The Wandering Blues

Viva Mexico!!!

2010-08-16T09:22:00.001-07:00

Just in from a Mexico off-shore trip. Lots of big yellowtail caught. Here's a few pics....

The Right Thing for the Right Reasons

2010-08-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

Every now and again I see something that makes me think, "Alright, the next generation will be okay." It's even better when that moment involves your own child.

I took Kyle and his best friend up to the Sierra's over the weekend for some camping and fishing. We met up with my good friend, Dave, and his son Conner. Now Conner's only 10 and he's a bit on the small side, but what he lacks in height, he makes up for in his gusto and heart. He's one really good little kid.

As it goes, Conner almost didn't make the trip when a couple of weeks ago, he became very ill and experienced what the doc's later realized was a diabetic coma. His folks had no previous inkling he had diabetes and a week in the hospital confirmed it; Type 1.

Now, Conner was really looking forward to this trip and Dave, rather than breaking his heart, packed up the insulin, the records books, and all the other stuff and headed on up. Because they are still dialing in treatment, Conner had to have readings almost every hour. He must have felt like a pin cushion with all the needles he felt. But, he was a trooper and took it all in stride.

When they first arrived, it took about an hour of testing, readings, consultation via cell-phone with the Doc, etc. before Conner could hit the water. Kyle & his buddy had already been out for several hours and were getting ready to wrap it up when Conner finally made it out.

On his first cast, he fouled his line. Seeing that, Kyle threw his own lure out at a large trout he had been trying to entice all morning with no effect. Sure enough, the fish hit his lure and as quick as a blink, Kyle handed his rod to Conner and excitedly said "He's yours! Get him!"

Conner tugged and pulled and landed that fish, which turned out to be the largest trout caught by any of us all weekend. Conner was beaming. Kyle was beaming. And I was beaming because, even though Kyle's a surly teenager, he still had the kindness to hand his rod off to a little kid. He could have had bragging rights for the trip, but he did the right thing. In retrospect, I guess he has bragging rights far more than just a big fish.

Conner and his big fish.....

The Problem with living in Paradise........

2010-07-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

Is that it makes it so tough to return back to reality! But, that's life. Here's some pics of the recent going's on in the Bayer household.... Don't forget you can click to enlarge.

Catalina Island

2010-07-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

When the wife's away, the boys will play. Actually, that's not entirely true. She lets us play quite a bit. But, since she's in Wisconsin (aka Fiskonsin due to her new job with Fiskars), Kyle and I were invited to join a good friend, Art, on his boat for some White Sea Bass fishing.

Needless to say, it was a very productive trip. And, the simple enjoyment of sleeping out on the open water with friends is always unbeatable.

So, guess what we will be having for dinner tonite (and the next, and the next, and the next....)?

The Big Hole in the Gropund

2010-04-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

We took advantage of some nice spring weather to roll out to Laughlin, Nevada. For those out of the area, it's the red headed step-child to Las Vegas, sitting about 120 miles south on the Colorado River.

Now, I'm not much of a gambler. Still, it gave Tami a chance to scratch her itchy palm on some slot machines, and Kyle a chance to luxuriate in the glory that is the Friday Nite Seafood Buffet. He tried his first ever oyster on the half shell and had several plates of crab legs and shrimp.

For me, the benefit of going to Laughlin is its proximity to a Cracker Barrel, which can be conveniently visited on the way to the Grand Canyon. Nothing like feeding your soul on the most amazing vistas on the planet only to then feed your tummy with good old fashioned southern cooking!

It dawns on me that we only have 3 more Spring Break's with Kyle. Time just flies......

Finally, A Beautiful Weekend

2010-02-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

With the sun shining, and the temps above freezing, I had the chance to visit my local creek. So much water flowing; more than I've seen in many years. Even had the chance to pick up a pretty little trout on the fly.

Redrum, Redrum, Redrum........

2010-02-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

If you are looking at the title and asking yourself, What the?...." I can tell you it comes from the novel The Shining. Long story short, a nice family moves in to act as caretakers at a resort in the mountains that's closed for the winter. Cabin fever sets in, dad goes crazy, kid scares the hell out of everyone, chanting "Redrum....." which is murder spelled backwards, blah blah, blah. If you can't find the book, find the movie. Jack Nicholson does a great job of scaring you to death. Still, even though it's scary and suspenseful, it's still just a good yarn. Or is it?

We (actually, mostly Tami & Kyle) have been shut in for the last week. The snow has made things nearly impassable and both Tami & Kyle have been sick to boot. So sick, in fact, that Kyle missed all of last week at school.

Yesterday, I looked on in amazement as Tami threw her coat on, swearing there was a break in the weather. She was right; it was only a deluge as opposed to a monsoon. But, off she went, down the hill to her favorite craft store. She told tales of flooding, rockslides, fog- real old testament weather, in order to get to a stamping yard sale.

Kyle walked around in the house in a trance. Any acknowledgement of his existence was greeted with bloodshot eyes and a teenage snarl (redrum, redrum, redrum...). And today, it came to a head.

Kyle had math homework to do and demanded that Tami help him, dropping any and all projects she was involved in. When Tami responded (and I can't really print what she said), all I could hear was the loud, forceful stomping up the stairs and a slam of a bedroom door.

Now, I could've helped him at his math. But, keep in mind, I'm still engaged in a philosophical debate on the train from Boston that left an hour earlier at 60mph and the train from New York at 40mph and where they would meet (at the scene of the accident. DUH...) In other words, I'm no damn good. But, I digress.

Suddenly, I hear the steps coming down the stairs. I close the door to the computer room and block it with anything I can find. I hear heavy voices and a loud thump. Omigod, someones been killed! I grab the wiener dog and hold her up like a crucifix as I go into the dining room to see what macabre scene has been created (who could attack a wiener dog, seriously?).

And, there they are, working together in trying to understand the homework. The 'thud' was the huge algebra book hitting the table. They look up at me like I'm nuts and I realize that I'm the one that's gone around the bend. Maybe that Hawaiian vacation Tami wants to do isn't such a bad idea.

The photo is from the creek in the backyard.

2010-01-22T12:02:00.000-08:00

Up on the Lower Owens River, just past the cement plant, is the fishing dog grave. More than fishing, I love dogs-especially those that enjoy adventure as much as I. Looking at the old rod seats, wading boots, and dog toys left as offerings, I wondered about all the amazing stories that could be told if one could listen. For as much as any religion has its sacred places, I knew this was spot a cathedral to the bond of fishermen and their K-9 friends.

Under the warmth of a winter sun, I enjoyed a nice Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and paid homage to those loyal beasts that had stood alongside their human friends. Mayflies lifted from the cold flowing river like miniature white doves reaching for the azure skies. Only the gurgle of the flowing water stirred the silence and provided an appropriate soundtrack for the place.

It was a good day.

Winter in the Sierra's

2010-01-18T16:27:00.000-08:00

Kyle and I went up to Bishop this weekend for a boy's adventure. Flyfishing was on tap and as we pulled into the first spot on the river, I had visions of "A River Runs Through It" dancing in my head.

Kyle asked if he could put his iTouch on the car stereo, and still in my dreamy state, I said "Sure.." Then, the peace was shattered with Metallica and Social Distortion. Not quite the soundtrack I had in mind, but I couldn't help but appreciate the juxtaposition of it all.

The trip was wonderful. Me, Kyle, my buddy Mike and his 2 boys.... We cracked jokes, played pranks, fished, hung out, and had one of those classic father/son weekends. It was just one of those great times.

Here's a couple of pics. Remember to click on the photo to enlarge.

Off we go......

2010-01-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

Kyle and I will be heading up to Bishop this next weekend to celebrate Martin Luther King's Birthday as intended by Congress--- Flyfishing on the Owens River. We'll perhaps that wasn't what Congress had in mind, exactly, but the holiday will still provide a platform for us to relax and enjoy a few more Father/son moments while they are available.

You see, technology is waging a huge war on the attentions of my son. Whereas the mantra of the 60's was "Tune in, turn on, drop out," nowadays it seems as though it should be "Tune in, turn on, tweet....." He's hooked up to the world. He has a netbook that he can access the world through. He has an itouch that he can get wi-fi on. Heck, he can even play real time games with a kid in Japan on his PS3!

But, when you are out on the river, the fish don't know a tweet from a LOL. They only care about eating and not being eaten. So, he'll have to look around at what the world is doing; Have the insects hatched and can he match them with a fly? Where are the fish hiding so that a high flying eagle or osprey can't swoop them? What is the water doing? If he becomes so detached from the modern world and becomes plugged into nature, he'll do just fine. And, if he's landing a beautiful brown or rainbow with Metallica providing a soundtrack through his earbuds, I can live with that.

Photo taken from where we will be fishing, though the Sierra's will have a beautiful mantle of snow.

Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

Well, 2009 is in the books and what a tough year it was. We lost my mom to cancer and nearly lost Tami's mom to Valley Fever. There were furloughs and lay-off's at work. Just a tough year. But, there was a lot of good.

I reconnected with my Dad and my Sister and her family. I also reconnected with some old friends via Facebook and it really made me appreciate and value the relationships I've had over the years.

Most importantly, I've come to understand that life is more important than lifestyles; that living in the moment is better than living for the moment; and that all of it can change in an instant.

But, enough of the pondering. We enjoyed an amazing few days down in San Diego at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, courtesy of an old family friend. Tami suffered through a day at the spa, with a Swedish massage and a treatment involving sugar and coconut milk. Meanwhile, me, Kyle, and my Dad enjoyed a day out on the bay to break in Kyle's new off-shore rod and reel.

The pic of the sea gulls is my dad's, played with in photoshop. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Season's Greetings

2009-12-18T19:19:00.000-08:00

As the year comes to a close, I'm thankful for the the gifts in my life; my family & friends, my health, a job, and enough interests to keep me constantly amazed at the world around me. I'm excited that my Dad is coming out to spend the Holiday's with us, but sad that my Mom wasn't able to win her fight against cancer and be here as well. Perhaps her gift was to see us become involved in each others lives again. I wish everyone a warm, safe Holiday Season and best wishes for a better 2010.

Out and About in Paradise

2009-12-04T14:06:00.001-08:00

I went for a hike this morning. Tami was down the hill shopping and Kyle was in school, so I took advantage of the weather and headed down into Deep Creek gorge. Beautiful colors and nice temps in the high 40's.

