THE SUMMER OF '76 - BAHNE 30"

I am remember this clearly... for the most part. I was up on a family vacation in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Duel purpose trip actually. Little bit of the summer vacation but, more importantly we had just bought the family condo. Here, check out the condo cam for a live update...
By the way. The kids and I, as well as Jenny, and Julia are heading there this Saturday, to spend Christmas in the snow.. I get mixed feelings from people on this one. On one hand... Hey! I want my own new traditions. On the other hand, my Parents, Grandma, and all others involved seem to have their own traditions, which usually involve heading to my Mom's in the morning for gifts, Locks & Bagels, then on to Grandma Kathy's for the BEST MACARONI IN THE WORLD.. I am not kidding, it's the best. Not to mention my beautiful girlfriend, Jenny, and her family traditions. Ok.. I am getting way off track here but bare with me, and quite possibly I will be able to "loop back" ( my new writing term learned from Allan C Weisbecker, my new writing guru) I guess "looping" is highly frowned upon by "idiot editors" and other people in publishing, that "don't actually do any writing" I may loop back to Allan's new book, "Can't you get along with anyone?" but hopefully not in this blog which has gone uncontrollably off the rails. This of course would be a double loop back, which is best reserve for roller coasters, and not early morning blogs.

Looping back to Christmas, and then on with the story, I swear… We are living in the most perfect location in So Cal, if not the world, most of the year so... I want to go to the snow for Christmas. That is simple enough. Although, with the advent of the new Driftwood Christmas Trees, and the likely Christmas Swell… I will stay around next year. (That was almost going in the direction of a triple loop, and it is only 8:30 in the morning) Why Mammoth? The kids don't get off all the time for school these days to go skiing, like I used too so.. Got to hit it for the holidays.. Ok now, here we go..

Back to the summer of '76. The big bi-centennial. Despite the mass genocide we perpetuated on the Native Americans, and recent Vietnam war, not too many people wanted us dead. It was a good 200 years.. The US was a pretty cool place, and quite possibly worth celebrating. So comes the Mammoth Lakes, 4th of July Parade, down Main St.. Starting up at Whiskey Creek, moving on down the slight incline on Main, pass the little hole in the wall ski shop known as The Cornice. (RIP) Then on past Andersen’s Pea Soup Restaurant. (RIP) Yes! Hap Pea & Pea Wee, both lived in Mammoth at one time serving up the finest split pee soup known to man. Oh well, that's gone too. So is the one in Carlsbad, and possibly to one way up north on Interstate 5. Well if you do happen to visit Andersen’s in Buellton. Take a look at the place mats and you will see Mammoth Lakes clearly on the road map. (Don’t forget to head over to the Hitching Post for dinner and a bottle of the Corkdancer, or Highliner, Pinot Noir’s , quite good, and made famous in the movie Sideways) I won’t be looping back to Buellton anytime soon, so this is more of a “Sideways Note”

The parade continued on past Safeway, now Von's, and in a different location all together, and was replace by Thrifty's which as you may know is now Rite Aid. What's this have to do with skateboarding? Good Question.. We sat somewhere in-between Whiskey Creek, and Andersen’s Pee Soup, on the right side on the road for the up- coming parade. Basically it was going like any small town parade . Some floats, mayors, city council, maybe the McCoy’s, the fire dept, ya know... Wait. What's this? Some early skateboard team ( Possibly Hobie, but definitely a team, noted by the matching uniforms... gag) I was a 14 year old, sheltered valley kid, and had never seen anything so cool... My life plans took a direct hit that day, and no longer did it seem I was going to become a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. This was it. I checked out a small contest they threw in the Cornice parking lot, then went into the Cornice Sports Shop and just drooled over this 30" Bahne they had on display. I had to have that board! Well, my folks didn't see it that way, and it took some time but eventually I was able to procure one from my future arch nemesis, Val Surf... They were after all, the Skateboard Capital of the World. It's was weeks later, but finally, I had in my hands... A Bahne 30" Fiberglass deck, complete with Chicago Trucks, and Cadillac Wheels, just like this one…



This board looked great in the store but, no kicktail, and not really what I was after I think. So I took it to Big Bear with my friend Kenny, who also witnessed the Mammoth Skate Demo, and his folks, Ken & Kitsy, who was fortunately a nurse, for some high speed downhilling.. more on that later...

