tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63432567518153075082024-02-06T18:18:01.777-08:00On the RoadA photo journal view of various places and things I've done around town or on the roadMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-16447623707441754882015-03-06T10:23:00.000-08:002019-05-15T16:48:47.695-07:00New Photography Book and other things Although it's been several years since my last blog post (seems I've really neglected this page, or been too lazy to post - take your pick on that) I haven't been idle, over the last four years I've traveled across the southwest and into Canada and documented much of what I've seen along the road.<br />
At my photography website many of these photographs can be seen in the "American Roadside" gallery here <a href="http://www.markpeacockphotography.com/p864909445" target="_blank">Mark Peacock Photography</a><br />
I also have been documenting the changes the last several years at the Historic Los Angeles Broadway Theater District which has the largest collection of twentieth century movie palaces in the world. These historic theaters were built from 1910 to 1932 and at one time was the end of route 66.<br />
Here is a preview of this newly published book. <br />
<div style="text-align: left; width: 450px;">
<div style="display: block;">
<a href="http://www.blurb.com/b/6037138-broadway?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" style="margin: 12px 3px;" target="_blank">Broadway by ~Mark Peacock</a> </div>
</div>
<br />
The other thing I've been doing is building some custom choppers and bobbers,<br />
Like this 1971 Triumph digger chopper<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGeck2dJ_I2ETNtbWvzct4WfpKPxBMy218hm02pgh7pMr8yUl78UYCu__uwvAUBR8RKAvGoBmV0AoUGnkneirpOWzHJynsZfJIBEYOsnnv3IgZV4WDef2oifA1HTsCsKpiCCf0CUOG7g/s1600/71+Triumph+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGeck2dJ_I2ETNtbWvzct4WfpKPxBMy218hm02pgh7pMr8yUl78UYCu__uwvAUBR8RKAvGoBmV0AoUGnkneirpOWzHJynsZfJIBEYOsnnv3IgZV4WDef2oifA1HTsCsKpiCCf0CUOG7g/s1600/71+Triumph+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And this 1977 Harley Davidson shovelhead bobber<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQLg9glLNWvba4CllzdrkOXcOrqx1JZ9WeRnltA9NO-xUqJrHqqQk6zzbFoxV4bDI3SWLSx6gmA1tLP7fqILSFA23XGCtScXRt7kR_oR0hcKxpNw6HF-5hVu-owwzo1BZifHF_1OZo3Q/s1600/20141210-IMG_0014+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQLg9glLNWvba4CllzdrkOXcOrqx1JZ9WeRnltA9NO-xUqJrHqqQk6zzbFoxV4bDI3SWLSx6gmA1tLP7fqILSFA23XGCtScXRt7kR_oR0hcKxpNw6HF-5hVu-owwzo1BZifHF_1OZo3Q/s1600/20141210-IMG_0014+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So that's a bit of what I've been doing and hopefully soon I'll have a full road trip story to tell along with a few photos of the trip</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~M</div>
<br />
<br />
<strike></strike>Mark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-31564735286267705042011-04-30T17:27:00.000-07:002011-05-14T18:04:47.027-07:00Kernville Run 2011<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br />A few years ago about this time I did this same trip with my friend Pat Bianchi and the Southern California BMW club I had a wonderful time then and being that Spring is always the perfect time of year to see Kern County and the old town of Kernville I did it again.<br /> The ride is really not all that many miles (if one is used to three to five hundred miles a day) but as always the members of the BMW club who map out the route make the most scenic and non-direct way of getting there and it ends up being over 160 miles. This years route skipped the ride through the Angeles National Forest and took a more direct but obscure way of getting to Kernville <br /><br />Meeting up early Saturday morning at a Denny's off the 5 freeway I pulled up right as the group was about to take off and not needing breakfast besides a fistful of vitamins and a healthy dose of caffeine my timing was perfect <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011011small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011011small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> The weather this April morning was quite nice as everyone was eager to explore some back roads and highways. <br />Taking a few of the local LA canyons to start we ended up having a nice scenic route untill the terrain opened up and we came into Leona Valley<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011014small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011014small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />From Leona Valley we headed up over the mountain and down into the<br />Palmdale/Lancaster basin. This area is rather flat and pretty much uninteresting till you start climbing in elevation<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011016small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011016small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011018small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011018small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011020small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011020small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Approaching the Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm on the Willow Springs Road always gives me a good feeling when I see energy produced without a large carbon footprint<br />and there were hundreds maybe a few thousand of them rotating from the wind in that area<br /><br />The Southern California Edison company who has built and operated the wind farm since the 1980's plans on developing another fifty square miles of wind farm power for the future <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011023small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011023small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> <br />We all stopped to fuel up just outside of the town of Tehachapi, and at the fuel stop Pat and I learned that everyone would be having lunch in town, not being hungry quite yet we decided to move on and have our lunch further along the route where we ate a few years back <br />So as the group stopped at one of the restaurants Pat and I passed through the city of Tehachapi,<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view&current=IMG_0434.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0434.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It's a city that was incorporated in 1909 and is located in its namesake the Tehachapi Mountains between the cities of Bakersfield and Mojave in Kern County California.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view&current=IMG_0421.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0421.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The area is known for its Tehachapi train Loop, Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm, and it's proximity to Edwards Air Force Base where the Space Shuttle lands<br />Nice little town if your ever around that area<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view&current=IMG_0418.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0418.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Riding by the Tehachapi train loop we headed onto hwy 58 for a short distance and got off on the Bealville road which takes you through the mountains to the small ranching town of Caliente<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011024small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011024small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011026small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011026small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011029small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011029small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />There are always some interesting old structures along the various<br />back roads of California and so as I rode I would snap a photo of one of them if it caught my eye.<br /><br />Like this old stone home built probably somewhere in the 1800's<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011032small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011032small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or this nice old barn<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011034small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011034small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And sometime it's just a ramshackle old shack with a lot of character<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011036small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011036small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> As we arrived at the Twin Oaks General store we were now in the civic center of town....... Post office, general store and cafe all in one old school house and that's it for the town, all the rest is cattle ranches where the cattle are free range which means for you dear traveler at any moment on the road you can encounter any number of cattle so you really have to ride with that in mind<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011037small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011037small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I liked the old Mail Pouch sign on the front of the building<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011039small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011039small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />So after decent enough lunch, but nothing to write home about it was time to hit the road again, as you take the Caliente/Bodfish road north It's a real nice ride by the local ranches and forest then a gradual ride up and over the mountains till you reach the top and the view opens up as you see the large valley below and Lake Isabella <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011042small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011042small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011044small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011044small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011047small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011047small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Now before you come to Lake Isabella you go through the small town of Bodfish and in Bodfish you will find the <a href=http://www.lakeisabella.net/silvercity/>Silver City Ghost Town</A> <br />And every time I've gone through these parts the ghost town has been closed because it was too early in the morning and now that it was mid-afternoon finally it was a good time to check it out so Pat and I made a stop.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165830small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165830small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The place is what they call a composite ghost town, opened in the late 1960's by Dave & Arvilla Mills and the town is comprised of old original buildings that were all found in and around Kern county many of which were slated for demolition and saved by the Mills.<br />Operated for several years the place closed and fell into disrepair for quite awhile until the Corlew family purchased the property in 1990 and have run a great antique business and film location site for the ghost town since then.<br />As they say this place is off the beaten path but if your ever in the area stop on in and check out some of the great collectibles they have for sale and for a small five dollar fee you can go inside the ghost town and view all the wonderful old western structures and dioramas that are there.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165805small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165805small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's the old church<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165819small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165819small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And saloon<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165811small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165811small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165831small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165831small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165832small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165832small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And the Marshals office<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165844small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165844small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's some great old glass bottles<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165852small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165852small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And a diorama inside the mercantile<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165810small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165810small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />A lot of faded old texture can be found on the buildings which are rumored to be haunted......... and that seems to go with any old western town or city I've ever visited. <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165807small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165807small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />From Bodfish it's a short ride to the town of <a href=http://www.lakeisabella.net/>Lake Isabella</A><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011050small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011050small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />If your someone who likes boating or fishing this is the place, my sister and her family have a vacation home here and the weekend we passed through there happened to be a huge fishing tournament with several tagged fish that if you caught one would net you a nice $10,000 payday.<br />But all I had time for passing through Isabella was a few pic's of some of the local vintage motel signage.<br /><br />Heading into the last bit of the day's trip it's about fifteen miles or so to Kernville once you pass through Lake Isabella.<br /><br />Kernville, and the Kern Valley were named after artist and topographer Edward M. Kern, who was part of a group of settlers in 1845.<br />The settlers camped at a fork of two rivers which is now in the middle of Lake Isabella. These two rivers are now the South Fork and North Fork of the Kern.<br />The 1848 gold rush led to the formation of a town called Rogersville which was later renamed Whiskey Flat after the introduction of saloons and after that finally renamed Kernville in 1861.<br />So many things one can do here, fishing, white water rafting, hiking, bicycling, Kayaking or just riding through the local mountains and forest like we do.<br /><br /> Pat and I landed at the same motel that we stayed at a few years back called the <a href=http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32556-d632862-Reviews-The_Kern_Lodge-Kernville_California.html>Kern Lodge</A><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165857small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165857small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />This is an old school ranch style motel that is impeccably kept and I always enjoyed staying here.<br />One thing they do have is a friendly dog who likes to come into your room hopeful for some kind of hand out or snack, this version was different than the one we encountered a few years ago but he was just as friendly.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011063small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011063small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After we unpacked Pat suggested we go check out the river which seemed like a good idea to me and this time of the year the Kern rivers flow is at it's peak with the winters snow melt<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165879TCsmall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165879TCsmall.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The other thing you see are the wild California poppies that are seemingly blooming all over the countryside<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165861small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165861small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And being spring all kinds of other plants are flowering to attract the yearly interplay they have with the honey bee<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110416-P4165870small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110416-P4165870small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We rode back to the motel for a little rest and relaxation, now the other cool thing about the Kern motel is that a micro-brewery and restaurant is right next door and the local market is across the street.<br />So while I got cleaned up Pat went over to the market for some beer (because a long day on the road makes a guy kinda thirsty) and wouldn't you know sitting on the porch not doing a dang thing with a cold one while taking in the late afternoon sun seemed to truly be one of life's simple pleasures.<br />Well after about a half hour of that kind of porch sitting Pat and I went back to the center of town to see what old whiskey flat (Kernville) was all about.<br />So we landed at this saloon called the Sportsman Inn and wouldn't you know it all of our BMW club friends were there getting well oiled and having a good head start on us.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011085small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011085small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> So we hung out there for quite awhile talking about the days ride and motorcycling, one thing I've found is that you always meet a quite diverse group of individuals that ride motorcycles and although we all come from different backgrounds, careers or beliefs one common thread runs through all of us and that is the love of the road and the adventure one can find traveling along the highway.........It's why you ride,<br />and you know that whatever it is you do during the day or week, what comes to mind many times in those contemplative moments is the simple whisper of the thought of just getting on your bike and hitting the road again........ everything in between sometimes just feels like passing time till you can get back on your motorcycle and ride.<br /><br /> So the scheduled restaurant for the groups nights evening meal was at this local Italian restaurant and since we were a large group and there were other hungry travelers most of the seats were taken so Pat, Michael, Rick and myself decided to check out the local Mexican restaurant up the street.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011066small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011066small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011073small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011073small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />One thing I always order at any Mexican restaurant is the Chili Verde and this place didn't disappoint.<br />And so while we were waiting for our dinner I decided to take a short walk to the river before the sun set and take a picture of the Kern as it passed through town.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011075small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011075small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011072small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011072small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />A great meal, good conversation with friends all under an ascending full moon<br />what a real nice way to end the day.........<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011078small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011078small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Over dinner one of the topics we discussed was what route to take back home the following morning and Michael suggested taking Hwy 155 which he said was quite scenic and being that neither Pat or I had ever been on that road it sounded like a great way to take the long way home.<br /> I got up early and packed my gear and headed to the local liquor store and gas station to fill up the Harley<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011093small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011093small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Always on the lookout for cool vintage neon signs I caught this one of the Whispering Pines Lodge <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011090small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011090small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I met Pat, Michael and Rick for breakfast at one of the local cafes early the next morning and while the guys had breakfast I went for a little walk and took a few pictures of Kernville.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011086small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011086small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011104small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011104small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011103small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011103small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> Here's a Kayaker going through a course on the river<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011109small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011109small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /> So that pretty much was it as the four of us headed out on the road again towards highway 155...... as we passed lake Isabella it looked quite calm and perfect weather for the fishermen and their tournament <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011116small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011116small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011118small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011118small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Hwy 155 takes you up through the southern part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and it's a really scenic mountain road with lots of twists and turns as you ride by the wonderful topography and forest along this mountain road, I can highly recommend this very cool highway <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011121small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011121small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011124small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011124small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As we climbed up in elevation the weather started to change from bright and sunny to dark and overcast<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011130small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011130small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I quite liked this change in the weather and as we neared the top of the grade there was this beautiful old oak tree with a view of the great expanse below so the four of us stopped for a bit to take some pictures<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011138small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011138small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011132small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011132small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011136small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011136small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pat and I<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011143small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011143small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As we rode down the mountain the clouds started to break up and again it was a nice transition in weather as the bits of sunlight made the lush green mountainside even more beautiful.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011155small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011155small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Stopping in the small ranching community of Glenville which is another of those little towns with no stoplights just a general store/gas station, saloon and a cafe <br /><br />While we took a break I walked around and took a few pic's<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011161small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011161small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />There was this great old mechanic's shop with a lot of funky odds and ends<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110417-P4175893small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110417-P4175893small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110417-P4175900small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110417-P4175900small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110417-P4175897small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110417-P4175897small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110417-P4175892small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110417-P4175892small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=20110417-P4175904small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/20110417-P4175904small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />From Glenville it was a short ride to the small town of Woody that was founded by the first pioneer in these parts Dr. Sparrell W. Woody in 1862, and in 1894 gold and copper was discovered here so Woody went from a ranching community to mining........ <br /><br />Now it's come full circle and it's back to ranching<br /><br />Here's one of the old original wood structures from the 1800's<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011170small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011170small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011169small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011169small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The surrounding countryside of Woody was quite nice with rolling hills and giant oak trees dotting the landscape<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011171small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011171small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011176small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011176small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The further you travel south the flatter the terrain becomes as you pass large open cattle ranches<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011190small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011190small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011194small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011194small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Besides cattle there was a nice small group of paint horses that I spotted along the road, they were quite curious as horses many times are and they obliged me for a few photos<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011207small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011207small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011208small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011208small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Rick was nice enough to take this one of me with the horses<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011210small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011210small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As we came closer to Bakersfield the landscape was less cattle ranches and more oil fields<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011217small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011217small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011224small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011224small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As we arrived in Bakersfield Pat and I decided to really extend the day and take Hwy 33 to the old desert Oil town of Taft while Michael and Rick decided to go a different route.<br />Taft was a bustling community in the 1930's and 40's when vast amounts of oil was extracted here in one of the largest oil fields ever discovered in the US.<br />Now the town is slowly fading away as nary a soul was to be seen on Main Street <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011226small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011226small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011233small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011233small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011232small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011232small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011237small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011237small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Found this cool sign for Mr. Burger but of course that place was closed too<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011234small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011234small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />If you ever do find yourself in Taft the one place that is worth a stop is the Taft Oil museum, the museum has all the history of the area along with several artifacts, exhibits and the last remaining wooden oil derrick of the sort that used to dot the landscape by the hundreds<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011235small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011235small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As you take Hwy 33 west towards the Los Padres National forest the area is comprised of rolling hills and alfalfa fields. The other crop that is grown out this way are pistachios....... I didn't stop for any but if I find myself on this road I usually do.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011241small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011241small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011243small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011243small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011247small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011247small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />A funny thing happened along this route because just outside of Maricopa Pat and I ran into Michael and Rick again so the four of us rode together till we made a stop at this junction<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011249small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011249small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Michael and Rick wanted to go through Frasier Park and Pat and I were trying to get to Ojai to see the final minuets of the Laker basketball playoff game <br /><br />As we sat there for a few moments some other riders pulled up<br />to the stop sign and It was one of those days when most everything<br />you would see on the back roads were motorcyclists<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011250small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011250small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We said our goodbyes and headed up the mountain<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011251small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011251small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />This was the time that the whole mood of our trip changed <br />Riding motorcycles has an inherent danger and here is a good reason why it's important to stay in your lane...........Pat and I happened upon this horrific scene involving four motorcycles <br />I don't know for certain who was at fault but either the three sport bikes or the cruiser were on the wrong side of the road, I think by looking at the wreckage it was more than likely the cruiser rider that was on the wrong side and a head on collision occurred resulting in the death of the cruiser rider and two of the sport bike riders being air-lifted out of the mountains and another one taken away in an ambulance ........... real bad scene on what was a beautiful Spring afternoon <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011252small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011252small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011253small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011253small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011254small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011254small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />A scene like that always shakes you up and riding just isn't quite the same even though the scenery is beautiful all you think about is who's coming around the next corner.......are they in their lane? it's a very disconcerting way to try and enjoy your afternoon.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011255small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011255small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011257small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011257small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />With those thoughts in mind Pat and I pulled over right at the spot where some car had crashed over the side the day before<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011264small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011264small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Below was this beautiful creek and pool<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011261small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011261small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />So we took a bit of time there reflecting on what we had just witnessed <br />But after awhile it's just time to get back on your bike and ride so that's what we did as we headed to the Deer Creek Lodge in Ojai<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011265small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011265small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The Deer Creek Lodge has been a biker stop for decades and the food is quite good there so we parked ourselves inside and ordered an amazing bowl of mac n cheese and proceeded to watch the last few minuets of the Laker game.<br />The only thing that sucked was the terrible acoustic guitar player/singer that was croaking some god awful music of his own making........ it was so bad I stuck my ear plugs back in just to cut the edge of his off key screech<br /><br />The Lakers lost ..... seemed fitting the way the afternoon had progressed so far<br />So we paid our bill and continued on to Ojai.<br />The city of Ojai and the Ojai valley is a wonderful place to visit with a rich history of the Chumash Indians who first settled there and then the area became part of the Rancho Ojai Mexican land grant made to Fernando Tico in 1837 and he established a cattle ranch there. Tico then sold it in 1853 to prospectors searching for oil, without much success and By 1864 the area became settled.<br /><br />Now the city is full of bed and breakfast establishments, golf courses, restaurants, shops and a host of other business catering to the vacationing traveler<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011271small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011271small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/?action=view&current=KernvilleRun2011272small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville%202011/KernvilleRun2011272small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />So after passing through Ojai the rest of the trip was just another sixty five miles to home where a nice shower and some dinner would be a good way to call it a day.<br /><br />All in all a great weekend with the So Cal BMW club, lot's of beautiful California countryside and another trip put in the book ......... now I'm just looking forward to the next one ;-)<br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-66215974476340043572011-03-20T12:11:00.000-07:002011-03-21T11:21:43.613-07:00A few days in the desert<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br />Unlike the previous weekend today it's pissing down rain and as stormy as LA can get so it seems like a good time to sit here at the computer and write a bit about the few days I spent last weekend out and about in the desert. <br />A few of my friends from LA have re-located to various parts of the Coachella and Yucca valley's which are sections of the greater Mojave desert.<br />Seeing how I hadn't been out there in a while and the weather was perfect for a little bike trip. I called my friend Pat and said I wouldn't mind riding out and do a little photography so he got a hold of our mutual friend Bernie who has a great place in Pipes Canyon near Pioneertown and asked if it would be alright for us to drop by, Bernie said he'd be happy to have us come by and hang out.<br />So that was all the green light I needed to pack up the Harley Friday morning and head eastbound towards Palm Springs.<br />I decided to meet Pat at his place in Cathedral City park the bike and then from there we'd go cruse around Desert Hot Springs where I wanted to take a few pictures of some old neon signs...... then from there we'd head over to Bernie's place for the rest of the afternoon and evening.<br /><br />Desert Hot Springs is at the opposite side of the valley from where Palm Springs lies and is located in the foothills of the Little San Bernardino Mountain range.<br /><br />The first place we stopped at was the home of the first homesteader in the area "Cabot Yerxa" and the home he built is know known as the <a href=http://www.cabotsmuseum.org >Cabot's Pueblo Museum</A><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115282small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115282small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115272small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115272small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Cabot Yerxa who came to this area in 1913 made his 160 acre homestead on what is now known as Miracle Hill, on this hill he discovered two natural springs one hot and one cold and this unique phenomena was due to the San Andreas Fault bisecting the hill.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115280small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115280small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />Cabot started building his pueblo at the age of 57 and kept working on it over the next twenty four years till his death at age 81, the amazing thing is that he built the large four story Hopi-style pueblo complete with 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors almost single handed mostly using materials he reclaimed from all over the desert<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115281small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115281small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />The museum now holds all kinds of art and artifacts and the other thing that you can't miss is the 40ft tall hand carved wooden Indian that was Created by artist Peter "Wolf" Toth called "Waokiye" meaning traditional helper and the sculpture was completed in 1978 <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115276small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115276small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After leaving the museum Pat and I found some of the active and inactive small boutique hotels and spas that had their height of popularity as a tourist destination in the 1950's ......... all of these spas are a direct result of the natural hot spring discovered by Cabot Yerxa <br />Many of these places are run down or closed but a few of them<br />are still doing a nice business.<br />It's a long way though from the glory days of the 50's and early<br />60's because much of the growth in the Coachella Valley ended<br />up being in the Palm Springs area..........<br />Here are a few images of some of the old hotel spa signs<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115285small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115285small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115293Csmall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115293Csmall.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115297small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115297small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115291small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115291small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115296small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115296small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />It was time to head over to Bernie's desert Shangri La in Pipes canyon,<br />The great thing about Bernie's place besides the topography<br />(it's a lot like Joshua Tree) he has a couple of vintage 1950's trailers <br />on the property that he's restored so Pat had one<br />and I had the other to spend the night in <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-IMG_5163small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-IMG_5163small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Bernie built a nice little covered deck for this one<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-IMG_5161small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-IMG_5161small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And here is my cowboy palace .......<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-IMG_5162small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-IMG_5162small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After getting settled in our trailers we cracked open the big bottle of Jim Beam and had some drinks with Bernie and his sister Lynn who was also visiting from LA.<br />Nothing like a nice cool libation sitting on the porch with good friends having a pleasant time conversing while waiting for the sun to go down<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115312small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115312small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115309small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115309small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115314small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115314small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I always love watching the last phase of daylight and the desert sunsets at dusk<br />and true to form this evenings color display was no disappointment<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110311-P3115340small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110311-P3115340small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />So now it was time to get ready to go over to Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace for a good dinner and some live music.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view&current=Cadl006small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/Cadl006small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view&current=Cadl010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/Cadl010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pioneertown is an old western movie town set from the 1940's,<br />along with a old motel and a bowling alley the hub of the wheel<br />as they say is Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace<br /><br />Years ago after the filming died off this bar was a pretty notorious<br />biker joint in the 1970's called the "Cantina" <br />and in the early 80's the place became what it's known as today,<br />a great bar and restaurant providing top caliber live entertainment <br /><br />This evening we enjoyed a superb Mesquite BBQ steak dinner along with a cool old band in from San Diego<br />formerly the "Beat Farmers" the band just shorted their name<br />to the "Farmers" after the passing of one of the original members<br />I've always had a great time at this place and that night was no exception ;-)<br />After Pappy & Harriett's we back to Bernie's where he pulled out the bottle of Jagermeister just to make sure everyone would wake up with a hangover the next morning..........<br />Getting up slowly the next morning the original plan was to drive the 17 miles or so along the back roads to Big Bear to have breakfast but the idea of four wheeling a bumpy back road with the way everyone was fairing didn't seem like a good idea so we opted for a local diner and a drive around Landers to some historic landmarks.<br /><br />The first place we stopped at was the "Integratron"<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125343small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125343small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The Integratron is a geometrical dome-shaped structure built by by George Van Tassel<br /><br />Van Tassel is an interesting desert character, Meditating beside Giant Rock in 1951<br />(which I'll talk about later) Van Tassel claimed to have been transported astrally to a huge alien space ship.