Into The Beast And Back Alive

 August 4, 2023

   What does a poor boy do when it's going to hit 114 degrees in Phoenix on a Friday? Plan a big ol' car trip into the Beast, that's what!

   Well, after corrections are made on the next True West Moment which Rebecca Edwards laid out over the weekend and Carole Glenn is proofing as the heat goes on, and up. She does two versions: a doubletruck and a single-page version. This is the single page version.

The Cow-boys of Cochise County

ready for press

   Took off at ten in the Flex, first stop on the Beast-Bop, Cattletrack Arts Compound in Scottsdale where the Boys showed me Nils Lofgren's new album with cover art by Ed Mell.

The Boys at Cattletrack Arts Compound

   That would be Brent Bond, at left, and Mark McDowell up to no good. And, yes, those are a gaggle of Old Vaquero Sayings Coasters spread out in front which are going to end up as a collector's set to promote the two Old Vaquero books.

   At 11:30 I drove further into the Beast and stopped at Arizona Art Supply at 16th and Indian School where I quickly ran up a bill for $177, then down to Jana's house where she and I signed three cases of "Hellraisers" books for clients and book buyers. Then I took her to lunch at the Heard Museum and then up to Dan The Man's studio to talk about design and all things Kingman. Took off from Dan's and up the Dreamy Draw for Mexican takeout at Carolina's on Cactus, and then fought my way out Cave Creek Road to home. Everyone on the roads hot and bothered and defensive driving is the name of the game. Got home at four and jumped in the pool with this guy.

The Pool Boys

   Took one more stab at a Whip Out and came up to here.

Daily Whip Out" "Old & Cranky Vaquero"

   Not a self-portrait, but close.

"You can always tell a Texan, but not much."

—Old Vaquero Saying