Note: Since I am now blogging in three locations... I have decided to make this my main blog in which I will repost any other blogs, I might be doing over at the Green Sector Underground, or donjayne music, or anywhere else... Thanks!

More notes and numbers.. I have just past 500 feedback points for RinconRaxWorks. Since only about 50% of the people leave feedback that's not easy. Today as I write this I am at 509 positive feedback points... 100% Positive. See this eBay thing is a piece 'o cake compare to having a store. I guess thats the worry. Also "Reckless Love" has now surpassed 300 Plays, which is definitely, a gold record I think! haha

Happy Holidays to all and have fun. "There is much to think about but, nothing to worry about" - Sara Jayne

OVER HERE... LOOK! - ANOTHER BLOG

I had a visit from Mr Sean Cliver, last Friday, to shoot some photo's for another book he's working on. I am quite sure most of you are unaware who Sean is, so check out his site right now. disposable - the book..

At any rate, I have been wanting to put my own collection up on the web ever since the shop closed and my collection ended up tucked away in my closet, or worse, sold off for cash. ouch! So... this was the perfect time to, shoot along with Sean while everything was out. Skateboards that is. Most of my Snowboards are locked in a shed, I have lost the key for. It's just one of those weeks. Oh well.. I did manage to shoot most of my skates and they are now posted here. the greensector... underground... Sorry Trav, for stepping on your name but... we are underground.. and you can't find us! btw.. The Green Sector Underground, was the original name for the swap meet biz which lasted two weeks before my head exploded from all the success! This would also be a good time to credit Mr. Vince Kitchen, for pulling that name, Green Sector 27, out of thin air... More on that some day. Something about.. Red Sector A! Santa Cruz and fungus...


Well... I have grand delusions of re-releasing some of the old t-shirts and stuff, and hopefully reconnecting with a lot of the old friends & customers, from the halcyon days of my retail carreer, I loved so much, sometimes.. Ha. If nothing else this is where you can now publicly view, the Green Sector Skate, Snow, and Surf Museum. Plus you don't miss the my new blog detailing one misguided boy's journey from, bright starry eyed 8 year old, with a Hobie Super Surfer and a skinned knee, to highly successful yuppie snowboard shop guy, to surfing recluse, ensconced in an aluminum trailer, about 2 minutes from the Queen of the Coast, with a beautiful woman 15 minutes to the north, and two beautiful daugthers a half hour to the south. No wonder all the oil blew out the back of my van. Criky!! From the east to the west. to the north and south. Oh crap, this going to take awhile..

A long, long, time ago... My Grampa Bob had this really cool Hobie Super Surfer hanging up on the wall in his garage. I couldn't help but notice it. He was a carpenter and had ton's of woodworking equipment in the garage. This board is still in my collection. It's missing the sticker, and the Super Surfer Wheels but, If you look closely, you can see the hole he drilled in there to hang it on the wall... But he didn't build this. This was something else. Something very cool, I thought. I was probably in second or third grade, making me... Hmmm about 8, I guess.

VANARU UPDATE???

Well... I guess I should update you a bit on the Subie 2.2 Conversion... It is faster! Much faster!! It is fun to drive... more funner.. ha... It acts and feel like a normal car, and it even get a bit better gas mileage. All of the oil came out yesterday, and spewed all over the back end of the van... Waaahahhaaa. I should end this blog right now, here, before I cry, but no... I am going on. I don't know what happened yet, and almost don't want to hear. I can only hope it has something to do with the oil pump they resealed a couple weeks ago.