<br />In 1952 Van Tassel reported he had been visited in the flesh by human-appearing, friendly space aliens from Venus, who suggested that he attempt to build a structure aimed at extending human life and so in 1954 he began construction on the Integratron<br /><br />Not to far from the Integratron is "Giant Rock" where Van Tassel claimed to have his vision and contact with the aliens and so he hosted The Giant Rock Spacecraft Convention which was annually held beside the Rock<br /><br />From 1953 to 1978 Van Tassel held these conventions which had their peak in the late 1950's with as many as 10,000 people in attendance<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125346small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125346small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Giant Rock is a seven story free standing boulder and the<br />piece you see broken off happened in an earthquake a few years back, <br />it now reveals the white granite interior of the giant boulder <br /><br />Here's a shot from another angle to give you a perspective of it's size <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125350small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125350small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Another interesting footnote to Giant Rock is that an old prospector<br />named Frank Critzer lived underneath the rock during the 1930s <br />and early 40s where he had dug out and built himself a large room<br />While being investigated by by local police in 1942 he decided<br />to blow himself up with dynamite up rather than be taken in by the cops<br /><br />needless to say there isn't much left of his room under that rock<br />but it sure makes for good local folklore <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125358small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125358small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />For any of you interested in visiting the <a href=http://www.integratron.com/>Integratron</A> they are open for tours and what they call "Sound Baths" <br /><br />After checking out Giant Rock we headed back towards the Integatron<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125361small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125361small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Now just up the street from the Integratron is the other great Landers place of interest <a href=http://www.gublers.com>Gubler Orchids</A><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125412small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125412small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Gubler Orchids was started in 1956 by Hans and his wife Esther in Altandena CA<br />where they sold flowers out of the back of their station wagon<br /><br />Over the ensuing years the orchid business kept growing at every location they were<br />at so by 1975 they decided to move their greenhouse operation to the Landers location<br />And wouldn't you know the desert climate is a perfect place to grow these amazing flowers<br /><br />The folks there are really friendly and are happy to take you on<br />a tour of the greenhouse and explain all about the many beautiful<br />types of orchids they grow at the facility.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125393small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125393small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125396small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125396small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125390small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125390small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125399small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125399small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125379small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125379small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125401small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125401small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The other cool thing that I noticed at the facility was this unique<br />windmill that was turning quite rapidly in the desert wind providing<br />clean electric power to the greenhouses<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125365small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125365small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After all that it seemed like everyone's bumpers were dragging a bit so we headed back to Bernie's, Pat and I packed up our things thanked our gracious host and headed back to Pat's place.<br />I wanted to stop and take a few pic's of the old film set at Pioneertown so Pat and I stopped there for a bit<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125414small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125414small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125420small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125420small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here's the old barn sound stage<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125419small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125419small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Bank and Hotel<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125442small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125442small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125437small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125437small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125439small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125439small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And another cool thing that's there is the Pioneertown Bowl<br />originally built by Roy Rogers and Gene Autry this small six lane<br />bowling alley is only open on the weekends and then only for certain months<br />out of the year But for a real throw back in time this saloon and bowling alley<br />has a rich history of all the western movie stars that spent their off camera<br />hours having a great time there<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125427small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125427small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125422small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125422small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Real cool old Wurlitzer juke box<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125428small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125428small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And the great old mural painted along the wall depicting Pioneertown<br />Filming History and "How the West was Once"<br />by artist Wallace Roland Stark <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125433small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125433small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />after that Pat and I drove back to his house where I packed up the Harley for the ride home and hit the road westbound<br /><br />As I headed back to LA while sliding by cars and trying to find that gap in traffic where you settle in and review the flashes of images of the things you experienced and the people you interacted with the last couple of days,<br />it invariably seems like you did more in twenty four hours than you did the whole week prior<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/?action=view&current=20110312-P3125418small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Yucca%20Valley/20110312-P3125418small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />That thought always put's a smile on my face ......<br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-66573089530567440502010-11-21T07:54:00.000-08:002013-11-12T09:17:37.101-08:00Bisbee Arizona RunA few months ago my friend Pat Bianchi (who I do most of my runs with) said the Southern California BMW Club was going to do a ride to Bisbee Arizona and wanted to know if that was something I'd like to do...... of course it took me about two seconds to fire back an e-mail saying count me in on that one.<br />I've been through the southwest many times especially on the summer vacation trips my family would take every year when I was a kid to the mid-west to visit our relatives, but on those Summer trips the furthest south-east we ever went was going through the city of Tuscon so I was really looking forward to going to a place like the old historic mining town of Bisbee and it being a part of the country that I had never been to before.<br /> <br />The run from LA to Bisbee would consist of five days so I wanted to make sure the Harley was in tip-top shape...... unfortunately a month and a half earlier a kid had made an illegal U turn in front of me and I had to lay the bike down and as with any repairs (especially one's that involve paint) you never get your bike back as soon as you'd like so here I was getting mine back the night before I was to leave and not really knowing if there were any hidden bugs in it before I had to take off early in the morning (normally you'd like to test it out) so it was with some trepidation that I set out to meet Pat in Beverly Hills at 7am the following morning<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101110-IMG_4053small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101110-IMG_4053small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As I rode down Sunset Blvd. the Harley seemed to be running great and it was good to be back on the bike after my accident, and other than the speedo breaking during the trip the bike ran like a champ the whole run.<br /> After meeting Pat and fueling up our motorcycles we both hit the freeway leaving downtown LA and headed south to the town of Temecula to meet up with the rest of the BMW group<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101110-IMG_4062.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101110-IMG_4062.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />Temecula is one of those old California towns where the Spanish Missionaries established the Mission of San Luis Rey de Francia in 1798 and normally that would have been a nice little ride just to old town Temecula but all we had time for was some breakfast and be on our way with the rest of the group<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101110-IMG_4065small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101110-IMG_4065small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The day we left was on a Thursday and here in the US that particular day is designated as Veterans Day and there were an amazing amount of motorcyclists out on the road for the various rides that were seemingly everywhere organized with the theme of a Veterans Day Ride, I can't think of any better way to spend a day keeping in mind those who have served and sacrificed be it the living or the dead<br /><br /> After breakfast Pat and I met up with the BMW group riders and all told there were twelve of us that would be making the run, now the really great thing about the So Cal BMW club is that when they do a run anywhere they try and stay off the main highway's as much as possible which always makes for more miles and a longer trip but it equals out with the best possible scenery one can find on the open road.<br />Heading south towards San Diego our route would take us close to the Mexican border<br />And the further south-east one travels the more desert the terrain becomes<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4084small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4084small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We rode along Hwy 8 eastbound ending up in Ocotillo for some fuel and a short break<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4085small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4085small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After fueling up we took Hwy 98 South towards Calexico,<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4095small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4095small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> Sadly I heard that a few days later on that same two lane road four motorcyclists died when some guy tried to pass a group while another car was coming the other way and ran out of room causing the west-bound vehicle trying to avoid a head-on collision to swerve out of control and hit the group riding east-bound and the bastard that caused the whole thing kept going and is still being sought. They say for motorcyclists there is safety in numbers............ usually that's the case, just not for those unfortunate bikers<br /><br />The ride was shaping up quite nicely, although most of the day so far we had been riding in a fairly strong cross-wind which was the only drag but it was sure clear and beautiful<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4086small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4086small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /> Arriving in Calexico which is a border town named for California “Cal” and Mexico “exico" and this was the designated place we would stop for some lunch.<br />Somewhere along the way we lost two riders, I can't say what happened to them and I'm not really surprised because one of the them literally was riding a step through scooter which is not something one should ride on a long motorcycle run<br />C'est la vie............<br /><br /> So without a particular place in mind our group leader rode around for a bit looking for a decent restaurant and not finding one he finally decided on McDonald's .......... since that's a place I never eat at Pat knew he and I both would rather have a taco so we took off to find our own lunch spot which just happened to be up the street.<br />We placed our order and I told Pat there was a dive bar back around the corner that I wanted to take a picture of their wall art so while he waited I took off to do that<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4093small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4093small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I really liked Heckle and Jeckle as drunken borracho's <br /><br /> The first clue we should have had that the food wasn't going to be that good was that all the advertising for the place was for beer (and they certainly had a lot to choose from) Pat ordered a burrito and I guess he didn't realize it was the gristle burrito (must have been the house specialty) I had couple of Carne asada tacos that weren't that much better...... Pat announced that he wouldn't feed that burrito to my dog and that it had just achieved the ranking of worst burrito he's ever had<br /> So lunch for us pretty much consisted of beer and chips because we didn't have time to send it back.<br /><br />Catching up with everyone at Micky D's we all got on Hwy 8 east heading to the little Arizona town of Gila Bend.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4096small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4096small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> Gila Bend was founded in 1872 and this small town was named for an approximately 90-degree bend in the Gila River, it's always been a stop for the weary traveler but there really isn't much to the town except a few motels and gas stations<br /><br />Now for me there is nothing like American Kitsch and especially if that includes a motel....... among other things Gila Bend is known for is one of the coolest 1960's motels to be found on the road "The Space Age Lodge"<br />Opened in 1963 this space age themed motel and restaurant is all about that era when man first orbited the earth and the cars had fins to simulate flight and for us it was a real cool place to stay for the night and a great finish for the day's ride<br />This is how the place looked as we pulled up at sunset<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-PB112809small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-PB112809small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here is their flying saucer sign....... too cool <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-PB112813small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-PB112813small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />The next morning I got up and took a quick spin around Gila Bend to capture a few things that caught my eye<br />Like the old Stouts Hotel<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122827small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122827small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or this old building from the late 1800's<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122829small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122829small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's the old wooden school house<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122823small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122823small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />During the previous evening Pat and I had discussed what the next stop would be for the following day's ride..... The BMW group was going to ride to Tucson to the Pima Air Museum and take the tour of the many military aircraft that are located there while Pat and I decided to skip the plane museum and take a different route to get to Bisbee which consisted of going further south and east, we rode parallel to the Mexican border for much of our days ride checking out some of the little towns and scenery the road less traveled had to offer us<br /><br />We took Hwy 85 south from Gila Bend and after about thirty miles along that highway we were rewarded with our decision to go southward with this beautiful desert landscape<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4081small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4081small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Now oddly enough this picturesque area is part of the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range.........It's never a surprise what the US military will blow up<br />But Pat and I pulled off the highway along the range for a few photos because this is what one thinks of when in the Arizona desert with the beautiful rock formations and Saguaro Cactus <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122833small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122833small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The next town we were headed for was the old mining town of Ajo, which is the Spanish word for garlic, but god only knows why they named it that because they don't grow garlic here....... Ajo is known for High-grade native copper and the picturesque town has the distinction of having the first copper mine in Arizona.<br />It is a place with a rich western history and I would have loved to have spent a few hours there exploring the town but Pat and I had a lot of miles to ride before we made it to our destination in Bisbee, so here's the only pic I got of the place while riding through their civic center.<br />The old mission church in Ajo<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4118small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4118small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Our next stop was the little town of "Why" and the unusual name of the town comes from the fact that the two major highways, State Routes 85 and 86, originally intersected in a Y-intersection, so after fueling up the bikes we took hwy 86 through the Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation. It was along this route that the realization hit me of the devastating affects alcoholism and drunkenness has had on the Indian community<br />All along the side of the road you would see it littered with booze bottles, as what I assume would have been tossed out by drunken Indians driving home, mind you most of the littered bottles were all hard alcohol like this empty fifth bottle <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4122small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4122small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The other thing that would accompany all these liquor bottles strewn everywhere<br />were the many crosses and roadside memorials where people had taken their exit from this life.<br />I remember when I was a kid on our Summer trips there was this very narrow two lane highway in Iowa and at the beginning of a fifteen mile stretch there was a sign stating it was the "Highway of Death" so when you drove into the most dangerous section of that narrow two lane road there were many white crosses placed along the route where accidents had occurred and people perished.....and seeing that really had a sobering effect to have you slow down and pay attention, I think it was then that I developed an eye and curiosity for roadside memorials.<br />That being said that stretch of highway in Iowa can't even begin to come close to the amount of carnage, death and roadside memorials found along Hwy 86 through the Indian reservation where it seemed every where you looked along the road there were scenes like this<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4131small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4131small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And some roadside memorials were just an old meager cross or a pile of rock markers while others were more elaborate like this one where three people died (and there were a lot of these multiple cross sites)<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4123small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4123small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />This one had a Jesus in a Wine jug in one of the archways<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101111-IMG_4125small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101111-IMG_4125small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />Yes the Indian community is largely forgotten about in the grand scheme of American society and this dark side of what has happened to the American Indian is just one more injustice to their long and sad history since the white man first landed and colonized America.<br /><br />After a bit Pat and I stopped to get our bearings straight because from Hwy 86 there were a couple of off beat roads we could take through the mountains so we mapped out our next route and continued southeast<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4132small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4132small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />One thing I want to mention that after we went through the Indian reservation the roads we were on were pretty desolate........ except for the US border patrol<br />now for every car we would encounter along the road you would have four or five border patrol vehicles and numerous check points where you had to stop, it was like a war zone.......without the enemy combatants.<br />For all the hype of the horde of illegal emigrants flooding Arizona coming from the Arizona Governor (re-election political BS) to my observation this was just not true......... and many of the Arizonians I spoke to said the amount of Border Patrol amounted to overkill.<br /><br />Riding along this obscure route we saw some pretty countryside and great windy roads<br />with lot's of twisty's so it was some awesome motorcycle riding<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4166small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4166small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We stopped in Selis for some more directions and I took a pic of these old adobe ruins<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4142small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4142small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />You always come across odd things on the road and I've seen pick-up trucks with beds full of junk all across this country but these two trucks hands down took the first place prize in my book because it was a wonder they could even roll down the highway with the amount of crap overloaded on those two trucks let alone negotiate the same mountain roads we were riding on.........mind you they were creeping along at about fifteen miles an hour..... but still<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4139small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4139small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And here they are in the parking lot where we had lunch as the men were busy trying to transfer some of the weight........ I guess the thought of throwing some of that shit out never occurred to them <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4160small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4160small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We were headed to the border city of Nogalas and still being an hour or so away from there it was time for a late lunch (I couldn't count that fiasco in Calexico as a meal)and that's when we rode into the little town of Amado and this was the first joint we saw<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4146small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4146small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Now you know with a giant Cabeza da Vaca out front they gotta be BBQ-ing some part of the cow, But I looked to the right of us and noticed this cool place<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4158small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4158small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The <a href=http://www.cowpalacerestaurant.com>Cow Palace Restaurant</A> is a very historic steak house and saloon from the 1920's and as the local area over the last several years has been used as a filming location for many westerns this place became a favorite haunt for many of the movie stars that were in those films<br />So Pat and I settled in for a nice meal in a great western setting<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4156small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4156small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After that we headed south for Nogalas <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4177small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4177small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After fueling up in Nogalas we headed east for our final leg to Bisbee<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4179small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4179small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Bisbee was founded as a copper, gold, and silver mining town in 1880 and in fact mining was done here all the way until 1975 so unlike a lot of mining towns that become derelict after the mining is done Bisbee has always been inhabited and in the 1970's started on the course of becoming an artist community and that is how one finds the city today with a rich western history combined with many art galleries and shops along with some great restaurants.<br />The Hotel we would be staying at for the next few days was <a href=http://www.theinnatcastlerock.com>The Inn at Castle Rock</a><br />The Inn is a historic 1895 hotel and also home to the historic Apache Springs Well<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122837small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122837small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Owners Carol and Chris Brown and staff were really friendly and the Inn is within a short walking distance to Main Street Bisbee and all the shops, bars and restaurants<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122836small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122836small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />There are 14 uniquely themed rooms and paintings all over the Inn done by the previous owner—Jim Babcock—and friends <br />Our room should have been called the Coke room......... no not for that reason<br />but because all the Coca Cola themed items in it, I think they named the one Pat and I stayed in the Pioneer Room...... There were two beds in our room which had a different sort of configuration with one part of the room with a queen size bed and a tiny adjacent room (the size of a walk in closet) with a twin bed....... since Pat is the big boy I got the little boys room ;-)<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4195small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4195small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />And just outside our window was the balcony where you can see the street below and watch the world go by....... it was quite nice<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4202small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4202small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Being that Bisbee is in the upper elevation it gets quite cold at night and it's quite thoughtful that the hotel keeps a nice fire going and a place to warm up right beside the front door for when you come back at whatever time in the evening<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4204small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4204small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After we got cleaned up we ventured out with the rest of the group to see a bit of Bisbee in the evening and find a place to have dinner, here's the Inn at night<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122841small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122841small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122846small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122846small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Walking down Main street we all ended up at the Bisbee Grand saloon that is adjacent to the Bisbee Grand Hotel, it's a real nice turn of the century western saloon and it was a perfect place to get the evening started<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122853small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122853small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122854small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122854small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The back bar fixture here was placed on a wagon way back in the day and hauled in from an old saloon in Tombstone, Arizona<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122858small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122858small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122859small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122859small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As with most places here in the old west the Grand saloon comes with it's own stories of haunting's and it's rumored that there is a male ghost in the saloon that prefers to linger around the ladies room........ that being said Pat said he thought he saw a ghost or some kind of thing at our hotel which is supposed to be haunted also but you know how it is with these old western towns they sure like their places to have that hint of the supernatural....... you won't find the ghost-busters here<br /> After some drinks we all decided to look for a place to have dinner and after finding the first few places full we ended up at the old <a href=http://www.copperqueen.com>Copper Queen Hotel</a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122860small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122860small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Established in 1902 the Copper Queen (named after the famous mine) is a historic and landmark western hotel and it is superbly maintained...... lol and like every other place in Bisbee this great old hotel has it's share of ghost sightings and stories<br />Here'a a pic of the bar<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122861small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122861small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We had one of the large parlor rooms all to ourselves for dinner and a good meal and time was had by all<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122865small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122865small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> After dinner Pat and I decided to walk around check out the local shops and bar scene which for the most part is located along Brewery Gulch<br />Bisbee has some very unique shops with all kinds of antiques and collectibles <br />so every now and then I snapped a pic here and there of something that caught my eye<br />Like these old soda pop bottles <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122848small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122848small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or this little praying figurine <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122849small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122849small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's a shop window with some really cool kites<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122847small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122847small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122845small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122845small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Moving further up Brewery Gulch we heard some live music so we found ourselves in front of the St Elmo bar<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122867small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122867small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The St Elmo Bar was established in 1902 and it's a spot where many of the locals hang, It is one of the oldest saloons in town and back in the day the local miners would flock to the bar on payday so the joint got a reputation as a fairly rowdy bar because everyone got pretty liquored up and all kinds of mayhem would break out but it seems quite tame and laid back now days<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122875small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122875small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We hung there for a while, had a beer and listened to the band<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122877small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122877small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After St Elmo's we walked on back to the Bisbee Grand Saloon where we met back up with some of the BMW group riders<br />Having a few more beers at the Grand it was now getting to be around the time when ones bumper is dragging and all the day's riding and miles are now catching up with you, it's at that point the thought comes to mind that all you really want is your bed at the hotel and call it a day, so with that thought in mind we left the Grand Saloon and made our way back to the Inn along the lit and deserted Bisbee streets <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-PB122881small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-PB122881small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The next day the BMW group headed out to Kartchner Caverns, while we decided to hang around and explore Bisbee.<br />We first went to the <a href=http://www.bisbeecoffee.com>Bisbee Coffee Co.</A><br />and had a most excellent coffee and pastry, if you ever find yourself in Bisbee this coffee house is awesome. After that Pat and I went our separate ways, he had heard about a local spot where bikers gather and I just wanted to walk around and take some photos of Bisbee.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132888small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132888small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Walking around you can really tell this is an eclectic and artistic place residing in and around all of the historic buildings. There are unique things everywhere, like this metal sun found in a narrow walkway between two houses<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132932small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132932small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And this figure was on a fence right across<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132933small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132933small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Further up the street I came across these wonderful sculptures <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132895small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132895small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or how about this ceramic pig in a window<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132893small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132893small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Bisbee is the sort of place where you can also see old soda pop advertising signage on the side of a building<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4212small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4212small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or the unique little items found in some of the great shops around town<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4214small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4214small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4216small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4216small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132942small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132942small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101112-IMG_4217small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101112-IMG_4217small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132910small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132910small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132908small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132908small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />All within these great old buildings<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132907small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132907small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's an old church<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132906small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132906small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Loved this very cool vintage shop<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132970small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/20101113-PB132970small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132969small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/20101113-PB132969small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Moving along I came across this colorful fenced in "Bark Park" as they call the local dog park<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132929small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132929small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The walls were full of cool graffiti art<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132923small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132923small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And this old house across the street where an artist lives and had put up some great and unique sculpture art all over the exterior of the place<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132949small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132949small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Lot's of places have been converted to different businesses <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132912small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132912small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's a wonderful old steel door in a small alleyway next to the old jailhouse<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132960small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132960small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It was about that time when Pat found me and said the place he went to see the bikes was a very cool restaurant called the <a href=http://www.bisbeebreakfastclub.com>Bisbee Breakfast Club</A> and that we should go over there and have lunch, I said that sounded great so we hopped on the bikes and rode over to Lowell which is a small township within Bisbee. Going over to Lowell you pass the enormous open mining pit called "The Lavender Pit" where much of the copper was extracted along with high quality turquoise that is a by-product of copper mining <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4222small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4222small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We arrived at the Bisbee Breakfast club and as this restaurant being a hot spot to eat at we had a bit of a wait to be seated<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4227small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4227small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />So having a little time to kill was fine by me because I just walked down the street taking some more photos of the wonderful old buildings nearby<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132974small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132974small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132980small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132980small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132982small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132982small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132994small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132994small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB132999small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB132999small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />During lunch we talked about where to go next and seeing how the old west town of Tombstone was only twenty some miles away Pat and I decided to take a ride and check out the small western town made famous by Wyatt Earp and his brothers after the shootout at the OK corral <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133024small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133024small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Tombstone has that look and feel one would think of watching any American Western movie and along with the old buildings and structures there are several re-enactment characters walking around main street, in all reality it's just one giant tourist trap with many shops selling the same crap and if you'd like to see the OK corral where the gunfight actually occurred you had to pay ten dollars to get a look (talk about a hold up) and being that it was a Saturday there were a lot of tourists on the street so I just walked around for a bit and took some shots of the town and things I found of interest, all in all it was worth a drive by and a walk through but a short time there was enough for the both of us<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133026small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133026small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133022small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133022small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133029small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133029small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133021small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133021small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133041small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133041small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133034small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133034small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133031small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133031small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133047small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133047small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133044small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133044small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133027small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133027small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133052small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133052small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />I asked one of the local gals where the old western cemetery Boot Hill was and she gave me directions and also told me where I could find the current graveyard so we hopped back on the bikes to check those places out...........Tombstone's Boot Hill was a joke although I did quite like the old hearse sitting outside the trading post there <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4336small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4336small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It was just another tourist trap and looked nothing like what an old graveyard should look like (I've seen quite a few of them) so we went on to find the real graveyard and I found some interesting markers to shoot like this old steel cross with a rising sun which is reminiscent of the rising sun on the Arizona state flag <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4252small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4252small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />After that we rode on back to Bisbee for a three o'clock tour of the Copper Queen Mine.......<br /><br />The Copper Queen was was the most productive copper mine in Arizona in the early 1900's and the mine has a rich history besides the wealth that was extracted from it. Deposits of gold and silver were also discovered in the mine and as a now obscure footnote in history over 1000 miners in 1917 were arrested and deported for being involved in the Industrial Workers of the World miners strike......they were just trying to get a little better pay and working conditions. yep things were different back then if you went on strike.<br /><br />We found out in the mine tour life for a miner in those days was harsh, hard and deadly while broken bones or losing fingers for a miner was a common occurrence<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4263small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4263small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here is a museum photo of some miners and a mule from those days, our guide told us once the mule's were in the mine they didn't leave till they went blind from lack of light, yes it was tough on man and beast<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133056small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133056small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />For the mine tour everyone had to don a helmet, yellow coat and a belt battery pack with flashlight, you then sit on a mine train and take the tour into what's still accessible (most of the mine is now flooded or collapsed) <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133059small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133059small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We had a third generation native American miner as our guide and he explained all about the way the mine was built and how the ore was extracted <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133073snall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133073snall.