FALL'S CULTURE SHOCK LEVEL: Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back...
Que and I frequently remind each other of the Bay Area West bound morning traffic in the Berkeley Tunnel to help us keep our move to podunk in perspective...
Images of bumper to bumper Bmw's and bloated Cadillac Suv's are soon replaced by images such as this. (Someone's private Covered Wagon collection in the remote town of Jimmy Day, Oregon)
And this—
And this...
Irrestistably bizarre decorative "Native" style bathroom tiles in the women's bathroom on a reservation!
A dry resevoir bed! The atv tracks appear to be made by one vehicle.
Very good-sized pinecones!
Very small but sincere, peace rally in the town square! (triangle)
Highlights from our brief summer break at the great volcano, Lassen St. Park in CA... The inn in the 2-building town surprises us with outdoor wi-fii. (This is CA, isn't it?) I am able to send email to Karinalin. Note babbling brook in background. I'm in paradise...
Snow in the mountains in June. We are wearing summer shorts and tshirts and enjoy a stunning afternoon hike up to the snow covered peaks.
The Burger King's alienated son? A "family" owned business, no doubt!
An alarming set of table cards in a diner across the valley. Click image to read strange text...
Another dinky church in a spooky, remote mountain town south of El Big. Some of Que's more socially conservative students hail from this town.
A blown glass moosehead at the Jupiter Art Hotel, Portland, Oregon.
Bar
Bathroom
Chandelier made of deer antlers
Fall rolls in quickly. Once more, Que's work sends him and his students out on a field trip for an urban experience.
It's a 5 hour drive to the medium sized city of Portland, but I never turn down a chance to get out there to enjoy some Thai food, new art, strong coffee and very large bookstores.
We stay two nights at the trendy Jupiter Art Hotel. It's hit or miss. I like the ironic wildlife art and playful architecture, but I am turned off by the techno "muzak" pumping 24 hours in the halls and parking lot...
"I think it's raining bacon again, honey."
We meet old friend Towad for dinner in the Jupiter's restaurant. They serve stylish comfort food. (Side Note:I don't know if it's a trend or what, but North Westerners put bacon and/or cheese in EVERYthing. They'd probably put bacon on a Pastrami sandwich, if you let them! What gives? ) Later, I draw a NW stereotype on the hotel room chalkboard door. NW hipsters are invariably white, 30-ish women, chainsmoking, and wear flipflops no matter the weather. (And finally, here's a draw for Jamie-Gomer B, who has harranged me for not posting more drawings on this site. Tell me I still have my mojo?!? )
Photo taken at the Salmon Nation Eco festival in Portland. Que and I find eco friendly all natural rugs to take back to our new home in El Big...
The house, being from 1925, has non standard sized doorways. Que finds he has to remove the front window sash in order to bring our couch inside. (Stay tuned for special post on The N house remodel)
The audience at the Salmon Nation eco festival. It's been so long, why, I've almost forgotten what a hippie looks like...
"Three steps forward-"
Girl's volleyball games. For fun, El Bigians watch local sports teams. If you don't, WHO WILL? Que's colleague's daughter plays volleyball in the itty bitty town of Onion, so we attend our first game. The whole town shows up. It's great fun hollering and stomping for the team. If we don't, who will? (Click image to basically see the whole town of Onion.)
"Two steps back." Que has to point out this sign to me, so we stop and take a picture. I wonder to myself if not noticing these things right away is a sign of my adjusting to El Big...
The view of El Big valley from Mt. E, the highest mountain in the valley. The sun is shining, but the air is crisp.
On our descent, Que pulls over and takes note of this site-- somebody's idea of heaven!
Wild turkeys running for their lives. Happy Thanksgiving, all.
Saturday, November 25, 7:30 am: I wake to the first snow!
And alas, this morning Que finds solid PROOF that it is indeed, deer chowing down on the front yard
NEXT WEEK: The N House Remodel! How to Remodel an Old House in a Really Remote Area.
