona Trip Day 4
Fay Canyon

Woke up sick. Nauseous. Possibly due to sun, heat, old age, fatness, out of shapeness, injuns …
Had some breakfast anyway – headed out to Fay Canyon.
The weather Gods are being nice: coolish, mid 80′s, slight overcast.
A nice little hike. I had to rest a couple of times though … a few other people on the trail.
People start asking us how to get to the “Arch”. ?? Never knew about any Arch. There’s a special trail
to get there evidently … but we don’t know it.

The mysterious Fay Canyon Arch (Below)

Hike is 1.1 miles - takes about an hour and a bit – there and back.

Camera Calamity

I just discovered that I been operating Rose’s camera incorrectly. Every picture I took … didn’t take.
Lost a lot of good shots … can’t be recovered. Bummer.
Moving along.

Enchantment Resort

On the way back we decide to treat ourselves .. head into Enchantment Resort – the abode of Movie Stars and other such celebrities … so we’re told.
On the patio we have a nice lunch. Don’t see Kevin Costner or Jane Fonda … or any such people.
Great view though.

Art Galleries

There is a very large art colony / community in and around Sedona; painters, potters, sculptors, crafters … you name it. Consequently there are a ton of Art Galleries here.
Rose and I spend the whole afternoon browsing through them. If I was a milli0naire I could easily have spent a hundred thousand dollars on wonderful stuff.
But I’m not.
Still nice to see.

We’re tired … jump in the pool for a minute.

Time for bed.

My days are starting to run together, but I haven’t figured out whether that’s bad or not … yet.

Sedona Trip Day 3

Heading for Sedona

We left Scottsdale and  headed for Sedona … but for only a couple of day before heading back to Algodones (MX) for more dental chores.
THEN we’re back to Sedona for a 4 days. Then … back to Algodones one more time … before heading home.
I’m starting to feel a little bouncy.

Montezuma’s Castle

On the way into Sedona we stop to visit Monetzuma’s Castle – the ancient pueblo ruins/settlement. Despite my previous visits to Sedona I had never been Been here.
The night before I’d had a dream about these ancient denizens and the ruins high on the cliff face. On occasion, I’ve had dreams about past lives or other such insights/information. This happens to me. I don’t seek it our or ask for it. It just happens.

But it’s an enjoyable and enlightening visit. We pick up a few souenirs.

Sedona

Everybody seems to be heading out of Sedona as we’re heading in. Memorial Day weekend is closing so folks heading back to Scottsdale and Phoenix.
We find our hotel: Arroyo Roble. Nice.
I hate to admit it, but Sedona has become somewhat of a tourist trap. Sadly.
Out for a walk downtown we know enough now to avoid all the phony Tourst Info places (and the like) which are really Time Share sales kiosks.
I’ve got a hankering for an ice cream cone – Rose wants a hot dog. We spot a place that claims to sell hot dogs and go in. They want 8 dollars for a hot dog. I ask them what makes their hot dogs so special that they would cost 8 dollars. The poor gal can’t answer my question. They also charge $5.50 for a scoop of ice cream. We leave.
That’s downtown Sedona.
Also … avoid the Mexican restaurant with the wierd Aztec name. It’s dirty and the food is awful.
Much has changed about Sedona and almost none of it is good. This will likely be my last trip.

But I’m still looking forward to some hikes and getting out in in the area.
That can’t have screwed that up. Right?

… Go out in the Arizona sun

Sedona Trip Day 2

My dentistry misadventures in Algodones are on hold till Wednesday. Then they will scrutinize whether I’ve healed enough to proceed with my implants.

In the meantime my pardner (Rose) figured a trip to Scottsdale (AZ) for a couple of days was a nice idea. So … off we went, scampering across the desert, for a 6 hour drive from Yuma to Scottsdale.

Dateland

Made a pit stop in Dateland … kind of an oasis gas station/restaurant/shop. Bought some sunglasses and a chocolate date milkshake. Pretty good.

The Zona

Got lost in Scottsdale … couldn’t find our hotel: The Zona.

Finally found it after driving around for a hour or so. (Scottsdale is big … and confusing.)

The Zona is a nice place – 4 swimming pools. And modestly priced.

Scottsdale Botanical Gardens

After we got settled in Rose wants to go for a drive around and see if we can find a place called Scottsdale Botanical Gardens. Doesn’t sound like my cup of whisky but …

… what a wonderful place !! Far exceeding my expectations. It’s very large and has an excellent restaurant. Saw lots of wild life there too: hummingbirds, rabbits, quail, lizards, several other species of birds – and plenty of interesting plants, cactus,  flowers … Recommended.

Alright … back to the pool and hot tub to close out the day.

Beautiful.

“This won’t hurt a bit …”

Hey Folks …

I’m off to Algodones, Mexico tomorrow for more excruciating dental work – have 4 implants to put in – among other things.

Then I get to go to Sedona, Arizona for a few days … and drink milkshakes.

So my blog will be slower than normal.  Sorry.

But I have quit my awful 12 hour night shift job … as it was killing me. Literally. Will be looking for something sane to replace it.

Hopefully then, I can blog more consistently than before.

Anyway … it’s beautiful Spring and I’m off for a little adventure … and R&R.

See you soon.

