Inspiration...

I'm on a David Brower kick again. I can always use a little inspiration and he delivers a lot. This is a interview I found on Youtube that is 12 minutes in length.

Strawberry Finale...

After dancing at the revival Sunday morning at Strawberry, I spent the afternoon hiking to the Wapama Falls at Hetch Hetchy dam in Yosemite. Most of my knowledge of the Hetch Hetchy dam has come from researcing David Brower, one of my heroes, whose dieing wish was to remove the Hetch Hetchy dam and restore the valley. There is a great movement to do so with several organizations involved, including the group Restore Hetch Hetchy. Needless to say, I had a lot to ponder during this 5 mile hike.

With the previous weeks rainfall, followed by warm weather melting the High Sierra snow packs, the falls were going full force. We all got quite wet walking past and below the falls. Most people were somewhat screaming, including myself, as they ran past the falls. The screaming did not stem from the cold water drenching people but from the sense of power felt from the water rushing at you and the feeling that it just wasn't right to be standing next to and so close to that power.

Here is a video I took of one of the smaller spurts of the falls. This was the only fall tame enough for my camera to capture.


It was quite warm this day and we got thirsty on the way. (This one is for you bro)

Strawberry Part II...

Music in the morning and hiking in the afternoon.

Still Recovering from Strawberry...

I attended my first Strawberry Music Festival in Yosemite this past weekend. It was four days packed with live music, hiking, jamming and trying not to get sun burned.

It was a great work out overall. We did Michael Franti aerobics on Saturday night with all of his "let me see you jump." And, "now wave your hands. Jump. Let me hear you say woooo-oh. Now jump. Wave your hands. Shout. Jump! Jump! Wave! Jump!" Get the picture? Always a good time with Franti.



The next night we participated in Natalie McMaster-cise. With her lively fiddle playing and dance lesson there was no standing still. It was, "step - shuffle, step-shuffle, step-shuffle" for about an hour or so.

Arms and fingers were exercised at Jammin' 101, where musicians of all kinds and levels got together to play music. And our lungs were exercised as well from talking with many wonderful festival attendees, singing along with the bands and chatting it up in between.

Another group that was quite entertaining was Poor Man's Whiskey. A lively bunch of talented musicians. Here is a sample of a comedic song. It's in "ragtime" style and is about PMS.

Sunny Sunday...

Today there was a 20 piece band playing a benefit on the other side of the fence from my place in town. This meant a free show for me and Squirrel Meat who enjoyed the music while working in our garden. We also partook in some dancing as well.

Doubllium?...

Hiking through the forest today at Grizzly Creek Squirrel Meat and I came across what we have dubbed a "doubllium" as pictured on the left. As you can see it has two leaves, two petals, two sepals and two anthers. Look at the photo two posts ago and you will see a trillium with three of all the above mentioned. The petals of trilliums (and doublliums) turn pink as they begin to die.

Ahhhhhhhhhh...

Sunshine - Blue Skies - Slight Breeze - Calmness - Sweet Floral Smells - Bursting Blossoms

Spring is a funny time... I feel calm, relaxed and energized all at once. My mind often becomes entangled in confusion of whether to take a cat nap in the warm sun or get out in the garden and dig, dig, dig. I usually just try to fit it all in, but that gets difficult as my energized brain creates a longer and longer list of things "to do."

Today I started with a leisurely walk in the sunshine to redwood park . My mission was to find trilliums, and trilliums I did find!

A Visit from the Folks...

My folks came to visit for two days mid-week this week. We had a great time site seeing while reminiscing about our summer trips to the coast back when I was a kid.

Thanks for the wonderful visit and come back soon!

Happy Sunday...

I'll admit it. I have livied in Arcata for the past 9 years and have never made the trip to Strawberry Rock, near Trinidad. This is mostly due to the fact that there is a bit of bouldering involved with getting to the top. I don't mind the getting up part usually, but the getting down part is often a different story.

Thanks goodness the up and down were a breeze. During our hike up it was raining but clouds parted as we reached the tippy top to see the amazing Pacific Ocean in all its glory. By the time we got back to the trail head it was raining again.

2009 Rocks so far!

So much! So much! The new year has really started with a bang. I moved. I'm painting my entire house. My brother visited from Thailand.

From Winter 09

Tsky came for a visit and then I went to San Jose for a wonderful baby shower for Birdi and then to Half Moon Bay to visit Fuego and her family, plus other Bay area friends that I adore.

From Winter 09

Fuego and family were wonderful hosts at HMB. Marie kept me entertained with walks to the beach, reading books, dancing and watching her messy style of eating. I also got to meet Antz for the first time. He's the baby hidden behind the blanket. To show his true love he spit up on me all weekend. And special props go to LongDistance Woman for spending all day Monday visiting. She is sooooo cool!!!

From Winter 09

Obama!

Happy Holidays

Time in Chico with family, including my
brother visiting from Thailand. A great holiday!