Una Aventura Saldívar

Good fortune led me to a week's adventure
on the road with these chaps:




My dear friend, perspicacious and honorable Matt Saldívar and my new friend the talented, inimitable Josh Rouah. The following are from the chapters of our journey...

I: George's Cabin

Our first three days were at a lovely cabin in the Sierra Nevadas, a town called Twain Harte.



















We spent our time with fires,











fantastic meals,













friends,











and music.



Thank you George!

II: Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point

We three went on two day trips from the cabin. First,







to the astounding Yosemite Valley,





with its waterfalls,



and enormous rocks that look like mountains.





We arrived to look down at the valley from Glacier Point as the sun was setting.









Freezing freezing







It was a long and spooky drive home.

III: Columbia, CA

Our second Sierra trip was to a place called Columbia State Park, an old mining town.

IV: Wine Country

We left the cabin and headed for Napa Valley where first we were given three illuminating and inspired tours and tastings from winemakers.





Conn Creek Winery with Armando Santiago



























Brooke at St. Supéry



Jesus DeHaro and





Saldívar cousins Elias and Chilo at Markham Vineyards

V: Fiesta de los Primos Saldívar

And on the sixth day we partied with the la familia Saldívar, una reunión muy emocionante y divertida...

VI: Chez Schulz

Last stop, Santa Rosa, CA







Can't overstate the charms of our gracious hostess Jeannie,



with whom we spent our final day and night, in her remarkable guest house,





with, among other things, an indoor basketball court (!)





Wine and basketball...who knew?











The following were taken well after dark, lit by the moon.

La Isla de Los Alcatraces

The Beauty of Objects

Cell Diary 09:04

misc mist (Cell Diary 09:03)

Constance through the window at Blur


Moon face doom


Thanks for the socks


McFood leg in the Eagle's garage


Golden Gate Park




My new favorite artist, Patricia Mera

Sacramento Mágico

The Squid Charlie Marie 2006-2009

Starry, starry night.

Paint your palette blue and grey,

Look out on a summer's day,

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.

Shadows on the hills,

Sketch the trees and the daffodils,

Catch the breeze and the winter chills,

In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,

How you suffered for your sanity,

How you tried to set them free.

They would not listen, they did not know how.

Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night.

Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,

Swirling clouds in violet haze,

Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.

Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,

Weathered faces lined in pain,

Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,

How you suffered for your sanity,

How you tried to set them free.

They would not listen, they did not know how.

Perhaps they'll listen now.

For they could not love you,

But still your love was true.

And when no hope was left in sight

On that starry, starry night,

You took your life, as lovers often do.

But I could have told you, Vincent,

This world was never meant for one

As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.

Portraits hung in empty halls,

Frameless head on nameless walls,

With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.

Like the strangers that you've met,

The ragged men in the ragged clothes,

The silver thorn of bloody rose,

Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,

How you suffered for your sanity,

How you tried to set them free.

They would not listen, they're not listening still.

Perhaps they never will...

Various Boys, Butt Problems & Bikes