When I signed up for this deal.. I was under the impression that these were used engines that Seth at Mastercraft, took apart, looked at, said there's nothing to fix here, and closed them up. Actually, what he said was... The engines they have been rebuilding, have looked really good inside, and we can throw one of these used ones in with for "X" amount of money, and thats - how I can do this conversion for "X" amount of money. Well... that is still sounding pretty good to me. Because these subie engines are pretty reliable, and you can get three low mileage engines for the price of one rebuild. About 45,000 miles according to Seth... Not to mention, the first used one they put in for someone else, has been rolling along great I understand. Ok... That's all I can say about it for now.

I did enjoy a nice little trip out to Jalama a couple weeks ago, the heater was still malfunctioning at that point, but the engine was running well. It was great to go back there, and we are heading there this weekend for Sara's 14th Birthday, and some Jalama Burgers. We may have to take Jenny's, stand by Westy... but it is all good! Btw... I now know how Jalama's premier surf spot, Tarantula's, got it's name, and it not the fact that it gets big, hairy, and has sharp fangs...

SAYING GOODBYE TO THE WASSER BOXER...

Yesterday was the day. I have made the decision to go with the Subaru's Legacy 2.2 Liter Engine, in my beloved Syncro Westy. Seth down at H&R on Haley, now Mastercraft Motors, will be doing the work. Seth has been working on both my vans for years, is the best, most honest mechanic I have ever known, and the preeminent Subaru Conversion Specialist in the country... Sunday afternoon, the alternator went down. No biggie, unless your engine is on the way out, and you are thinking, conversion! I called too see how much for alternator and, Seth made me an offer on Subie, I couldn't refuse. I feel a little torn by parting with the old German Wasser Boxer engine, in favor of the more polished construction of the Japanese 2.2 Liter Boxer, by Subaru. My WBX has lasted a remarkable 180,000+ miles, and was not really done yet. Most recently it was the alternator. It seemed set to go another 10,000 or more but was showing signs. More leaks, Loss of Power, Loudy, loudy, Louder!!! So before I threw more money to the beast and it's impending doom, something jogged free in my head, and I had a sudden peace come over me, and knew this was the time...

180,000 is quite a long run for the 2.1 WBX. My former Westy was out at 132,000, Which seems quite a popular number. Jenny's, a 1985 with the 1.9 WBX was out at 162,000. So anyway I was quite proud of the my WBX. (Hey this one didn't even have Vanagon Syndrome) Well.. it just made it's final trip/ adventure up to Grass Valley, down an extremely hot Highway 49 through Gold Country, out to Yosemite before heading over Tioga Pass. The highest route over the sierra's before ending in Mammoth. It got us where we needed to go. Ah yes.. Quite slowly some times, in second gear to be sure. See Kalie’s Sweet Sixteen Blog for more on that trip. This really wasn't an easy decision to make because... I really like VW's!

There are lots of options out there for the under powered 6000 lb beast. VW's Syncro Transporter with Westfalia full Camper Conversion. Here' would be a good time to mention. This is not just a camper. It's my daily driver. Despite living only 2 miles from Rincon, it seems I drive a million miles a year. Kids in Oxnard, Jenny in SB, a few trips a years, and I easily do 20,000 miles a year... Well, there a lot of choices, to be sure, on the conversions. But, really there were only three I was thinking about.

1. The VW 2.0 TDI


2. The Subaru 2.2 Legacy


3. Another 2.1 WBX

Well... the TDI is my dream engine. It's German and stays in the VW family. I like the higher miles per gallon, better torque, the possibility of running veggie oil. I don't know much else because I have never really seen one. Or heard it run... Louder.. Loudy… Loudy? Well anyway,it's expensive, realitivly speaking, and the cleanest work on those seems to be coming from David Marshall's Fast Forward Shop, out of Vancouver BC, I think. I am not sure I could even have made it that far. Ok I don't have that kind of money anyway... Not to mention possible the Smog Hassle with CARB. (California Air Regulatory Board or something like that) I have heard everything from, You can't put a diesel in a gas power vehicle in California at all. Period. To.. lot's of hassle and paperwork. Yet... I have also heard it's as simple has filling out a "change of motive" form at the DMV stating this vehicle now runs on diesel.