At one point, I was rock scrambling and fell, full force, on my left thigh. There is a nano-second before the pain hits when time slows down to allow you a brief vision of clarity. You feel the impact and before the pain arrives, you ponder how bad it's going to be. You think about what you might have done to prevent it. You wonder if it's going to be so serious that you may spend the night in the wilderness. And, most of all, you wonder if the butt-chewing your wife is going to give you will be as bad as the immediate pain.

Then, POW! It hits! Cuss words flow liberally with the F-word being used as a noun, verb, adjective, and so on. It was as if Mark McQuire or Sammy Sosa let loose with a home run impact on my leg. No time, to worry. Got to keep hiking out before it knots up too badly.

Well, obviously I made it home. Took some Motrin and thanked the stars it wasn't worse. And, best of all, I got some beautiful photo's while I was there!

Deep Creek Hiking

2009-11-27T15:55:00.000-08:00

Tami asked me "Are you getting up for Black Friday?" My response was immediate. "Heck, yeah! I'm going hiking in Deep Creek!" The idea of spending some quiet time looking for the little jewels (aka Deep Creek Wild trout) won out over the hustle and bustle of the crowds at Walmart. Fortunately, I didn't have to hike to hard. I was still a bit run down from earlier in the week, so big scenery lifted my spirit. And, I caught a few of those beautiful trout as well.

2009-11-24T05:55:00.000-08:00

Well, with some tough times at work (layoffs, etc) and home, I'm thankful this year for several things. Foremost, I'm thankful for family. I've got a good wife and son; I've gotten reconnected with my Dad, and my in-laws a great folks. I'm also thankful for my health. Yeah, I've got a beer filled inner-tube around the waist that mountain biking isn't cutting into, but I'm healthy. Given what my Mom went through with cancer, and what my mother-in-law is going through right now with Valley Fever, I have no complaints. And, finally, I have a good job. A whole bunch of folks got laid off in our Police Department. My heart goes out to them and I wish the best for them.

And, when the going gets tough, the tough go fishing. I'm thankful for the little wild trout only a couple of miles from the house. They are some of the best therapy around. Happy Thanksgiving.

Finally, a Day Off!

2009-11-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh...... Finally, a day away from work to recharge the batteries a bit. If you have any doubt as to how the day will go, just ask the ladies. They look pretty well ensconced for the morning, that is unless someone mutters the w-a-l-k word. Hope everyone has a wonderful Fall day and that the East Coast folks get some relief from Ida.

2009-10-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

I love airports. I always wonder what story lay behind the travelers; are they going on vacation; to see loved ones; business? There's always a level of anticipation in the air, regardless of destination, that makes me wonder "Where are they going?"

Last evening, as I flew in from my Mom's services in Omaha, I was looking out my seat window. We were pulling up to the terminal and I was anxious to see Tami and Kyle. I observed a lone soldier in desert combat fatigues standing at attention as our airliner came to a stop. Knowing the restrictions on flight tarmac access, I wondered why he was there. As quickly as the question formed in my mind, the answer also came in the form of a deep sadness down in my soul. I recognized it so quickly because I had been living with it in the absence of my mom during my visit. I knew our plane had flown a very special person home.

When I reached the top of the skywalk, I heard the gate steward say "Ladies and gentleman, if you would join us in honoring a young man who is coming home." Outside, an honor guard had formed up. Just past them, a family, wearing t-shirts bearing a photo of the fallen soldier, held each other up. His mom and dad looked no older than Tami or I.

The flag draped casket came down the conveyor belt and into the hands of the soldiers. They were not a true 'dress blue' honor guard. Rather, they were most likely comrades of the young soldier. They smartly escorted their friend to a waiting hearst. Inside the terminal I saw hundreds of people, stopped, paying their respects to this soldier and his family. Many had their heads bowed. Some, who might have been in the military long ago, stood locked at attention- only their bellies to betray their age. Travelers with places to go and people to see, stopped to pay their respects. And then it was over. The airport came to life, and the buzz in the terminal returned.

And for once, I knew where a traveler was going.

The truth About Weiner Dogs

2009-10-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Finally, a weekend at home! It's been since August 10th that I have had a chance to be a home-body over the weekend and I certainly have made the most of it. I actually enjoyed winterizing the garden beds, cleaning the garage, and working on a novel (that I've been writing in my head for the last 5 years). Tami & Kyle were up north for a wedding, so I had the whole house to myself. Were it not for a buddy coming by Saturday nite, I don't know that I would have even showered and shaved...

Anyway, photographic evidence now suggests that the evolutionary development of the Weinerdog came about, not so that they could enter into gopher burrows in order to hunt, but so that their tongues could retract in a safe & efficient manner. That's my story and I'm sticking with it. Enjoy your Sunday!

Fall Colors

2009-09-20T16:25:00.000-07:00

Nothing like the fall colors of Aspen trees to make you feel good. These were surrounding South Lake, in the Sierra's. At about 10,000 feet altitude, fall is definitely in the air. Click on the photo for a large shot; it's worth the effort!

Goodbye

2009-09-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

Good bye, Mom. You showed amazing strength and dignity through your last breath. I wish we could have mended fences earlier because we were so much alike and probably would have gotten along grandly in old age. The last few months, though painful, were very dear to me.

I'm sad you are gone, but relieved that you don't have to suffer anymore. I love you.

A Whale of a Time

2009-09-13T18:21:00.001-07:00

Kyle and I went out with a good friend on his boat to do some tuna fishing. I know, surprise surprise.... Anyway, we happened to have a nice visit with what we believe was a blue whale. I've been along side California Gray Whales, and this was more elongated and probable 70 feet or more. Just amazing to watch it blow and sit on the surface. At one point, it eye balled us as if to say "what strange looking creatures you are..."

It was a bitter sweet day as I learned that my mom's stopping feeding and hydration and it's basically over. If you need to send good thoughts, send to my Dad and my Sister. The have been right there during all this and I worry for them the most. My mom's not feeling any pain, nor does she have any awareness of what is going on. I'd say her mind and spirit have already gone home. They are waiting for her body to do the same.

My wife, Tami, is heading out to Nebraska on Wednesday to help out. She's amazing and I absolutley appreciate how lucky I am to be married to her.

The Yellow Cancer Bracelet

2009-09-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a huge Lance Armstrong fan. I'm just not convinced that he won all those Tours de France in a clean fashion. And, I never wore the Livestrong bracelet as I viewed it as trendy.

Not too long after my mom got diagnosed with cancer, my buddy, Pete, gave me a couple of the Livestrong bracelets. He told me "I know you don't like Lance, but....." I put the thing on to thank him for his caring, and to honor my mom's fight. Funny thing happened.

Everytime I look at the yellow rubberband on my wrist, I feel proud that people are fighting for a cure. I feel safer because I know there's other who have, and will share my mom's story, and my sadness. And, I am reminded of what my mom is enduring as cancer is pulling her away from my dad, her family, and friends.

She's not winning the fight. The cancer's returned to her remaining lung, spine, and adrenal gland. I went out one last time and it was tough. Fortunately, I enjoyed a few golden moments of lucidity and clarity with her on the morning I was due back in California. I'm fairly certain my good bye was last and I savored it, sad as it was.

When it's all said and done, I'll take off the Livestrong bracelet and put it safely along side my Sigma Chi Fraternity badge, my grandfather's Mason's ring, a gold bracelet passed down to the mother of the 1st born son in a new Bayer generation, and my important papers. As far as I'm concerned, it's an heirloom.

The Things that get by Security

2009-08-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

I received on of those unsolicited, random emails that my work firewall usually disposes of. This one snuck in and it's absolutely worth sharing.

Be understanding to your perceived enemies.
Be loyal to your friends.
Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.
Be generous to those who need your help.

Be frugal with that you need yourself.
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.

Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.

Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.
Be loving to those who love you..
Be loving to those who do not love you; they may change.
Above all, Be yourself.
Just Be Yourself.

Regards
Nicci Ray
Photographer
City Magazine
Roanoke VA
USA

The Passing of the Torch

2009-08-21T15:27:00.001-07:00

I'm sure that every culture has a something that celebrates the moment when a father sees his son for the first time as something other than a child. Sometimes, it's cloaked in ceremony; sometimes its a silent recognition of something done right. For me, I got to have that experience this week.

Kyle and I went out on a 3.5 day tuna trip into Mexico. I told him the normal rules didn't have to apply (as in 'what happens in international waters stays in international waters....'), but that he still had to be respectful of others on the boat.

At then end of the first day, I had landed a couple of 15-20 pound yellowfin tuna, but Kyle had not even seen a single bite. As the sun was setting, I heard the cry of "FRESH ONE!", meaning someone was hooked up. I looked down the boat to see Kyle fighting to hold onto his rod, which was darn near bent in half.

To my fear and dismay, he was using a freshwater quality reel on a light weight rod bass rod that did not have the backbone to stand up to a tuna. I knew what the end result would be and prepared myself for consoling Kyle with the 'that's why they call it fishing, not catching' speech.

The fish walked him 4 times around a 95 foot boat. That poor rod looked like a pretzel. And Kyle? He was shaking from the strain, trying to grab his back, which was seizing up. He was seriously hurting. He could hardly manage to get the rod tip up just to crank in some line.

The deckhands were surrounding him giving him advice; I'm right behind him yelling encouragement and doing everything in my power NOT to reach in and help him raise that rod. It's his moment, and even if it means losing the fish, he'll do it on his own. After 45 minutes, we could see the fish under the surface. It was a monster. As soon as it saw the boat, it peeled off line heading for the deep. But Kyle kept fighting.

Then I heard the deckhand yell "Just a couple of more cranks..." Up and down the boat, 24 other fisherman on the trip were cheering him on. With a final lift, the fish was gaffed and in the boat. When it hit the deck, thunderous cheers broke out and men swarmed Kyle to congratulate him as one of our own. They saw what I did; a kid taking on the big fish and not quitting til the hard work was done.

And me? We'll, you know the buttons were busting off my shirt! And not just because of what he'd done. It was the comments through out the trip of what a fine, polite young man Kyle was and how they'd "share a rail, anytime" with Kyle; the highest praise in the world of off-shore angling. And they are right. I look forward to sharing a rail with him for many years to come.