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-PB133065small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-PB133065small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4275small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4275small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's a pic of the rolling shit wagon which for all intents and purposes was the bathroom in the mine for all the miners working there<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4281small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4281small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After the mine tour we rode back to the hotel for a nice little cat nap after that we got cleaned up and met every one at 7 for dinner, walking around Bisbee it seemed at that hour all the restaurants we wanted to try were full and had waiting lists so Pat and I split from the group and decided to check out this Micro Brewery we saw on Brewery Gulch<br />The <a href=http://www.oldbisbeebrewingcompany.com>Old Bisbee Brewing Company</A> is a great brewery with some amazing tasting beers, We were in luck when we walked in because the owner Vic had the title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito on the bars TV, we got ourselves a table and settled in for some boxing and beers while our bartender Aislynn kept supplying us with all the various types of brew that Old Bisbee makes, mind you Pat and I still hadn't had dinner so we both got a quick buzz, knowing we had to eat or pay a price for it later we told Vic that we had to go find something to eat and that's when Vic told us he had just boiled some bratwursts in beer and if we'd like we could try those.........That put an instant smile on my face and we ordered two of them apiece and settled in for the title fight<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4299small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4299small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The brewery is not the type of place that stays open late so after the fight was over it was a bit past their closing time so we said our goodbyes and thank our hosts for a great time.<br />Normally at this point we would have found another bar to continue our drinking and merriment but seeing that Pat had some issues with a rental house he owns and had to be back a day early that meant that the both of us would have to be up at the crack of dawn and on the road by 7am or there abouts in the morning, so despite the urge to keep on truckin on the Bisbee bar circuit we did the right thing and called it a night and headed back to the hotel for a good nights sleep, the following morning it was sure nice not to wake up with a nasty hangover as I took this pic at sunrise<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101114-PB143078small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101114-PB143078small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />By the time we packed up the bikes and were ready to leave one of our BMW riding buddies who was also up was kind enough to snap a photo of Pat and I just before we hit the road<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4309small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4309small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Heading out it was quite cold (upper thirties) and when your doing 75 miles and hour with the wind chill factor it's in the twenties, well I was pretty well bundled up except for my gloves which are not designed for that cold of weather so my hands were freezing to the point of pain......... but at least the scenery was beautiful<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4324small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4324small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4322small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4322small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4320small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4320small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After about a hour we arrived in the little town of Benson and found the Old Horseshoe Cafe open and doing a brisk business, the cafe has and is a Benson tradition since it was opened in 1938 and it has been going strong ever since, it's a great diner with a wonderful old neon sign out front and friendly staff inside<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4338small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4338small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We had a superb homemade corn-beef hash and eggs and the hot coffee cup cradled in my hands finally allowed them to warm up....... after breakfast it had warmed up enough so the cold didn't bother us as we headed for Hwy 10 westbound towards Palm Springs and Pat's condo <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101113-IMG_4254small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101113-IMG_4254small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pretty much the rest of the ride back was not picturesque and with a strong cross wind at the speed we were riding the ride was a bit difficult, when we made the California state line and the town of Blythe I told Pat there was an old motel sign I wanted to photograph so I took a pic of it and we hit the road again<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=20101114-PB143079small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/20101114-PB143079small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We finally arrived at Pats condo around 3:30 making pretty good time for riding five hundred miles or so....... I hung out at Pat's place while he made a great BBQ for dinner and we both had a nice meal while watching the Laker game, now I could have spent the night but there was a part of me that just wanted to get back home so I bid Pat adieu and took off for the last 150 miles remaining till I arrived back home....... all told I rode over 650 miles on Sunday and my bootie was a bit sore to say the least, you know after a long day and a lot of miles the best place you can find yourself is in your own home, with a very happy dog wagging his tail at the gate to greet me I was glad to make it back home without any problems............ now all I had to do for the next week was go through all the pictures I took on the trip and post some of them here along with a few words for you to enjoy and spend a little time riding along here on the internet for another adventure with me on the road again<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/?action=view&current=BisbeeRunsmall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Bisbee%20Run/BisbeeRunsmall.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-66497609420042882512010-09-22T21:26:00.000-07:002010-09-27T10:27:16.346-07:00Benton Hot Springs Run<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br />The next weekend after my trip to Alaska I did a motorcycle run with my buddy Pat Bianchi and the Los Angeles BMW club to a little known town right from the California old west called Benton Hot Springs.<br /> Pat was riding in from Palm Springs and I from LA so we decided to meet Saturday morning at 9am along the old route 66 in the city of Barstow and from there we would ride and catch up with the rest of the BMW club members on the road<br /> <br />The weather was perfect leaving LA while heading northeast into the Mojave desert <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3662small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3662small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Having made some good time(nice way to say you're speeding down the highway)I stopped off in Victorville to take a pic <br />The New Corral motel sign is great old vintage neon sign from 1947 when the New Corral Motel opened, the motel sits along a stretch of route 66 in Victorville CA. and an interesting note to the sign is that the horse depicted was patterned after Roy Rogers famous horse "Trigger" <br />The Roy Rogers cowboy museum used to be in Victorville and then moved to Branson Missouri and after a few years closed. This year in July everything was auctioned off including <a href=http://luxist.com/2010/06/14/roy-rogers-museum-auction-includes-trigger-nellybelle>Trigger</A><br />But he still lives on in neon along old route 66 in Victorville<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3622small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3622small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />US Route 66 for any of you that may not know was one of the old East/West highway routes in the United States and it was also known as "The Mother Road" officially running from 1926 till 1985 when it was finally removed from the United States Highway System and replaced by the Interstate Highway System.<br /> Now all along this historic route were thousands of small towns, motels and interesting road oddities. Many of these places that catered to the traveler have now closed and disappeared but some of the old motels and towns that aren't to far from the interstate still manage to stay alive and there are a lot of folks myself included that still like to travel route 66 searching out those slices of Americana from a bygone era.<br /><br />With that in mind I pulled off hwy 58 onto West Main street in Barstow which used to be part of route 66. Now back in the day this would have been a major stop for any traveler and to some degree it still is.<br />Barstow having been started in the late 1840s was a convergence of all kinds of things, in the rich mining history of the Mojave Desert miners came to Calico and Daggett following the discovery of silver in the 1860s and Barstow thrived as railroads were constructed to transport goods and people. <br />I didn't have time to photograph any historic places in Barstow from the 1800's but all along Main St. there are these murals depicting the rich old western history of this desert city<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3643small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3643small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The brief time I was there I did catch a few things more for the age of the automobile and for those of you that know me you know how I love old vintage neon signs so here are a few images of some of the signs found along Barstow's historic route 66<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3625small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3625small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3627small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3627small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3644small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3644small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3631small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3631small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3634small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3634small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3646small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3646small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Pat found me while I was taking pictures and was kind enough to wait while I snapped a few more, we then fueled up the bikes and hit the road to meet up with the BMW club in Lone Pine<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3648small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3648small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Riding west now to get to hwy 395 we found this great antique warehouse with some wonderful old Gas Station signs and memorabilia ........ the place wasn't open yet but I got a few pic's of some of their signs & things<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3650small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3650small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3653small-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3653small-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3651small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3651small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Riding along the 395 enjoying the great high desert scenery......<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3664small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3664small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We caught up with the BMW club in the town of Lone Pine which was the designated lunch stop for the ride.<br />Lone Pine is a quaint little town started in 1870 and hwy 395 runs right through the middle of town so it makes for a good place to stop have a bite and relax a bit<br />We had lunch at the Alabama Hills Cafe which is named after the Alabama Hills west of town that have been frequently used as a filming location for Westerns and other movies.<br />Lone Pine even has a film history museum that tells the story of all the great movies that have been filmed in that area<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3680small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3680small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />After lunch I walked a bit up the main street and got a few more vintage neon signs<br />Like this great one for Margies Merry Go Round Restaurant<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3673small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3673small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or the trails Motel<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3672small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3672small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or this great old hardware store sign and fish<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100903-IMG_3677small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100903-IMG_3677small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Now riding with the rest of the group we all headed northeast on our last leg of the days journey. <br />In the town of Bishop we took hwy 6 to hwy 120 and finally arrived at our destination the Benton Hot Springs Inn.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3730small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3730small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-P9041439small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-P9041439small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Benton Hot Springs is one of the oldest surviving towns in Mono County being established in 1852, travelers heading south from the nearby mining towns of Bodie and Aurora used Benton as a stop over and in 1862 the town boomed as a supply center for all the nearby mines.<br />Pat went inside the office to see where we would be camping and I decided to have a walk around and see what old structures were still standing,<br />Like this old block house<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-P9041440small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-P9041440small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And here's the old Wells Fargo stage coach stop that also served at one time as the Benton general store<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-P9041443small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-P9041443small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pat had finished up at the office and informed me that the campsite was in an area behind the Benton Inn so we got back on our bikes and rode a short distance to our campsite<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3722small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3722small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We unpacked and pitched our tents where we were told to go and right as soon as we were done the manager of the place roared up in his truck and jumped out yelling at us for being in the wrong spot....... well we weren't in the wrong spot according to our receipt and where we were told to go<br />Now Pat's fuse being much shorter than mine had a few words to say right back to the manager about their mistake...... Well he informed us that we could move from that campsite immediately or leave altogether and neither of those options were pleasant ones but the latter was an option we for sure didn't want to take. <br />And just for good measure as we started to tear down our tents the rude manager said he was calling the Sheriff on us (it was news to me that the words fuck and asshole had become suddenly illegal) but we complied with his demand. <br />All the campsites there are nice and if the man had just apologized for an office mistake and asked us kindly if we could move we wouldn't have been so pissed off but he made it out like it was all our fault and it wasn't........ So we collected our things moving one campsite over and pitched the tents all over again.<br />While we were doing this the nice lady from the office stopped by and apologized for her mistake and any inconvenience it may have caused us and we thanked her and said that we were cool with moving it was just the way we were told to do it that wasn't appreciated <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-P9041434small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-P9041434small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Now the great thing about these campsites is that the natural hot spring is flowing right behind you and the water runs a consistent 110 degrees, the spring water is then fed to a redwood hot tub that sits right at your campsite<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-P9041430small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-P9041430small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I can tell you it was so amazing to sit in that tub at night and just look at all the various stars, constellations and the scope of the milky way, everything seemingly so close that you could just reach out and touch them.<br /><br />So after we had our camp set up again we hopped back on the bikes and headed down the road to hwy 6 where we saw a small market to get some extra supplies for the weekend<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-P9041438small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-P9041438small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />You ever watched one of those films where there is a scene of some sort of business where a grizzled proprietor is listening to the strains of some gospel radio station with a choir singing softly in the background as a preacher is ranting on about Jesus and the devil and then you hear his fevered pitch for a donation to keep that hucksters ministry going........... yes it was that kind of weird religious muzak we had for our unique shopping experience at the old trading post......... Yes brothers and sisters even you to can have pie in the sky courtesy of Reverend Ike.......<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-P9041435small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-P9041435small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />So Pat and I are hanging out in front of the market for a bit having a drink, not really needing to be back to the campsite anytime soon<br />When all of a sudden we see the sheriff go rushing by like he had some kind of big emergency to get to.......... I joked to Pat that there went the sheriff looking for the bad man who said some naughty words so he better go hide his sorry ass someplace for a while.................well it seems that jerk-off manager did call the sheriff on us and that poor bastard had to drive 70 miles just to hear that the little campsite mixup had been quietly resolved............ From what we heard later that was one pissed off sheriff and I bet you dollars to doughnuts he probably said the same colorful words we did ;-) <br /><br />That evening everyone gathered around the patio and back area of the Inn for a BBQ, it was a nice setting and a pleasant time was had by all<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3724small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3724small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The pond next to the patio<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3723small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3723small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's Pat with one of the BMW club members<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3729small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3729small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And me quietly waiting for a few pieces of yard carp(chicken)for dinner <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3725small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3725small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />There were three different rides discussed for the following day, one was to the old ghost town of Bodie, another was to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest and the other was a run up the Sonora Pass, and that sounded good so Pat and I decided to do the ride through the pass.<br />The Sonora Pass is the second-highest highway pass in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and at it's steepest part it has an elevation of 9,624 ft, the pass also has some of the steepest road grades that are up to 26% in some locations so this pass is not recommended for large trucks or vehicles that are wide, heavy or long.<br />That being said it is one of the more beautiful and scenic rides one can take in this part of California <br /><br />A small group of us headed out the following morning on hwy 120 towards Mono Lake and the town of Lee Vining <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3712small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3712small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The 120 highway is quite picturesque with it's rock formations, high desert landscapes and pine forests<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3711small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3711small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3716small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3716small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Right at the end of highway 120 and where the 395 intercede is the great <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mono_Lake>Mono Lake</A><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-STA_3752small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-STA_3752small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After traveling northbound on the 395 for a bit we caught the 108 going west which is the highway for the Sonora Pass<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3760small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3760small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The route is a steady climb through the mountains and forest<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3795small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3795small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It is a route that is also traveled and enjoyed by many motorcyclists, here are a few passing us from the other direction<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3771small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3771small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />After riding up the pass for a bit we all stopped for a small hike in the forest<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3811small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3811small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />A fish-eye lens view of the fearless Sonora Pass BMW riders<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051461small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051461small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The clean fresh mountain air with the scent of pine is like aroma therapy and if you add a crystal clear alpine stream into the mix...... it's heaven<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051454small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051454small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Moving on towards the top of the pass we stopped at the <a href=http://www.dardanelle108.com/>Dardanelle Resort</A> that was established in 1923<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-IMG_3824small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-IMG_3824small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />They have a wonderful facility with a restaurant & bar and that's where we all stopped for lunch, they were getting ready for their end of summer luau with two pigs roasting on the BBQ but we all had lunch at the bar not waiting around for that to happen<br />After lunch we went back down the pass the same way we came stopping once more to check out some old cabins and the river<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051484small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051484small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As we left the Sonora Pass one of the great little western towns you go through is Bridgeport......... Bridgeport was established in 1864 and it's another place that has one of California's best-kept natural hot springs, the Travertine Hot Springs<br />You get a sense of the old west and a time gone by looking at the Mono County Court House in Bridgeport<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051502small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051502small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pat and I stopped for a bit to have an ice cream and I took a walk and snapped a few pic's around town<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051501small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051501small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051503small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051503small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's the old Victorian and historic <a href=http://www.thebridgeportinn.com/>Bridgeport Inn</A> that was built in 1877<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051495small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051495small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pat and I decided to make our own dinner back at camp instead of having dinner in Lee Vining with the rest of the group, picking up some firewood and supplies for dinner at the small local market we headed out on the last leg of our days journey<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051508small-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051508small-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After we arrived back at our campsite in Benton I went out to photograph a few things I had scouted out earlier that were nearby <br /><br />Like this old buckboard wagon and wheel<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051530small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051530small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100904-P9041445small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100904-P9041445small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or this meager wood dwelling from the 1860's<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-P9051520small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-P9051520small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Pat and I relaxed in the hot tub for a while and that was a perfect thing to do after riding all day.<br />After that we had dinner....... there is a good feeling about having something warm and cooked when you're camping and many times it may not be what you might eat at home but the ambiance of the great outdoors and the need to satisfy your hunger, well those two things combine to make a simple meal seemingly taste as good as anything you may have had at a great restaurant......... and that's the way it seemed as Pat and I dined on grilled spam and cheese sandwiches with a bowl of chili and a beer.......<br />The rest of the evening was spent sitting around the campfire having a few more beers and talking to the rest of the guys from the BMW club who where camping along with us<br /><br />The next morning we got up early packed up the tents and the rest of our things said our goodbyes and hit the road heading home<br />Making good time down the 395 we stopped in the small town of Independence for fuel<br />and then continued southbound towards Southern California<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100906-P9061534small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100906-P9061534small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100906-P9061535small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100906-P9061535small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It was getting close to mid-day and Pat knew of a great place to eat in Olancha so that's where we had a wonderful small country cafe style meal with friendly service and delicious food<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-IMG_3878small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-IMG_3878small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After lunch we rode down the highway together till it was time to go in two different directions in the California desert...... Pat to Palm Springs and me to Mojave<br />Pat and I waved to each other and we went our separate ways with an acknowledgment of some time well spent<br /><br />As I rode down highway 14 towards Mojave I decided to make one more stop to take a picture.<br />It was a place I had camped many times as a boy scout and I spent a few moments there with not a soul around bringing up in my mind many good and happy memories of a place that will always be dear to my heart........ Red Rock Canyon<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100905-IMG_3879small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100905-IMG_3879small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />So there it is.......another run with just a few more hours till I'm home, having thoughts go through my mind that for at least a few days you put some wind in your face and lived life the best way you know how........... On the road again........ Just like ol Willy Nelson sang about.<br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-31832257652550829742010-09-10T19:06:00.000-07:002013-11-12T09:16:57.239-08:00Summer in Alaska<span style="font-style:italic;"></span>It's been awhile now since I've posted a blog about one of my trips and although I've still been going out here and there most of it has been in the local Southern California area.<br /> I've been doing quite a bit of photography now for a couple of upcoming books and that has been consuming quite a bit of my time.<br />Originally earlier in the year my friend Pat Bianchi and I had planned a trip to go up the Pacific coast all the way into Canada but due to some personal circumstances with Pat we scrapped that trip for this summer.<br />I pretty much resigned myself that I wasn't going to be traveling very far this summer until I got a call from a good friend of mine Ron Mesh, Ron is the tour manager for the rock band Collective Soul and it seems they were having a gig at the Alaska State Fair.<br />Ron invited me to come up for the Friday evening gig and then to hang out till Monday to see a little bit of Alaska if I wanted, well I didn't need too much of a shove to call back and and say I'm certainly down with a trip to our great northern state.<br />So it was at the end of August that I made my way down to LAX and hopped on a plane headed to Salt Lake City Utah and from there to Anchorage Alaska.<br />After sitting on the LAX runway for an hour because of high winds we finally lifted off with the pilot taking a little different route because of the high winds<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100826-IMG_3516small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100826-IMG_3516small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />This was kind of cool because we flew up the coast and then over the San Fernando Valley where I live and I was able to actually see the stables where my horses are kept with a view from way up in the sky above<br /><br />The flight to Salt Lake was nice with only a few spots of wind turbulence, here is a areal view of the great Sierra Nevada mountain range <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100826-IMG_3523small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100826-IMG_3523small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I've never seen the great salt lake of Utah but it looks massive from the air and it was a beautiful sight to see as the sun was setting on our landing approach<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100826-IMG_3529small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100826-IMG_3529small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />The flight into Anchorage was uneventful and Ron and a few of the road crew picked me up at the airport, it still stays light out quite late (9 o'clock or so this time of year) but it was dark around midnight when I arrived.<br />The gig for the band was at the Alaska State Fair which is in Palmer Alaska and that small town is nearly seventy miles from Anchorage.<br /> Seems the local sheriff is a real stickler for anyone over the speed limit and we got pulled over and ticketed for being slightly over that limit.<br />The sheriff wanted to check all four of us in the car out and since we were all from different states we sat on the side of the road for a long time while he ran our information on the police data bank computer. No one was one the most wanted list so<br />after that was finally out of the way we arrived at the Valley Hotel.<br /> Our hotel in Palmer Alaska has been here since the 1940's and it's a rather nondescript building housing several rooms a 24 hour diner & bar along with a liquor store that you can buy booze till 5am......... it seems that your die hard drinker from all points around know about this hotel and they will drive all the way from as far as Anchorage or some other place to get some more booze after the bars close, we learned all this from the local sheriff who pulled us over, this is why he waits by the highway like a spider looking for a fly and I'm sure he gets his fair share of drunken drivers <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100828-P8281136small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100828-P8281136small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />Friday morning was pretty low key and the crew didn't have to start setting up the band till early afternoon, the weather was cool with a bit of rain but mostly just overcast, Ron and I took a wrong turn going to the Fair and ended up by the Palmer airport which had some nice vintage prop engine cargo planes<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-P8271064small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-P8271064small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />We got back to the fair as the crew was stetting up the musical equipment and I decided to take a stroll around the fair, all that was there was a few farm animals, some carny rides and lots of booths and tents with various things for sale..... I'm used to the LA county Fair so this one really paled in comparison but they did have a few old tractors on display that I liked and the locals seemed to be having a good time which is the important thing.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-IMG_3537small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-IMG_3537small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I went back to the bands office and hung out backstage till it was time for Collective Soul to play. Ron gave me some photographer press credentials so I was able to go out in front and photograph the band during the concert.<br /> I'll say one thing for Alaskans they sure love their music and they turned out in force for the Collective Soul concert which ended up being a sold out show<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-P8271066small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-P8271066small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Front man and lead singer Ed Roland along with his brother Dean(rhythm guitar)Will Turpin(bass)Joel Kosche(lead guitar)& Cheney Brannon(drums) put on a great show and the enthusiastic Alaskan audience loved every minute of the concert giving the band a resounding encore ovation <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-P8271082small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-P8271082small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-P8271094small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-P8271094small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-P8271093small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-P8271093small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-P8271130small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-P8271130small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-P8271098small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-P8271098small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-P8271111small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-P8271111small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100827-P8271126small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100827-P8271126small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After the show we all headed back to the bar at the Valley Hotel and had some food and drinks with one of the promoters having everyone do this flaming drink that you put your hand over the snifter glass to put out the flame and then inhale the fumes and shoot the liquor when you remove your hand over the glass........... yes, a good time was had by all......<br />The next morning I met Ron and Ed in the bar for breakfast, the crew had flown home early and some of the band members were staying a few days to check things out in Alaska.<br />Ron wasn't feeling that well so he went back to his room to relax for a bit and I went for a walk and didn't get to far because right outside the hotel's front door was a local parade in the street <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100828-P8281137small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100828-P8281137small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100828-P8281139small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100828-P8281139small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Seemed most of the parade was local businesses promoting their places and whatever politicians running for office, I got bored with watching that pretty quick and<br />Ron was feeling a bit better so we got in the Jeep and headed toward a glacier we had heard about from some of the locals.<br />One of the great scenic byway's in Alaska is the Glen National Byway and we decided to take this highway to the Matanuska Glacier. Although the weather was overcast with light rain the drive was nice and the countryside beautiful<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100828-IMG_3590small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100828-IMG_3590small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Ron and I arrived at the glacier after a pleasant drive and took a nice hike to the front of it <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100828-IMG_3593small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100828-IMG_3593small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100828-P8281149small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100828-P8281149small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100828-P8281154small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100828-P8281154small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100828-P8281157small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100828-P8281157small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I didn't go much further because converse tennis shoes aren't exactly the right type of hiking shoe for ice and few more steps and I would have been ass over teakettle<br /><br /> We headed back to Palmer and chilled out till it got dark and time to go check out a few of the local bars<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291340small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291340small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We had a drink and watched a local band but neither one of us were in the mood to go on a drinking spree so we just headed back to the hotel and called it a night<br /><br />The next day even though Ron wasn't feeling that well we took a nice drive to the little town of Seward which is what one would think of as a quintessential type of small Alaskan town, it's also where some of the cruise ships dock so we were hoping for a good day exploring some more of Alaska.<br />For the first time since we arrived the sun was out and it was partly cloudy with a temperature in the low sixties so things seemed perfect for a good day out on the road<br /><br />The Seward Highway is a National Scenic Byway and a really spectacular 127 mile drive<br />that runs through the scenic Kenai Peninsula and Turnagain Arm, for which it was designated an All-American Road by the U.S. Department of Transportation.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291169small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291169small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Driving along the waters edge once we got passed Anchorage the highway travels along a huge bay that is quite beautiful as the tide comes in and out three times a day we were told<br /><br />Further along we passed this small lake and meadow with lot's of water lily pads <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291182small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291182small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291186small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291186small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here's one of the many lakes we passed<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291236small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291236small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As we drove into Seward you could see one of the cruise ships that was docked in the port<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291207small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291207small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Seward also has the seventh most lucrative fisheries port in the United States <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291220small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291220small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We drove down the main street looking for the Showcase lounge that one of the band members recommended to us as a great place to eat<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-IMG_3601small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-IMG_3601small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Seward being a very small town we found the lounge quite quickly<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291193small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291193small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Thorn's Showcase Lounge is the best place to get a cocktail and meal in Seward, and for us this bar was the one place we got a great meal the whole time we were in Alaska............ It's a real cool lounge with it's 70's style button leather chairs and booths while your surrounded by the largest Jim Beam novelty liquor bottle collections in the world (over 1,500 bottles valued at a million dollars) and what you see on the walls is just a small part of the over all collection<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291203small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291203small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291200small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291200small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Having some amazing Alaskan Halibut and steak Ron and I were pretty happy to be dining in this joint<br />When we stepped outside after our meal our waitress and her girlfriend were having a smoke outside and we asked about an old church we had also heard about that was converted into a coffee house with great deserts, well it seems our waitresses girlfriend was the one who worked there and she being the only one working was on her break for the next few hours and the place was closed.<br />They were kind enough though to tell us where to find the place and also where Ron and I could pick some wild raspberry's that were growing in an alley by the church<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291205small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291205small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And these wild raspberry's were delicious!! <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291204small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291204small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />Heading back to the hotel along the Seward Highway we stopped at a few places that had some vintage signs <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291231small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291231small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Like this old bar sign with the girl in a martini glass,<br />Then we happened upon one of the more unique spots I encountered in Alaska<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291250small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291250small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It's rare to find some great vintage neon signs in Alaska but this joint has a really good one...... now this place has been around since 1902 and who knows what kind of incarnations it's gone through but as of today it's run by a gal named Mary Lou whose been there since the 1950's<br />It's a small liquor store in a log cabin and besides some snacks and booze Mary Lou sells T-Shirts, Panties and what she calls hardcore Alaskan gifts........ there are a whole bunch of St. Pauli Girl posters tacked up on the outside of the place and funny enough the model on the poster kinda looked like what Mary Lou did back in the day (she was kind enough to show us her 1950's glamor photos)Ron and I both got one of her very cool t-shirts and skipped on the panties<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291242small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291242small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Mary Lou's log cabin liquor store<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291252small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291252small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And this motel and biker bar was right next door<br /><br />Continuing our journey back to Palmer the sun was finally starting to set<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291263small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291263small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I saw a whole bunch of cars stopping and people running to the side of the road where the water is so I stopped too and watched a few pods of Beluga whales come into the bay on the evening tide........ that was really cool to see and just about the only wildlife we saw in Alaska except for the one moose that was trotting on the freeway <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291260small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291260small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Funny enough that area was called Beluga bay ....... and it was quite beautiful as the sun set<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291273small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291273small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />By the time we arrived back at the hotel Ron was feeling quite poorly so he went straight to bed while I decided to go check out the carny rides at the State fair a mile up the road.<br />Like most of us I love the magical atmosphere of a carnival at night, the sights and sounds along with the flash and glitter of the various colors of bulb and neon lights makes for a wonderful display, one that always evokes moments of when we were kids and that rush of excitement that the carnival experience leaves us with an indelible memory of that place and time<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291309small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291309small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291303small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291303small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291296small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291296small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100829-P8291313small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100829-P8291313small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The next day Ron stayed at the hotel till checkout trying to get a bit better<br />and we left that afternoon to catch our flights back home.<br />We had some time to kill so we walked around the old section of downtown Anchorage and checked out some of the local shops and had a late lunch<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100830-P8301347small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100830-P8301347small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100830-P8301349small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100830-P8301349small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100830-P8301351small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100830-P8301351small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The great art deco 4th Avenue Theatre built in 1941<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100830-P8301350small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100830-P8301350small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And the Alaskan visitors bureau <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100830-P8301348small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100830-P8301348small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Ron and I got to the airport and waited for our prospective flights (his was 7:30pm and mine 12:30am) so after an hour or so Ron said his goodbyes and headed off to Atlanta, Georgia while I stayed and slowly watched the sun set in the western skyline<br />happy to be going home and having a few days to get ready for my next motorcycle trip to Benton Hot Springs near Mono Lake CA.<br />Ahhhhhh life is good.......<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/?action=view¤t=20100830-P8301358small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Alaska%20and%20BMW%20club%20run/20100830-P8301358small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-8117883401855672782010-04-15T20:27:00.000-07:002010-04-15T20:55:40.425-07:00Open Highways & Roadside Motels<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />I haven't posted anything for awhile now, but I have been doing a lot of photography in and around the greater Los Angeles area and you can see some of my work here on flicker<br /><a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/7623944@N03/>Mark Peacock Photography</a> <br /><br />One of the things I love to photograph is old neon motel signs and eateries, whether it's day or night I'll capture these beacons of the roadside that advertise a place to get a bite or spend the night, it's the warm glow of neon that makes the night magical and some old burger joint or honky tonk only add to the flavor<br />So here a slide-show video I put together with some of my images of the road and the type of signage that one finds along that highway all to the music of Wayne "The Train Hancock signing one of my personal favorites "California Blues"<br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OSAbWzCDFOQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OSAbWzCDFOQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-77031397337189988932009-12-30T15:27:00.000-08:002009-12-31T09:36:48.203-08:00Pioneertown<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />So it's getting close to Christmas and I'm wondering what I'm going to do, there isn't much really to keep me anchored here at home and having a bit of wanderlust I thought about what or where I'd like to do something.<br />It can be that way sometimes during the holiday's if you don't have family gatherings or someone close to your heart to spend the time with, and it's this time of year when much of that comes into the fore. <br />All of this was in my mind when I got a phone call from my friend Pat telling me I was invited to spend the Christmas weekend out at our mutual friend Bernie's place in Pioneertown, I had to smile at the perfect timing of the invite because a little road trip was just what the doctor ordered.<br /><br />I packed a few things and headed out to the high desert in Yucca Valley on Christmas morning which is about a two and a half hour drive from Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009001small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009001small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Arriving in Yucca Valley there are always a couple of old motel landmarks I look for to tell me I'm getting close to Pioneertown<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251286small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251286small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The Yucca Inn<br /><br />And the Sands, (love that old Vegas style script)<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251292small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251292small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Making a left turn onto Pioneertown road from route 62 it's a short fifteen minute drive to the old Pioneertown movie set.<br />I hadn't seen Bernie for about three or so years now, he had sold his business in LA and bought a unfinished house on some acreage in Pipes Canyon near Pioneertown in Yucca Valley. All of this high desert area is quite close to <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park">Joshua Tree National Park</a><br />Which is some of the most beautiful and scenic desert in the world, the topography in and around Pioneertown is much of the same type of terrain that one would find in the national park except that it's sparsely inhabited with homes and ranches.<br />When Bernie first moved out to his place he had a small collection of vintage trailers and we'd all get together and ride quads during the day and hang out by the campfire at night till it was time to retire unless of course we were all at Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace getting tanked.<br /><br />Driving in I could still see the effects from a 2006 wildfire that devastated much of the area, I had heard that the fire crews had managed to save Pioneertown and I was curious to see how things still looked around there.<br /><a href="http://www.pioneertown.com/f-index.htm">Pioneertown</a> started as a live-in Old West motion picture set, built in the 1940s. The movie set was designed to provide a place for the actors to live, and at the same time to have their homes used as part of the movie set.<br />A number of Westerns and early television shows were filmed in Pioneertown, including The Cisco Kid and Edgar Buchanan's Judge Roy Bean. Roy Rogers, Dick Curtis, and Russell Hayden were among the original developers and investors, and Gene Autry frequently taped his show at the six-lane Pioneer Bowl bowling alley<br />(the bowling alley is one of the oldest in continuous use in California)<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251300small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251300small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251301small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251301small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251315small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251315small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pioneertown's facade has an exceptionally realistic look, right down to actual bullet holes in the signage and functional hitching posts for horses used in filming and you can see mock gunfights staged from April through October along Pioneertown's Main Street.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251317small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251317small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251304small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251304small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251321small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251321small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I met Pat in Pioneertown and followed him the rest of the way to Bernie's <br />It was really good to see Bernie again and check out the amazing job he did completing the house and the various other things around the property.<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009015small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009015small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />One of the vintage trailers on the property<br /><br /> The three of us settled in on the porch with our drinks and caught up with what's been going on the last few years.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251338small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251338small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's the last of dusk in the western skyline with a myriad of stars in the sky<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251335small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251335small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Yes, it was a great way to spend a Christmas day.......... <br /><br />One thing I can tell you about the high desert this time of year is that as soon as the sun goes down it get's cold......freezing cold !<br />So it was nice to stay inside by the fire as the temperature dropped and enjoy the company and time spent with friends.<br /><br />Everyplace in the world has a sunrise and sunset and of course they all have their moments. California is the western most end of the American Southwest and like I said before the beauty of our deserts are as profound and beautiful as anywhere in the world. With this in mind I decided to get up at the crack of dawn and capture the desert sunrise.<br />Normally I hate getting up early but I was excited to hopefully take a nice photo so when I naturally woke at the right time I looked out the window and wasn't disappointed <br /><br />Despite the the 27 degree temperature I stood outside with my camera and tripod catching the beauty that only lingers for a few moments with the dawn of a new day<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251355small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251355small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The three of us headed to the Hitching Post for breakfast and because Bernie had to meet someone later in the day and our other friend Scott wasn't arriving until the afternoon Pat and I decide to take a drive over to old Route 66 and some of the small towns that dot the old east west route that was once the main highway for much of America<br /><br />It was perfect weather with hardly anyone on the road, just you and the great expanse of blue sky and desert to view as the road before us stretched out it's long line of tarmac into the eastern horizon<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009003small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009003small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It's the sparseness of the desert terrain that keeps you keen on the subtle changes you pass through, the valleys that used to be the bottom of a great sea or the rocks that were pushed to the surface by the shifting fault's and tectonic plates<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009004small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009004small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261404small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261404small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or the black remnants of a volcano's cone<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261368small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261368small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />Continuing on 66 we headed toward the nearly empty ghost town of Amboy<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261398small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261398small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Amboy was once a major stop along the old Route 66 but has seen much lower visitation since the opening of Interstate 40 to the north, it is also the home of the famous Roy's Motel and Cafe, a Route 66 landmark<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261372small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261372small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261385small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261385small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261382small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261382small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Going further east we continued to Kelso which is a another ghost town and defunct railroad depot in the Mojave National Preserve<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261403small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261403small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Starting off as what was a simple train depot in the 1920s, the town of Kelso boomed briefly to as many as 2000 residents in the 1940s, when borax and iron mines opened nearby. Gold and silver were also discovered in the nearby hills of what became known as the Kelso district. The town shrank again when the mines closed after about a decade<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261409small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261409small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009007small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009007small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The depot has been restored and has a cafe and local history museum inside while also serving as the Mojave National Preserve's visitor center<br /><br />Here is the old defunct Post Office<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009008small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009008small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And as usual in the desert you find the deserted ramshackle remnants of someones home<br />this one has a rather unique shaped roof<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261412small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261412small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />All along the old Route 66 you find the rusting and dilapidated remains of roadside motels, gas stations, cafe's and homes........ it adds an air of mystery and sadness to what once was and will never be again as the desert elements slowly break down these edifices built by man <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261393small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261393small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261389small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261389small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Pat and I decided to turn around and head back when we got to hwy 40<br />stopping along the way at the great <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelso_Dunes">Kelso Dunes</a> one of only twenty sand dunes in the world that are also notable for the phenomenon known as singing sand<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261416small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261416small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Just before Amboy we stopped at this oddity of the road<br />A tree of shoes........<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261424small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261424small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After doing well over a hundred miles we stopped for fuel, <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261387small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261387small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As the skies darkened the road ahead looked like one long blue highway<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261422small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261422small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />It was about this time that Scott called and said he was in Yucca Valley and would meet us at Pappy & Harriet's <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=Cadl006small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/Cadl006small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pappyandharriets.com/history.html">Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace</a> has a rich history as a honky tonk and it is truly one of the coolest joints you're likely to experience in the desert.......It's pretty much the center piece of Pioneertown, the hub of the wheel as they say and it's where everyone comes for a good meal(amazing bbq),live music and a good time<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=Cadl010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/Cadl010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here's a couple of murals on the outside of the building<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=Cadl007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/Cadl007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=Cadl009.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/Cadl009.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Scott followed us back to Bernie's where we got right back to having a few drinks on the porch while watching the beauty of the changing light and colors of the desert and setting sun<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091226-PC261441small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091226-PC261441small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />For those of you interested and would like to experience this part of the desert a short walk and right across from Pappy & Harriet's is the <a href="http://www.pioneertownmotel.com/">Pioneertown Motel</a> built in 1946 and it still retains that old funky western feel<br /><br />Dinner at Pappy & Harriet's was amazing and so were the great bands that played that evening<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009010small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009010small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It was a good finish to fun filled day........<br /><br />There are certain desert scenes that seem natural to me, like this one I had looking out the window as I got up the next morning <br />one of Bernie's old trailers........<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009017small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009017small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Bernie made breakfast and Pat and I hung out for awhile, (I guess Scott was still crashed out in the other house) Pat had to get going and I wanted to hit the road again to take some more pictures so we said our goodbyes and thanks to our gracious host and went our separate ways<br /><br />My first stop was Pioneertown to take a few more photos<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009020small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009020small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009030small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009030small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009029small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009029small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=11-27-2009031small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/11-27-2009031small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Heading back towards hwy 62, some of the desert rock formations<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271469small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271469small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Back on interstate 10 my first stop was to get some fuel at Cabazon<br />and check out their roadside attractions<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271470small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271470small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As many of you know I like to take photo's of old neon signs, so the first place I went through was the town of Banning<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271472small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271472small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />(now out of business)<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271476small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271476small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Opened in 1928 the Fox Banning Theatre is still in business and running films<br /><br />Of course as you roll down the old roads that used to constitute the highway before the freeway was built you find a lot of old motels<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271479small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271479small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271511small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271511small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271513small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271513small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271518small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271518small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The next place I stopped was Redlands a city formed during the 1880's as several railroad lines converged there<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271485small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271485small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The old Redlands train depot<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271482small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271482small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271483small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271483small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271486small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271486small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I like any bar with a pink Flamingo <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271481small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271481small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />From Redlands the next big city is San Bernardino which is one of the oldest communities in the State of California<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271509small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271509small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The San Bernardino train station and depot<br /><br />The one place I really wanted to find though was the old California Theatre<br />Originally built as a 1928 Vaudeville and Movie Palace this amazing theater is where Will Rogers made his final stage appearance, superbly maintained it serves as the main performance arts center for the City of San Bernardino<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271501small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271501small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271493small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271493small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271496small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271496small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Feeling a bit hungry it was time for me to find some tacos and hit the road again<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271480small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271480small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />All in all a great weekend......with moments that leave memories in your mind like a painted desert sky<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091225-PC251367small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091225-PC251367small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The end to another short road adventure with that old Gene Autry song playing in my head as I'm homeward bound and happy<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/?action=view¤t=20091227-PC271467small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Pioneer%20Town/20091227-PC271467small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-66348563155050065932009-10-13T15:05:00.000-07:002010-02-04T09:05:45.218-08:00The LA County Fair<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />Every year as Summer draws to a close and the beginning of Autumn starts to happen the LA County Fair has it's run in Pomona at Fairplex, the fair has a multitude of rides and carnival attractions run by the <a href=http://raycammackshows.com/business/index.html>Ray Cammack Shows Carnival</A> along with live horse and mule racing and of course the menagerie of farm animals and various other exhibits.<br /><br /> I always like to at least make it to the fair every year and when my horse business partner Randy Cano who I buy and sell horses with was running one of his racehorses it seemed like a perfect time to see all the sights and sounds of LA's annual fair.<br /> Randy his partner Ben, ex-wife Debbie, daughter Tiffany and I all hopped into the truck and headed to Pomona.<br />The first stop was the backside of the racetrack to see the horses and the filly Skims Chime who Randy was running later that day<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258057small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258057small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After saying hello to the horses in the stable area we all headed over to the grandstand with high hopes for Skims Chime and a good day at the racetrack<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The first race on the card was for the mules which are always a trip to watch as they sprint down the track with the jockeys usually yelling like wild Indians when they leave the gate because.......well, they can be rather stubborn and ornery<br /><br />Here's a pic of a racing mule with blinkers<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009018.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009018.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Well It wasn't too long before Skims Chime's race was set to start so we all headed down to the paddock area to see her saddled up.<br />Skims Chime is a really pretty filly with a big heart and a very quick turn of foot <br />And here she is in the paddock all saddled and ready to race<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009054copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009054copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The morning line on her was 9 to 1 and she was now double that at 18 to 1 on the tote board so it seemed like a really nice overlay and a pretty good spot to make a nice wager, I put twenty across the board and made a little dollar trifecta bet and if she hit the board I would do alright<br /><br />As the announcer said "and away they go" she jumped out the gate and was just off the pace of the race leaders<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009074copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009074copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As she and one other filly battled for the lead down the stretch and as the two horses approached the wire she weakened a bit and was finally beat the last couple of strides and ended up running second for the race which all things considered was really a great effort on her part<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009070copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009070copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here she is with Vod Farris the trainer and Randy Cano the happy owner<br />and even though she didn't win I managed quite well on my bets netting $690 for the race so I was quite happy too....... On a side note she did go on to win her next race start on the first day of racing at the Fresno fair.......... A really good filly indeed !!<br /><br />Randy and the rest of the crew wanted to stay and play some more races, and I decided not to give my winnings back to the track so I headed off to the fair to see some of the rides and exhibits <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009166copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009166copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009028copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009028copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />There is something about a carnival that triggers some great memories of when we were kids, sights and sounds along with the myriad of colors of the various rides and booths give a sense of mystery as excitement abounds.<br />Carny barkers announce the fun that can be had for only a few tickets and all you have to do is step right up, go inside, play that game or take a ride<br />It's in those moments that you can re-connect with the times in your life when the thrill of a carnival experience was memorable <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258073small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258073small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />More than anything I was just happy walking around taking pictures of the things I found of interest and one of the things I quite liked was some of the artwork found on the rides<br /><br />Like this scene for the Mardi Gras ride <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258083small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258083small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028427RFsmall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028427RFsmall.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028413.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028413.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258085small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258085small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028455small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028455small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258078small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258078small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Or this honey bee that seemed inviting for some small kids<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258097small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258097small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028475small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028475small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />There were quite a few tents with various games where you could win a prize if you were a lucky winner<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028424RFsmall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028424RFsmall.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028575small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028575small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258192.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258192.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009025copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009025copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028612.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028612.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And of course what kind of fair would it be if there wasn't an array of odd and quite fattening foods to eat, you surely wouldn't be disappointed here, I mean how wrong can it be having chocolate covered bacon and deep fried twinkies.......lol<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258216small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258216small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028467.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028467.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009127copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009127copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />maybe a big Rosie O Donnell hot dog with lots of chili, sour kraut and onions <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258123.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258123.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or how about a Krispy Kreme donut chicken sandwich with raspberry sauce<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028501.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028501.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />Or a nice big zucchini weenie...... <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028504.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028504.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />of course one might opt for a giant slice of pizza <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028469.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028469.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />But you could always feel like royalty eating at King Taco<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009085copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009085copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And yes for those purists a nice corn on the cob at the Corn Shack might do<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258182small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258182small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028445small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028445small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or maybe order a Hot Dog on a Stick from these two lovely girls<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=HotDogonaStickGirls.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/HotDogonaStickGirls.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />But I decided to do the wise thing and ordered a falafel at the Greek stand with some fresh lemonade to drink......and it was quite good ;-)<br /><br />Catching up with everyone we strolled around taking a look at the livestock and I even caught a pic of my friends as Texas Longhorns<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009159copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009159copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />With all the rides, games and exhibits the other thing you'll find are the various animals Like the Giant White mountain Steer, and let me tell you they were not kidding this photo here does not do justice to how large this animal really is, it was enormous! <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028417.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028417.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028420RF.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028420RF.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I saw the Giant snakes trailer but it seemed not to many folks wanted to have a look in there ........not even for a buck....lol<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009087copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009087copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Funny it seemed to be the same way for the fortune teller too.....<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028497.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028497.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /> Besides the rides and food concessions there were quite a few exhibits, I decided to go and check out the historic trains at the Fairplex Garden Railroad and they certainly had some amazing vintage trains to view<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028542.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028542.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028523.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028523.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028522small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028522small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Moving on I found a few classic vehicles and hot rod's at the NHRA museum <br />Like this great old 1932 Gilmore Gas Truck<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258109small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258109small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or this cool looking rat rod<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258117small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258117small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It was about this time that I heard a marching band and realized a parade was forming down the main walkway so of course I strolled over to catch the participants going by<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258163.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258163.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258154.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258154.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009138copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009138copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />One of the crowds favorite's and mine were The Budweiser Clydesdale's <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009144copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009144copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258165small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258165small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258168.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258168.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Next came a thumping disco band on a trailer<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009151.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009151.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Then a float with Jack Sparrow doing his thing for the crowd <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009129.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009129.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After the parade passed I decided to walk around and take a few more pic's of some of the rides<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028450.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028450.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />This old fashioned Merry Go Round was pretty cool<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028476.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028476.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028491.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028491.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028489small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028489small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028482small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028482small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258207small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258207small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028579small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028579small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028576.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028576.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028600.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028600.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028471small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028471small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028432small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028432small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028550small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028550small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20091002-PA028591.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20091002-PA028591.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258201small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258201small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As the late afternoon settled into dusk and early evening the lights came on and the carnival really started to sparkle, It's this mixture of colors and lighting that make the fair quite magical and it was a pleasure to capture a few images in the fading light of the sunset<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009179copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009179copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258222.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258222.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009231.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009231.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009211copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009211copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258304small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258304small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009233copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009233copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009199copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009199copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=09-16-2009216copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/09-16-2009216copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258314small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258314small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/?action=view¤t=20090925-P9258317small.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/LA%20County%20Fair/20090925-P9258317small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />All in all it was a wonderful day from start to finish, the type of day where you packed as much fun as you could, finally happy to be back on the road headed towards home where you could find the comfort of your own bed and replay in your dreams a day at the fair<br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-49667306397834190522009-07-07T21:00:00.000-07:002009-10-14T20:19:23.181-07:00A walk down Broadway<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />I'm a person who is fascinated by history and the story of what came before us,<br />What something was in it's glory day's and the tale of it's demise or in the odd case it's restoration <br />Downtown Los Angeles for many years had slowly descended into one very large decaying and decrepit city with pockets of places that were kept up for the Art culture and the downtown elites. Other than that the city of angels wore a rather tattered gown<br /> In recent years the downtown area has seen a great resurgence in development and restoration and I for one have been happy to see this happen.<br />For instance the old Banking District is now the Art District and there is a wonderful Art Walk that happens there the second Thursday of every month, something I would strongly suggest any native Angeleno, resident or tourist attend.<br /><a href=http://downtownartwalk.com>Downtown Art Walk</A><br />Another area that has seen some progress in re-development is on the street Broadway,<br />This grand avenue was once the most glamorous place in the world and it was the center of the golden age of Hollywood, the many stupendous movie palaces that lined Broadway were the launching pads of the greatest movies of that era.<br />The movie premiers were attend by the brightest stars of the time and were seen on newsreels around the world, the glamor of Hollywood and the city of Los Angeles never shined brighter.<br /><br />The day before the 4th was like a holiday here and it seemed many people were off work the day before our national independence day holiday.<br />I decided to take my camera and go downtown for a walk and hopefully some good photo opportunities. There still is a dark grittiness to many parts of downtown along with the new lofts and condos that have been built.<br />Some of these are in new buildings and some are in the beautiful old vintage buildings that still stand.