- jcalberta

The James gang … didn’t take care of their teeth

Expensive Dentistry

Painless I tell ya … you can tell by the skull

Implements-of-Destruction / Extraction

Western Painkiller – 100% Proven

Cowboy dental tools – borrowed from the army

_____________________________________________________

Where I buy my milkshakes:

The McDonald’s in Sedona, Arizona is the only one in the world with turquoise arches. They are not yellow because the city thought they would mesh poorly with the surrounding red rocks. The first color McDonald’s offered was turquoise which the city accepted. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sedona – Cathedral Rock

Time for a coffee …

Hell on Wheels Season 3 Premieres Sat., Aug. 3

http://blogs.amctv.com/hell-on-wheels/

AMC announced today that the network is adding a third night of original programming with the Season 3 premiere of Hell on Wheels debuting Sat., Aug. 3 at 9/8c. Executive produced by showrunner John Wirth (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Falling Skies, The Cape), Mark Richard and Jeremy Gold, Head of Creative Affairs and Endemol Studios starring Anson Mount, Colm Meaney, and Common, Season 3 of Hell on Wheels lands in the year 1867, the third year of the building of the transcontinental railroad. Cullen Bohannon leaves his vengeance-seeking behind and invests in the new American landscape…the beginnings of big business, big religion, and the new role of Wall Street in the White House. Bohannon must contend with racism, greed and murder as he single-mindedly leads the Union Pacific in its race across the country against the Central Pacific Railroad. The high stakes corporate race, the environmental costs and degradation of the native peoples’ way of life are themes that resonate deeply in today’s America.

For over a decade of Saturdays, AMC has celebrated the American Western genre through a mix of series and movies. Today, AMC adds to its inventory a selection of classic films from Paramount Pictures to super-serve the Western fan including El Dorado (1967), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), The Shootist (1976) and The Sons of Katie Elder (1965). The network will also celebrate the anniversaries of several renowned Westerns including the 60th anniversary of Hondo (1953) and the 50th anniversary of McLintock! (1963), both starring John Wayne, as well as the 45th anniversary of Hang ‘em High (1968) and the 40th anniversary of High Plains Drifter (1973), both starring Clint Eastwood. These films will join the classics includingChisum (1970), The Cowboys (1972), Rio Bravo (1959), The Alamo (1960), The Undefeated(1969), Joe Kidd (1972), A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good the Bad and the Ugly (1966), which are already licensed by AMC. Moreover, the network has also acquired the television series, Rawhide, starring Clint Eastwood, which joins Riflemanbeginning Sat., Apr. 20. Additionally the network will air the miniseries Lonesome Dove and, for the very first time on AMC, its sequel, Return to Lonesome Dove.

“A new episode of Hell on Wheels on Saturday night after a full day of western fan favorites is going to be like the saddle on top of the horse,” said Charlie Collier, President and General Manager, AMC. “This is a programmer’s dream – to have a genre specific, 14-hour lead-in to one of your highest rated originals. We are so excited about this opportunity to entertain AMC’s audience in a new way.”

Hell on Wheels showrunner John Wirth says the new season “will be a Western about work — the building of the railroad, the binding of the nation after the Civil War, and the rehabilitation of the men who lived and fought their way through those exploits. This season we’re placing Cullen Bohannon at the center of the show, and taking him away from the revenge motive which propelled him into the series.” He continues, “AMC has raised the bar for television dramas, they’ve set the gold standard. There’s nothing else like this on television.”

Hell on Wheels was the second highest series launch in AMC history and was also a top 20 program for engagement among age 25-54 (IAG) for the broadcast season for 2011-2012. The series’ second season wrapped in October 2012 with an average of 2.4 million total viewers and 3.2 million viewers with Live plus 7. Hell on Wheels was developed by Endemol USA. The series is produced by leading independent studio, Entertainment One (eOne) and Nomadic Pictures. eOne’s Television CEO John Morayniss and EVP US scripted television Michael Rosenberg oversee production in partnership with co-producers Mike Frislev and Chad Oakes from Nomadic Pictures.

Through an international distribution partnership, Endemol USA held television distribution rights for the series across Europe and Entertainment One handled rights in all remaining territories as well as worldwide rights for DVD/Blu-ray, VOD and Digital distribution.

For more information, visit AMC’s press website: www.press.amctv.com.

Folks / Friends / Western Fans !

I was given yet another Award by kind Blogging pals and gals.

Here is the esteemed:

Dragons Loyalty Award !

The Dragons Loyalty Award is a combination of The Versatile Blogger Award and the Very Inspiring Blogger award.

DRAGONS LOYALTY AWARD

This award has been given to me by the Serendipity:

http://teepee12.com/2013/03/10/1001-posts-and-the-dragons-loyalty-award/

Rules for The Dragons Loyalty Award:

Display the Award Certificate on your website
Done
Announce your win with a post and link to whoever presented your award
Done
Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers
Not Done
Drop them a comment to tip them off after you’ve linked them in the post
Not Done
Post 7 interesting things about yourself.
Not Done

I have not complied with some conditions.
Well … it’s a major event for me just to figure out how to get these award images onto my sidebar widget …
And I still don’t know how I finally succeeded.
It’s all basically trial and error for rookie Blogger like me …