The Great American Experience

2009-08-16T21:38:00.000-07:00

So, if you follow my wife's blog, you had to laugh your ass off about her comparing our camping trip with the classic "The Long, Long Trailer" with Desi Arnez & Lucille Ball. Can't say I blame her! As with any maiden voyage, I was pretty sure the car would overheat, or the camper would become unhitched, or the fridge would open in transit, sending food items flying everywhere. I was waiting for the "I told you so...." But, I'll be damned if it all went off just fine. Except for not knowing how to turn on the furnace the first night (which was remedied for nights 2 & 3), it was a great family experience; like I remember when we had a camper and would go to Myrtle Beach. Cooking trout on a campfire, watching meteor showers in the Sierra sky, and luxuriating under the warmth of a good shower at then end of the day- just a few memories spent with my two favorite people. Oh, and honey if you read this, I seem to recall that the Long Long Trailer brought Ricky and Lucy closer together than they ever could have imagined. I look forward to many more adventures!

Rugby Camp Re-cap

2009-08-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I rolled down for his first summer camp experience; Rugby Camp at UCLA. Actually, the experience began as soon as we got into Kyle's Coach's van to drive down. You see, Bill (his coach) has 10, yes 10 kids. 7 of them went to camp, along with Kyle and I.

At one point, Bill asked Kyle if he had brothers or sisters. Upon hearing he was an only child, Bill just laughed and said, "Well, you are in for an experience..." I have to hand it to Bill. His kids are great. But, even great multiplied by 7 in a van is something to behold! I enjoyed being able to chat with Bill, who is a good father and coach.

Camp was fun. We shared the field with a cheerleading camp that had Kyle staring off into the distance on more than one occasion. The Barcelona FC soccer team (one of the world's best) was also practicing at the field.And, right next door was the LA Open Tennis Tournament.

For Kyle, it was a crash course in rugby. He really picked up on the nuances, though he was frustrated he wasn't as good as some of the other campers. I had to remind him he was 14 and only had 4 games under his belt whereas the kids were older with several years playing. Plus, you know it's a serious camp when the girl players show up with t-shirts reading "RUGBY- No Pads, Just Balls"

And finally, I practiced with them. No hitting or anything, but the movements were enough to leave me hobbling at work until Wednesday. Guess I'm not as fast as I remember!

Rise

2009-07-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest print completed for a wildlife exchange. Surprise--- a trout!!! We'll perhaps not a great surprise as I seem to have an obsession in capturing the beauty of these wonderful fish. I wish I had more time and energy for printing, but it's been a crazy summer.

As to the specs, it's 5x7 printed with Akua intaglio ink onto white Stonehenge paper.

Cabo Wabo, Bay-beee!

2009-07-24T13:04:00.000-07:00

We'll, we just got back from Cabo San Lucas, down in Baja California Sur (Mexico). It was an educational trip in that I learned the best way to remember Baja California Sur (BCS), is Beer, Chips, & Salsa.

We stayed at the Villa Del Arco Resort, which is absolutely top notch. The rooms are stunning and equipped with kitchenettes. Our room overlooked the pool, including the replica pirate ship floating in it, and the beach another 50 yards beyond.

We relaxed and enjoyed the Cabo vibe, did two wonderful days of snorkeling in a marine preserve, and seriously imbibed in------ food! No tequila this time around, and just enough cerveza to keep us cool. But, as I mentioned, the food was awesome! We enjoyed a monstrous seafood platter at Mocambo that included baja style lobster, cracked crab, butterflied shrimp, grilled shrimp wrapped in bacon, a whole red snapper, and calimari. The chips n salsa were off the chart as well.

We also sampled some more traditional dishes, including an ethnic fusing of middle eastern and Mexican styles where the meats are skewered and shaved from a spit, lightly grilled in pineapple and onion, and mixed with jalapeno, tamarind, and other spices. And, we found some of the best gellato we have ever enjoyed. This was a culinary trip!!!

The grand finale' was getting intentionally bumped from our return flight in order to get $900 in travel vouchers for a future trip to any where US Air flies. Thanks to Tami's thriftiness and sprinting abilities, we'll be enjoying another 'fly-a-way' vacation in the next year.

Too Long between Posting

2009-07-10T09:24:00.001-07:00

I wish I could say I was sooooo busy that I did not have time to post, but the truth is, I didn't have much to say. But now I think I have some good stuff for the blog.

Father's day was awesome! A celebration of the manly bond between father and son. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Sierra's, Kyle presented me with a duck decoy he had hand carved out of a block of cedar and stained to look old. I learned from Tami that he had spent the whole semester in woodshop working on it. Shortly thereafter, we were out on the water, fishing for trout with my father-in-law. Truly a great day; a real dad's day!

Flash forward to the 4th of July. A deep discussion on purchasing a small RV for our camping and fishing trips.... By way of backdrop, I've worked this purchase for the last 10 years (or more) before Tami finally said, wellllllllllll, alright....

The family vote hinged on Kyle saying "OH YEAH!!!!" and I was already planning the next great adventure. Then it hit.... "We'll, you know, dad, this'll probably be the last summer we hang out because I'll want to spend more time with my friends in high school."

OOOMMMPHHFHHH. That's was the sound of the air going out of my sails. Tami knew the feeling, having been relegated to 'mom' status a few years ago as 'dad' became the hero.

In the end, it's just a part of growing up. Which is why I suggest to anyone that they not let those moments go by.

Ahhh, the Sierra's

2009-05-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the Mammoth Lakes region in the Sierra's. There were afternoon thunderstorms which made foe some pretty sunsets. Anyway, here's a few pics from the weekend.

Fish and Women? Only a Man Could see it.

2009-05-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

Seems like I put a lot of posts up on fishing trips. Occassionally, it has to do with the fact that we caught some serious fish. But, more often than not, it's because it's such a quality time with my son.

I've learned that one of the best ways to teach, and be taught, is to have a day on a body of water looking for fish. If it's an overniter, I defy anyone to say they get 24 hours of quality time with a child like that.

Some of the things we have both learned while fishing? Patience, respect, pushing past the tough moments, shared joy, the value of a good joke, taking in beauty when it's around you, and working as a team.

I've watched Kyle mature on a trip as tuna are boiling around the boat and his reel gets a birds nest. Last year, I would have passed my reel off to him while I fixed his mess. This year, he handles it and gets back to business. He's really growing up.

Unfortunately, all this is in grave peril. Recently, Kyle's started styling his hair and taking showers with soap. Girls are definitely amassing on the horizon. I'm wondering if he's ready. Then I realize, he understands patience, respect, pushing past the tough moments, shared joy, taking in beauty when it's around you, and working as a team. I think he'll be okay....

The Wild Kingdom in Omaha

2009-04-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

We just got back from Omaha. We were out visiting my mom, who has lung cancer, along with the rest of the Bayer Clan. It was pretty emotional to see everyone, including a couple of nieces and nephews I'd not met before.

It's been close to 10 years since I'd been back to visit. Some things had changed; more gray hairs, people softer around the edges, less worry about stuff and more enjoyment of the moment.

One thing that hadn't changed was the culinary tour of Omaha. It started with Angus aged steaks (Nothing like them, ever!), continued on with an apple and melted brie omelet, then spinach and artichoke calzone, and finally Jamaican jerk bean soup and club sandwiches. Pound for pound (pun intended), you can't beat Omaha for good eating. Go figure!

My mom looked good,all things considered, though she was definitely a bit weary. I only saw one spark from her all weekend, and when I did I couldn't help but grin because I knew she was in there somewhere still fighting. Bottom line, cancer sucks.

Anyway, from L to R: Josephine, Kyle, Jay, Colin, and Emory- the latest incarnation of the family.

Deep Creek in Springtime

2009-03-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I went hiking into Deep Creek in search of the native rainbow and Brown Trout. Didn't catch any, but still enjoyed a beautiful morning scrambling over boulders with the sounds of rushing waters at our side.

When we got home, we found a note on the table. Seems Tami went on her own adventure; to the Carson Convention Center for a Stamping Expo. To each his (or her) own!

Bendo, Baby!

2009-02-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

So, Kyle & I are sitting around trying to figure out how to afford more fishing trips. Understand that when we go out, everything cost double out of pocket because it's two of us. Kyle was lamenting that he couldn't earn enough money as a 13 year old to make a significant dent.

I was holding onto a logo design, which I proposed to him to develop as a fishing apparel company to earn a little money for fishing. It's called BENDO, a slang term for when your rod is bent from having a fish on. So, on the shoe-stringiest of budgets, we made some hats and sold them pretty quickly. Most were sold to the very genuine & decent anglers on getbentsportfishing.com.

Now we have some seed money to try a t-shirt. The design above is a collage collaboration between Kyle & I called "Tuna Slam." Hopefully, folks will get excited about it.

The best part of the whole thing has been working with Kyle on this venture. Granted, he has 13 year old attention span sometimes, but he also has 13 year old energy and unabashed enthusiasm, A win-win for both of us!!!

"Try" Rugby

2009-02-18T18:07:00.000-08:00

With yet another winter storm bearing down on us, we made the escape to San Diego for the IRB 7's International Rugby Tourney. If you have never been to an international match, it's an amazing cultural experience. The best part, though, is my brother and his team, Hyde Rugby, are also out for the games. Since we only get to see Tal once a year, we really go all out and enjoy it.

If you happen to get Fox Sports Network (FSN) on your cable TV, look for the documentary on Hyde Rugby, which is running all month. You'll find through watching it that the players are phenomenal young men. Tami got to meet them this year and see first hand why Kyle and I love the tourney and the guys on the Hyde team.

Of course, when we finally made it home, we were greeted with 2 feet of new snow to shovel....

Pics are of the tourney, my bro, the Mexico National team, and Kyle & I with the Hyde Rugby players, and the rugby family.

Like Smoke Through a Keyhole

2009-02-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite movies is Bucket List, with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It's bittersweet, but with a message that life's to short to short your life. One of the lines in the movie is "Like smoke through a keyhole...." I'm not exactly sure what that means, though it referenced time passing by so quickly, but it seems to make perfect sense and it's got a lyrical quality when spoken.

