Things I Miss (pt.2)

Mexico was a glipmse of the simple life I miss. Good people, good beer and the ocean. All that I feel is a necessity in Mexico. Now lets change it up. Up north about 14 hours of driving from Reedley, is a state that is just way too cool. We call it oregon, our neighbor to the north. Some people call it home. I have been there several times and got to soak in some of the culture a couple times. The most recent time was in Portland. A city with a ton of bridges, ton of rain, and a ton of cyclists. The town has a different feel to it that other big cities here in The Golden State. The overcast sky, the intimate streets with a slight overload of traffic and the abundance of people choosing the healthy commute ,rain or shine, on their bicycles. And by the way, a lot of people are in good shape. Larger percentage than we are used to here in the Valley. Only different thing about the people is how they all keep to themselves. Walking by coffee shops and restaurants most people were doing what they were supposed to be doing... eating/drinking. No lolli-gaggin for the Portland folk. I may be completely wrong but that is the vibe I took in. All in all its a fun city. Oh! another thing, Portland has the largest private bookstore in the country. Powell's city of Books, its a HUGE place its the 3 stories tall and the area of an entire city block then also a separate building that only has technical subjects. I went to town on this place. Any subject you can think of even sub-subjects. They will most likely have it. Prices aren't bad either, most of the books are used and still in good condition. 
Portland is a city that I highly recommend everyone to visit, closer than Seattle just as cool and a bit more sunny days too. No pictures in Portland, I was only there a couple days and first day I wanted to see if for myself without camera. Sorry.

Now I have to photos to share of the Oregon Coast. A couple years ago I was in Seattle with family, after those few days there we drove the spectacular scenic route to California along the Pacific Coast Highway. The altitude is the same as the coast in central California but way way more lush, I was up there in March or April. The place was way different than the outdoors I am used to here in the central Sierra Nevadas. Its so lush that moss grows everywhere and makes the scenery look and feel fresh. 

As we began to get closer to California we entered the Redwood forest. Its crazy how the geography is here. the ocean, cliffs, waves and sea wildlife is at the coast, then about 100 to 200 meters away are huge Redwoods and pines. To compare it to something here locally, would be like looking to the high sierras to your right then seeing the central coast to your left all in one spot. That is something that I am not very used to. Its a lot for your eyes to take in but not one bit overwhelming. We stopped in the forest to look for the former tallest tree in the forest, while walking around I noticed how dense this place is. It so dense that enormous hundred foot tall trees grow in the same area. Here is the picture of a huddle of trees sharing the same 5x5 meter patch of land and still being able to grow ridiculous heights for hundreds of years. 

I would love to return to this state with out a time limit and just be free to roam as I please. Its less populated, cleaner air, healthy people and many Subarus and bicycles. This is a place where a week or more would be needed to enjoy which may be a lot of time for most people to give. Though I still think you all should give it a try and visit, or at least read about the state and learn a little something about a place that is better than you think. 

Til next time. 
erick

Things I miss (pt.1)

There is a movie on Netflix that I watched about an hour ago. Its titled "Ride the Divide", its about one of the toughest bicycle races there is. The race begins in Canada and goes 2700 through the Rockies into Mexico. One rider says, " Life's too short not to take adventures like this; you have to make these types of experiences a priority." That really stuck to me, we practically have the world at our finger tips and have the opportunity to do so. Racing in that race would be one killer experience but this made me think of what I have done.

A couple years ago I went to Mexico, it was about an 8 hour drive and we were in a completely different place from home in every way. It was a little town near the city of Ensenada in Baja California. My buddy and I stayed in an area where tourists aren't at every corner. The town has underdeveloped roads and sewer design that gives restrooms a very particular odor. All neighbors knew each other and each neighborhood had its own little convenience store. A very simple life.

Life is inexpensive and quite simple, so the public environment is very mellow and relaxed. The beach is a stones throw away with adequate surf and a large beach area. No need to drive, everything is within walking distance. This is how people live day to day, a life I feel I can get used to. Making the move would be easy, load up the car, find a small affordable home, unpack and relax in the simple life. 

The family we stayed with were well settled in the area, they had aunts sisters and cousins all living in the same small town, which means that families get together more often than you would think. This picture shows what a "day at the lake" would be for them. We drove for about 20 minutes of country roads then entered the foothills. The roads lost the pavement and were narrow dirt trails similar to the service roads here in the sierras. A very bumpy road, along the way it made me think that we were going to a secluded area, little did I know. There were a ton of people there, all who made the uncomfortable drive in everyday street cars to this very small creek that is only about 10 to 15 feet wide.  A creek like this wouldn't be a spot people would think of making it a day out of here in California. The people here did and boy I had a great time, a lot of friendly people and plenty of good food. The drive that would probably destroy many suspensions, the dust that would instantly turn your car brown loaded with all your family is completely worth it. One day.

A climb to climb.

