Washington DC: Heart of Darkness

The east coast has some things to be grateful for. The weather: SoCal was hitting the (mere) 80s in the beginning of March, and with the intense sun it was already too hot for me. Here, the days barely made it into the 50s in the day with cool nights and enough rain to start a garden. It's warmer now, but still pleasant. The people: It's always good to see my family and my friends. Plus it's close enough to Ohio to trade visits with Wormz. Projects: I'm working on my house and van and a few other things. 

I did some tourist time in DC:

The Washington Monument is under repair for the damage done in the earthquake that struck on 08 23 11

The Lincoln Memorial is full of emancipated humanity 

A. Blinkin. Not blinkin'.

The Viet Nam memorial by Mya Lin

 

Interesting tidbit: Mya Lin has also created an installation at 
Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, 
which is my hometown, called the Peace Chapel.
Click here for more info.

...and found a new way to avoid the appalling DC traffic:

And, finally, a recent project:

 

Let's Spend The Night Together

George & me.

Saturday Night at the Range

March 9 was my last night at the Range for the season. I set up my camera on a tripod and captured this:

 'In Spite of Ourselves', featuring Mike Bright:

And here's one by me: 'I Saw Her Standing There', featuring Carlos on lead Guitar:

Thanks to Carlos, Barry, on bass, Radio Mike and Beatles Mike on drums, Solar Mike on the blues harp, Max on the squeeze box and especially to Mike Bright for his inimitable vocal stylings.

Jeez LaWeeZ

I got to Corrales, NM Thursday afternoon. After a shower and a short visit, Marsha and Debby took me to a restaurant where we saw JeezLaWeez. These three women totally rocked the place. The room was kind of noisy but the band was just great.

Here's a video:

More from Slab City

Niland has an annual Tomato Festival with a parade, rides and things like a tomato-packing contest. The crazy thing is they haven't grown tomatoes in Niland for thirty years. Anyway, I was part of a Slab City contigent that included this crew riding on top of Pretty-Bus Mike's bus. I played in the band that was towed on a tiny trailer behind this beautiful bus. We were two guitars, bass, drums and trombone(?). It was a hoot. Unfortunately I don't yet have pictures of us but I hope to at some point. 

The beautiful desert:

...the setting for art installations...

...a very Slabby skate park...

...a hot spring, here at sunset...

...and starry nights with music around the campfire with friends.

But the real beauty in Slab City is in the endlessly fascinating people who live here.

Tennessee Ken: This shot is from last year because Ken died suddenly about ten days after I got to the City. We miss his wit and sense of humor and his beautiful baritone voice he delivered it with. He died with a woman in his arms as I'm sure he would have wished.

Spider, who ran the open mic at The Range on Saturday nights and the occasional Sunday afternoons.

Cookie and Earl, full-time Slabbers. Here at Earls 80th birthday.

Deborah (emphasis on the second syllable), a terrific singer.

Cuervo, with his mule, Rock and Roll.

Jimi James, a great musician. I had lots of fun playing with Jimi.

Mike Bright, another full-timer, a poet and a friend.

Sandi, an artist and a friend with one of her creations. She is also an accomplished musician.

Peter, who lives in a school bus, known as The Cool Bus and who became a good friend.

Radio Mike, who operates an unbelievably great pirate radio station that broadcasts just to Slab City twelve hours a day and who hosts a party every Friday evening. A fine artist and musician who is like a brother.

Here am I at Radio Mike's Gilligan's Island theme party in February doing my best Thurston Howe III.

One last self portrait at Gopher Flats golf course.

Angel. A purebred Slab dog. Here in front of Tennessee Ken's ramada which is now a kind of shrine to our departed friend.

Goodnight Slab City, until next season.

Adventures in the American Southwest

I spent ten days in Las Vegas visiting friends. Among the fun things was my first timid steps into rock climbing. Red Rock Canyon is quite amazing and beautiful but the shoes didn't fit and owie, owie, owie. 

Then back to Slab City. Here's a shot of sunrise over Salvation Mountain.

The Range held a talent show one Saturday. It was mostly an extended open mic that lasted from early afternoon until after midnight. Peter, in full hippie regalia, told some jokes.

 Builder Bill opened the show. (suitable for all ages)

These shots are from the Gopher Flats golf course at sunrise.

Stinkbugs like to get into the cups. (stinkin' idiots!)

Approaching rain and Chocolate Mountain Jesus.

The beautiful Chocolate Mountains (made from real milk chocolate)

And midnight at the Oasis (actually, probably about 9:30 but send your camel to bed anyway)