That's kind of how my relationship with my folks has been the last ten years. Like smoke through a keyhole.... It started with one of those heated family arguments where neither side saw fit to compromise. After a bit, it was an uncomfortable distance, slowing leading to life just getting on down the road. A child, a family, a career, up and downs and adventures. And ten years gone by.

Now, my mom has lung cancer with some serious chemo & radiation in her future. She's just mean enough to beat it, but then again..... Sometimes I look at her and think about how amazingly stubborn she is only to realize that the same trait was passed on to me.

I'm not naive enough to think that there's a storybook ending in all of this. No emotional reconnection on grand scale. But, when the chance comes, I will tell her I appreciate many of things she did give and that we shouldn't go another ten years without talking.

Today's photo's are right after a massive snow storm. The clouds lifted right about sunset, making our little valley a beautiful winter landscape.

Sorry for not Posting

2009-01-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

Man, it's been a tough January. I've been knock down sick now for about a month, but I promise I'll get busy taking photo's, working on prints, and getting back into life real soon.

The photo is not of me being sick, that is unless you consider it was right after Kyle and I partook in the tradition of eating the heart of the first large sportfish we ever caught. Kids, don't try this at home.......

Moon Glow on Mt. Baldy

2009-01-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

It's a full moon tonight; the brightest of 2009. I tried to get some time lapse shots, but the wind was blowing so hard, it was buffeting my car. Anyway, this was shot at 6 seconds, well after sundown. The glow on the horizon is caused by Los Angeles and not twilight.

Shot's of the Day

2009-01-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

Tami and I rolled down to the Armand Hammer Art Museum today for to look at the Gouge Exhibition on wood and linocut. Matisse, Picasso, Munch, and others. WOW! Anyway, here's shots for the day for 01/01 and 01/02.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T09:54:00.000-08:00

I hope 2009 is a productive year for everyone! One of my resolutions is to post a 'photo-a-day' and I hope to capture a years worth of stuff for a homemade photo-book when it's all said and done.

Meanwhile, here's the last photo of the year, shot at 6:00pm on 12/31/08. Call it Ghost Train. Shot 6.7 @ 8 seconds. Click on the image for a good look!

Finishing 2008 with a Bang

2008-12-27T19:35:00.000-08:00

Kyle and I jumped off the mountain today for a last fishing trip in 2008. It was beautiful out on the water. Chilly at first, but it warmed to the low 60's. We knocked it out, bring home about 10-12 pounds of fresh caught snapper, rockfish, and perch. Kind of fun to look east today. We could see our mountains nearly from Catalina Island, or about 75 miles away. Nice end to 2008!

Slow Train Coming

2008-12-19T21:14:00.001-08:00

There was a time when "hoppin' a rail" meant freedom, manifest destiny, a chance to stumble into something greater than ones self. Or, as a photographer once waxed nostalgic, where Woody Guthrie would have roamed.

But the rails are dirty, dangerous ribbons of metal and men; where hot days and cold nights rule. The rail riders today are not the charming hobo's from the past, sitting around a campfire singing in simple prose. They are outsiders; beyond Madmax and the Matrix. All at once angry, but scared to admit a simple fact, that they are alone, tossed aside, discarded.

I see the rails a lot in my job. I never considered them for anything other than for their utility, which is why I decided to 'train' my camera lens on them for a day. The result is the above photo, entitled Slow Train Coming. Hopefully, it evokes that sense of taking you some place further than when you started.

Mac Daddy

2008-12-13T10:18:00.001-08:00

So, the computer got a virus. Ended up losing a bunch of programs and about 800 songs on my music library. Plus, the pop-ups and spam were horrible. The PC was getting long in the tooth at about 5 years old, and it was the first (and only) PC I've ever owned.

After looking around, I decided to return to Macs. I arranged for a no interest purchase through work and snuck in a beautiful iMac this week. While Tami was teaching on Friday, I set it up in her craft room and said nothing. I swear she walked in an d out of the room a couple of times before she finally saw it.

Her initial response was an ass-whuppin' for me (not for the purchase, but the lack of consultation), but now she's had some time on it and she's pretty darned pleased. Whew!!!! Anyway, now the whole family will get more out of the computer experience because this thing rocks!

When at First You Don't Succeed

2008-11-29T16:43:00.000-08:00

Well, the print in the last post was just not working. Getting the registration right for the plates was just about impossible, considering I needed to print 25. So, I did a quick wood cut version of a paper craft type tree I had seen before.

Hopefully, this will be the one that works. First print was good.

Both Sides of the Looking Glass

2008-11-25T20:30:00.000-08:00

Patrol in a police car is one of the most boring things imaginable. So, it was with great delight and amazement that I ran into a photographer of renown while parked next to a rail crossing known for transients. Of course, I was not aware of the 'renown' bestowment at the time (and I apologize to Justine for probably sounding ridiculous...), and thought she was an intriguing artist on a tragic calling; to find the romanticism in modern day train riders.

It was great to be able to discuss art with someone while wearing a uniform. I don't know that I've ever had that opportunity, unless you count arguments with fellow officers that their Velvet Elvis constitutes fine art.... What I found was that she was humble, completely open to conversation, and lacking in anything I would consider as pretentious. Just a decent person pursuing a vision.

Of course, I got home and found that her work commands prices greater than my combined photographic income over the years, but then again, she's the one 3000 miles from home pursuing the perfect shot.

Anyway, it's nice to know that a parallel world that finds beauty in decay can occasionally bump up against the world I occupy at work. Gives me hope for the future!

The aspen print is a two plate relief print for a Holiday Printmaker's Exchange I'm participating in.

Silverwood Sunrise

2008-11-22T20:04:00.000-08:00

Every now and again, you get honored to see an amazing sight. This morning, Kyle and I were heading down to do some fishing and got to witness one amazing sunrise. The colors were as vibrant as I can recall. The way the light played off of the lake was incredible.

The fishing wasn't nearly as good as the sunrise, though Kyle did manage to bring home a decent size sturgeon. I was a bit concerned about cooking it up because it is such an ugly fish. But, the fillets were probably the best freshwater fish I've ever had; kinda like alligator. Deep fried them in an eggwash and beer batter and they were seriously tasty!

Hope you enjoy the pics! Click on the sunrise; it'll enlarge and it's worth the effort!!!

Happy Anniversary

2008-11-13T21:02:00.000-08:00

Curtis & Tami Bayer

1st Dance

November 17, 1990

Thanks for 18 years of being the best wife I could ever hope for! It's been an amazing journey, with the best yet to come!

BOOOO!

2008-11-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

Kyle 'outgrew' Halloween this year. Instead of fishing for candy, he out out fishing for, well, FISH! We went out to Catalina for the day and had a great time. Caught some nice sheephead and kelp bass and enjoyed an amazing sunrise with rainbow. Even saw a half dozen grey whales. Enjoy the pics!

Knott's Scary Farm

2008-10-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

My son loves Halloween as much as anyone could love a holiday. Aside from the candy, anything involving gore and costumes is his idea of fun. For the last 5 years, he's wanted to go to Knotts Berry Farm during the Halloween season, when it transforms itself into a 'monster sized' haunted park. I always told him when he turned 13, we would go. Well, guess what........

We arrived at the gate at sunset and I was immediately terrified. The guests waiting in line were as frightening a bunch of goths, emo's, vato's, and metal heads as I've ever seen (for definitions, ask your teenager). Once inside, there were literally hundreds of ghouls and freaks in wildly outlandish costumes trolling in the shadows for a good scare.

Several mazes were set up with names like Club Blood, Killer Clown College, etc. Within the mazes, all manner of freaks would jump out and scare the beee-jeeeesus out of you. The props were Hollywood quality with body parts strung out and blood galore.

The scariest moment occurred when we were in the Lost Vegas maze. Aside from two-headed gamblers and pit bosses looking for souls, we stumbled in a gentleman's lounge, complete with pole dancing vampira's. What was scary was Kyle and his friend Wyatt transforming from giggling laughing neo-teens into wide eyed teenage boys. All of a sudden, they were very attentive and focused. It wasn't until Freddy Krueger tickled them with his blade fingers did they move.

Overall, a fun night with big burgers and onion rings at Johnny Rockets 50's Diner finishing out the night. Happy Halloween to all!

Kyle and Wyatt and a fun open lenses shot capture the essence of the night.

The State of the Union Address

2008-10-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

The silly season, ooops, I mean the Election Season is upon us. Actually, I wish it was silly, but this time around it is far, far from it.

There are some profound choices to be made this year at both the Federal and State levels. With all due respect to the Republicans, I admire John McCain immensely. He is an American hero with the credentials to prove it. Beyond his war experiences, he has often voted his conscious rather than falling along Party lines. A genuine figure.

That being said, his choice of Sarah Palin is such a monumental failure to his legacy as a public servant that the only thing potentially worse is the effect it will have on qualified women seeking the White House or Executive Mansion in the future.

Obama? He certainly is intriguing. I don't really care about his pastor or whether he associated with a member of the Weather Underground. But, his lack of experience has to be considered. What will he bring to the table in the next four years when Americans will be in a position and status they are not accustomed to? Will he bring our folks in the Middle East home?

Joe Biden ain't a bad VP choice. He's too hot headed for the top spot, but his background and experience could certainly help.

Kind of a shame that McCain didn't reach across the aisle to choose a Democrat for his running mate. Talk about a 'maverick' move! The line could have been "Not a Republican Agenda; Not a Democrat Agenda; An American Agenda..."

Personally, I've been a Green Party voter for over 20 years. As an outsider looking in, the Presidential Election is not choosing the lesser of two evils, but the evil of two lessers. So, what do we do?

I think it's time to take stock of ourselves. We need to do the right thing for the right reasons, and at the right time. We should help our neighbor knowing it may never be repaid. If we are receiving charity, we should not consider it a right but an opportunity to pass it on and be gracious in the process.

We need to respect that we are all different. Diversity in Community, Unity in Purpose. We are men, women, conservative & liberal, straight or gay, young and old, black, white, brown, red, yellow, Christian, Muslim, or Atheist. In the end, we are hoping that happiness comes our way and that we make a difference when it comes time to call it a day.

So, make sure you vote. And more importantly, regardless of the outcome, show dignity, respect, and sacrifice so that we can leave things a little better than when we found it.