As far as getting a new WBX. I was pretty certain this was the way to go for me. I am not too worried about speed. The WBX does fine on flat roads and downhill. Mine actually used to pull the San Marcos Pass at 50 mph, which is not bad. It pulled grapevine about the same. Anything steeper though and you were shifting between 2nd and 3rd way more than necessary.. It even seemed fine off-road with the low granny gear I thought hey, not to shabby! Possibly a new WBX by Go Westy, in Los Osos, who seem to be making some great engines, from the original WBX but… The best of those, are also pricey and worse, require premium gasoline, Ouch. Oh come on the Wbx... it is really slow, and I could use a little extra power off-road for sure...

Ok... Why the Subie. Well... Like I said, Seth, has been my mechanic since I had the 2wd Westy, and started dreaming of owning a Syncro. He always had a few in the shop, and I was awestruck by how such an ingenious vehicle could ever me made. Four wheel drive, Air lock Differential, These things can do some fairly serious wheeling, in you don't tip them over. .. When you get there. Pop the top, crack open, an ice cold beer out of the frig, hahe, and whip up some dinner. Take a nap, go to sleep, whatever. You can't beat them, they are the best vehicle ever made, and I am never selling mine. They turn on the dime, are fun to drive, carry just about anything you would ever want, and you can whip up some tea, at a moments notice. Not to mention. It is a great daily driver, and far cooler the those freakin, mini vans. Hehahe.. But, why the Subie… I will let Seth explain

Seth Hatfield on the Subaru Conversion

Here it is... Looks better than factory.
Click on it, to check out Seth's Shop!

There are about eight million more viewpoints, counterpoints, and pointless ramble out there... Get on the Yahoo Syncro list, and you will see what in mean, it is definitely ,a very sensitive issue. And I don't think there is a definitive answer really. But, hey Seth is my mechanic... He has people coming in from all over the country to get the Subie Conversion. Man, I am right down the road. Subie! That is my final answer. Take this thing to Mastercraft Motors on Haley…

On a side note… It’s not by coincidence, I just put some very expensive Vintage Skateboards up on eBay. With some more to follow… Maybe some Snow Stuff too.

RinconRaxWorks

RANDOM ALASKA...

The fishing was great!
I love this pic of me reeling in this one..



We are heading to are final destination, Vancouver, and should arrive tommorow morning. I thought this is a good time to touch on some random pictures and thoughts...



Coffee... It grinds and makes a great fresh cup of coffee every time. Lattes, Cap's Esspresso, you name it. It got me by but… There is no subsitute for Jen’s stove top esspresso maker, which makes a hella strong cup, and is then knocked down a bit with some milk and honey. Seen here aboard the glamorous, SS Westy.

We really didn't see a lot of wildlife. For that I recommend, Paradise Road, in SB. We did see a few humpbacks, a couple goats, and this Bald Eagle. No Killer Whales... But maybe today...



There is nothing quite like landing in the middle of a misty glacial lake, hopping out and hanging ten on the pontoons. I can just imagine going to all these back country lakes, fishing, hiking. Maybe checking all the surf spots too. This is the best way to get around Alaska.



Everyone says it just rains here all the time. This day in Ketchikan was really the only day it rained. Sara... lovely with here polka dot umbrella..




Of course we had a pool, shuffle board, paddle tennis, and ping pong.. The the tender getting us to shore in Ketchikan, and Sitka. Oh yeah... The wildlife parks, Museums, Rings, and things, the Train Ride to the Klondike, Stunning scenery everywhere you look, food, food, and more food..




The Beaver. Our ship is in the background.