<br /> Walking down Broadway you will encounter all of the above along with the various forms of humanity that live, work or visit downtown LA<br /><br />Traveling south on the 101 freeway I got off at Silverlake Blvd. and the first thing you see as you wait for the light to change is the old Western Exterminator sign<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />As I headed down Beverly towards downtown, what you notice as you drive along the street is the blending of ethnicity's in the various neighborhoods you pass. They invariably will be predominately one ethnic group and then you start to see the lines blur so for instance in this photo you have a Mexican market with Koren signs on the side of the building <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />It's all part of the continuing melting pot of humanity here in LA<br /><br />As I parked on Broadway I had an idea of the sort of things I wanted to take pictures of and that primarily was the old Movie palaces that line this street.<br />These former shrines of Hollywood's glory days are for the most part in bad shape and sadly many are simply gone, only a few retain their former brilliance <br />The first movie palace I happened to walk by was the Roxie Theater<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA005.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The Roxie was built in 1932—the last of the movie palaces built on Broadway and had a seating capacity of 1,600 when it opened and was noted for its Art Deco or Zigzag Moderne style, including its stepped roofline and angular grillwork <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />There are all kinds of run down retail stores selling crap you probably wouldn't want mixed with the new ventures that someone has opened mixed with the remaining movie palaces, it's an odd juxtaposition of things on Broadway<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And you see the working poor, the homeless the have's and the have not's<br />it's all there..... even some wack nut wearing a bunny costume muttering some kind of nonsense only he and his imaginary friend can understand <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA015.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA015.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />One of the great theater's to see a resurgence is the Palace theater<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Built in 1911 as part of the Orpheum vaudeville chain (Houdini, W.C. Fields and the Marx Brothers played there), it is now the oldest remaining Orpheum Theater in the United States built in a replica of a Renaissance Florentine palace It seats 1,167<br />recently they have been trying to book concerts and other live performances, and the new owner plans to spend millions on a major renovation over the next few years<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA040.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA040.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA043.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA043.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The State Theater was built in 1921 by MGM and it it offered 2,450 seats, making it the largest of all the Broadway theaters, The interior is a mix of medieval, classical, and Spanish design. It was unfortunately converted into a church. and as such, it is now off-limits to the Saturday morning Conservancy tours they have for the downtown Broadway movie palaces <br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA048.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA048.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The Tower Theater opened in 1927, constructed in a long and narrow fashion to accommodate its unusual real estate parcel, the Tower Theater's innovative design and exterior is now scarred by street vendors. Its famous tower has been shortened and its marquee has been modernized over the years. But it still is one of the wonderful movie theaters still intact in downtown Los Angeles<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA050.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA050.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Opened in 1917 by J.M. Quinn, Sid Grauman took it over in 1919 and gave it a remodel using William Woollett as the architect and for awhile it was known as Grauman's Rialto.<br />For many years this theater's lobby was used for a retail store and that was finally closed in 1988, so here it sits....there have been a few proposals in the last few years to renovate and make it into a restaurant/bar/live music venue.<br /><br />Beside the architecture on Broadway there is always the unique street art here and there if you look for it<br />Like this dark menacing face peering down from above<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA082.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA082.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or Nosferatu with some added graffiti <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA085.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA085.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And you can still see quite a bit of old signage still lingering on the sides of the old buildings<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA049.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA049.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The next theater I came to was the United Artists Theater<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA093.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA093.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The downtown United Artists Theater was opened in 1927 by its founders Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford; who needed the massive Spanish Gothic style movie palace as a venue for world premieres of their movies, it featured a domed, mirrored ceiling, and offered 2,141 seats. Its walls still have murals of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in historic poses. It has been wonderfully restored, but is now used as a church, the good news is this is one of the theaters you can visit on the conservancy tour<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=UnitedArtistsTheater.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/UnitedArtistsTheater.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Up the street from the United Artists theater is one of the greatest examples of Art Deco architecture ever built and that is the Eastern Building<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA112.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA112.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here is the grand Art Deco entryway for the Eastern Building on Broadway, this amazing building opened in 1930 and is considered by many to be the most beautiful of Los Angeles' historic buildings, as well as one of the finest surviving example's of Art Deco architecture in the world<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=EasternBuilding.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/EasternBuilding.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And the lobby<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA078.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA078.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Across from the Eastern Building is another Jewell in the crown of movie palaces<br />And that is the Orpheum Theater<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA080.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA080.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA072.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA072.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Built in 1926, the Orpheum Theater is another Broadway theater that has been wonderfully preserved - from its crystal chandeliers to its grand staircase, right down to its mammoth, original Wurlitzer pipe organ (which is still played, on occasion). Open over 70 years now, the Orpheum is still a spectacularly beautiful theater. Its ornate, gilded ceilings soar nearly five stories above its 2,190 seats. Its lavish Paris Opera architecture features large balconies, opera boxes, even a marble lobby which is decorated with fine sculpture, gold/copper leaf, and 20-foot-high crystal chandeliers. In 2001, the Orpheum reopened after a $3 million make-over, including the addition of air conditioning, a new orchestra pit, refurbished dressing rooms, and the theaters re-lighting of the rooftop neon sign (which hasn't worked since WW2)<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA140.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA140.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here is the beautifully restored and maintained marquee <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=OrpheumTheater.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/OrpheumTheater.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /> And if you happen to be downtown and in need of a cool libation the very trendy Broadway Bar is right next door<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA137.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA137.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Another LA landmark is Cliftons Cafeteria at 7th and broadway<br />Opened In 1935 this redwood forest themed restaurant has served millions of customers, unfortunately for me it was closed for the Holiday Weekend<br />so all I got was this tasty neon sign in the window<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA171.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA171.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Now feeling a pang of hunger after passing Clifton's I ducked into this joint for a quick snack<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA202.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA202.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Moving onward after my repast I came across the Globe Theater<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA163.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA163.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Opened in 1913 this theater was conceived not as a vaudeville house or nickelodeon, but as a elegant dramatic play house, In 1987, concrete was used to level the floor from the lobby to the stage, so that a permanent indoor swap meet could supplant what had once been the first serious playhouse in Los Angeles....... now the theater is used as a downtown nightclub<br /><br />And last but not certainly the least is the granddaddy of all the movie palaces <br />The Los Angeles<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA196.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA196.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Built in 1931 in the French baroque style of Louis XIV, it was a virtual Hollywood cathedral. Famous for its huge crystal fountain in the lobby, the Los Angeles Theater was considered at the time one of the four or five finest movie palaces in the world. <br /><br />Well I had now arrived at 4th and Broadway and I decided to check out one of my favorite little places downtown and that is The Museum of Neon Art, it's a rather small museum but they do have a great collection of vintage signs and are always restoring and finding new pieces. <a href=http://neonmona.org/flash>MONA</A><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA273.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA273.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />They were having a poetry reading and Jazz concert that evening and Kim the gal that runs the museum was kind enough to let me take a few pictures <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA214.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA214.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA241.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA241.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA235.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA235.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA240.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA240.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA261.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA261.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=RCAVictor.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/RCAVictor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA267.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA267.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=Pontiac.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/Pontiac.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=UnLA.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/UnLA.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=Lanz.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/Lanz.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA246.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA246.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Walking past the Hotel Barclay I headed back to my truck<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA277.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA277.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As I started to make my way homeward I stopped briefly by one of the new Los Angeles landmarks the Walt Disney concert Hall<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA293.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA293.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and it's a pretty cool building to see day or night <br /><br />I reflected on my evenings adventure, seeing the old and the new with the changing Los Angeles identity.<br /> I hoped that the usual destruction of our LA landmarks will not be the norm as it's been now for many decades, but that a renewed appreciation of our rich history will be left standing for other generations to appreciate.<br /><br />Too many times all we are left with is a photo of what was and will never be again<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/?action=view¤t=DowntownLA311.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Broadway/DowntownLA311.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-70038835756235349042009-06-06T21:26:00.000-07:002009-10-14T20:30:37.927-07:00A Day In LA<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />Waking up to the sound of rain and the crackling of the passing thunderstorms I thought to myself maybe this isn't a good day to go out to the barn and ride horses.<br />The thought of staying in on a rainy day isn't so bad here in LA because we really don't have that many of them in the course of a year.<br /> As I did some things around the house the next couple of hours I noticed that much of the wet part of the storm had passed and I thought to myself, what should I do now?<br /> There was something that I had been mulling in the back of my head now for awhile, kind of a personal challenge if you will..........and it was this,<br />Go out with my camera and just take a day traveling around the greater Los Angeles area taking pictures......shoot whatever came up or interested me, but take the rest of the day to do it, see how many places and things I could capture with my camera<br /><br />The weather by this time was actually the way I really like it, large passing clouds perfect for backdrops, sometimes shaded with dark shadows and sometimes sunny with that clear brilliance that only is there after a nice rain.<br /> I packed up my camera hopped on the Harley and headed out so see what the day would bring me.<br /> Being a native Angeleno I've seen many parts of this great city that I've become accustomed to my whole life, <br /><br />Los Angeles, (The City of Angeles) is so much more than just the downtown area<br />The greater Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to nearly 12.9 million residents<br />and spans over 498.3 square miles......lol obviously I wasn't going to cover all of that but I had an idea of a few places to explore a little further <br /><br />The first place I rode out to was North Hollywood, there were a couple of cool old vintage signs that I had been wanting to take some photos of and I thought that this would be a good start to my day's photo adventure<br /><br />The first stop was Circus Liquor on Burbank Blvd, where the giant neon clown sign is kind of a San Fernando Valley landmark <br />It was also the place where Alicia Silverstone was ditched, mugged, and forced to lay down on the asphalt in the movie "Clueless" (1995)<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As some of you know by now I also like taking pic's of old motel signs<br />And the Silver Saddle Motel was just a few miles away from the clown on Lankershim Blvd.<br />It's kinda run down now but they still have the large plastic horse on top of the roof of the motel lobby and the original neon sign<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I decide to ride over by the Burbank airport and San Fernando Road which used to be part of the old 99 highway that used to be the main north-south highway on the West Coast, there are alot of old motor motels and other things for a sign hound like me to photograph<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009031.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009047.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009047.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Riding on over to the old Mount Washington area I stopped at this old super market and got something to drink <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009038.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009038.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Ya, you can tell this section of town has gone Hispanic, the smiley face is now wearin a sombrero<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009037.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009037.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Riding through the back side of Echo Park and Chavez Ravine where Dodger Stadium is located I headed towards downtown LA and Chinatown <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009049.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009049.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Right near Chinatown is the restaurant "Philippe" and it's one of the oldest restaurants in downtown (established in 1908) and still going strong serving up their original French dipped Sandwiches, I stopped long enough to get a pic of the vintage sign<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009051.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009051.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Right up the street from Philippe's on Alameda Street is the Los Angeles Terminal Annex post office building and it was the central mail processing facility for Los Angeles from 1940 to 1989<br />The Mission Revival building was designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, I decided to make a quick stop and check it out <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009055.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009055.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009053.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009053.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Crossing the bridge over the Los Angeles river I headed over to Boyle Heights<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Boyle Heights is basically East LA,<br />There is a term for it that says "All Roads lead to Boyle Heights" this is because the area has been a immigrant destination sense the mid-1800's and for the last several decades has been primarily a Hispanic barrio<br />I took this shot while waiting at a stoplight on Cesar Chavez blvd.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009057.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009057.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The main reason I went to this neighborhood was that the oldest graveyard in LA is here and I've always wanted to take some pictures there<br />Established on August 23, 1877, Evergreen is the oldest existing cemetery in Los Angeles. It is also one of the largest, with over 300,000 interments<br />Evergreen is the final resting place of some of the most prominent people in the history of the City of Los Angeles. Many pioneers are interred here, names such as Bixby, Coulter, Hollenbeck, Lankershim, Van Nuys, and Workman, I would say most of these names people only know of them because that is what their city is called but many of the cities and streets within the greater Los Angeles area were named after the individuals and pioneers whose work and vision made LA what it is today<br /> <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009067.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009067.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009071.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009071.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009075.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009075.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009061.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009061.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009063.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009063.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009065.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009065.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=PrayingAngel.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/PrayingAngel.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009070.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009070.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Something sobering about an old stone garden like this, you can see a large obelisk or a small meager headstone........ in the end it doesn't really matter, rich or poor<br />no one gets out alive..... I guess what I'm saying is enjoy and savor the moments you do have here in this life <br /><br />Leaving the cemetery I decided to head back to the valley, staying off the freeway I took Sunset Blvd. through Echo Park and Silverlake stopping to catch a few signs<br /><br />Like this old neon sign for The Jensen Recreation Center,<br />In 1997, the sign was restored to its original appearance through a cultural affairs grant and at night the 17x28 foot incandescent sign (illuminated with 1,300 red, green and white light bulbs) sitting atop the building depicts a bowler throwing a strike.....really cool old sign<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009095.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009095.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I've been to this joint in Silverlake many a late night for a meal or desert craving<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Another old motel on Sunset Blvd.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009101.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009101.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />It was getting to be late in the afternoon and I knew of a old diner sign I really wanted to take a picture of using the clouds as a background, it was in an area of the San Fernando Valley that I grew up in......the Valley's namesake the City of San Fernando. So I rode all the way to the east end of the valley stopping at the James restaurant for a slice of apple pie and this photo<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009106.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After I finished my snack I rode through the small downtown section of San Fernando<br />noticing part of a Ferris wheel in the skyline, I made a couple of turns and found myself at the local Catholic church which it seemed was having a carnival night with some rides,<br />The carny workers (and they are always a trip) were just finishing setting up for the nights festivities and it seemed like it would be a good photo opportunity for me without anyone else around......here are some of my favorites<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009123.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009123.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009119.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009119.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009121.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009121.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009116.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009116.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009132.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009132.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009130.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009130.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009127.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009127.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009129.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009129.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I left the carny rides and headed up Maclay street catching a few more signs<br />Like this still in business Fosters Freeze<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009139.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009139.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or this great old hardware store in Slymar, "Coopers" established in 1949<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009142.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009142.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I picked up a couple of egg rolls at Ying's in Slymar and decided to head over to Mission Hills and the old San Fernando Mission, it was a place that I used to play often at as a boy and going there always brings back some nice memories<br /> <br />Mission San Fernando Rey de España was founded on September 8, 1797 by Father Fermín Lasuén, this mission has had quite a history and if any of you would like to read more about it here is a link <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_San_Fernando_Rey_de_Espa%C3%B1a>San Fernando Mission</A><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009184.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009184.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The exterior of the Convento<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009183.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009183.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Across from the mission are some wonderful gardens so I walked over and took some pictures of the gardens and the various flowers,<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009219.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009219.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009180.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009180.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />A statue of Father Junípero Serra and a native child <br />Father Serra was a Spanish Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in California <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009155.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009155.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009152.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009152.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009171.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009171.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009166.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009166.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009169.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009169.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009220.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009220.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Walking back across the street I took a few more photos of the mission<br />Here is the interior of the Convento<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009195.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009195.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009197.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009197.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009206.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009206.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Leaving the mission I took a photo of the one tree that is synonymous with Southern California <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009224.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009224.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Well I was almost home and it looked like my photo shoot day would end like it started taking a pic of one last vintage sign......Hearts diner<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/?action=view¤t=6-05-2009232.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/A%20day%20in%20LA/6-05-2009232.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And speaking of hearts and that song by Randy Newman..........<br /><br />Yes.........I love LA<br /><br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-31927623825086028872009-05-28T21:35:00.000-07:002011-09-02T09:20:38.690-07:00Santa Maria<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>
<br />I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do for the Memorial day weekend, It would be a nice four day holiday weekend and the weather was supposed to be quite nice.
<br /> I was thinking I would stick around and catch a local horse show and maybe ride my bike somewhere when I got a call from one of my best friends Barry Weiss.
<br /> Seems the old Paso Robles Hot Rod Show which had moved to the city of Santa Maria was going to be this weekend and Barry said he had a room for the car show and wouldn't be staying there Friday night so I was welcome to share it with our good friend Joe Pro who was flying in from Boston to help drive Barry's 1947 Cadillac Led Sled and hang out for the weekend
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=P1010068.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/P1010068.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />This was too sweet an offer to pass up on......a little money for gas and a few meals.....Looked like it was going to be my kind of low budget holiday
<br />
<br /> I figured a few days off for the horses wouldn't hurt them, although I knew they would miss all the carrots that seemed to come their way when I'm around.
<br />Barry said meet Joe and him at his house around noon and we would all leave together.
<br /> Now Barry is a night owl in every sense of the word and by now I know twelve means two, so at two I gave him a call and sure enough they we're just walking out the door
<br />
<br />lol.....Well I had already decided to ride by myself anyway and take some pictures so I just said I'd meet them up along the highway or in Santa Maria and that was cool with Barry
<br />
<br />So it was just going to be me riding solo, and that's not a bad thing
<br />I don't mind being alone with my thoughts and memories, they can criss cross and play re-runs of my various life moments stored in this brain of mine, the flashes of this and that at eighty miles an hour is a calming yet intense feeling as you weave your way in and out of traffic.
<br />
<br />The direct route to Santa Maria is the 101 highway that runs north and south over a great stretch of California, sometimes following along side the deep blue of the Pacific and then going inland a bit where the rolling hills and various farms make for a nice scenic view
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Heading north with the traffic I rode pretty hard till I got almost to the little town of Buellton, for many years I've passed this old abandoned dining car restaurant that sits along the original 101 highway and I've always wanted to take pictures of it. I pulled off the main highway and stopped to take a few pic's and check it out
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria169.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria169.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />The place has a interesting bit of history and if any of you are curious
<br />here is a great link explaining all about it
<br /><a href=http://www.oldgas.com/shoptalk/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001405-2.html>Cafe Dining Cars</A>
<br />
<br />Fueling up in Buellton I continued on the last little stretch of my journey and this part of the 101 is quite pleasant and only thirty miles south of Santa Maria
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow150.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow150.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County, on the Central Coast of California
<br />The city was started in 1875 by four of the valley's prominent settlers and Agriculture, as always, continues to serve as one of the City's prime economic influences.
<br />Located in the heart of Santa Maria, the Historic Santa Maria Inn has been a Central Coast landmark since 1917 and this is the center of the West Coast Kustoms car show on Friday night.
<br />Here everyone seems to meet and hang out while scores of hot rods and custom cars cruse South Broadway in front of the hotel, parking my scooter I finally met up with Barry and Joe in the hotel's front parking lot
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow054.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow054.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow057.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow057.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />I also ran into our friend Steve Werthehimer owner of the Continental Club in Austin Texas, a great guy and one of the coolest kat's your ever likely to meet.
<br />(btw.....he put's on probably the best Hot Rod and custom car show in the country)
<br />Check out the link here for the car show
<br /><a href=http://lonestarroundup.com>Lone Star Roundup</a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow039.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow039.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />After hanging out and having a good time looking at all the great cars I decided to get back on the bike and see if I could find any vintage signs, And Santa Maria has some cool ones
<br />Like this one for Bill's Hamburgers
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow060.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow060.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Or this old Ghost neon sign for the Valley Motel
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow062.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow062.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Or this old Vacuum formed sign still advertising those old RCA color TV's
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow075.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow075.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />Catching a late meal with Joe at the local iHop, we both went right to sleep after the long day and it was a good start to the Memorial day weekend as far as I was concerned
<br /> The next morning we got up and headed over to the fairgrounds (where the West Coast Kustoms car show is held) with Barry's Caddy to find a spot with the hundreds of other cars and trucks that would be on display
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria014.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria014.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Joe found a nice spot out on the large grass field for the Caddy and we decided to take a look around and check out some of the other amazing vehicles that were entered for this show that West Coast Kustoms has been putting on for twenty eight years now
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria041.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria041.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />The nice thing about arriving fairly early is that you can take some great photos without people getting in the frame, so that's what I proceeded to do
<br />Here are some of my favorite pic's
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria050.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria050.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria093.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria093.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria023.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria023.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /> The really cool thing about Rat Rods and customs are the little unique things that someone fabricates or designs, to me the cars are individual works of art and there are so many variations of this art.....see for the most part Kustoms are not restored or perfect display's of the original, they have been modified to varying degrees to make that vehicle special and like no other...... I Love that, and I never cease to be amazed at the creativity one can see at a show like this
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria060.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria060.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria012.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria012.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria053.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria053.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria040.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria040.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria104.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria104.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />Sometimes it's just some funny thing someone adds to the ride
<br />like this chicken
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria082.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria082.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Or some art work
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow106.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria130.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria130.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Or this nasty fat rat
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria020.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria020.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Sometimes it's just the odd thing you see that amuses you,
<br />like this sign
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />And you can enjoy all kinds of things at the show, like first rate Rockabilly bands
<br />entertaining and putting you in the mood while you eat some taco's (my favorite food vendor) or a maybe watching someone else stuff a big fat sausage into their pie hole...... oh ya daddy!....... it's certainly a slice of Americana
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria092.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria092.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />Yes, it's a menagerie of all kinds of things
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria078.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria078.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria118.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria118.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria066.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria066.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria084.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria084.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria128.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria128.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria098.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria098.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />A drink with friends
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria085.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria085.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />A pinstriper working on a Hot Rod
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />or some art etched in glass
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria042.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria042.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Yep, certainly a lot to see at the show
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria139.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria139.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />Well It was getting time for me to get going towards home, so I said my goodbye's took a parting shot and hit the road again
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria136.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria136.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /> As I headed out of town I stopped at the local cemetery, and even though that it's a nice long weekend and all the underlying theme is Memorial Day and the sacrifice made by our service men and women over the years.....and if you really think about it for a moment you realize that nothing in this life is free.....and yes many gave with everything they had and all that they were ever gonna have
<br />It's always a good thing to ponder and pay your respects I think
<br />Count your blessings is what my dad used to say........
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />I watched this crow caw on top of this headstone for awhile wondering if it was an omen and all these dark thoughts arose inside my mind
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow098.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow098.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Well after a few moments of that I said to myself omen or not you better get your ass on the road
<br />So I hit the 101 southbound flying by the vineyards and gentle rolling hills alone again with my thoughts and memories
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow136.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow136.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow132.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow132.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Stopping in the old west town of Los Alamos to fuel up again I walked around the town for a bit and took a few more photos
<br />
<br />Here's the Union Hotel built in 1880
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria154.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria154.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow141.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow141.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow024.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow024.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow139.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow139.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria155.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria155.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Well It was starting to get late in the day and I wanted to catch the Laker basketball game as they were playing in the western conference finals so I headed down to Ventura to make a bar stop and watch a little bit of it
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow149.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow149.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />As I rode I stopped here and there and took some pic's of things along the way
<br />Like these grazing horses
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow152.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow152.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Or this cool old neon motel sign
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow155.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow155.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Or the blue pacific ocean
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow165.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow165.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />As I arrived in Ventura I needed to fill that hole in my stomach so I stopped at Tony's (best in Ventura) and got a couple slices of pie, sitting on the bench I shot this reflection of my Harley in the window
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow177.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow177.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />After my meal I headed downtown and parked my bike next to this cool rat bobber and walked across the street to the Star Lounge
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow178.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow178.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow179.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow179.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Ventura is a great place to visit if any of you that read this and have never been to this lovely seaside city, a lot of great things to see and do and of course the beaches are beautiful
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow180.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow180.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />After watching the first quarter of the game I decided to get back on the highway heading south towards LA
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow175.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow175.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Dropping into Westlake I stopped at Jack's restaurant and bar got me a nice baked apple with ice cream and a coffee, settled in at the bar with the other Laker fans and watched our team pull off a gritty win
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow190.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow190.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />I rode the rest of the way home in no time it seemed and my dogs were happy to see me and get a late dinner, as I reflected on the day I felt a inner sense of satisfaction knowing that I squeezed just about every moment I could as the hours went by.......It's after days like this that your bed becomes your best friend as you fall into that dimension of rest and dreams.
<br />
<br />On Sunday I got up and headed out to the barn.
<br />I picked up a big bag of fresh carrots and turned the horses out
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=P10109.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/P10109.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />After coming home from the barn I just chilled out and worked on my pictures.