Photo was during a massive forest fire in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

Change is in the Air

2008-10-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

I think Autumn is here.... One day, it's 80 degrees and sunny and the next day it's 40 degrees and foggy. The leaves are turning and falling in the wind. Squirrels are busy loading up on acorns and pine nuts. You can smell the spicy scent of smoke in fireplaces. A great time to be on the mountain!

Tomorrow, I'm showing at the Pine Cone Festival in Twin Peaks. Hopefully the weather and economy don't put too much of a buzz-kill on the event. I did a few new pieces for the show and offer up "Happy Hour" as a tribute to shortening days and crisp nights.

A Bad Day of Fishing Beats a Good Day at School

2008-09-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

Kyle played hooky for a day on the high seas. We left out of Dana Point Harbor for a day of fishing. While we were looking for yellowfin tuna, all we could find were bonito, a lesser known member of the tuna family.

We both caught our limits and had a great time trying to haul up the mean, nasty, aggressive fighters. And, I walked away with my 3rd consecutive boat jackpot for the large fish of $100.00. Not a bad day at all.....

The Bronchitis Blues

2008-09-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I beat the early seasonal flu until Sunday night, when I was (literally) up all night with coughing fits. Rolled my sorry butt into the doc's office today and confirmed I've got a good case of bronchitis going. Hope with antibiotics, I'll get to improving. My fantasy is to be at least well enough by Saturday to go out fishing on some kelp beds with Kyle; the red snapper, rockfish, and sea bass are biting.

At least the ladies made it through their bout with kennel cough and are basking in some early morning sun.

First Show Success

2008-09-15T19:20:00.001-07:00

I exhibited at my first real show this past weekend. The traffic was slow, but I still ended up selling 10 pieces. It was a watershed moment because while I was busy with the art show, Tami was busy teaching her first class on papercraft techniques. It showed me we can earn some fun money in retirement when we get to that point.

The best part of selling my work wasn't the money; it was the validation that someone else might actually enjoy what I'm trying to do. Knowing that some of my prints are now adorning some walls (even the bathroom wall would make me proud) in folk's homes makes me feel pretty good!

I learned some good things as well; Be polite, not pushy; pass on your excitement for the work; be gracious with compliments and criticism's; don't judge a customer by their cover; everyone is a critic; and fellow artist's are the greatest resource.

Leaf Etchings

2008-08-30T18:20:00.000-07:00

I've got a full head of steam going into this Autumn Show! Here are a couple of etching's of oak and maple leaves. Being a warm color person, these were very satisfying to do. Image size is 4x4, framed and matted to 9X9. Used Akua soybased inks. Back to the studio!!!!

Latest Offering

2008-08-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

Just completed a nice print and presented it on torn wallpaper in a floating frame. The frame size is 16x20, so it's pretty large .The title is "Fly Away Home" after the movie about Canadian Geese. I have my first Art Show in two weeks, so I'm very busy trying to get enough quality work for a show. Hope it goes good!

The End of Summer

2008-08-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I had our father/son grand finale' this weekend with an overnite deep sea trip into Mexico. We landed a couple of HUGE Yellowtail, as well as Dorado (mahi-mahi). We came home sunburned, tired, and $140.00 richer for winning the large fish jackpot. And, we have a freezer full of fish!

For a summer vacation, it was a great one; two deep sea trips, two trout trips, a whitewater rafting trip, and a few trips to Disneyland. Hopefully, one day when Kyle's a dad, he'll remember this summer and do the same for his kids.

The pictures show our yellowtail and the beautiful sunrises you get at sea, plus about 30 pounds of fresh fish all filleted up!

American Pie

2008-08-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

So we started getting email offers for cheap Viagra.... Ton's of them. Now, I'm not one to turn down a great deal. Plus, the idea of being able to ride my bike on even longer training rides without ill effect is certainly appealing! In fact, I've always thought it would be cool if Viagra sponsored a bike team (the slogan---- Ride hard). But, I digress.............

Tami asked "Hey, aren't we getting a lot of odd emails?" A leading and delicate question. "Yep," I replied, "Some one's been visiting websites that they shouldn't have" I said trying to sound official, but feverishly retracing my recent web footsteps. Then we found it, tucked away in the web history section of our browser.

Seem's the boy has developed a taste for fine lingerie'. I know, I know..... It's an awkward age, as shown by his jumping between Catholic Schoolgirl models (two thumbs up!) and the Toys-R-Us website looking at Nerf darts and guns. But, why don't we get emails for cheap Lego's or PS3 games? Something we could actually appreciate?

When I was his age, we did it the old fashioned way. We either waited in earnest for the Sears catalog, or we dumpster dove for a coveted Playboy. No worries about cookies, spam, email, or viruses (at least of computer variety).

So, I called him in and talked to him. Call it the What Every Boy Needs to Know About Being a Man- Part III speech. He handled it well, I and I hope I did because I'm not sure if the message was that it's a part of growing up, or that men should take better care to hide their naughty items....

Anyway, got me to thinking about the movie, American Pie, when the father is explaining female parts and sex to his son. I know how that dad felt, as did my dad, and as will my son one day. The biggest thing learned by me- take it all in stride.

The Show

2008-07-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally did it..... I made the leap from the gallery on the refrigerator door to my first time showing in public. The Mountain Art's Network sent out an email inviting members to put out their work for the day.

I matted up some stuff, put together a presentation table, made some business cards, and I was off to the races! Unfortunately, the foot traffic was pretty slow; less than two dozen folks in 4 hours. No sales made, but I was encouraged by the 9 year old boy who was begging his dad to buy a trout print for $10.00. In the end, dad didn't understand that he could've purchased something that will one day be on the Antique's Roadshow (with the Keno Brother's oohhing...).

One of the pieces I put in was the school of trout. It's a solarplate relief and the paper is pretty cool. Tami found some vintage wallpaper (1960's?) that had some textured pearlescent design to it. I moistened it and used the paste in it to back it to card stock because it was so brittle. Once adhered to the cardstock, I ran it through the press with the plate for the final product. Kind of unique!

Anyway, now i understand what it means when they say "starving artist!"

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

Slap on some red, white, & blue, enjoy some BBQ, cold beers, good friends, and fireworks today. Remember to take a moment to thank those who have sacrificed in order to make our nation (for all the good & bad) a little better.

I don't mind saying there are some things our government is doing that I strongly disagree with, but I'm still very proud and thankful to have the opportunity and the right to express my opinion. I've been in countries where that's not always the case and it's very chilling.

Enough with the soapbox.... Above are some prints from a solarplate I developed today. It depicts a giant Sequoia at Balch Park in the Sierra's. The cedar below it are all in the 50-60 foot range, so you can get an idea just how massive the trees can be.

Deliverance!

2008-07-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

The title is not about the fact that we just finished our whitewater trip, but also about getting back some perspective.

In forensic science, there's a theory that you can't pass through a place and not change it, and be inexorably changed forever. You leave a footprint, and you carry with you the soil on the sole's of your shoes. The same can be said in our contacts with others.

This weekend, we had the chance to meet some amazing folks. Three ladies who were rafting and staying in the campsite next to us shared with us there triumph's and tragedies; their personal aspirations, and their genuine pleasure at experiencing the simple company of others. There was a generation separating them, but they all shared in zest for living that was nearly intoxicating.

Later, on down the road to Sequoia NP, we stumbled into the Springville Inn. While enjoying a fine black ale, we chatted with a gentleman who was bigger than life. A huge man with bulging sunburned forearms that come from hard work, slate blue eyes, and a white goatee to match his silver haired crew cut, he introduced us throughout the evening to his friends as though we were his long lost relatives.

He shared with us the history and local flavor of Springville, talked about fishing, and what it was like to know and rely on your neighbors. After a wonderful evening, he told me to look him up when Kyle and I head back for trout fishing in the fall so he could buy us dinner. Turns out, it was the Mayor of Springville who was our new friend.

Funny thing about this vacation...... Met a whole lot of folks, but never met any strangers.

From top to bottom.... Rooster Tail Rapid, a class IV run on the Kings River; Kyle enjoying some reading time at base camp; evening on the river; the Springville Inn; Kyle with one of many trout caught.

Vacation Time!

2008-06-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

Nothing like the anticipation of a family vacation, which is only hours away. Of course, I packed the car last nite, and am repacking again this morning in order to facilitate the burning off of coffee energy.

We are heading up to the King's River for a multi-day whitewater rafting trip, and then dropping down to stay at a haunted Stagecoach Inn just outside of Sequoia NP. It's a chance for some family adventure where Kyle loses what little teenage surliness he has and Tami, the sweet & thoughtful artsy crafter can become The River Hag.

Now, I've loved this woman pretty much since June 6th, 1987, the day of our first date. She's optimistic, kind, embracing; the definitive ying to my yang... But, throw some sunscreen on her and put her on a raft and she changes I tell you.

She's been rafting for nearly 30 years and has done every thing from pirate trips down nearly dry trickles, to crazy insane Class V, nearly killed her rapids. Whether it be the Kings, the Colorado, Rio Grande, Kern- she's tackled them all. So when she took me on my first trip, I reasonably and chauvinistically expected to take the lead in such matters.

As I confidently surveyed the first rapid I would ever plunge, taking in the glory of the sight and sound, I was shocked to reality by someone forever known now as the River Hag. My serenity was burst by the hard slap of a paddle on my life jacket and a scream, really a screech, of "Paddle, you S.O.B.!" I looked back to challenge, but she who was sitting behind me was no longer the sweet Tami of dry land. Her face was covered by her beaten river hat; eye's blacked with the deep dark pools of sunglasses, and arms bulging with the adrenalin of potential danger. She had morphed into someone new. And, I dare not challenge

So, anyway, as the years have rolled by, much like the river's themselves, so has our family. Now Kyle gets to see Mom as the River Hag (though he might argue at times that it's like that for him more often). We joke about it and tell our stories by the campfire and poke some fun at this woman we both love. For our little family, it's one more piece of timeless family history.

The woodcut is a collaboration between a very talented artist, Lisa Cook, and I for a new design for our local art's network. It features our mountains, the historic Rim of the World Highway leading up, and our local landmark Arrowhead.