FLOATPLANES IN TONGASS...

Big… That’s what Alaska is. It is fucking huge. It is impossible to capture in a photo. No matter how you line up your shot, it comes up short. There is just too much. The fish are big. The bears are big. The Moose are big. The water is deep, and the whole freakin state is half the size of the US. (I think) Really… I wished I ended that whole big thing,a whole lot bigger than that. Because, it is big. Today, our port of call was Ketchikan… The Salmon capital of the world. It was named by one of the early founders. You ketch ‘em, we’ll kan ‘em. Salmon, that is. According to local bus driver legend….


So… Today was pretty fun.. I was actually having my best day of the trip, till the time my dad made a comment about Bloodlines, Native Americans, and Europeons, and I got up, and walked way from dinner. I love my Mom and Dad, and I would probably be a homeless pyscho bum without them, but there is no way, no how... Oh well, whatever, never mind forget it! Anyway, before that, my Dad, Kalie, and I, took a great excursion aboard the Beaver... Floatplanes, second to only the Otter. Really, I don’t know which one we were on but, this was the small one. It is a great feeling being aboard one of these pricey yet, floaty toys. Being a water person, I don’t know why I would fly any other way. We flew an Ama (one pontoon off the water, banking, while taking off) on the take off out of this lake.. Unbeleivable!

The taxi out, and take off were smooth as butter. In what locals would call October weather. If you were a local you would know what I was talking about, if not, that means… Rainier and windier than usual. Which means… considering it rains 13 - 16 FEET a year, it wasn’t the best day for flying. Really, it wasn’t that bad compared to the year La Conchita slid as far as I am concerned. Either of those years.

Our destination is the Misty Fjords. Now if you have been paying attention, a fjord is a deep granite valley cut by glaciers and filled with water. Kind of like Yosemite, but filled with water. I don’t know what the deepest ones are, but I hear 1200 to 1500 feet deep all the time out here. The Misty’s are filled with both sea level ocean water and higher elevation lakes. This is what I mean by BIG! I was taking in up to three elevations of fresh water, waterfalls, and connecting streams, along with a big deep fjord of sea water all in one view. This all took place in the TongAss National Forest. Anyway… None of the pictures can really show what it is all about, and next time I come up here will be in the much slower, yet trusty, Westy. But have a look anyway.. Btw, click on the pictures for a full view…

I know My Mom and Dad read this from time to time so… I will take this time to publicly thank them for this trip. While we are completely different, I had a great time, I still love you, and wish you another 45 years of happy marriage. Jenny, I love you, wish you were here, or I can’t wait to get back! This is our last port of call before Vancouver and I hope to find you the appropriate gift. Shaq, Kobe, Fish, Fox… Wait that’s the book I’m reading. Ok… Charlie. I really think you really belong up here flying Beavers and Otters into the Misty Fjords of Ketchikan. When I think of Alaska, I always think of you ,and your family canoeing down the Yukon when we were kids….

CAPITAL CITY!

It was freakin hot! (Over 80) In the capital city of Alaska today.... Guess_______ I can't escape the heat! Hint... It starts with a J. Speaking of J, I would like to play a game of scrable with Jenny today, or play anything really. That's it. It is way to hot. Just like California. Except for a ton of Salomon jumping all over the freakin' place. J_____ is a small town with about a 100 jewelery shops. Reminds me of Big Bear Lake except with whales, and the float planes. Oh Okay... It's better than that. I just miss Jen... Ok. More tommorrow from aboard the Seven Seas Mariner. MATU UTU... Take me to the South Pacfic. Ok, I am whipped. But... since when was that a bad thing? Bye!

SITKA!!!

