Cell Diary 09:05

Drawing

My entry for this Thanksgiving's Flammarion Woodcut coloring contest

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.