More from the Sierra's

2008-06-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

Seeing's how blogger only lets you upload a finite amount of photo's, here's some more from the weekend in the Sierra's. The Owens River looking towards the Minarets; the famous Green Church of the Eastern Sierra's; and a great shot of the Sierra's framed with the burning hot high desert. For those that may have seen the movie IRON MAN, does shot #3 look familiar? That's where they filmed the opening sequence. It's supposed to be a backdrop of Afghanistan, I believe. Cast and crew stayed in Lone Pine at a friend of mine's hotel.

Sierra's Fishing Trip

2008-06-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

Another great weekend of camping, fishing, and hanging out with the boy. The temperature's ranged from high's in the 90's to lows in the 30's. In fact, Friday morning we woke up to frost and Kyle's wet sneakers frozen solid. I went to pour water in a pot for coffee, and it immediately turned to slush upon contact! Ended up sleeping in the car the 2nd nite, it was so cold.

Anyway, here's some pics. Easy to see why the Sierra's are called the "Range of Light."

Into the Wild

2008-06-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well, we are off to the Owens River Valley, sandwiched between the Sierra's and the White Mountain Ranges. Today's the last day of school for Kyle, so we are kicking off the summer with some camping and trout fishing. And, it gives Tami some creative time to mess up the craft room she spent last week cleaning!

Lots of pics when we get back! For now, a teaser of the Owens River!

Home of the Whopper

2008-06-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

Kyle had his 13th birthday yesterday. He asked if, instead of a party, he could go deep sea fishing. Sooo, I got together with some other guys I know and we chartered an overnight to Catalina Island as a Father/Son trip.

Some of the highlights included Kyle inking people with squids from the bait tank, having flying fish land on the deck, and trying to relieve one's self successfully in a toilet on a boat in heavy swells...... But, this trip was about fishing!

Sadly, the action was pretty light with little Calico Bass, Sculpin, and the occasional Mackeral getting hauled in. Two of the guys landed some nice Yellowtail. Kyle landed a huge Bat Ray in the early morning hours (which was promptly released), but we had no other bites. But then it happened.

My pole bent straight down and I knew we had something special. As soon as the hook was set, I handed the pole off to Kyle. Whatever was on the line proceeded to walk him around the boat several times. With me in one ear shouting encouragement, and a deckhand in the other offering advice, and a background of voices yelling support, Kyle fought the fish like Captain Ahab battling Moby Dick.

A full 10 minutes later, we saw our first glimpse of a silvery beast under the water. Kyle's arms were shaking from exhaustion. I wrapped my arms around him and helped him support the pole, and together we hauled that fish to the surface. A quick gaffing, and the fish was in the boat. Not just any fish, but a 30 pound White Sea Bass! Knowing the propensity for fisherman to embellish, I offer up the photograph as proof of the catch. And, when the fish finished in the money on the boat jackpot, Kyle and I split our winnings and walked away with an extra $50.00 in our pockets apiece!

As I type this, Kyle is upstairs sleeping. I think he's been out for about 12 hours now. Partly because he is a teenager now, but at least partly, I hope, because he had the best adventure yet on his birthday.

Something Fishy

2008-05-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

Finally! I had a chance to develop a solarplate print today. Did a Rainbow Trout as a relief plate and printed using akua ink on arches paper. "Borrowed" some of Tami's watercolors to create the color.

I love trout, and not just because they are fun to catch (and eat). Their patterns and coloring are so amazing; art at its very finest! I'm no where near capturing the brilliance, but I'll get there!

And Now for Something Completely Different...

2008-05-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

Since it's been snowing and raining here in beautiful Southern California, I decided to rework a plate with some mish-mash of color and concepts. Used akua inks and some of Tami's stamps. Image size is 11x17. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Yosemite Valley

2008-05-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

Finished up a linocut of yet another National Park. Yosemite Valley is one of those places that is surreal in its beauty. Seeing it for the first time is overwhelming; you can't imagine that anything can be so perfect. No wonder that John Muir devoted himself to this wonderful place. This print depicts El Cap and Half Dome with the Merced River flowing through the valley.

Hopefully, I'll be posting some solarplate work soon. Just got a shipment in that I'm dying to try out. We'll see what happens.

And the Winner Is.......

2008-05-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

By virtue of a roll of the dice by my lovely assistant, Tami, the winner of the Big Horn Print is

LISA PURCELL

Thanks for commenting and all the positive support. As I print more things, I'll periodically offer some more. Thanks and have a great weekend!

Painting With Light

2008-05-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

Back in my old days of 35mm photography, I always wanted to mess with painting with light. But, the turnaround time for film processing, coupled with a lot of hit & miss shots meant it could be costly. No such issue with digital!

The shots are from tonite out on the Rim. Nothing fancy, but fun!

Great Tits & Global Warming!!!

2008-05-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

Some stuff you just can't make up. Take, for instance, a recent article in the Los Angeles Times on the effects of global warming on the Great Tits of England.

According to scientists, "few Tits have been analyzed as long as the Great Tits of Wytham Woods, near Oxford. Since 1947, scientists have tracked the fate of nearly every Great Tit, using tiny bracelets." Ouch! They have determined that the Great Tits of England are"thriving and growing in abundance compared to, say, their Danish counterparts, which seem to be shrinking." While I'm sure the blokes in Britain are thrilled, I feel some pain for the gentlemen in the Netherlands.

Being the concerned environmentalist that I am, I decided I need to take a much closer look at the Great Tits. I googled Great Tits and, after filtering out many offers for hot XXX, I found good, reliable information.

I learned from Wikipedia that "Great Tits are easy to recognize" and that they are "large in size at 14 centimeters" (thus making them great, I suppose...). I also found that "Great Tits come in many races." It's so refreshing to know that Great Tits have moved beyond racism to a world only envisioned by civil rights activists.

The website British Garden Birds says that "The Great Tit is the largest of the European Tits." Makes perfect sense to my way of thinking. Anything less would not and could not be great. They also advised that "the Great Tit is doing well and expanding its range and abundance." No doubt assisted by science, i.e. plastic surgery....

And, I learned that Great Tits are not the only Tits out there. From the World Bird Guide, I discovered Stripe Breasted Tits (think Austin Powers?); the Somber Tit (perhaps upset it's not Great); the Elegant Tit (as opposed to the trailer park variety); and in the spirit of equality, the Pere David Tit (freaky, but hey, who am I to question these matters).

So, at least now I know why Al Gore is so passionate about global warming. Aside from weather issues, glacial melt, and drought, that sly dog was all about the Great Tit from the beginning, starting with Tipper way back in the day.

And, I'd rant about the boobies in the Caribbean, but that's a whole other story......

I included a photo just to show how truely beautiful Great Tits are......

Blog Candy Print

2008-05-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

I got busy playing with different versions of a print of Big Horn petrogylphs from the Anasazi Tribe. Nice thing about printmaking is that you can experiment over and over with your image. In this case, I played with different layers of color trying to achieve some depth and texture. I used Akua soy based inks on soaked Rising Stonehenge paper. The plate is an intaglio solar plate.

If anyone's interested, I'll offer up a print as blog candy. Just leave a comment and I'll use a sophisticated unbiased means of picking someone (roll dice and pick a number....) I'll include shipping as well and pick someone next Saturday!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there!

Off to the Races

2008-05-08T13:26:00.000-07:00

The philosopher Anonymous once said "It's not the size of the dog in a fight, but the size of the fight in the dog...." Never a truer insight, particularly when Shelly and Mabel get out and start doing windsprints.

Testing the sports mode of my new camera (yup, finally committed to getting serious about photography again). Shelly leading with Mabel in hot pursuit. It kinda sounded like "thumpeta, thumpeta, thumpeta....tippity, tippity, tippity. Quite the sight.....

Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow

2008-05-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

I just spent 3 days printmaking with Dan Welden, a master printmaker and the creator of solarplate printing. It was an amazing experience, not only for pushing new boundaries, but for meeting some extraordinary local artists.

In the world of printmaking, I'd say I'm a neophyte enthusiast. I'm somewhat rigid to rules as a result of A) being a man, B) being a cop, and C) being a photographer. So when Dan laid down the rules, I was very attentive. Until he got to the final rule... There are no rules. Free your mind!

So, on the final day of class, I'm looking at a ratty plate which I over exposed a portion of it. "Free your mind....." I lopped off the over exposed potion with a cutter and began inking it up. Not the way it was intended, but in whatever way I felt. Throw some color here, some swirl there, burnish a bit there, and SLAP THAT SUCKER ON THE PRESS! Mass hysteria; anarchy.

When I pulled the print from the plate, I was stunned. It was like the part in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy goes from black and white to technicolor. It was an irreverent epiphany.

So, I guess the moral to the story is break some rules and conventions. There may be pay off at the end of it!

Solarplate intaglio printed as a relief with Akua inks on soaked Stonehenge paper. Scroll down a few posts to see the original photo.

The Big , Big World Wide Web

2008-04-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

When the WWW came to be, it was heralded as a means of bringing us all a little closer. But, the sometime prevailing imagery is that of a socially awkward person creating an online persona to communicate with other disaffected folks who had created their own virtual personalities.

The web can be a scary place. We have all heard the stories; some true, some firmly entrenched as urban lore. But, amongst all the flotsam and junk, real moments occur where connections are made that finally deliver on that early promise of making the world a smaller place.

Two posts ago, I received an amazing comment from Nina in Copenhagen. She spoke of things that I had posted, her own experiences, and mentioned that she too had stood in nearly the same spot two years earlier where I had taken a photo and took a picture of the limbs coming out from behind the boulders and thought it looked like a spider as well.

Thanks to the WWW, an expat in Europe can stumble onto a little virtual waystop and discover that someone else took the same photo of the same boulders and limbs, and for the same reasons. Thanks to the WWW, I follow the lives of folks in Wisconsin, the pains of a breast cancer survivor, and the creative musings of folks from all over the map. The world is a little smaller and I like it.

So, without further adieu, The above shot is Nina's photo of the spider tree.

Baker to Vega$

2008-04-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

Every year, I run in a team relay called Baker to Vegas. It's a 120 mile relay challenge pitting law enforcement agencies from all over the world. This year, 250 teams from as far as Canada, the UK, and Australia showed up to run on a little two lane road in the middle of nowhere (that's a total of 5000 cops) near Death Valley National Park. There's a reason they call it Death Valley.........