On the way to Whittier.... AK

Hey… First off, I really, really, really, miss my better half , Jenny I love you! Whaahha. It’s hard to explain what goes on in ones head when I am are here to have fun on the trip of " a life time" Yet, a huge chunk of me is missing. Oh well. I love my kids and... Today my parents were remarried by the Captain of the ship. Phillipe?? It should have been me. Haha.. Not really. Ok, Really Reckless... YES! I do! Just came back from the fanciest restaurant aboard the ship, so I might, be slurring my writing a bit here. Ahhhhhh… grgr. The wedding was pretty informal despite the informal attire, which in fact, if quite formal in my opinion. Finally got to break out the Volcom Blazer today though, because my Dad had an excellent pair of Callaway slacks that matched perfectly! Four!!! I have a Big Bertha so this fits in fine with my way of life.

It is 10:36 PM tonight and still light, of course. I’m down her in the Library/Game Room/Internet café/Coffee machine deluxe center. Just push a button and you coffee dreams come true. For me it’s a Cappuccino and a shot of espresso… Despite cabin fever, excess food and excess drink, it has been pretty fun. Yesterday we closed in on the Hubbard Glacier. It made huge thundering sounds as it calved into itself and the see. An awesome site for sure but, many years ago it extended out another 35 miles down the fjord and stood about 2000 feet tall. Can you please go around and turn off your lights… Thanks you! That’s easy for me to say as I sit upon the grand mariner or grand opulence or… whatever this is… The ship of so much excess that they don’t even use 50% of the silverware, or dishes at your table. I guess, in a way it is self contained so maybe I could let that go…. Maybe…

The weather was freakin unbelievable today. It probably hit seventy, easy… The water is 57 degrees and tempting. Coming off my high jumping escapades I was thinking sixth floor easy.. But you can’t leave the boat without them swiping your card, sop…. Oh well. It’s beautiful… I wish I was getting married myself. Oooppppss. No, really, I do! Trees, islands, whales, salmon, puffins, and even the grandest, most regal of birds, the Bald Eagle! Really… America’s bird, just kicking it at the harbor entrance. Almost unreal looking that bird. But alas. This is the perfect day for salmon fishing and it was great… Four hours or fishing bliss with just Kalie, Mike, Captain Marcellus, and myself. ( he didn’t look like a Marcellus) Marc… took us to his killer hot spot, and we were hooking up in a matter of seconds. Both Mike and I losing fish simultaneously on cue. I lost the first Silver of the day. We only kept the Silvers, the Pinks are going back. Never saw a King all day. Everyone had a great time and we had the boat to ourselves. Cost of each of the fish we are sending home. Well at least $200 each. Yummy! Canoeing on the Mendahal glacier tomorrow. Bye… Love you Jen!!!! It’s dark.. As it gets. Blog Time 11:14



Sitka... Free Faliin'

PDX...

Hey folks.. Here I am in Portland again. Hi LaLa... It was a fairly uneventful flight from Santa Barbara. But always kinda cool to fly out SB, over Campus Point where I met by my "Sweet Sunrise", up towards Naples, El Cap, and part of the Ranch, before turning inland. Well, we only have three hours here to kill, but I plan to head up the Columbia River and do some salomon fishing with nets before I get out of here and head to Anchorage. With Kalie at the helm we made great time heading up river. She is sixteen now and quite capable of handling the big boats. Just about 20 clicks up the river and we will be at the chutes. I don't know really how far is a click? Really I don't know where the heck these chutes are. But, I remember fondly getting a keg of great beer at Deschutes Brewery.. Hi John... somewhere near Mount Bachlor many years ago on a K2 trip to the Mount Baily Cat Skiing Operation. I just flew over the area earlier and took note, as well as nearby Crater Lake which was stunningly blue today not to mention countless volcanos... No rain in Portland today.



Here's Mike and I at "the chutes" catching salomon with nets.
A great way to spend the day near Portland, Oregon.

