On April 15, Saturday morning at 9:00 am, some 20 intrepid Lambdaites (or maybe it is Lambdaonians) departed City Sweeping for one of Tom Sebasty’s comprehensive geography and history tours of the southwest. An eclectic caravan of some 13 vehicles ranging from Robert McAfee’s 1954 DeSoto, John Hill’s 1969 Chevrolet, Rob Silver’s 1970 Torino convertible and an assortment of later domestic and foreign makes followed Tom in the lusty green Cougar.

Those who have been on such adventures before know that Tom will never take the shortest route to a destination. The caravan wound its way southwest through bustling Goodyear and via Highway 85 and Baseline Road to the pastoral splendor of lovely Buckeye. From there, a scenic drive around the west and northern slopes of the White Tank Mountains commenced, ending up in Surprise for a much-needed stretch and potty stop.  We were now 62 miles into the trip and still 50 miles from Rock Springs.  At this point the 1969 Chevrolet staged a terrible fit of pique and totally lost her cool until her feelings were assuaged by a cool drink and much attention.

Those looking for wildflowers were not disappointed. The floral season had peaked in the lower desert, but was still at max at higher elevations with areas of the roadside and desert fleetingly carpeted with lupine, brittle bush, Indian paint, daisies, poppies, and some cacti. 
 
The intrepid caravan then after a scenic cruise through numerous stoplights made its way to the Bob Stump Memorial Parkway and eventually to the New River Road which brought us in due time to Interstate 17 at New River and from there we proceeded north to our destination, the famous Rock Springs Café. 

Appetites were erased by a splendid lunch topped off with copious servings of the world class desserts the epicurean restaurant is known for. All agreed the end justified the 100 mile plus trip. As the sun entered declension in the west, participants scattered homeward to the Cardinal Points.