For ten years I've been running and every year I swear I'm retiring. And, every year, like the swallow's returning to Capistrano, I end up doing it. But this year was different because I meant it. And it wasn't until a mere 3 weeks before the race that I was asked to run due to injuries on the team.

Damn..... First training run felt like someone beat me with a stick. I couldn't even walk from the living room to the fridge for a beer. Then, I crashed on my bike and did no running until 3 days before the race, and that was on the treadmill in an air conditioned room with a 50" wide screen TV (1080dpi w/surround sound-no suffering in the gym!).

Race day! I drive out to the start, which is actually below sea level. I've never run this leg, but how bad can it be? It's flat; not like the mountain legs I usually run. The temps aren't too bad; 86 degrees with a light breeze. Unless it's 86 in the desert (which feels like 95) and the breeze is actually a sustained 20 mile an hour headwind which makes me think of convection ovens.

I start pretty well, leading the pack at the 1 mile mark. At about 1.5 miles I notice a desert gremlin has stuffed my mouth full of cotton, depriving me of any moisture. Smack, smack, smack. Still another 1/2 mile til I pick up my support van.... By two miles, I have a white ring of spittle around my lips (gross, let me tell you) and I'm humming Christmas carols when my van pulls up along side.

"Do you need some water?" they ask? "Nope! I'm like a camel; that hump called my ass is actually where I store my water...." Duh! I start to alternate between drinking and pouring the water down my neck.

By mile 4, there's a slight rise in the road. Oh joy...... For some reason, I can't get Barry Manilow singing "Copa Cabana" out of my head; the desert is a cruel place.... Several times I start to throw up, but manage to keep it down because the infamy would be brutal.

At mile 5, it's the one mile to go marker. Along the route folks have pulled over to cheer runner's on. One person, someone's teenage son, yells out "You're too old for this...." He's right, but I yell back a string of obscenities at him that in reality probably sounds like a I've sustained major brain trauma.

Funny thing about the desert.... I could see the finish line, but it appeared to be moving away from me. Maybe it was the salt crystalizing on my eyes. Then, finally, I was in the gate, passing the baton off to the next runner while my 'catcher' and a medical staff member checked me over. The medical person was pretty damn sexy standing there with cold water. But, at some point, I read HIS name tag and realized how hard that run really was.......

So, now I'm home and retired (I swear it!) from running in the desert.

This photo is the start of my leg, which finished at about the base of those mountains......

The Art of Emotion

2008-04-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

It is not often that we have the ability or opportunity to share the innermost glimpses of our being. It could be joy or pain; it could be peace or angst. Whatever the case, it is usually only shared with a very select few. But, I think artists are blessed/cursed with the means to express emotion that is unencumbered by the restrictions of language or intimacy. Art comes from someplace within. And that is why art can be so hit and miss for the observer.

But, when you get it; when you really get it, you share something with the artist that connects at such a visceral level that it's almost overpowering.

So, to all artists who labor to bring their vision to the rest of us, I thank you!

One last shot form Joshua Tree NP. I found a burnt scrub oak next to these boulders. Kyle thought it looked like a giant spider (it does), but the starkness of the scene was very appealing.

Seeing in Black and White (and Gray)

2008-04-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

Just a gallery of shots from Joshua Tree this weekend. I'd mention to anyone who says "gee, I don't have a fancy camera" that these pics were shot with a small 6 mp point and shoot digital camera bought on Amazon for about $150.00.

Peace, Man!

2008-04-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I just returned from Joshua Tree National Park for an annual spring camping trip. The Park is home to the largest concentration of Joshua tree on the planet and is a mecca for climbing and bouldering enthusiasts.

Anyway, Kyle needed some down time, so he popped in an Indiana Jones movie into his portable dvd player while I went out for some lost hiking to find some peace. At sunset, there are not too many places more beautiful than Joshua Tree, and the smell of desert sage and wildflower was pretty intense.

And I found peace.... Literally! Low and behold, this rock formation jumped out at me as looking just like a peace sign; a giant 60' high peace sign!

So, if you go to wild places looking for peace, you never know where you'll find it!

Ancient Ones

2008-04-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

The National Park Challenge I'm a part of in the Printmaking Forum on WET CANVAS has really kept me busy coming up with a variety of scenes. This print is from the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains of California.

This grove of Bristlecone's contains Methuselah, the oldest known living thing on this planet. At 4700 years old, it's life spans the rise and fall of some of the greatest civilizations known to man, including the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures. It's more than double the age of Christianity and over 20 times older than our country.

This print is of another tree as Methuselah is not identified in order to protect it from trampling, vandalism, etc.

I Don't Even Know What to Say

2008-04-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

My son is 12. He's had a mutual crush on a girl since kindergarten. Maybe it's because she has always been the tallest kid in school; maybe it's because they are both very decent young persons. Anyway, we've always thought it was kind of cute that they have made 'googly eyes' at each other for so long.

This week, Kyle told us he wanted to ask her out. We talked about it and figured it would be fine because 'asking out' meant coming over to watch a movie and play video games. In his mind, and hers, it was nothing more than taking those first awkward and innocent steps to growing up.

We told Kyle she would need to discuss it with her folks and he would have to be respectful of her's and her parents decisions and feelings (keep in mind, the young lady is all for it....) Today, Tami talked with the mom, who we have been friends with for years; who has let her daughter go to musicals and other activities with us; and who has never had any issues with Kyle or us.

She said she didn't want Kyle going out with her daughter because he is a non-believer. Apparently, she found out Kyle had a debate with a fellow student on evolution vs creationism in the strictest sense. A couple of his 'friends' labeled him a 'non-believer' and told the young lady (who's family is very religious). Apparently, it made its way to the mom.

First, I can't believe this lady would tell Tami. Then, to find out, she told her daughter the same and now it's floating around school that she can't go out with a non-believer. I think the appropriate exclamation here is "JESUS CHRIST!"

We have raised Kyle to be sensitive, decent, respectful, and tolerant of other people and cultures. He has attended church functions, but has not embraced it. He knows and hangs out with folks of all faiths. I have told him, what's in the heart is more important than the symbol on the chest. But, wow.... The closed minded gall. Despite it all, I told Kyle if he wanted to attend church to learn more about Christianity, he could. I've always believed in being open towards all comers.

I could rant all day, but I took a ride instead. Above are some photo's from this afternoon.

Hope Spring's Eternal

2008-03-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

I went out on a mountain bike ride today; down the old North Shore Trail. Before the fires of 2003 and 2007, and the floods of 2003, the trail use to be one of those amazing places that was almost right out the back door.

There were bracken ferns and wild tea rose lining the trails. In the lower portion, Bear Creek meandered along through a lush canyon filled with wild iris and tiger lily. At the bottom, as the canyon opened up, there were tangles of blackberry bushes hidden amongst the grasses. I remember when my wife first learned she had skin cancer. I went on that trail to clear my head and ended up getting dehydrated because I dumped both of my water bottles in order to fill them with plump berries for Tami; Probably 2 pounds worth!

But today, it's gone.... The loggers have come through and clear cut all of the scorched trees for lumber. But, they have left the slash to divert water and runoff paths and destroy the trail. Now, it's just a brown monoscape with an occasional cat's claw bush to add a bit of washed out green to the view. Sad.....

Flash forward a couple of hours. I found myself walking with Tami through another burn area; this time over in Running Springs. We were enjoying the daffodil gardens, which has been devastated twice in the last 5 years by fire (in 03' it destroyed the owner's home).

Despite the fires, the gardens were cleared and ready to welcome visitors. For tourists, it's a chance to see a quaint local landmark. For us locals, it's a chance to see color instead of the dead browns, blacks, and tans we've become accustomed to.

So, here's the photo of the day. Tulips against a blue mountain sky taken in Running Springs.

Stretching the Boundries

2008-03-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

I tried water coloring a print of Zion National Park. Not sure of I like the result, but it was fun attempting it. Pushing boundaries in anything you do is a good thing. Whether it's fitness, art, or your beliefs, it pays to get outside of the comfort zone now and again.

Sometimes we get stuck in our little circles. Imagine a page of polka dots with none touching the other. Now, imagine if all those polka-dots expanded. There would be overlap, communication, understanding, creativity, & appreciation.

Soooooooo, that's the mantra for the week; stretch your boundaries because once stretched, they never regain their original dimensions.

The Road Home

2008-03-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

On Rim of the World Highway, there's a huge old sugar pine that has been topped by lightning/wind/fire. It sit's below Strawberry Peak and is local landmark for locals and 'flat landers' alike. I like the tree because it has an almost bonsai feel to it and it clings to a fairly steep drop off. It just feels like the essence of preseverance and stability because the Old Fire burnt everything around it, but could not manage to burn this tree.

I'm sure I'll re-visit this subject, but for now, it was printed on Stonehenge watercolor paper with akua brown oxide ink. Carved from a 6x8 blocl of linoleum.

There's Gold in Then Thar Hills!

2008-03-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

Mountain biking is a passion. It keeps me fit, reduces stress, and give me some great folks to 'break bread' with and share in camaraderie. But the best part is when you get to pedal through amazing vistas.

Today, we went down to Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, CA. The Santa Ana winds were howling. Several 18 wheelers were tipped over on the freeway it was so bad. But, about 5 miles from the park, it was like someone flipped the off switch and the winds just died. There was even a hint of coastal humidity in the air.

The backside of the ride was absolutely packed with wildflowers. You could smell just a hint of sweetness mixed in with with earthy tones. It was pretty spectacular. I almost forgot we were in a regional park with nearly 5,000,000 people within a half an hour of us. One of the biking moments to remember!

That little red dot? That's me.....

Witches & Burgers

2008-02-22T07:58:00.000-08:00

We went to Wicked-The Musical last night at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Let me clarify that I'm not a theater lover of any great degree. It's not that I don't enjoy it, it's just that often times the show of patrons in the lobby is better than the actual production. Not so with Wicked!

About all I can say is WOW! The production was outstanding. Tami, who's seen shows on Broadway, said it was one of the best she's ever seen. The stage, the lights, the costumes, and the actors were simply amazing. And the story itself was rich and complex; not at all what I expected.