Ok... thats that, from PDX.. Off to Anchorage and the cruise of a lifetime, without the love of my life. Whaahaa... Ok to be fair and not whiny, I do have my lovely daughters Kalie and Sara, not to mention my very handsome brother, Mike! We will be hooking up with Mom and Dad in AK shortly. So it should be nice. Especially getting out of that heat! Don't forget the new Spearhead Record is out today. I downloaded it this morning and it's great. Buy it! I heard most of the songs at the festival, so it sends me back to just a little over a week ago in Grass Valley. Hi Jen, and Julia.. Miss you... Unfortunately, due to a flaw in the family vacation plans. They weren't able to make this trip because it was planned too far in advance. Really though.. The day I met her, I felt I should advise my Mom we would need an extra berth or two... Really I was thinking about some more exotic plans in the South Pacific. Well, soon I think. Hopeless. Reckless....



She is my sweet sunrise...
When I look in her eyes..
No way No how..
I'd ever say good bye...

THE SWEET SIXTEEN TOUR...

Ok.. I have not written a thing since April??? That is ridiculous. I just don't have the words and thoughts flowing out of my brain at a constant rate these days. None of the turmoil, stress, depression, etc... that leads to great writing, or thinking. Well that's not exactly true. Oh well,whatever nevermind... Here we are in Mammoth today, July 20th, 2006. They just closed the lifts on July 4th, 16 days ago, and today is Kalie's 16th Birthday. SIXTEEN!!! No way... Sixteen!!! Man, I was already a complete nightmare screw up, for my parents by age 16.


Well anyway... 16 years ago I watched, as Theresa gave birth to Kalie Anne Jayne, pretty early in the morning I remember. After a long, long, long, labor. Kalie came out with a great big lump on the side of her head from the long journey. A bunch of blood settle in there during the hard push into this world, my first of many scares as a parent. Juandice set in and... I am sure all you parents know the feeling of... Oh my god, I have a little brand new baby here, now what. There really aren't any lessons in being a parent, but all of the sudden, you are, and eventually everything comes together quite naturally... Well obviously there is a hell of a lot more to it than that. Colds, Gymnastics, Dance, School, Open Houses, More Dance, More, School, More Colds, Joy, Sadness, Family Vacations, Birthdays, More Joy, Divorce.... Arrrrggrgg.. Probably the hardest thing for any kid, or parent for that matter to go through. But it really hard on the kids. Just ask them...

But today we are winding down our latest family vacation. Kalie’s sweet sixteen tour. It has been great trip, with Kalie, Julia, Jenny, the love of my life, Curtis the Dog, and myself. Unfortunately, Sara didn't join us on this trip due to being the tender age of THIRTEEN!!! We are all huge Michael Franti & Spearhead fans. So we planned this little trip around the World Music Festival in Grass Valley. (yes it was hot!) But, pretty nicely laid out, with lots of grass, tall pines, and shade. Plenty of good music flowing from 6 stages, but we all came for Spearhead, who were closing on Saturday night.

More than ten years have past since I first saw Spearhead at the Mangey Moose in Jackson Hole. They were great then, and I still have the original "Home" CD from my Ride Care Package. They are even better now. On the second song Kalie looks over at me and say's this is the coolest. It was... We had great seats but, no one sat the whole time anyway. Michael Franti, and Spearhead, probably make the most thoughtful, important music, that you can dance to period, and they definitely connected with the audience on this night! If you haven't heard of them.. You are not alone... They played a bunch of new songs off the new album, "Yell Fire!" the rest seemed to be off "Everyone deserves music" The album and his DVD, "I am not alone" - A musician's search for the cost of war, in war torn Iraq. Both will be released on the 25th. Check the permanent link on my sidebar... I haven’t seen the movie yet... Unfortunately we missed the LA screening, and a solo acoustic performance on the 18th while lurking somewhere near Yosemite... BTW, Michael Franti is one of the nicest performers I have met, staying way late to sign autographs, and take pictures for his fans. Incredible show!



