good to be home where a palm tree grows

Muir Beach

A young mother with her two children in a quiet view looking out over a calm Pacific Ocean.  And, not giving mind to their wanderlust dog who has run far, far away.

the ancient light of West Marin

The foot trails of the early Miwok culture and the current hiking trails of coastal Marin County blend together easily in the Fall light.  Hiking up along that San Andreas fault line, with the wild animal scat and the occasional horse hoove tracks - all will guide you along.

Central Valley, CA

Went to visit my old pal, my young buddy Josh and his sweet wife Chrissy, who had left Florida several years ago for California's, Central Valley.

Their town, Exeter - is the "Citrus Capitol of the World" and historically settled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  And, in an interesting side note, Exeter's founder named the town after his hometown of Exeter, in rural Devon, England, where I attended college during my first year abroad.

So with that rooted connection, the next day Josh graciously let me borrow his Bonneville (his beloved motorbike) - and I rode through those foothills, and high up into the elevation.  His bike was tuned-in like a bumble bee, and with no traffic and a newly paved road, I found the only one hair-raising feature - a loose black cow, that for awhile ran panicked, right along beside me.  One of life's memorable rides.


On the road to Exeter - in a dry, dusty, and drought ridden Central Valley.

A mural in downtown Exeter, showing the happy and contented local 'orange pickers'.

The foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

tryin' to find what I was responsible for (in Frisco)

After finding parking, across the street from City Lights (the bookstore), my son Matt & I went searching for our scheduled "rehearsal dinner" restaurant - the one that I was supposedly hosting that night, celebrating my son Wilson's upcoming wedding.  We finally found our venue - the Naked Lunch, next door to the "Hungry 1" - a gentlemen's club, and a cute little strip joint.

San Francisco's Lawn Bowling Club

Having just been in the Bay Area and excited by my new sport, I had recently ventured over to San Francisco's Lawn Bowling Club, situated in the city's, Golden Gate Park.

The interior of the historic clubhouse was filled with old B&W photos, trophies, memorabilia etc.  But my memory will always be with the group camaraderie and it's cast of characters - all giving me a big welcome, with an initial offering from a member's pot of hot tea - and all reaching out, with that big helping hand.


My new buddies, Joanne & Leon outside the Clubhouse (SFLBC - America's oldest Municipal Lawn Bowling Club)

Green #3 with the Club's logo in the background topiary.

Leon Simpson - my first day's bowling partner and SFLBC's unofficial club photographer.

John McClaren - the Club's founder and former superintendent of Golden Gate Park.

Trophies and original wooden "bowls" from the early 1900's.

Members "tag" board.

And "Wally" - a Wheaten Terrier, who always arrived early, and always stayed late, just to watch.

playin' cards

Finnegan

with Lola Bea - and Bella Bleu

the five children ......

altogether for the first time in many a year.  And, all posing for Wilson's wedding photographer, while I managed to sneak in underneath.

Nate, Crete, Wilson, Matt & Becca.