<br />
<br />Monday being Memorial day and a holiday, I decided that Ventura looked so good that I'd ride back out there and take some more photos of some of the cool signs that I had seen on Saturday
<br />
<br />The first stop was the giant Santa Claus in Oxnard
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=5-24-2009005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/5-24-2009005.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />And next was the old abandoned Wagon Wheel Motel also in Oxnard sitting along the 101 highway
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura005.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura023.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura023.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />This great landmark was slated to be torn down and right now it's in limbo while the powers that be decided what to do with it, it was a very cool motor motel in the 50's,60's & 70's <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagon_Wheel,_Oxnard,_California>Wagon Wheel Motel</a>
<br />
<br />Next stop was the Ventura Harbor to check out some boats
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=5-24-2009021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/5-24-2009021.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=5-24-2009022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/5-24-2009022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />Moving on I arrived In Ventura which is the next city north of Oxnard
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=5-24-2009027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/5-24-2009027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />I rode all around Ventura shooting some cool vintage signs and other things
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow188.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow188.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMariaCarShow186.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMariaCarShow186.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura032.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura032.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura036.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura036.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=5-24-2009039.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/5-24-2009039.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=5-24-2009031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/5-24-2009031.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=5-24-2009035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/5-24-2009035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br /> Leaving Ventura I headed East On Highway 126 to the city of Ojai and continuing along highway 150 to the city of Santa Paula which is another California agriculture town, Here is the the old MUPU Citrus Building loading dock next to the railroad tracks where a lot of the local fruit was shipped
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura045.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura045.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=Ventura042.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/Ventura042.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br /> Well it had been another good day riding along the highway capturing things that were here today but you never know if they'll be there tomorrow
<br /> Another great weekend......and yes some day's you can feel like a lucky devil
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/?action=view¤t=SantaMaria090.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Santa%20Maria/SantaMaria090.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />
<br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-78471680863170977882009-05-14T14:15:00.000-07:002009-10-14T20:40:12.773-07:00Run to Morro Bay<span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />My regular riding buddy Pat Bianchi gave me a heads up on another BMW club run, this time they were headed to the little seaside community of Morro Bay up by the top of the lower third of the California state coast.<br /><br />Pat had reserved a room and asked if I like to join him and the club again for this run. The weather was shaping up to be perfect spring California weather so I said why not......seemed like a good reason to hit the road again (lol...and I certainly don't need to much prodding in this direction)<br /><br />After the initial run with the club to Kernville the month before I knew what to expect this time out...... beautiful California scenery, some roads I probably had never been on before and a pleasurable ride with a group of people that have a passion for motorcycling.......And I sure wasn't disappointed!<br /><br /> Pat and I got up early Saturday morning and rode out west on the 101 Freeway to Newberry Park to meet the BMW group at the local BMW motorcycle dealership<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun005.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After a brief orientation and some discussion of the day's route the group fired up their motorbikes and we all headed out.<br /><br />Like I said before the really cool thing that some of the members of the BMW club do is map out a wonderful route entirely consisting of back roads and highways.<br /><br />As we made our way to Highway 126 the first little town we encountered was Santa Paula<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After riding through Santa Paula we ventured west on Highway 150 moving on into the Ojai valley......the ride along the 150 is quite pleasant as you ride past wooded Oak hills and the various types of farms and ranches<br />Here we had to wait as the road became only lane after the road was partially washed out during the winter<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pretty cool 1950's corvette in line with us here<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The Ojai valley was home to the Chumash Indians before becoming one of many Spanish land grants along the California coast.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Our first rest stop was at a little pizza parlor called Boccali's as we came into the Ojai valley<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun016.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun016.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I kinda liked this shot......one for the girlies.....nothing says I love you like roses and a Budweiser...lol<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun019.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun019.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> The city originally was called Nordhoff but because of anti German sentiment during world war one the city was renamed Ojai, it's a Chumash Indian word meaning "Valley of the Moon"<br /> After fire destroyed much of the original western-style buildings in 1917, Edward Drummond Libbey, the early owner of the Libbey Glass Company helped design, finance and build a new downtown more in line with the contemporary taste for Colonial-Revival architecture, including a Spanish-style arcade, a bell-tower reminiscent of the famous campanile in Havana, and a pergola opposite the arcade. These buildings still stand, and have come to serve as symbols of the city and the surrounding valley<br /><br />The town of Ojai and its surrounding area is home to many unique recreational activities. The Los Padres National Forest borders the town on the north, and many back country areas within the forest are accessible from Highway 33, which is the major highway through town south to north.<br />We took Highway 33 to the North and into the Los Padres National Forest <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As we crested the top of the mountains the view below was spectacular<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The group by this time was a bit spread out and we were all supposed to meet at the ranger station located at the base of the mountain to re-group.<br />I spoke to Bruce the ride leader and asked if I could ride ahead while they were waiting for the rest of the riders to show up, I knew that up the road was my favorite place to buy the local pistachios whose farms are dotted all along this section of Highway 33, he said sure go ahead we'll catch up with you down the road<br /> Well besides being able to get my pistachio fix I was able to stop here and there along the road and take a few photos of things I found of interest, <br />Like this old shack......abandoned and nobody home<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun041.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun041.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /> Or the desert roadside icon, an old rusted truck that seems to always be somewhere along the Highway slowly corroding under a mid-day's sun and the changing seasons <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun039.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun039.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And of course you can also always find some abandoned closed up juke joint<br />that no longer serves up a cold one......Like this place called the Sagebrush<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun043.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun043.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I arrived at the Santa Barbara pistachio store and cafe and picked up a couple of bags of my favorite chili and lemon flavored pistachio's<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun046.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun046.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pat rolled up and said the group was right behind so we both got back on the road and fell right in with everyone<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun047.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun047.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Heading East on Highway 33 towards the city of Taft we passed this old gas station minus the gas pumps<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun049.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun049.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />This area along the 33 is all flat with some rolling hills but mostly dry and brown this time of year<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun050.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun050.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The city of Taft is nestled in the foothills at the extreme southwestern edge of the San Joaquin Valley, just 35 minutes from Bakersfield, two hours from Los Angeles, and two hours from California's Central Coast.<br />Taft is situated in a major petroleum and natural gas production region in California and is one of the few remaining towns in the United States which exist exclusively because of nearby oil reserves. The discovery of oil in the region occurred in the late 1800s near Maricopa, seven miles (11 km) south of Taft.<br /> This little desert town has been around sense 1900 and these days besides the oil business it's also known as the place that skydivers like to take off from and jump out over the desert landscape.<br /> <br />We all stopped in town for lunch at Jo's restaurant which had a lot of old Oil company memorabilia on the walls along with friendly service and decent food<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun069.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun069.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I told Pat to get us a table and I would be back later because I wanted to make a quick loop around the town and take some pictures, having a sign fetish I wasn't disappointed in what I found around this small desert town<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun071.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun071.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's a great old neon sign for the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun070.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun070.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or this great old art deco 1930's Fox theater sign<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun064.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun064.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />How about Koontz Appliances, still advertising a pot belly stove on the storefront <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun062.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun062.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I liked this old Coca-Cola sign on the side of this brick building<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun059.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun059.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Or this great old neon sign for the Oasis bar and restaurant <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun058.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun058.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Of course most of these old towns in America always have some sort of Masonic Lodge,<br />here is the International Order of Odd Fellows building<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun067.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun067.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I liked this doorway on an old Quonset hut with the corrugated sides flaking what's left of it's paint <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun075.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun075.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Stopping at the edge of town I came across this cool 1950's Topper motel sign<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />So after a nice lunch we all gassed up and continued onward past the oil fields and cattle ranches that sit along the highway<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun076.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun076.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun088.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun088.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />I like riding the desert highway's, it's always been a place of great mystery <br />and it's in these times of looking out across the desolate landscapes that one tends to go inward with ones thoughts............. and then, as you pass something along the road you wonder what someone's dreams might have been when they built this structure that is now just a rotting abandoned shack waiting to collapse from the elements..... <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun086.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun086.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As we gradually started climbing from the desert floor to rolling hills, the vegetation started to become less sparse as we got on Highway 58 now moving west again<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun078.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun078.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun089.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun089.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />From Highway 58 we kept going west onto Highway 229 through the mountains for a bit and then connected onto Highway 41 which would take us all the way into Morro Bay<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun095.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun095.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun090.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun090.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Arriving at our motel was a welcome site as the day's ride was starting to wear on my bootie more than I'd like to admit, so it was good to get off the bike, unpack and rest a bit<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We all stayed at the Tradewinds Motel which just happened to be one block up from the wharf, Pat feeling tired decided to take a nap before dinner and I decided to go for a walk and take some photos.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun101.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun101.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The town of Morro Bay was founded by Franklin Riley in 1870 as a port for the export of dairy and ranch products. He was instrumental in the building of a wharf which has now become the Embarcadero. During the 1870s, schooners could often be seen at the Embarcadero picking up wool, potatoes, barley, and dairy products.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun103.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun103.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />In the 1940s, Morro Bay developed an abalone fishing industry. Having peaked in 1957, stocks of abalone have now declined significantly due to overfishing, it still remains a fishing port for halibut, sole, rockfish, albacore, and many other species for both commercial and sport vessels. <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun111.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun111.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun106.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The town now has been a center for beach holidays, tourism is the city's largest industry and the most popular beach is on the north side of Morro Rock, north of the harbor in fact I used to trailer my horses up to this state park called Montaña De Oro and run them on the beach (it was great fun) and if you'd ever go there it's a wonderful place to camp<br /> <br />Moving along the wharf I spotted a lot of old fishing boats, various birds and generally people just having nice afternoon as the sun was starting to ride low in the sky<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun121.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun121.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun118.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun118.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here is the ferry where you can take a local scenic cruse <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun110.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun110.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Another point of interest that you can't miss in Morro Bay is the Dynegy power plant built in the 1950's and it's tall 450 foot stacks, they are quite impressive to see up close<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun113.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun113.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The coast guard station was established here in 1948<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun125.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun125.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here is a great old 1953 Pontiac station wagon I found parked in front of an art gallery<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun128.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun128.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun132.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun132.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Walking on I came across a really unique store called the Shell Shop<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun135.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun135.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />This amazing shop was opened in 1955 and is still going strong<br />You can find just about anything to do with sea shells at this place<br /><br />Walking back to the motel I spotted this cool old metal weather vane<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun148.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun148.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After getting cleaned up from the day's activities it was time to meet everyone at the Harbor Hut restaurant that sits right on the wharf, as everyone settled in for their meal I looked out the large picture window and noticed that the light was right for a few last pic's as the sun was setting<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun173.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun173.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run<br />/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun154.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun154.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A lone bird sits atop the Morro Bay wharf sign as the sun sets in the western skyline<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun159-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun159-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After a good nights sleep Pat and I got up and headed over to the coffee pot restaurant<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun191.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun191.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />While Pat had breakfast I had my vitamins and coffee and walked around the wharf snapping a few more pic's<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun199.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun199.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here are the Sea Lions that the night before we're barking like crazy,<br />lol they seem like some of us after a real long night of partying<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun203.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun203.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The other unmistakable thing you'll see in Morro Bay is the Morro Rock which is a large extinct volcano located a few hundred feet off the shore of Morro Bay, It stands 576 feet tall at the entrance to the Morro Bay Harbor and a causeway connects it with the shore. The area around the base of Morro Rock can be visited so it's another thing to see and do if you find yourself in Morro Bay<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun205.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun205.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Pat and I decided to take our own route back to Los Angeles, here is Pat mapping it out while we gassed up the bikes<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun206.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun206.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Heading south on Highway 101 is a picturesque drive for anyone, you'll see a lot of the California coast and coastal landscapes along with the various seaside communities....... Here is the renowned Madonna Inn located in San Luis Obispo,<br />a great place to stay and it's been here sense 1958..... I loved the really cool old neon sign they have<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun212.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun212.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Moving southward on the 101 you can view the green rolling hills dotted with large oak trees and in this case a herd of horses grazing<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun213.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun213.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />In the town of Santa Maria Pat and I headed east on Highway 166 and here you will encounter another great scenic California Highway.<br />This stretch follows the Cuyama River through a canyon separating the Sierra Madre Mountains from mountains in San Luis Obispo County, and then opens out into the Cuyama Valley, passing cattle ranches, going through the Russell Ranch Oil Field, and passing Aliso Canyon Road, the turnoff to the South Cuyama Oil Field. On the north during this stretch is the mile-high Caliente Range, which contains Caliente Mountain, the highest peak in San Luis Obispo County.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun221.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun221.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun219.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun219.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Gassing up in Maricopa I spotted a couple of old neon signs <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun225.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun225.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun227.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun227.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Pat and I headed back up the 166 to Pine Mountain taking Forest Highway 95 through the mountains of this high desert forest<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun232.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun232.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The first part of the route is rather sparse as you climb and all of this area is a nature preserve for the giant California Condor <br /><br />As you come into Pine Mountain and the Frasier Park area the topography is much more wooded<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun236.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun236.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Heading now onto Interstate 5 we were on out final leg of our journey<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun238.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun238.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />As Pat and I finally rode into Hollywood and Sunset Blvd. we passed a few of the local landmarks...... Here is the famous Whiskey a Go Go<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun243.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun243.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />lol....nothing like being in the local traffic again after all those open roads<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/?action=view¤t=MorroBayRun242.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Morro%20Bay%20Run/MorroBayRun242.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />But that's why you ride I suppose, it's like finding the crease or the seam of life I think..... the route less traveled and the adventure of the open highway, <br />It's always a journey I love to take<br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-54122352744872287372009-04-21T16:42:00.000-07:002009-10-14T20:43:24.376-07:00Run to Kernville<span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />One of my best friends Pat Bianchi (who I usually do most of my long riding trips with) has opted out of his Harley and has been riding a BMW GS lately, he also recently picked up an very nice old vintage 1971 R50 and joined a local BMW club.<br />Pat mentioned they were doing a run to Kernville and asked if I'd like to ride with him and the group.......Organized rides are something I pretty much never do as a rule but I said what the hell and took a chance.<br />Pat spent the night at my place and we got up early the next morning, not too worse for the wear after some great Sushi and wading pretty deep in the Sake river the night before.<br />We had to ride to the city of La Cañada which sits at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.<br />This was where the BMW club riders would be meeting for breakfast and start the ride from. <br />We arrived at the designated restaurant and met all the guys and a few gals who would be riding on the trip, everyone was quite nice and friendly and in a great mood to have an adventure <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0232.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0232.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />After a brief breakfast for most, (mine is always coffee, vitamins & Ibuprofen) we all met out in the parking lot for a general orientation and the riding etiquette for the riders on the trip to Kernville<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0233-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0233-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The great thing about this ride and the the guys that put it together is that they map out a way to get to a destination with virtually not ever going on a major highway...... pretty much back roads all the way......and that my friends is the shear joy of motorcycling!<br />We first took a route going through the Angles Crest highway<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=AngelesCrest5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/AngelesCrest5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Always a real nice ride through the local LA mountains <br /><br />We continued onward and rode through the lower desert of Leona Valley and Lake Elizabeth<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0235.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0235.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_4093.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_4093.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />The first gas stop was after 105 miles of canyon and mountain riding and it was shaping up to be really beautiful weather for the ride, I'm sure everyone including myself was having a really wonderful time doing what we all love to do.......It's these kind of days that make you love motorcycling.....<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0261.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0261.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here we had to wait for a freight train to pass before gassing up, just another form of working traveler I suppose that criss-crosses the countryside<br /><br />The first town we passed through was the city of Tehachapi, it's a city that was incorporated in 1909 and is located in its namesake the Tehachapi Mountains between the cities of Bakersfield and Mojave in Kern County California. <br />The area is known for its Tehachapi train Loop, Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm, and it's proximity to Edwards Air Force Base where the Space Shuttle lands<br /><br />As we rode into town and the old section of Techachpi I saw quite a few things that caught my eye, and being the shutter bug that I am I spied a cool old gas station sign that I had to take a photo of, so I made a u turn and pulled off the road for a minute to take a photo of it<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0250.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0250.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />I was thinking I could easily find the group again with some speed on my part to make up for lost time and of course I promptly lost everyone, fortunately knowing the things I do when I ride Pat pulled off and waited for me to go by (and I did taking the wrong road) Pat caught up with me and turned me around and he certainly was a good bro to do that<br /><br />Neither one of us had the route map, and not knowing the exact route the group was taking we stopped and looked at a California map that Pat had brought with him.<br />We assessed our options and the roads available and decided to ride ahead and find a point where we could run into everyone again, <br /><br />We ended up at a little road house stop along highway 58 called Keen<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0386.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0386.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />And as luck would have it we didn't have long to wait as everyone suddenly appeared coming down the Tehachapi Loop road and passed us as they were headed onto the 58 Highway, a few of the riders waved at us as we fired up our bikes and fell right back in line with the group for the rest of our journey <br /><br />Heading back up into the mountains we rode through the Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm on the Willow Springs Road<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0243.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0243.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Something about seeing all these windmills producing clean energy is a rather calming feeling for me, it seemed like there were hundreds maybe a few thousand of them rotating from the wind in that area<br />The Southern California Edison company who has built and operated the wind farm sense the 1980's plans on developing another fifty square miles of wind farm power for the future <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0246.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0246.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />One thing Pat learned about his BMW R50 was that it's not exactly fast going up mountains, and he was ringing that BMW's neck for all it was worth to keep up.....lol<br />I think the next time out he'll ride the GS, because that boy has the need for speed<br /><br />I took a photo of him here as I easily passed him by <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0249.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0249.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Riding onward through the lower desert and the Antelope Valley we encountered the California Poppy fields and state park preserve, the group made a quick pit stop at the park for a look around and a rest stop for any of the riders<br /><br />This time of year the hills and mountains of California are lush and green, and the desert flowers are in full bloom..... this is always a pleasure to see whether it's the Antelope Valley poppy fields or the many blooms one will find in Joshua Tree in the Springtime <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0445.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0445.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here are the beautiful California Poppy's........our State flower<br /><br />As we made our way deeper into Kern County we came into an area where the cattle run free....basically what they call "Free Range"<br />So every now and then as you would come around a corner the cattle would be right there, we had to be really careful of the animals.......it's never a good thing if they get spooked and start stampeding<br /><br />lol I passed a few feet from this fellow....nice and slow like<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0266.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0266.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A little further along we saw some wranglers that were herding a group of cattle, so we all waited for the cowboys to round them up off the road and put them in a large coral <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0272.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0272.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0273.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0273.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />It was getting close to lunchtime and being the non breakfast eater that I am I was getting rather famished(I'd been telling my tummy to piss off but it still grumbled back at me)<br />As we rode along the Caliente Creek road we stopped at this old red school house that was built in the 1930's<br />The old school building seemed like the only public place in Twin Oaks.......this town if you could even call it that was really small and very rural <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0277.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0277.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The old Twin Oaks school house had been converted to a general store and restaurant,<br />Inside they still had the original school chalkboards on the walls, the place had kind of a old homey western feel to it<br />As pat and I sat at the counter I noticed the 4x3 kitchen was manned by one cook already slaving away for the customers that were there before we arrived<br />I looked behind me at the other twenty people who just sat down at various tables and said to Pat lets make it simple and order now,<br />Lucky for us and the hole in my tummy that needed filling because the rest of the group waited an hour for their food to be served<br /><br />We finally left Twin Oaks and headed on towards Bodfish<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0278.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0278.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Evey now and then I would catch something interesting to take a photo of on the fly <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0269.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0269.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Caliente-Bodfish Road is a wonderful road, everywhere you look there are large California Oak Trees and a lot of Spring flowers, this road takes you all the way up the mountain and as you come over the crest you can see Lake Isabella and the valley below<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0371-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0371-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As we made our way through Bodfish and Lake Isabella I spied a few things I wanted to come back and take pictures of later (I learned my lesson from stopping before)<br />Riding into the town of Kernville we crossed over the Kern river (known for it's great white water rafting) and found our motel for the night a place called the "Kern Lodge" it's a nice motel to stay if you ever find yourself in Kernville and it's right next door to a great micro-brewery and restaurant <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0347.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0347.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0349.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0349.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As everyone was settling in Pat and I decided to hit the road again,<br />I wanted to check out some things that I had seen and take some pictures<br />Of course anyone of you that know me or read my blogs know that I like checking out old graveyards and I found this one right next to and overlooking the Kern river<br /><br />Here is a old headstone from 1871 <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0296.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0296.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0298.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0298.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The other thing I love to shoot are old motel and neon signs<br />These cool old vintage signs were found in Lake Isabella, the abandoned and empty motels were a far cry from their best days, now just weathered signs from days gone by..........stark reminders announcing what used to be.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0310.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0310.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0315.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0315.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0313.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0313.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0369.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0369.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I liked the sign for this juke joint<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0312.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0312.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Moving on Pat and I rode into the little town of Bodfish, I had seen this place called Silver City.<br />Silver City is an old western town movie set that now has several antique stores full of antiques and collectibles <br />Well by the time we got there the owner had just locked the place up but he was nice and said go ahead and take pictures of the place if I wanted to....so I did<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0322.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0322.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0323.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0323.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0367.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0367.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0366.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0366.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0330.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0330.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0362.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0362.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />From there we rode back to Kernville passing Lake Isabella and the Kern River<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0358.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0358.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0338.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0338.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0340.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0340.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Arriving back at the motel we got cleaned up and had a relaxing time on the porch hoisting a few beers with some of the guys as the sun set in the west<br />Seemed like a nice finish to the day's ride<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0350.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0350.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Pat and I got up the following morning while most of the club riders were at breakfast.<br />we both decided to go back home the same way we came so I could take some time for my photography.<br />Saying our goodbyes to the guys having breakfast in Kernville we headed out on a beautiful Sunday morning<br /><br />Here we are on the Bodfish-Caliente road, taking in the beauty of the landscapes as we rolled by<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0372.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0372.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0375.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0375.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here's Pat next to the old Havilah courthouse built in 1866 <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0374.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0374.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Riding onward through the oak woodlands and the grazing cattle<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0382.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0382.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0384.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0384.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0385.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0385.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As we left the mountains we set our sights on Tehachapi<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0379.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0379.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Tehachapi Loop is a .73 miles (1.17 km) long 'spiral', or helix, on the railroad main line through Tehachapi Pass, in south central California. The loop derives its name from the circuitous route it takes, in which the track passes over itself, a design which lessens the angle of the grade. A train more than 4,000 feet (1.2 km) long (about 85 boxcars) will thus pass over itself going around the loop.<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0392.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0392.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />We missed the Tehachapi loop part of the ride the day before,<br />and as Pat and I rode up we both watched the train pass over itself.<br /><br />This loop is considered one of the seven wonders of the train world, Hailed as one of the greatest engineering feats of its day (ca. 1876) and it is a truly amazing site to see<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0396.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0396.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Arriving back in downtown Tehachapi Pat and I decided to have lunch at Kelcy's <br /><br />Kelcy's restaurant has been in existence under a few different owners sense 1933 and the walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia of the history it has seen since it opened, and the food is excellent!<br />So if your ever in downtown Tehachapi check it out....oh and the sign is really cool too ;-)<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0405.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0405.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0406.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0406.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After lunch Pat walked over to the park for a cat nap while I cruised around town for some photo opportunities <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0409.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0409.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0414.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0414.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0418.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0418.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=4-17-09004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/4-17-09004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0429.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0429.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />Years ago The area in and around the city is also known for its apple orchards, though these have decreased in recent decades, here is the old Apple Orchard warehouse train depot<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0424.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0424.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0425.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0425.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0421.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0421.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And if you have a sweet tooth that needs attention,<br />the Apple Shed right next door has a real nice homey ambience and superb baked pies<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0432.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0432.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0434.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0434.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Well it was time to hit the road again and finish off our day riding back through the poppy fields and Antelope Valley <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0447.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0447.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0448.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0448.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0449.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0449.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The outer reaches of the American southwest are the Southern California deserts with their vast places of inherent beauty and intrigue <br /><br />As a native Californian it's a place that holds a dear place in my heart,<br />And I think if any of you spent some time there it might hold some good memories for you also<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/?action=view¤t=IMG_0442.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Kernville/IMG_0442.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Happy Trails.....<br /><br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-22061041381787895652009-01-19T14:59:00.000-08:002009-10-14T20:47:45.192-07:00The 2009 Doo Dah Parade<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />Every year in and around Los Angeles there are always great annual events,<br />one of the most famous is the Rose parade in Pasadena on new years day.<br />Well later on in the month of January is another kind of parade, one for the odd and the wacky the irreverent and the wild, this parade also takes place in the city of Pasadena and it's called "The Doo Dah Parade" this off beat parade has been in existence sense 1977<br />and this year will be celebrating it's thirty second year of great entertainment for one and all that show up or participate.<br /> It's been a few years sense I've gone and the weather here in Southern California has been perfect this January so it was a beautiful day to see and have a great time with friends.<br />My friend Karl opens his home to one and all that care to show up before the parade starts and he makes a great egg pie served along with some mean bloody mary's<br /> So a great start to the day with something tasty to eat and a chance to get well oiled before the parade starts<br /><br />Well all of us that showed up at Karl's for breakfast headed happily down to old town Pasadena for the start of the parade<br /><br />The streets are lined with people and one has to try and find a spot where you can see the action and take pictures if your so inclined like I am<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4517.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4517.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I settled in on a corner and waited for it all to roll by<br />looking up I saw this devil and his female demon riding a side car motorbike<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4520.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4520.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Next up was this dominatrix cracking her whip and dancing around<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4521.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4521.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />You think this guy was looking for a photo op?<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4668.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4668.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The other thing you will see are bands on flatbed trailers here is one that was playing some great surf guitar music<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4523.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4523.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As the parade progresses you will see odd groups of people and sometimes people with animals like this group of folks with their weenie dogs<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4531.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4531.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I liked the look of this dude riding his vintage bicycle <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4529BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4529BW.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Next up was this giant red cat car, the funny thing about this was as the car did circles in the street the cat would lift it's tail and spray god knows what on the crowd<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4528.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4528.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4526.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4526.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This bunny was in all the action, riding a mini bike, walking the parade and eventually driving a hearse <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4544.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4544.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4664.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4664.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Saw this dude dressed up as George Bush the demon<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4546.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4546.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here was a lone polar bear with a homeless sign asking for help<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4548BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4548BW.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />These two disco bicyclist's were cool<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4559.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4559.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I liked the look of this devil girl speeding down the street<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4566.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4566.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here's another girl heralding the arrival of the parade queen <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4552.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4552.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And the Parade queen herself riding her beautiful horse,<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4576.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4576.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Speaking of queens, this dude sure had a great singing voice as he entertained the crowd, and I guess one could say not bad legs either......lol<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4614.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4614.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Next up was the disco drill team, a real crowd favorite,<br />and it was fun seeing all of them do their routines to those great dance classic's <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4595.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4595.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4601.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4601.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4605.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4605.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A cool couple from the drill team<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4657.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4657.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />The really cool thing about this parade is the wacky things you see<br />like this girl in a cupcake<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4616.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4616.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Or a hula dude<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4661.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4661.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A Dalmatian<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4646.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4646.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A fish girl<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4653.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4653.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Or a Sly Stone kinda dude on stilts with a giant flying saucer<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4636.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4636.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />How about this sign<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4632BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4632BW.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This guy was really rockin out on his plastic guitar<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4663.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4663.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Loved this wild looking truck and trailer<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4621.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4621.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4624.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4624.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4622BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4622BW.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And here's a pic of the Grand Marshall <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4540.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4540.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />More odds and ends of the parade<br />Two old fat guys<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4564.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4564.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Two legged horses and riders<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4558.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4558.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Girl in a box,<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4578.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4578.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Air bagpipe Elvis<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4591.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4591.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A chicken followed by cows on roller skates <br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4543.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4543.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here you had Julius Caesar, he would get stabbed by the surrounding senators and spurt blood in about fifteen different places.....it was funny!<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4626.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4626.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4590.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4590.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I have to agree with this guys sign<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4553.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4553.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />All in all a really fun parade and it ended with this great drum corps from East LA<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4667.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4667.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We all headed for some more drinks at a Irish pub<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4680.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4680.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Just keeping the rest of the afternoon going with the rest of the revelers<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/?action=view¤t=IMG_4682.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Doo%20Dah%20Parade/IMG_4682.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />You gotta love So Cal on days like this!<br /><br /><br />~MMark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-4589520947458473142008-11-04T22:28:00.000-08:002009-10-14T20:51:59.247-07:00Halloween Weekend<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sometimes things converge like a perfect storm, now usually that term is used for a general calamity...........But in this case I would say that it all came together for a great weekend in the hometown. The first cool thing was the Lucha Va Voom show at the old Mayan Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, this great multi-use theater is one of the few remaining in use movie palaces from the 1930's<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3958.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3958.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now what this wacky Lucha show consists of is two things.............Mexican masked wrestling and Burlesque dancers<br />you throw into the mix a couple of comedians and a pumped up and raucous audience and you have the makings for a really fun evening, the show starts with some striping and then some wrestling and it just keeps going on like that for the next couple of hours, my friends and I had a great time seeing all the crazy sights and sounds<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3935.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3935.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Poubelle twins starting their act<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3931.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3931.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The first wrestling match included one of the crowds (and mine) favorite<br />"Dirty Sanchez" he always has a bad cramp and then a terrible mess in his<br />pants then he rips off his shirt to wipe his butt....and of course there is a lot of ass to face action after that happens<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3932.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3932.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next up was one of my favorite dancers "Lucie Fur"<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5d3gXiAHyw8&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5d3gXiAHyw8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />After Lucie were the crazy chickens<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3940.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3940.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was time for the intermission and a walk around the Mayan<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3943.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3943.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another crowd favorite was "La Park the dirty dancing skeleton with the Chupacabra as his teammate<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3950.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3950.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3954.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3954.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Anther great thing to see here are the Mini's and the next match had the Japanese monster Hotaru and his teeny tiny mini, they had this match under the black lights which always has a cool effect<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3945.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3945.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bfn61YLc_CM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bfn61YLc_CM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_3946.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_3946.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well the show ended<br />and you could hear everyone talking about their favorite performer as they were leaving the Mayan....... The following day was Halloween and I was invited over for dinner to my friends Steven and Joyce Christensen in Hollywood<br />They had some other friends over and we all carved pumpkins as we watched the general migrations of people going down Santa Monica Blvd. for the big West Hollywood Halloween carnival street festival<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4004.