ROAD TRIP

THE FIRST TRIP SACRAMENTO

      As spring blooms in California, we hit the road to see new places and scenes.

      On the way to Sacramento we stop to the see the historic mission in San Juan Bautista.

 The mission was founded in June 1797.

By evening we got our first glimpse of the California Historic  Governor's Mansion

After years of covering politics and government back east and in the midwest, I wanted to see the California Statehouse.

The Capitol Grounds include a beautiful park

First impression of Sacramento-

a good one.
Coming-a closer look.

See you down the trail.

SPRING IN THE WINE COUNTRY & A BEE UPDATE

ANOTHER VINTAGE

       April brings buds.   The vineyards seem to wake while sun, earth, mineral and tending mingle to begin a wine.

        This is how it looks in the West Side of the Paso Robles 

appellation as growers assess the damage of the early April frost.

Beautiful at Pipestone

 tiny bud of a Viognier

this couple helps winemaker Jeff Pipes

Further east in the west side

The Bees are working

It was time check on the status of the colony.

(see the April 8 Post-"We've got Bees...")

 Evidence of building, and signs the queen is at work.

 As we've heard since our childhood-"busy as bees."

So far, so good for these Italian bees from Glenn California.

See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) POWER OF TIME AND TIMELESS BEAUTY

MENTAL STRETCHES

       We are sharing a couple of fascinating items today.

A little creative recreation for you.  

LINK HERE FOR A CREATIVE LOOK AT THE SECRET POWER OF TIME-REMARKS BY PHILIP ZIMBARDO AND ILLUSTRATION BY RSA ANIMATION. THIS IS A STIMULATING FEW MINUTES.

HERE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY VIRTUAL VISIT TO THE SISTINE CHAPEL IN THE VATICAN.

This technology permits you to be alone in the Sistine Chapel and view every aspect of Michelangelo's work.
Click and drag the arrow in the direction you wish to see, right, left, up, down and at your speed.
In the lower left is a + or - key to allow you to zoom in and out.
LINK HERE FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY VISIT-ALONE IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL


ENJOY.
SEE YOU DOWN THE TRAIL.

OH GIVE ME A HOME...

AND THE SKIES ARE NOT CLOUDY ALL DAY

       After growing up in the midwest I am still thrilled by the evidence of the "old" west that I see each day.  It may have become old hat to those who have spent more years in California, but I delight in seeing HOME, HOME ON THE RANGE right here.

        Driving home from the tennis courts, I pass grazing horses and cattle and in just a few yards away

MOONING DEER

       That would be as in "...where the deer and the______play"

       And here at least "seldom is heard a discouraging word."  That, however does not apply to the coffee shop and bistros where there is always full and spirited conversations.

In fact those aspects of our village life remind me of French cafe society, but it is all part of the rich mix of Central Coastal California-unlike anywhere else, a real flower of a spot.

See you down the trail.

ITALIANS ON THE MOVE & "STRING HER UP!"

WE BEGIN WITH B

        B as in Italian Bee from Glenn California.  They are on the move.

As you may recall from an earlier post, Lana and Katherine have installed a colony of Italian bees.  Today they've been sighted on the move.

They've emerged from their hive, taking nutrition from the honey water 

 coming and going.  But more importantly they've been sighted on the echium

which as you can see is convenient to their home base.

How, you might ask, do you know they are the Italian Bees from Glenn California and not another honey bee?  Lana says our bees are more "blond" and she's been watching them closely.  Stay  tuned.

MORE ADVENTURES FROM THE WEST

"STRING HER UP!"

Our village, tucked between the Pacific and the Santa Lucia mountains and nestled over highlands, valleys and a Monterey Pine forest has a true western history.

Chumash and Salinans, Mexican aristocracy, cowboys, miners, Azorean whalers and native Californios were here first, then came the bohemians, artists, writers, musicians, retirees

and a few Hollywood stars.  By now it is a unique culture were on any given day 

50% of the population will tell you what's right and the other 50% will have some variation of what's not.

A recent hot topic has been Tammy Ruddock, the executive director of our CCSD.

The village is governed by the Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) board.

Ostensibly the staff works for the board.  There are some who question just who has the power.  The recent firing of the town's Fire Chief by Ms Ruddock has set off screeches, howls, accusations, rumor and a general furor.  She cites "confidentiality of personnel" issues and refuses to discuss the specifics. Most say the chief, while aggressive in protective measures, not unreasonable in a forest, is a good guy and has done a great job.

Well,  he's out and she ain't saying why.  This prompted one of the town's

leading characters, 90+ year old Jim Buckely, founder of the local theater playhouse, to say that of Ms. Ruddock "They ought to string her up!"

Elsewhere that statement could ignite all manner of fall out.  Here, well, this is the west and we have trees that some of the old timers remember as "hangin trees."

Remember the the Zebra shootings--rancher vs rancher and range rights and all, just a few months ago.  

We've got another dandy fight underway.

Stay tuned for this as well.

See you down the trail.

PS

The fire chief had shut down Buckely's Playhouse until

it installed an expensive new sprinkler system.  Still

he is a defender of the chief and no fan of 

Ms Tammy, who earns, with benefits and allowances,

some $230,000 to manage a town of 5,500 or so.

THE CALIFORNIA WAY

A FUTURE BLOOMS

         Once again California blazes a path forward. Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation mandating that California utilities get one third of their energy from renewable source by 2020. This is the most aggressive alternative energy mandate in the United States.
         Supporters say this will encourage and reassure investors to keep the money flowing. As the computing and software advances coming from California demonstrate, where capital and new ideas mix, advances are made.  This mandate should generate increased technological advances.

         

AN OPENING IN THE NUKE HAZE

         It is a bit like an open patch of sky, between the layers of clouds, fogs and marine haze.

           In a good example of bipartisanship, Central Coast representatives have urged PG&E and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to go slow on the renewal process of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear plant.  Democratic Congresswoman Lois Capps and Republican State Assemblyman Gary Blakeslee have urged the go slow process until new seismic studies are concluded.  Diablo Canyon sits near several faults, including a recently discovered ocean fault.  The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors has also asked PG&E to slow the renewal process until the advanced studies are complete.  This is a great example of how responsible public servants can put party issues aside to attend to the public's good and best interests. 

DAY BOOK

RANDOM SHOTS

BIRDS AND BENCHES

 This time we catch the heron in flight.

Bench 1.0
Tumbling down.

Bench 2.0
See you down the trail.