THE WEEKENDER-For Locals

Rods and Spice

    Cambrians and tourists mark early spring with a bacchanalia like rite of hot rods and hot chili. Restaurants, service organizations and individuals vie for a championship. $10 gets you a spoon and small cup and points you toward the numbered chili dispensers, each touting their unique zest or magic.

  The South Paw chili, using a particular wine were working for an award for showmanship as well. 

These judges deliberate for a set of prizes while the vox populi would ballot for the people's choice.

  The parking lot was lined with dazzle and color. 

   Spring pleasures on California's Pacific Coast highway.

    See you down the trail.

BIG BLUE FASCINATION-THE WEEKENDER

AN HISTORIC EVENT

     There is no end to the fascination and enjoyment of seeing the Pacific. Living in a coastal community reminds me daily of the wonder of the big blue.

     Special thanks to our pal John, aka The Travel Answerman for giving us a heads up on an amazing National Geographic brief for your Weekend enjoyment. This is  amazing.

SPLASH
stills from Cambria's Lampton Cliff

    See you down the trail.

THE NIGHT LIFE-BISTROS-DALE HANSEN ON GAY IN THE NFL----THE WEEKENDER

BEFORE THE STARS 

meditations on a setting sun

  THE START OF EVENING  

    Bistro workers in the last of the sun's rays. Quiet before the crowd.

   The bistro exudes invitation as the darkness falls.

     A quiet moment before the hum of diners and merry-makers. The scene below conjures romance or intrigue.

     Musical venues abound on the central coast.  Below, virtuoso Keith Saunders shows why he's beloved in New York, LA and San Francisco. He was appreciated by Jazz Artists Series listeners at D'Anbino Wineries' music stage.

A COMMENTARY WORTH NOTING
Sportscaster Dale Hansen on an openly gay NFL player

FINDING THE MOON

    See you down the trail.

GETTING THE HAWK EYE-CAT AND THE BASKET-A CHRISTMAS REFRAIN LIKE NO OTHER-THE WEEKENDER

HAWK EYE

Photo by Kristin Cochrun

    Kristin, our eldest, surprised me many years ago when she asked if she could borrow my Nikon for a shot of a Water Lily in a fountain in Key West. She was very young and I was was a bit nervous as she held the camera over water, but she got a beautiful exposure and she's been a great shooter all her life.  She grabbed these shots of a hawk at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. 

Photo by Kristin Cochrun
 NAPS AND HIJINX

Hemingway wants to picnic

  There is no place where Hemingway is not comfortable, nor where his curiosity is not aroused.

POSES OF JOY

   She is of a oft mingled blood line, a bit of a mutt I suppose, but a sweet natured cat.  Her markings reflect her rich heritage, her coat is extraordinarily soft and for some reason her tail is always up and angled over her back.

   Unless she is perched in the bottle brush tree, where she spends a lot of time, probably watching birds.

WEEKENDER VIDEO

A LATE CHRISTMAS GIFT

This needs to be seen to be appreciated, perhaps.

See you down the trail.

MANNING UP THE SUPERBOWL-A SHORE REFRESHER-THE WEEKENDER

HERE'S HOPING

    Peyton Manning exemplifies excellence. He is testament to the virtue of hard work, preparation and discipline. He's a role model as a leader and he could be the best, or smartest, quarterback to ever play the game.  He might be both. I became a fan of both the football player and the man when we were both in Indianapolis. I didn't like the way Jimmy Irsay, owner of the Colts, handled Peyton's employment when he was injured and fighting to recover and I've told him that.  So with all of this as preamble it is no surprise who I will be rooting for this weekend.  It would be a sweet thing if Peyton can steer the Broncos to a win, gaining himself another ring and validating the extraordinary effort he's put into rebuilding himself and proving the power of overcoming.

THE SHORE

   The Pacific Coast is forever fascinating and begging for a camera.

WEEKENDER VIDEO

     If you are feeling landlocked, suffering cabin fever, tired of winter or maybe just a little tense, this weekend's video may be for you.  Three minutes of peace by the pacific.

See you down the trail.