The rest of the trip has been great. After an extremely hot, I mean, eye ball popping heat, drive through the gold country. My beloved Westy and crew arrived safely at Rainbow Pools. One on the top ten swimming holes in California. Number one on my list. I was here once before, and completely wimped out on the large jump. This year was my redemption. Hey, it even looks big in the picture! In fact, everyone pushed thier limits at the hole, with Jenny matching me on the big jump, and the Kids hitting the big water slide drop. Ahhoowooowooo! We camped nearby at the Sweetwater Camp, and would wake every morning, and run over for some eye opening 25' plus leaps into the crystal clear water of the Tuolumne River, before heading into Yosemite.



Yosemite was awesome as always... Water is still running strong this season and all the falls were firing. I forced everyone on the hike to Vernal Falls for a serious uphill work out, up many stairs and on through the mist. Next day we headed out through Yosemite's high country, through he great domes and meadows, and up an over Tioga Pass. This is a really beautiful part of Yosemite you don't want to miss. We didn't see our bear though, until we hit the town of Mammoth Lakes... Well that's it from Mammoth Lakes where we are just, plain relaxing. Happy Birthday Kalie!!!

ONE OF THOSE DAYS!!!

My Endodontist had a big pitcure window looking out into a nice garden.. But, I saw this one for Free...

I have a toothache. Waaahaha. So far it has cost me $180.00 to find out it "might" be cracked and I might just need to pull it! Waaahahaha!! Here is what pisses me off. I finally feel I had a good dentist. Close... Just ride my bike over. Five minute walk. Nice guy. Older. Old school. Surfs. Has Surfer Mag's in the waiting room. So I get a toothache, and I call him pretty much right away!. Never lectures me, or make me feel, like I am not responsible enough to own teeth. He is great!

So I go in thinking, cool.. just another root canal. $1200 or so and the pain will be gone! NO... This tooth is special. And needs a specialist.. and a fucking special consulting fee.. So my dentist who is cool, and I still like, as of right now... Sends me to Ventura Endodontics to see D. Longweill DDS MS. MS??? Money Sucker!!! Endodontist: Dentist who just does root canals!!! boycott!!!Nevermind!

Now back in Carp... Dr Conti, my dentist, says there may be a crack and it might not be saveble anyway. ($30.00) He did a miracle job on two teeth in '04. But... this is a back molar and, too hard to root out??? "Root out" is my own root canal lingo. I'm drinking red wine but, haven't had a vicodin since 11pm last night. Yet, I am sill begining to ramble. Haven't even mentioned my daughter or ex-wife yet. It's just one of those days..

Back down to Ventura, roughly, 15 minutes South of La Conchita. Dr Longwill is explaining that it might be cracked. But, he can't tell. ($150.00) Same thing as Dr Conti, in Carp, says.($30.00) OK.. I can understand that it might be impossible to tell if it is cracked, and therefore, unfixable. I can understand that it would cost $200 too start digging in there, and actually find out if its cracked or not, before deciding whether to do the root canal.

What I CAN'T UNDERSTAND is... Why it took 180 fucking dollar$$$ to find this out. Just start digging! Now, if I want to find out if the tooth is still saveable. I still need another $200... If you are not counting, that is $380, to see if it can be saved. Otherwise... Pull it out?? Cost: Unknown

Why couldn't this "root canal specialist" just open the fucking tooth up and look at it right away for two hundred fucking dollars and tell me if if was cracked in the first place!

Instead it cost one hundred and fifty dollars to tell me.. it will cost two hundred dollars to see if we can fix it!!!

I feel like I just got fucked in the canal...

Ok.. Elsewhere.

My daughter still hates me, and my ex-wife still thinks I am the worst parent in the world.. Waaahahaha

PLUS JUST IN! MAMMOTH Avalanches, Volcanos, Death, oh boy!!



This is a pretty huge fracture!!!

OH WELL... NEVERMIND - Dr Longwill just called me back and said he would apply the $150 to any further work. Yeah! Forget about the boycott, they are great!!! Highly recommended. YeP!

Concert Review..
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April 15th Canyon Club.. Sorta near the LA scene


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