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A shot of everyone's pumpkin<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4006.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well Steven had to work the next day so it was a school night for him<br />So I decided to hope on the scooter and go check out the some of the freaks and get in the mix with the other tens of thousands of other revelers<br /><br />I landed at Barneys Beanery and parked the Harley and started walking<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4007.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is one of the craziest scenes in LA all year and for anyone who hasn't experienced it should at some point<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4008.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A Pee Wee Herman<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4017.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sailor girls<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4009.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4009.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bug Boys<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4018.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4018.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well it was getting late and I was done howling at the moon so I got back on my bike and headed home to the Valley<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4014.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4014.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Saturday was full of thunderstorms but I managed to get most of my work done at the stable with my horses in between the intermittent deluges<br /><br />I decided to just chill and watch the laker game instead of going out to another party because my favorite organized bike ride of the year was the following day<br />The</span></span></span><strong> <span style="font-style: italic;">Southern California British Bike Gathering sponsored by the Norton Club at Hansen Dam, this ride</span></strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> is probably the largest British bike gathering in the country</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It doesn't cost anything.......... all you have to do is show up<br />There is a bike show for anyone who would like to enter and a great ride through the local mountains.<br /><br /> I find that this event has all of types motorcycle enthusiasts It doesn't matter what you ride even though this is primary an English motorcycle event, all are welcome......even us Harley guys<br /><br />After meeting in the park and hanging out everyone fires up there motorcycles and head out to the Little Tujunga canyon, the ride is a great loop of mountains and canyons.........lots of twists and turns<br />I find also that the level of riders are much better so everyone has a great time<br />carving canyons as they say<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=STA_4019.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/STA_4019.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />I latched on with a group of guys as we went under the freeway and started up the canyon<br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />Doing a steady pace while climbing up the canyon you could tell this was going to be a perfect weather day for riding<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4030.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4030.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />After forty miles or so you end up in Acton,<br />it's a rural area full of ranches and horses<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4045.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4045.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Many of the riders stop at the Forty Niner for some breakfast<br />and sense I was hungry I pulled over to have a bite<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4047.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4047.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />All of the guys I ride with for the most part were out of town so even though I would ride with whoever I came across I was solo.<br /><br />I decided to double back a little ways and take a few pictures of some things I saw as I was flying by them earlier<br /><br />Like this old gas station<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4055.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4055.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Or the Cafe<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4054.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4054.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />I liked the look of this old rusted tin sided barn<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4048.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4048.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Turning back around I hooked up with a bunch of guys on sport bikes<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4058.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4058.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />These guys weren't shy about the throttle so it was fun tailing in right behind them<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4059.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4059.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />This part of the ride had some beautiful scenery, the type of place you play some sort of soundtrack from your memory as the world glides right on by<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4082.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4082.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4084.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4084.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4089.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4089.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Well this went on for about forty five minutes till I finally arrived back at Hanson Dam<br /><br />Parking the scooter I heard the lovely strains of a bagpipe<br />seemed apropos for the British bike show that was about to start<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />I walked around and took a few pics<br />like this nice vintage BSA<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4101.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4101.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4078.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4078.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Or these custom bobbers,<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4108.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4108.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Well I had seen enough so I decided to head over to Chatsworth and go visit my horses<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4112.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4112.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />My carrot munchers know the sound of the Harley and that equates to something good to eat so they were quite happy to see me<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4115.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4115.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />It seems I ended up landing at the barn just in time to give a lesson to one of the girls at the barn who was riding my other horse Bandolero<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/?action=view&current=IMG_4134.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Halloween%20Weekend/IMG_4134.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Well after feeding the horses it was time to head home put on some music and take a nap<br /><br />I love it sometimes when you don't have to stray to far from home to have a great weekend........this was certainly every bit of that!<br /><br />~M<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Mark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-24906758065466145562008-10-23T08:58:00.000-07:002009-10-14T20:56:33.106-07:00Mariposa<span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >The Fall is a good time to visit a lot of places, the changing of the seasons as the leaves turn to red, yellow and golden brown. The weather now cooler with thoughts of Halloween pending and the Harvest moon knowing this is the last sigh before the start of Winter.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > There are so many places of wonder and beauty in the Golden State of California and this is why we here in this amazing state have been a travel destination the world over.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > The Central part of California is known as the breadbasket of the state but the Eastern part of central California is home to one of the most beautiful and spectacular national parks in the US, (Yosemite)</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > Yosemite sits in the vast Mariposa county which was one of the first counties to be formed in 1850.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > There was a lot of gold and other mining in the southern part of this county during the great California Gold Rush and you can find the old remains and small western towns of this time period all over Mariposa County.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > With this in mind my Friend Pat and I decided to take a little trip and visit our good friends Eric and Donna Carr up in Mariposa.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > Eric and Donna have a lovely ranch that they call D&E Digs, with a nice guest cottage that they rent out to anyone who would like to stay in that area of low lying mountains and forest. Also the Great Yosemite Valley is only about a thirty five minute drive from there, and that drive is quite nice to take.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > It was a perfect base for Pat and I this Fall weekend, and if any of you ever decide to visit this area it's a great place to stay and feel free to bring your pets.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > We started on or journey leaving LA mid day and taking the long boring ride through the middle of our state...... Till you get past Fresno pretty much the scenery consists flat dusty farming and agricultural landscapes.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > This ride takes about four hours and as soon as you start climbing into the mountains it's funny how your whole mood starts getting lighter as you pass the big oak tress seemingly everywhere mixing with the pines that will be more in abundance as you climb to higher elevation</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > The first place we stopped at was this old joint called the cigarette shack (Pat needed some smokes)</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > and something to drink for later that evening</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3658.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3658.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Arriving at Eric's place we unloaded our bikes and fixed ourselves a drink while we waited for Eric to come home from doing some backhoe work next door</span></span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3659.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3659.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Eric has been telling me for a while now about this great restaurant in Mariposa called Savoury's and we all decided to have dinner there that evening</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3669.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3669.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This amazing restaurant is owned and run by Mirriam and her husband Jim Platto</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" > If there was ever a place you could call the best restaurant in town this was certainly it! Amazing food and service all under the stars on the patio, they are in the process of remodeling a new place that will accommodate more patrons because they have out grown their current building (always a line in the evenings) Check it out if your ever in Mariposa, Savoury's is pictured here right next door to the old Mariposa Hotel</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3847.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3847.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The next morning we got up and met up with Eric's friend Jim, he was going to guide us through some roads that we had never traveled on in that area. Our first destination was Yosemite<br />This national treasure is always beautiful but especially so in the Fall, we did a quick lap around the west end of the park</span><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3675.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3675.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">One of the large rock faces that climbers like to scale<br /></span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3684.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3684.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A lovely serene green pool of water</span><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3681.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3681.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /><br /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Moving on out of the park heading west on highway 120 we rode by some of the Fall forest colors</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3690.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3690.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3686.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3686.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Entering Groveland which started out as a wild mining town in the mid 1850's,<br />here is the Iron Door saloon built in 1852</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3692.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3692.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I saw this little fellow waiting for his owner outside of the saloon</span></span></span><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3681.jpg" target="_blank"><br /><br /></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3711.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3711.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Moving on I walked around the town to take a few pictures around Groveland</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3712.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3712.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">An old weathered barn door</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3698.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3698.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The changing of the leaves</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3702.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3702.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A pretty collection of flowers</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3706.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3706.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I came back and had a beer with the boys and checked out this old west saloon<br />(That's all money stuck on the ceiling)</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3701.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3701.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As we left and continued onward I noticed some really old buildings that I had seen some years earlier while riding down the same road, this time we stopped to take some pictures in front of the old Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building<br />They we're one of the masonic fraternal orders started in 1819....... this particular building was built in 1853 and Pat and I found it to be a great backdrop for some pic's with our bikes<br /><br />Pat and his BMW</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3745BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3745BW.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Me and my Harley</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3732BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3732BW.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The lock and door handle to the place</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3753BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3753BW.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Up the street was some more interesting places to take some pictures of</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3726.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3726.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Old abandoned home</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3724BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3724BW.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The beauty of foliage on a wall</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3721.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3721.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Or and old doorway from long ago.......</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3728.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3728.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Continuing onward to our next destination "Coulterville"<br />Jim took us down a lonely back country road, the type that as a rider you savor every mile as you take in the things and places you pass along the way</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3755.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3755.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Like this 1930's truck for instance</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3758.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3758.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Or the weathered side and boarded up window of this old barn</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3759.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3759.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Sometimes it's something amusing that catches your eye...........</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3760.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3760.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Well soon enough we rode into Coulterville, Pat and Jim continued on to the Jeffery Hotel while I spied a street called Cemetery and made a quick hard right............. those of you who have read my other blogs know I don't pass up a stone garden and especially one from the old Pioneer days</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3763.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3763.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I took some images of this quiet and lonely place, many of the names and dates now fading away on the marble and stone markers...........</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3768.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3768.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3769BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3769BW.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The rusting wrought iron work around this grave tells you that someone had some special care here at one time</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3773.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3773.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Bidding adieu to the old boot hill I hopped back on my scooter to meet Pat and Jim for lunch at a real Haunted Hotel</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3777.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3777.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >The Hotel Jeffery was established in 1851 and is run now by it's current proprietors </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Peter & Cherylann Shimmelfennig<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This hotel has a rich history of the old west and also the oldest running saloon in California<br />called the Magnolia Saloon<br />You can get a great meal or a drink here and if you stay the night you'll have a good chance of seeing something paranormal, and that has been well documented I learned as we all had lunch with Peter who told us all about the place and it's ghosts and hauntings.<br />Having finished lunch I decided to walk around Coulterville some more and take a few photographs<br /><br />A long view down Main Street</span></span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3799.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3799.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >A wood building from 1850</span><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3779.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3779.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Wagon Wheels</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3783.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3783.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3791BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3791BW.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Flowers that say "hey look at me"</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3787.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3787.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >The type of rustic images you would find in an old western town</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3796.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3796.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3797.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3797.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3795.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3795.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >We all got back on our bikes and continued on our ride back to Mariposa,<br />stopping along the way to check out this old stone building and a cafe long sense closed for business</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3818.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3818.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3829.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3829.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >I like the look of a weathered doorway....... or an entryway that speaks of nostalgia or abandonment</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3820.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3820.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3809.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3809.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3830.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3830.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >As the sun started to set I snapped this pic of Pat as we rode along the large oak trees and golden brown rolling hills</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3834.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3834.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Saw this old Frost shop sign in Mariposa........minus the Frost shop</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3840.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3840.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Saying our good bye's to Jim we moved on to our base at D&E digs.<br />I never grow tired of seeing a gorgeous sunset in the western skyline, this one was no exception</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3845.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3845.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >We'll we couldn't get enough of a good thing so all of us had dinner again at Savoury's joined by Jim and Mirriam, having another fine meal and some great wines provided by Eric and Donna...........<br /><br />It was a perfect ending to this day.<br /><br />Rising the next morning Pat and I packed our things said our good bye's to Eric and Donna and headed back to LA, of course I had to stop to take one last picture of this old barn that was down the street from where we stayed</span><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3861.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3861.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3863.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3863.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Another great trip..................<br />another answered call to the open road</span><br /><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/?action=view&current=IMG_3869.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Mariposa/IMG_3869.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >~M</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /></span>Mark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-26762618417007810442008-09-21T10:59:00.000-07:002013-11-12T09:15:42.651-08:00Moto GP Weekend at Indianapolis<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>When one of my best friends Barry Weiss asked if I wanted to go to the inaugural Moto GP race at the Indianapolis motor speedway, I jumped at the opportunity</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>For you that don’t know what Moto GP is it’s the formula one of motorcycle racing, </b></i></span></div> <div style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><i><b>It’s the very best motorcycle racers in the world on bikes that will do an excess of two hundred miles an hour. This circuit mainly is in Europe but for the first time they are running in the United States and racing at Indy which hasn’t had a motorcycle race since 1909.</b></i></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WCz9B9I2P5yM"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=NickyHaydenridesa1909IndianatIndian.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/NickyHaydenridesa1909IndianatIndian.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Nicky Hayden in the typical race suit of the day riding on a 1909 Indian race motorcycle)</span>
<br /></span></span> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WG4LsepCsS6W"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=NickyHaydenIndian.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/NickyHaydenIndian.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /></div> <span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>In Europe the riders are the equivalent of rock stars and there is none bigger than five time world champion Valentino Rossi,
<br /></b></i></span></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WGjQsu9Vs1g5"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=ValentinoRossi.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/ValentinoRossi.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Valentino Rossi)</span>
<br /></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>although the Euros dominate this division We do have a star in the form of “The Kentucky Kid” Nicky Haden, who was world champion a few years ago.</b></i></span></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0ow%20%20Ypm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WApIELKDCIV*"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010059.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010059.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Hayden with Rossi right behind him)
<br />
<br /></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well with all this in mind, and for me the opportunity to go to a place I’ve never been</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I was excited to hit the road again on another adventure</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Checking the weather report the advance warning was that the remnants of hurricane Ike would roll across Indiana the weekend of the race, so not letting a bit of stormy weather dampen our spirits Barry and I boarded our flight at LAX and headed off to Indy</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I have to say that my friend Barry is one unique individual, a very well read and knowledgeable man on a variety of subjects, and a eclectic collector of art, cars, motorcycles and a variety of other lowbrow items </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>But for those of us that really know him, he is one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet and that humor can get pretty wacky.</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I’ve had the pleasure to travel various parts of the world with Barry and it’s always been a great and interesting time</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The first person we both recognized when we were seated in the plane was the great American AMA racer Eric Bostrom, who with his brother Ben are both motorcycle champions here in the States</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well we introduce ourselves and had a great time on the flight cracking jokes and talking about motorcycles, Eric turned out to be a real cool Kat and his company made a long flight day a lot shorter it seemed </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Time s New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>When we landed in Pittsburgh we had to wait for our connector flight to Indy,</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We soon found out that the incoming flight for us would be delayed a few hours so we invited Eric to dinner, Barry asked a fellow who worked at the airport what was the best restaurant to have dinner at, and the guy said that would be O’ Brian’s pub and grill, so we headed off to get a meal.</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Of course as soon as Barry spied Victoria’s Secret we had to make a quick look around the store</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The first thing Barry asked the sales girl was if they carried size 33 panties for me</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>You know just because we needed to spice up our sex life a little more,</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I said to her I liked a leopard print and could really use some nice pointy spiked heels to go with them if they had those in my size too, </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>By now Eric had a pretty good idea what kind of nuts we were so he chimed in that yes the heels would look fabulous with the panties.</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The sales girls were all having a good laugh on us as Barry said the thong he was holding just couldn’t contain my package……..anyway Eric was having a great time and so were we……and I think made up for the boring evening the sales girls were having</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>If anyone can tell me why airport food sucks I’d like to know,</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I don’t know if it’s that every bad chef in a city just happened to land at the airport</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>But eating at most any airport many times ends up being nauseating </b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Such was the case at O’Brian’s ………… we ordered some appetizers,</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>(Perogi’s that looked liked some crap I once saw at a third rate Korea town restaurant)</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>And some chicken wings that were dripping in grease and hot sauce</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Both were awful ………….so I ordered a cheeseburger figuring they couldn’t fuck that up but I’ll be go to hell Miss Agnes that cook was batting a thousand on his food preparation </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Poor Eric opted for a bad breakfast plate and Barry had the same thing I did</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Barry does a gag with the waitress at most places we eat at</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>after dinner when they ask how the meal was……….Barry reply’s that the food was fit for a king</b></i></span></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>And then bends over pats his leg and says<span style=""> </span>“come here King” like he’s looking for his dog……. Ya ol king would have recognized this meal</b></i></span></b> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b><span style=""> </span></b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>When we finally arrived in Indianapolis the weather was quite humid, Barry picked up a rent a car with a full damage wavier (it’s needed because he’s hard on them)</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WFDnq7OljyFc"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010260.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010260.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /></b></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(pic of our rent a car on the last day we were in Indy complete with the mud stained patina)</span><b>
<br /></b></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We got on the highway in search of our motel, one thing about Indy is that they have all these highways that circle the downtown area going north, south, east, west and it’s all quite confusing</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>And of course we promptly got lost, but the locals were quite willing to keep giving us the wrong directions and you wondered if they ever went more than a few blocks beyond their home </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well Barry about this time had himself a taste for a few sliders at White Castle</b></i></span> </b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>And this would end up being the second time that evening that we ate out of ol kings dog food bowl……….At White Castle they have these mini burgers, and Barry was intent to try everything on the menu, just to give it a taste </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well they have some sandwich with something called chicken rings, you open up the bun to see what’s inside and it looked like a little deep fried ass hole from the poor bird </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I refused to eat it but Barry gave it a go and his poor stomach barked at him for the rest of the night for his evil deed</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We finally made it to Motel Eight,</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 237px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WJK6AE54AzQr"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010045.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010045.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> Barry decided to check out the parking lot down the street at Denny’s ……Eying this rather steep dip in the parking lot Barry asked me if I thought he could get “Air” in the rent a car…… I said sure why not (cringing inside)</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well if he didn't he sure got pretty close as we landed in a large rain puddle at the bottom</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Around the corner was another big mud puddle from the recent rains and so for the next four day’s every time we left the motel Barry made a beeline for that muddy ditch, he said it gave the car more character, and I guess the dirty stains of mud on both sides of the car did give it a certain kind of look</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b><span style=""> </span>We got up the late the next morning (neither one of us are early risers) and went to the speedway for the race qualifying,</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WNhQ1llkbnws"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010001.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010005.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WP2bIQpFbmdR"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> the rain had passed and it was a beautiful day with a lot less humidity</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The Speedway is immense; it’s well over two miles around,</b></i></span></b></div> <div> </div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left">
<br /><b>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010003.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010008.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WAmxAN*9YSk8"> </a></b></div> <div><span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" >(Nicky Hayden heading out for his qualifying) </span><b>
<br /></b></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>You could put three hundred thousand people in there and still have room, we parked ourselves at a few different spots to watch the qualifying races, let me tell you there is nothing like motorcycle racers going as fast as they can trying to have the fastest lap to get in the front row for the start of the race the following day</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The Qualifying was amazing and perfect weather for all the riders so they were racing as hard as they could, the day before it had rained so the lap times were way down</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Barry and I went down to the long straight and watched the bikes go whizzing by at 200 miles an hour the qualifying goes for forty five minutes and it’s a lot of fun watching the race teams make their adjustment on the motorcycles and the riders competing for the fastest lap </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Rossi ended up having the fastest lap and landed the pole position with Hayden in the second row</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We ventured out to where all the venders were located in the middle of the track</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WKGW23k1eltL"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010018.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010018.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Stopping by the large Yamaha tent to visit our new friend Eric who is a Yamaha factory rider</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WLzfT8IGLlJ0"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010028.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(the three amigos)</span><b>
<br /></b></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://webmail.aol.com/%20%20/pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WL5AiLfveMrU"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010029.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(saw this painted on one of the custom Yamaha's)</span><b><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<br /></span></b></span> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 275px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WAKGrjSzY7hq"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010033.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /></b></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(an amazing shot on a large poster at the Ducati tent)</span><b>
<br /></b></span></div> <span><b><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We then ventured back to the stands to watch the first race of the weekend
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010032.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010032.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010040.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010040.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /></b></i></span></b></div> <div>
<br /><b>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010034.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">After the race was over we went back to the motel for a nap and get cleaned up for the nights festivities</span></span>
<br /></b></div><div> <div> </div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>It was shaping up to be a lovely evening and the street scene downtown was where it was at for those people that wanted to get in the party spirit</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We had a great meal at a place called Palomino</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WPkHi3*S7ufL"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010048.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010048.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> It was the first good meal I had in a couple of days, place reminded me of LA and in fact they have a restaurant out here in Westwood. We had heard that the city center would be blocked off for cars and would have motorcycle parking only </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Ti mes,serif;"><i><b>And boy were there a lot of motorcycles,</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WGE3Wv4p07i2"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010066.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010066.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> the streets were full of people having a good time, some more drunker than others and I would have to say the local law enforcement were very cool about this, and so a good time was had by all</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WI7EiBD*W5Xi"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010050.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010050.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helv etica,sans-serif;">(War memorial in the middle of the town square)</span><b><span style="font-family:Arial,Helv etica,sans-serif;">
<br /></span></b></span> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WHh7RpsxuAij"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010054.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010054.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The city of Indianapolis is really going through massive revitalization, the downtown section has the best of the old and the new, and they preserve their great heritage in architecture while incorporating the new with a vintage look and feel to it</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WLngnl8ntZ0F"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010243.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010243.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WNGuCo5j-cde">
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a></b></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010207.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010207.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /></b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b><span style=""> </span>The main employer in the city is the drug manufacture Lilly, </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Now when Barry and I first drove into Indianapolis, I was enjoying the sights when I smelled what I thought was a fart from Barry</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Now I’m sure Barry was thinking he smelled my fart, but a fart was what we both thought we smelled…….. I said to Barry, did you just fart?</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>And he said no did you? I said it wasn’t me and then Barry rolled down the window</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well we both said in perfect unison “fuck it smells like shit”</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Come to find out the stink is Lilly baking drugs and depending on which way the wind blows that is where that stink is going to drift</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Lilly gives a grant of 550 million dollars a year to the city of Indianapolis</b></i></span> </b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>So you can be sure, to the locals that rancid stink is just the sweet smell of money</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>But to the rest of us it still smells like shit
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010069.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010069.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /></b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Sunday is race day,</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>There are three divisions that race, the 125’s, 250’s and finally the Grand Prix bikes</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>They start with the 125’s and their race was a pleasure to watch, I watched some great passes on the corners by the leaders and a dueling battle to the finish, a great race!</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WANXqqQQkChN"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010072.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010072.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <b>
<br /></b><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>But as the day went on the looming rain clouds finally let loose with a vengeance </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>As long as there is no standing water on the track motorcycles will still race unlike a lot of race car divisions</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well so much rain came down from the thunderstorm they canceled racing and went into a holding pattern to see if the storm would move out</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well it sure looked like it would rain the rest of the day and we figured they would call off the rest of the racing card so Barry suggested we beat the crowd out of the raceway and head downtown….so that’s what we did</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>One thing I noticed while driving around downtown Indy were all these really cool old buildings…….some Gothic,
<br /></b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WJH3NjmEujQF"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010079.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010079.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><a style="display: block; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WECP4xwksHxn">
<br /></a><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010083.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010083.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /></span> </b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010077BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010077BW.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010099.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WOEtYhazbI4Y"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>some Victorian and then we both saw one that was defiantly Moorish in design</b></i></span></b></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well this building turned out to be the Murat Shriner’s Temple</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WFaNETergy4K">
<br /></a></b></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010085.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010085.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></span>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Seems that in Indy there are a lot of various Masonic fraternities and they all built these amazing buildings for their secret societies</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The Free Masons are originally derived from the Knights Templar and then many years later other Masonic organizations were formed such as the Shriners or Scottish rites.</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>These secret societies splintered off from the Free Masons, each one with its own rules and initiation rites, but still a basic Masonic Fraternal Society<span style=""> </span></b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well the Shriners were the party animals of these fraternal societies and Barry has quite a collection of Shriner memorabilia and great personal knowledge of their history</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>So we stopped at the Murat Temple and I took some photos,</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WEZzIBnon-CJ"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010097bw.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010097bw.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We were looking to see if there was any way to get inside when we ran across some people smoking on the side of the building, </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>As they were eying us with suspicion, the fellow who seemed to be in charge asked</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>"and your looking for?</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b><span style=""> </span>Barry then asked if it was possible to view the inside of the building</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>They said sure just go around he corner and you’ll find a door</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well we walked around the corner and the place was locked up tight as a drum</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Barry said, I bet those folks back there are Shriners and they are have a little fun making us walk around a locked up building</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>So Barry came up with a good BS plan to lay on them when we came back around the corner</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Yep It was classic Barry saying his poor old dad before he died (god rest his soul)</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Was a Shriner in LA at the Al Malaikah Temple and he told his son if he was ever in Indy to pay his respects at the amazing Murat temple</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well it was about this time that the fellow who told us to go around the corner says he’s the Potentate (that’s basically the head man in the shriner society)</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Next thing you know we’re all friends and were getting invited to their clubhouse and bar</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>So we proceed to have lunch and some very good Bloody Mary’s while they all watched the Colts football game……. It was cool and everyone was really nice</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>So we’re having a grand ole time at the Shriner bar when Barry gets a phone call from one of his friends at the track, he says the weather cleared up a bit and they cleaned the standing water off the track (they use jet engines) and they were canceling the 250 race and just running the Grand Prix so we better get our asses back to the track</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well we made a quick exit promising to be right back after the race and hurried out to the track just in time to see the start of the race</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=""><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Nicky Hayden went right to the lead and held it for most of the race but as the track dried out his rain tires lost rubber and traction with Rossi in hot pursuit
<br /></b></i></span> </b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WGhLhOKPA9hr"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=haydenrossi.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/haydenrossi.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Rossi passed Hayden and went right to the lead, well about this time the rain started to fall again pretty steady and if that wasn’t bad enough now there were wind gusts 40 to 60 miles an hour whipping around
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010086.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010086.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /></b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Shit was blowing all over the place and the track conditions were getting really dangerous so the red flag came out and they called the race on lap 21 (anything over 17 can be official) So Rossi won with Hayden in second a great finish for both riders</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well the long walk back to the car in a 60 mile an hour wind was kinda interesting</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Hell one time I thought Barry was gonna lift right off the ground with his plastic poncho flapping around catching the swirling wind, but we made it back to the car and headed right back to the comforts of the Murat lodge and some more of those Bloody Mary’s</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The Shriner's were all happy their team won at the last few seconds of the ball game so</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>It seemed like they were all getting ready to go home, that meant some goodbye’s to our new friends and time for us to hit the road again</b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We drove around downtown a bit, stopped at the home of our 23’rd president </b></i></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b><span style=""> </span>Benjamin Harrison
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WKgEBUEec7Pw"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010101.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010101.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Moving on we ended up in Speedway,
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010134.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010134.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>
<br />
<br /></b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Speedway is the poor section of town close by the racetrack</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Primarily a black neighborhood,</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The car needed some gas so we stopped to fill up</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Now usually when in a black neighborhood we like to find a good BBQ joint</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>So Barry asked some guys who were hanging out where a guy could find a good “Q”<span style=""> </span></b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well the guys said the best place was just down the street called BBQ Heaven</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>So we went a few blocks down the street and found our joint</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WDrLkHmLvh80"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010103.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010103.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The place seemed to have quite a steady clientele (normally a good sign) so Barry and I waited in line to place our order.</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Like I said before Barry likes to order various things off the menu just to get a taste of what a place will serve,</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well we got our assortment of food and proceeded to try it out</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I’ve eaten at a lot of BBQ joints all over the country,</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>But bar none this place was the worst, a bite or two and we threw the shit in the trash</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I ordered a peach cobbler, thinking no one could fuck that up but I was really mistaken</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Washing what little I ate with a grape soda it was time for my tummy to have some fits of it’s own</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I didn’t know to wither to shove a finger down my throat Roman style and yak it up or try and ride it out</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>(I opted for the later)<span style=""> </span>I guess you eat what your used to and in that neighborhood</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The locals must have poor taste and cast iron stomachs!</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Barry said fuck it, let's go back downtown and get a pizza at the palomino </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I couldn’t have agreed more</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>On Monday we decided to go to a few museums, first on the list was the Eiteljorg Museum,
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WB5-rS5UxV0a"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010133.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010133.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Barry knows the owner and we were invited to meet him for lunch and a tour of the museum.</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The Eiteljorg Museum has one of the best collections of American western art in the United States, here you can find many paintings and sculptures by Frederick Remington or C.M. Russell and so many more, the collection of Indian art and artifacts at the Eiteljorg is also very impressive. </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I would strongly recommend a visit there if you ever find yourself in Indianapolis
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WMHnXhoNbOHH"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010111.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010111.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left">
<br /><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010109.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010109.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010113.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010113.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010120.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010120.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010119.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010119.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><a style="display: block; width: 231px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WGxZWUVnBqei"> </a></span></b></div><div> <div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(my favorite piece, all done with a pencil)</span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span>
<br /></span></span></span></b></div> </div> </div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The next place we had on our short list of things to see was the Indianapolis motor speedway hall of fame and museum </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The museum is located right on the racetrack and it’s a must see if you are at all interested in motorcar racing, It has a great collection of racing cars and motorcycles from the last 100 years and something else I found interesting was an amazing collection of trophies they had
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WJu8p*6Un5g6"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010135.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010135.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010140.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010140.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WCz9xYW18fOk"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a></span></b></div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WE58b8cYysrf"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010142.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010142.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010163.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010163.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WE58b8cYysrf"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010146.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010146.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WDqLZ4VJQ1g-"></a><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></b> <div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(loved this art deco trophy from the 1930's)</span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span>
<br /></span></span></span></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010157.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010157.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WMYQqqpvt997"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a></span></b></div> <div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WD-LXnWOTXEj">
<br /></a></span></b></div><div><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WDG1Klg3xqY8"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010166.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010166.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010158.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010158.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WDG1Klg3xqY8"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a></span></b></div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 212px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleI%20%20mage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WC*BX2ZuFP*t"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010169.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010169.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >(the Borg Warner trophy presented to the Winner of the Indy 500)</span></span><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">
<br /></span></b></span></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We were done with our tour of the museum and trying to find our way out,</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>When Barry spied an open gate to the race track. So we headed that direction</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Barry’s never one to miss a genuine opportunity and said to me, here’s our story</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We’re meeting a guy from Red Bull (they were the race sponsors) so as we passed a few of the security guys we waved and they just let us continue on our way which happen to be the main track</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Barry looked around and said to me, you think they’ll mind if we drive on the track?</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I said hell I don’t exactly see “they” so go for it!