Of course, I still enjoyed the people watching in the lobby. The older lady in a black latex rain coat with a huge tribal tat on her shin took the prize ("you have bin der naughty vittle boy & you need der discipline!).

As for dinner.... What does one have on a night of theater habberdashery? Given that we were running late and there ain't poop down there to eat, we chose American cuisine, AKA Tommy's Burgers. For those in the know, it's a locally famous concoction of a double cheeseburger topped with a cinnamon based chili, topped with mustard and pickles, and finally a huge slab of tomato. Throw in the 'hot out of the larder' fries, and you've got the original belly bomb! Thank goodness I didn't share it with any other closely seated theater goers during the show...... Kinda cool, though, when Tami remarked that the glasses of wine we enjoyed at the theater cost more than dinner. That's why I love her; cultured without pretense.

Dirty Old Man

2008-02-15T11:15:00.000-08:00

The weather finally broke enough to get out and get some dirt on the bike. But, the wind was so bad it literally blew me off the bike and into a culvert. Still, it was great to play a little bit.

I read a quote from the adventurist who discovered the Titanic wreckage where he said "I was born old and have spent the rest of my life trying to become a child." That's my thought for the day!!!

The Road to No Where

2008-02-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

Hwy 190 into Death Valley National Park is lonely. I've driven it, and I've pedaled it as well. It's a quiet, desolate, and yet amazingly beautiful place.

In the print, I tried to create the glare you get from the sun reflecting off of, well, everything! The only thing that you can really see is a long line of hot asphalt, stretched out a a piece of licorice taffy.

Now I can do my snow day chores.......

SnOw daY!!!!

2008-02-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

Wellllllllll, unless the plow decides to roll through, I'll have to take a snow day for the first time in about 8 years, and only the second in my entire law enforcement career. Spent an hour shoveling out the car in preperation, but no plow yet. Hate having to call off, but Mother Nature trumps all wishes!

Even the ladies were reluctant to get out in the 15" of new powder....

National Park Challenge

2008-02-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

I put together a challenge at http://wetcanvas.com for printmakers. The call is out for a wide open interpretation of National Parks with an final unveiling date of Earth Day, April 22, 2008. I've decided to do a two-fold challenge;

First, I plan on creating a monochromatic relief print of every National Park I've been to. At last count, it was 18.

Second, I plan on doing a large multi-color reduction print of my favorite park, which I won't share until April 22nd. Hopefully, I'll improve whilst I carve away!

Why National Parks? Personally I've had some of the best moments in my life in a National Park. A quick top 10 would include #10-Watching the sunrise over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with Tami #9-Climbing ladders up a cliff in Mesa Verde #8-Seeing Yosemite Valley for the 1st time #7-Bouldering with Tami & Kyle in Zion #6-Seeing a Bearded Dragon in Hovenweep #5-Watching lightning and listening to thunder roll across the Grand Canyon #4-Climbing Pothole Dome with Kyle when he was 3 in Yosemite #2-Doing a 100 mile bike ride under a full moon in Death Valley #1-Giving the man-talk to Kyle around the campfire in Joshua Tree.

So, I figure I owe it to the Parks to pay them homage.

One down, a bunch to go. This is from Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.

Not on My Watch

2008-01-26T10:22:00.000-08:00

For those who follow my wife's blog, you know my mother-in-law has been seriously ill. For those who read my blog, you probably have guessed that I'm generally am optimistic person. So, when my mother-in-law spoke to my wife about her requests and wishes 'when' she passes vs. 'if' she passes, it was quite simply gut wrenching.

Tami and I have discussed this stuff, but in a theoretical way. This was real and my initial instinct was to put my game face on and get pragmatic. But, when Tami mentioned that Shyron wanted us to take Kyle to Disney World in Florida after she's gone because that was the next trip she had planned with him, I lost it.

Shyron was there for Kyle's first Disneyland experience. I think it was for his 1st birthday and I can remember him being absolutely excited about the whole thing. At the Mainstreet Parade that night, I snapped a photo of Shyron holding Kyle that has always been one of my favorite; a grandma's beaming smile, gazing at a happy little boy. It has been the essence of their relationship ever since.

Well, I got to carving and tried to recreate that moment. I will give the print to Shyron, with the caveat that she will take Kyle to Disney World.

Why Nothing Gets Done

2008-01-20T14:35:00.000-08:00

I always start the weekend with good intentions; get the garage clean, do some stuff in the yard, get some riding in, visit with the family..... Sadly, before I know it, the weekend is over and I'm left wondering where it all went. Then, my son took a photo that explains it all.

Though not apparent in real life, the film has captured two ghostly apparitions that appear to haunt me the second I sit down. These para-normal beasts effectively suck the life force out of me and leave me reclining with my feet up.

When I'm not sitting, these same creatures make voices in my head that sound like a Siren's call, willing me to venture out into the freezing cold to walk down by the creek. Upon return, I feel a compelling need to slap peanut butter on a treat and lay it on the ground.

I don't know where these harpy like vampires come from, but look at the photo~~~ They are REAL!

Alright, maybe I've taken dramatic license, but, damn those dogs! They get me all peaceful on a cold winter day. Thank god for football on TV!

(And, I did do a carving of some Anasazi Pottery. I liked the photo, which had a very abstract feel to it; like ancient art deco!)

Never to Old to Rock

2008-01-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

For me, a great source of pride comes from when my son says "Dad, you know that song that goes 'Brahh-wah-wah-hwah-twaaahhh' real loud?" as he rips out a verbal guitar riff.

"You mean the one where they go 'gbow-wow-zeeeeeeeee---brahh-wah-hwah-twaaahhh?"

"Yeah, that's the one! Can you download it for me?"

While I download the tune to his ipod, I tell him about the song; what it means; how the guitarist was amongst the best before (pick one) sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll did him in; what I was doing in high school when the tune came out. A real history lesson.

I'm lucky if I get a "thanks" and stoked if I'm blessed with a "cool." Still, it's my way of connecting with my son, spanning the great divide, bridging the generation gap. I know he appreciates the download, even if it comes with a monologue.

Yesterday, while I'm watching football, I hear my son talking with his friend while they listen to tunes upstairs.

"You may think this song's about a trip across country, but what it's really about is discovering all the things he likes about his girlfriend..." he says and then casually mentions that the songwriter died in a plane crash/speeding in a Ferrari/eating a bologna sandwhich. And, of course, his knowledge illicits the appropriate "coooool........" And not just from his friend, but from dear old dad.

First Reduction Print

2008-01-13T17:25:00.000-08:00

Since I have a new press to play with, I tried a reduction print. Reduction is where you carve away the lightest color, print the color, carve away the next color, print it, and so forth. By reducing the block, it's destroyed in the end.

Anyway, it's from a pictue I took, and have posted here previously, of two crows in Mesa Verde National Park.

Arches National Park Print

2008-01-05T21:26:00.001-08:00

It rained all day, so I watched football and perused some vacation photos. Carved up a shot of Delicate Arch while watching my beloved Redskins lose in the playoffs.

The best part, though, was Tami making up some killer hot artichoke dip, creamy spinach dip, and a cheese and salami tray. MMM MMM MMM!!!!

Supposed to get a foot or more of snow tonight, so I'm sure I'll be busy shoveling out all day Sunday. This is Southern California, right?

Brighten the Day

2008-01-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

Hey, first post in the new year! Looking out across the meadow, it's a foggy, drizzly, cold day here in the mountains. Just waiting for the 'storm of century' to hit. I've got this crazy wiener-dog passed out in my lap, and a need to do some art. Who will win?

I just took the full plunge into printmaking with a purchase of an intaglio etching press and I can't wait to explore all the possibilities! To that end, I read a Taoist quote which I really found compelling

~To the beginner, the possibilities are endless; to the expert the possibilities are few.

For all the creative folk, I think it's a great reminder to keep an open mind on your creative pursuits (or anything else for that matter), no matter how accomplished you may be.

So, I'll close with a description of the vividly colorful photo above; a free spirited boat in Monterrey Bay, touched up in photoshop using a dry brush and sponge filter with a whole bunch of saturation and contrast thrown in.

PS Tattoo Lesa- Kick some butt in 2008

5,4,3,2,1..... HaPpY NeW yEaR!

2007-12-28T19:37:00.000-08:00

Well, it's just about upon us; another year! I checked on my resolutions for last year to see how I did and here's what I found......

~Lose 10 pounds........................ Lost 7, so it was close.

~Travel more............................. Went to the Sierra's 4 times for camping, kayaking, hiking,

cycling, and fishing. Spent a week in Monterrey. Several trips down to San Diego. Not bad!

~Become more creative............ Got back into photography and picked up the addictive habit of

printmaking. Started doing this blog. Pretty decent.

~Enjoy the family...................... Better than ever! I can't imagine having a better wife and son.

Sooooo, for 2008, here's the low down! I'm going to drop another 10-15 pounds, get back into bike racing, kick it up a notch on my art, do some serious outdoor adventures with my son, spend more grown-up time with my wife, do something spectacular with our front yard, stay healthy, and get one year closer to retirement (8 years and counting).

I hope 2008 is a good year for all!

The photo above is something I'm working on. It's the Minarette's in the Sierra's. Once I get a press, I plan on printing multiple images ad collaging them onto tie-dyed papers. We'll see how that works out......

Peace on Earth

2007-12-24T16:29:00.000-08:00

As 2007 comes to a close, my wish for the Holidays is that the world finds a little more peace; that we reach in before we reach out, and that we find humanity in our actions.

I hope the Holiday Season finds you and yours safe, warm, and filled with Peace. Season's Greetings to all!

Curtis, Tami, & Kyle

The Last Piece of Lino

2007-12-15T19:41:00.001-08:00

So, I get all these amazing cards and prints from some incredible printmakers from around the globe. Now, I'm all creative and inspired! I go to my lino stash and all I have is one sorry piece of 6x8 that has some bubbles in it. Well, time to make lemonade......

I did I quick rendering of a Maynard Dixon painting that graced the cover of Sunset Magazine back in 1903 and colored it with my wife's prisma pencils. Kinda fun! I think I'll revisit this subject again when I get some good lino in and I get better at carving.

Thanks to the printmakers on wetcanvas.com for providing so much inspiration!