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WFNH7N0w-1m7"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010170.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010170.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well needless to say your daring duo did a crisp and steady 35 miles an hour on the road course that the day before hosted the F1 Moto GP bikes,
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010174.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010174.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /></b></i></span></span></b><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Mark/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-5.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Mark/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-6.jpg" alt="" /><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WPM5t*MvMgf-"><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a></span></b></div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WLsLSu*iOfip"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010177.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010177.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> </div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> we waved at some of the track workers and just acted like it was perfectly natural thing for two dudes in a rent a car to be tooling around the Indy 500 race track</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We ended up at the finish line and I took a couple of quick photos
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010178.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010178.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WPOXXWLQIuz3">
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a></span></b></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Hoping back in the car we took the same route we came and off the race course</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Many great champions have raced on this storied race track,</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well my friends you can now add the names of Barry Weiss and Mark Peacock!</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Just two guys from LA trying to squeeze just a little more out of their used general admission tickets from the day before</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>No we didn’t get to kiss the bricks like those other great racers, have our name etched on the Borg Warner trophy</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>No…..what you could really say is that we crept in…..crapped…..and crept out</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>And damn if we didn’t feel as right as rain afterward</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>
<br />I guess the urge to sneak in somewhere was really strong that afternoon</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Because the next place on our list was the Scottish Rites Cathedral
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010201.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010201.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 230px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WLF6X-1Ntuf2">
<br /></a></span></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We parked the car and tried to find an open door</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Watching some parents with their kids enter the building going to some kind of class</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We just sauntered in right behind them, when they made a right we made a quick left</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>And entered the old part of the cathedral
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WHol7-I7LjqZ"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010198.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010198.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We walked around checking out the various rooms which were beautifully ornate</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The carved wood panels and beams with stained glass everywhere was simply amazing</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>My photos don’t do this magnificent building justice, not wanting to use a flash and get busted for being somewhere we weren’t supposed to be.
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WFtNYePUzVPx"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010194.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010194.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WLGUHDlEkWTa"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010189.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010189.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><b><i>We entered a large theater and noticed a large Ducati banner and then in another room we spied some of the new 2009 Ducati motorcycles</i></b></span>
<br /></span></b></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=%20%2027d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WGamaZ9t8gE-"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010193.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010193.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WAF2Eg59s6UK"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010187.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010187.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> </div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Realizing now that Ducati was having their big once a year factory dealer party inside the cathedral </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I took a few pic’s of the bikes and we decided to try and find our way back out of the place which wasn’t easy because it’s rather like a large castle with many rooms</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Well we made it out and lo and behold right across the street was a Masonic Lodge</b></i></span> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Hehehe you know we had to talk our way into that place too, and sure enough we got by the guard and got to view the inside of the lodge.
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 200px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WAgyiL*c9Irp"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010199.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010199.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>We then drove over to the city square and checked out the new mall, had a tasty snack at Chick-Fil-Lay, (it’s a great place if you can find one)</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I took a few more photos of things I found interesting and we headed back to the motel for our last evening in Indy
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WFCk*PdjZzIP"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010211.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010211.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WDn3nGk5andh"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010224.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010224.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010213.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010213.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WDn3nGk5andh"><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </a></span></b></div> </div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>I woke up before Barry the next morning; I had seen a stone garden that I thought I’d like to visit because I’m fascinated by that sort of thing
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WFHw-is21Ri0"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010245.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010245.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>The weather was beautiful and I found a few monuments and gravestones to photograph
<br /></b></i></span> </span></b><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WPjxUsPLgWj0"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010256BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010256BW.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink">
<br /></div> </span></b></div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left">
<br /><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WAL8TRiw8Sib"></a><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010251BW.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010251BW.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010259.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010259.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=27d0owYpm8VqV2jCxVx1Vfr6WK-KyVqvK8sr"> </a></span></b></div> <div> <div><div> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>It was finally time to make the trek back home to LA so we headed to the airport</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Wouldn’t you know Barry had the stewardesses in stitches the whole flight,<span style=""> </span></b></i></span></span></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>You know there is nothing like a little laughter to make the hours fly right by</b></i></span> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>
<br />I like to think of it as the glitter one finds on the highway of life</b></i></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></b></div> <b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>So here’s to the things that we see along the way that makes it all sparkle!
<br />
<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/?action=view&current=P1010269.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Moto%20GP/P1010269.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />~M</b></i></span></span></b>Mark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-17135071302815477832008-09-07T09:41:00.000-07:002013-11-12T09:13:18.619-08:00The Primer Nationals Car Show<i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">It was time to do something cool for the labor day weekend and every year I try and make it to The Primer Nationals car show at the Ventura county fairgrounds,<br />The show is for a type of hot rod...... one that isn't original<br />Something that has been chopped or customized<br />Sometimes we call these cars rat rods and most of these cars or trucks are really old<br />they also have a lot of Bobber choppers at this show too<br />It's a low brow extravaganza ....tons of vendors<br />and just about every form of human from the Kustom Kulture<br />With slammin rock a billy and surf bands playing one right after another.<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">This is the sixth year they have done this<br />and every year it gets bigger and more popular and I would have to say it's my favorite car show to go to now on the west coast<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"></span></b></i><br /><div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYLBs*u323V0H"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /></div><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Mark/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYAJR4tksGOVZ"><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <span><i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Sometimes you will see girls pose for photographers<br /> So I'll get in on taking a picture too, a lot of interesting looking people come to this show<br /> </span></b></i></span> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 216px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYJCJ-O68uQ1j"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYHmeFgiCMEmk"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010015.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010015.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010016.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010016.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYOlMC*txK8W8"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYNz5RMpkeHjr"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <span><i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">This old knuckle head chopper had some wild metal work on it,<br />some very intricate welds and metal twists<br /></span></b></i></span> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYBRm-d6RuRHx"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010020.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010020.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></a><br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010019.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010019.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYBRm-d6RuRHx"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYMHqo7z5BmjV"><br /> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a> <div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span><i><b>I liked the coffin air cleaner cover on this motor kinda Mexican day of the dead motif </b></i><br /> </span></span></div> <a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYJJfPn7-Vghn"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Or the art deco look of this grill<br /> </b></i></span></span> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYOxkiz7mt6ek"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010021.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /></a></div> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b><span>This old 1940's milk truck was one of my favorite things that I saw<br /> Some photographer fixed it up for his equipment<br /> </span></b></i></span> <a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYOi8iqx8nbMc"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010025.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010025.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </span> <div><span><i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Some dude next to his led sled</span></b></i><br /> </span></div> <a style="display: block; width: 250px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYHMr2hItShyI"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010030.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010030.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Or car club Betty's all under their umbrellas<br /></b></i></span></span> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYJC9sh*Nugok"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010024.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010024.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>A couple of cool bobbers</b></i></span></span><br /> </div> <div> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYODPbmT2vR36"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></a><br /> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYNk-k6tpnPf3"><div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <div><span><i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">I dug this old Indian from the police in La Paz Mexico<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010031.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></b></i></span><br /></div><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYGRS5mWfqslQ"></a><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><i><b>Here's the back fender of it....lol Johnny Cash fan<br /><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /></b></i></span></span></div> <div> <div><span><i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Somebody put this giant drag racing engine into this 1961 Caddy......lol a bit of overkill<br /></span></b></i></span> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYA2HUxowvL1i"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010023.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010023.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <div><span><i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">And finally a mid fifties Caddy death wagon<br /></span></b></i></span> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYDvcbj7XaC-9"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010012.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010012.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: -6px; font-size: 11px;" class="AOLPicturesFullSizeLink"><br /></div> </a></div> <i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div> <span> </span></div> </div> </div> <i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">So that's a few of the pic's I took at the show,<br />On Monday I went and rode three hundred miles on my Harley<br /> I went up the coast and into the mountains and then back again<br /> I took this photo of the Ventura Peir as the sun was setting over the Pacific ocean<br /></span></b></i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/?action=view&current=P1010030-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Primer%20Nationals/P1010030-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">All in all a great weekend full of interesting things and some good riding through the back side of Santa Barbara.<br />That's the great thing about California such a great variety of things and terrain to experience<br />All you have to do is point yourself in a direction and something cool will come your way<br /><br />~M<br /></span></span></span></span><i><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br /></span></b></i> <div class="envelope" style="float: none;" align="left"><a style="display: block; width: 285px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=6d30-kbduSOFpK9jH7d0WPDpYLBs*u323V0H"><br /></a></div>Mark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343256751815307508.post-20224467653314070492008-08-31T09:58:00.000-07:002009-10-14T21:09:09.071-07:00A road trip to the Grand Canyon<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">What is the lure of the road, the adventure of experiencing things we've never seen, the people, places and oddities that greets one along a journey…… or is it just the need to get away from the basic mundane life that you live each and every day<br />With all of this in mind my friend Pat and I hit the road on our motorcycles in search of all of the above mentioned reasons and more……<br />When I think of Arizona I think of long hot drives along the 10 highway, this southern route is a quite sparse and rugged desert spotted here and there with Saguaro and Ocotillo cactus. But the northern route along highway 89A from Prescott to Jerome and on to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is some of the most breathtaking scenery one will ever see.<br />Just miles of beauty that seems to transcend into one amazing topographic wonder after another<br />With that in mind here are the snapshots of our adventure to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and back.<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyNDMuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0243.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Typical type of topography in the lower desert<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyNDguanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0248.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The great thing you see along the old route 66 and much of the south west are these cool old motel signs<br />Some are abandoned and some motels you can still get a room for the night<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyNTAuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0250.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Saw this sign of an Indian on his painted pony, <br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyNTMuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0253.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />All along the desert are the oddities of human behavior,<br />some artist gave a whole new look to this rock<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyNTguanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0258.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />We stopped at this old gas station that has now been converted into<br />this fellows home, but it looked just like it would have fifty years ago<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyNjAuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0260.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyNTcuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0257.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Pat snapped this one of me as we started to make our way to the upper desert and the town of Prescott<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyOTEuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0291.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Prescott is a beautiful place nestled in the high desert mountains at around 5,300 feet<br />Needing a few beers after the long ride and something sweet to eat we landed at the bird cage<br />saloon, here I am with my bag of kettle corn<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyNzQuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0274.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Here is one of the monuments in the town square,<br />as many of you know I have a thing for horses<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyNjUuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0265.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />We stayed the night with our friend Sindy had a nice dinner and<br />checked out a few of the local bars under the full moon that evening,<br />I can say that along our trip everyone in Arizona was really nice.........<br />In the morning when Pat and I were having breakfast<br />everybody would say hello and good morning.........kinda cool because we're not used to that in LA<br />Our next destination was the old mining town of Jerome, so we hoped on the bikes and continued north<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAyOTMuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0293.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />One thing that is music to a motorcyclist ears is a sign that says curves and mountain grades<br />And the highway going into Prescott and on to Jerome has plenty, so we took advantage of them,<br />passing whatever vehicle was in our way but then we would also stop here and there to check out the amazing views<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzMDcuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0307.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Jerome was established on the side of Cleopatra Hill in 1883<br />This old mining town now has a population of around four hundred or so<br />and in it's mining heyday the population swelled to around fifteen thousand<br />over two billion in copper and silver was mined here and the say that there are over eighty five miles of mines underneath the ground, above is the old Connor hotel and bar which is a favorite place for bilkers and locals<br />Right next door is the old Liberty theater which is still in operation<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzMDguanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0308.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Jerome is known as a ghost town and has a rich history of local folklore<br />now many of the old buildings are restaurants or art galleries<br />Like the whore house here that operated till the 1940's<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NzIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0572.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a few more views of Jerome<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzMTIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0312.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzMTEuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0311.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzMTcuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0317.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzMTguanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0318.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Moving onward we were headed to the bridge that crosses the Colorado river<br />but before getting there we rode through the city of Sedona<br />It's has some amazing scenery but the problem for me was that it looked like the Aspen of Arizona<br />multi million dollar homes built right into a place that should be a treasured national park<br />A drive by was good enough for the both of us<br />I took a few pic's here where there weren't any homes<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzMjkuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0329.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzMzIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0332.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzNDIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0342.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Now back again in the mountains traveling towards Flagstaff<br /><br />We stopped in Flagstaff for some lunch and re-fueling <br />It's a nice mountain community be we didn't stay there long enough for me to take any pictures<br />Pat had talked to a fellow who told him about a place we should visit called the Sunset Crater<br />The Sunset Crater is the youngest in a string of volcanoes that is related to the nearby San Francisco peaks, this volcano last erupted in 1100.......... it's a thirty two mile loop off of highway 89A with some truly amazing scenery<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzNTMuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0353.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a large meadow of yellow flowers<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzNjYuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0366.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />A view looking out from the base of the crater<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzNjcuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0367.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />We also heard that one could find some ancient Indian ruins, so we headed off to find them<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzNzUuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0375.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />I might add that in this part of the country at this time of year it's the monsoon season<br />so there were always amazing clouds but also the threat of thunderstorms, but it made for some great vistas<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzODAuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0380.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the ancient pueblo ruins left behind by a people long forgotten<br />the humble remnant of their existence<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzAzODcuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0387.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The myriad of colors one sees and feels in the desert of the great south west<br />is to remind oneself that there is still utter and true beauty left in this world<br />places where you feel like you are traveling in natures grand cathedral<br />It's in these moments while you ride, left with your thoughts as the world passes by<br />You understand how the American Indian could worship his land<br />and weep at it's destruction<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0MDMuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0403.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0MDIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0402.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Storm clouds are are a good metaphor for life,<br />As you approach the darkness you know you will enter the deluge that is falling<br />but that the important thing is not to surrender to the storm but to keep moving forward<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0MDYuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0406.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />You find the light and beauty that is beyond,<br />for no storm lasts .......it's just a moment in our mortal coil<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0MTEuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0411.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Having ridden through the thunderstorm by the time we arrived at the Colorado river crossing we were both dry<br />I walked along the bridge taking in the beauty and grandeur of the great river and surrounding cliffs<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0MTguanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0418.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0MTMuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0413.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />We decide we had enough riding for the day and got a room at the Cliff dwellers lodge<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0NDAuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0440.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />They have a gas station and little market, but the real secret is the outstanding restaurant located there, some of the best BBQ ribs you will ever find.......... right out in the middle of the desert....... who knew<br />we didn't.......just lucked out<br />That's the great thing about a road trip with no set plans..........you land where you land<br />you leave when you want to leave.............. aaaah but the jewels you find along the way are priceless<br />I say this because this is what I witnessed as the sun set<br />A sunset with golden rain<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0NDUuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0445.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The Vermilion cliffs in all their glory<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0NDIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0442.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />My father used to tell me when I was a little boy<br />that the sunset was god painting the sky..........he might be right<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0NTYuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0456.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />There is a term in the south west called "The painted Desert"<br />It's when the colors of the desert floor meld into the cliffs and plateau's<br />We saw this many times along our journey<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0ODIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0482.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What can I say...............heaven is the open road<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NDEuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0541.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />As we arrived in the general vicinity of the North Rim<br />We found a lovely campsite to pitch our tent for the night<br />With flowers and a strong scent of the towering pine trees we made our camp<br />(more on our campsite later)<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0OTcuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0497.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA0OTguanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0498.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Unpacking our gear we got back on the bikes and traveled down a dirt road to the East Rim of the Grand Canyon<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1MDEuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0501.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1MDIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0502.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Pat and I hiked about a mile down into the Grand Canyon<br />It's always easy going down......but coming back up is something else<br />Here's Pat taking a well deserved nap on a picnic table after the hike<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1MTYuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0516.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />After our little siesta and some dried salami we continued on to our destination The North Rim<br /><br />All I can tell you is that pictures will never capture the immense grandeur and beauty of the Grand canyon <br />It is truly one of the greatest wonders of the world, I was awestruck<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1MjAuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0520.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1MjIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0522.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1MzIuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0532.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1MzQuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0534.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The rains moved in so Pat and I headed into the North Rim Lodge bar for a few beers and weather the storm out, and after a short time the sun came back out and it was time to get going and back to camp<br />We stopped at a little market for some beer, junk food and firewood<br />here is our delightful dinner<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NDguanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0548.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Pat made a nice big campfire which we both tended for the next several hours<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NTAuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0550.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Around midnight we both went to bed if you can call it that,<br />see all the campsites here are on gravel and if you've ever slept on rocks then you'll know what kind of night we had........ there wasn't enough advil in the morning to take the kinks out of the both of us<br /><br />We rode back down the mountain and stopped by Lee's Ferry<br />He is the the guy who in 1871 established a ferry crossing across the Colorado river<br />Here is Pat next to the great river<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NTYuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0556.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />We decided to ride back to Jerome and spend the night there<br />I quite liked the place so off we went<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NjAuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0560.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />We ended up at the Jerome grand hotel, it originally was a state of the art hospital in it's day, It was closed up for many years until the new owners converted it to a hotel<br />They say it's haunted but by the time Pat and I went to bed our bumpers were dragging so bad there could have been a full blown demon party in our room and neither one of us would have gotten up<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NjkuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0569.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />I slept soundly and woke up to see the sunrise, something that is quite rare for me<br />Something about the promise of a new day and the rising of the sun that will always make that moment poignant<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA2MzAuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0630.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />We had a great breakfast and I decided to stroll around and take a few more photos of things that I found interesting<br /><br />Like widows that look to the sky<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NzQuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0574.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA2MzUuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0635.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Or the look of an old wall or doorway<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NzcuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0577.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Signs from the past that have weathered the years gone by<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NzguanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0578.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The edifices built by man to worship<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1ODMuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0583.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Or just the slow rusting colors of an old tin sided wall<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA1NzUuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0575.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Yes there is a lot to see in this world, sometimes someone has put a little humor into it<br />like this for instance<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA2NDAuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0640.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />This day ended with Pat and I doing a lap around the Salton Sea<br />A rather sad and desolate place back in California,<br />I shot this as the sun was setting in the western skyline<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA2NDUuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0645.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />I spent the last evening of my sojourn at Pat's place in Palm Springs<br />And got up the next day with one more place in mind to stop<br /><br />Just another kitschy stop along the highway of life<br />A quick look at the T-Rex at Cabazon and a date shake at Hadley's<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA2NDkuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0649.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3MxNTAvYXZpbG9ubXVzaWMvR3JhbmQlMjBDYW55b24vP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9SU1HXzA2NTEuanBn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/avilonmusic/Grand%20Canyon/IMG_0651.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />And you know after that I was right with the world once again heading homeward<br /><br />~M</span></span></span></span>Mark Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538383138284679768noreply@blogger.com1