There is a hill near where I live, well there is actually a lot of hills then those hills eventually become the Sierra Nevadas. I will only be writing about one specific hill. One that has been vandalized in a semi-positive way. Mt. Campbell is the name of this hill. This hill stamped with the letters, "S" and "R" for the towns Sanger and Reedley. Its a climb many do, some for the physical exercise and others to add more paint to the boulders. Either way its a cool climb, takes about an hour to climb at a decent pace. The summit is at a atmospheric level of 1,729 feet a feat similar to reaching the summit at Mt. Everest. Ha!

ISO 200  f/2.8  1/1600

Getting closer to the base, there you may encounter free range cows and several fences. Both harmless unless you lack the ability to climb a fence, which in that case you probably shouldn't go any further. The cows I think would be scared of you but I wouldnt know, they were to far from where we entered.

ISO200  f/4  1/4000

After the first hundred feet or so of the climb you need to become aware cause all those stones can do some good damage to your ankle. A lot of the rocks also move easily. So don't get hurt at the bottom of the hill, not a good story to go share.
In this picture you can see the scale of the hill, my woman is just ahead of me climbing, her friend is in the center of the image about 50 feet further. This part also isnt very steep. Enjoy this part.

ISO200  f/4  1/2000

Here is a view from the top, I would say you are able to see reedley, and yes reedley is there but it's difficult to distinguish. Right side near the horizon. Its so silent up here still, its almost a bit creepy. Here I took a break and took in the serenity of the mountain/sight.
Another wierd thing I discoverd about cows, regardless of their extremely high center of gravity, those guys can climb. In the kinda technical spots I would find cow pies. not fresh but recent enough they could be spotted. I would like to go up there and see cows climbing up there. It'd be quite the sight.
All this was shot with a fixed Canon EF 20mm 2.8. =D
Bye.

edit: Open images in new tab/window to see full image. Blogger cropped a bit to much.

Olive plant

Many years ago on Santa Fe Ave south of Walnut ave in Visalia. There was an olive plant, I have no details about the plant at all whatsoever. But I do know, that in present day it is no longer an olive plant. The plant has actually lost its walls and all you see is the bare chassis of the buildings. The property is very large, which I assume that it was a happening place at one point. Now many years later or not, a group of skaters decided that they need this place to skate. And what do skaters do, they skate wherever they feel is a good spot. Then little by little with the little money they had they began to buy concrete and bring in materials to build their own little "skatepark". It has been three weeks since their initial beginning and lots of progress has been made. There is a spine, a taco hump, a pyramid/box couple rails and ledges. This may be gibberish to you but not to skaters. That alone is a big accomplishment.
In the many many years of skating this is the first time I am able to experience and see something this great happening. This is something that I wish I could've been a part of back when I was in the prime of my skating. Still glad I can still somewhat be involved in my own way.
The Sunday I spent there was nostalgic, there was a small group of friends and this awesome spot. All skating 10/10 hoping to go home hoping that today was a day one of them finally rolled away from the smith revert they put so much effort in to. Such a great feeling to learn something new.
I spoke to several kids about this spot and each one was so passionate about it. Telling me all the hard work they have put into it and all the plans for future obstacles. This really pumped me up a lot that I decided to take pictures and help spread the word. I then brought out my film slr and shot these kids having an ordinary day at the olive plant. I got several good shots of each kid there. I didn't have the opportunity to finish the roll which is why I don't have magical shots to show today. All I know is that I have a good feeling about this spot and hope for this place to grow.

www.skatechowder.blogspot.com is the blog one of the skaters runs, he is heavily involved in the creation of this spot. He has a ton of cool shots of the plant and the skating. Check it out. I am going to try and work with them to attempt to have a way for people to have an option to make donations that would help out on funds for gathering supplies.

The end of the '12

Christmas has came and gone. It was a great yet disappointing day. Though I think that is usually how most days end up being like. I hope many people disagree.
I slept at my grandmas for the first time and damn was it cold, one detail I do not miss about that woman's house. Our Christmas takes place on the eve of the day. Which I would consider part of the day I will call great. I didn't get any gifts except for a target gift card... Mexican tequila is how we ended the night.
Then following the cold sleep at my grandmas, the family reunited once again and ate another huge feast. Got a good deal of food to keep my night active with my buddies on a day I feel is the most boring of the year. Several of my pals got together baked some salt wrapped chickens and consumed quite a bit of "fun" beverages and stretched the good times till the day ended making Christmas Day a non boring day. The disappointments of the day are a bit complicated and I feel are too personal for the Internet. Sorry y'all.

No picture today, there will be pics up soon, very soon. Thanks to my target gift card, I will use it to replace my lost card reader! Yes! Highlight of my week.

Hasta la vista baby!

Events

My events of tonight. Made Mac n cheese. I ate every noodle of it, then baked hot wings for a long 30 minutes. As I waited, I sat and used up my phones battery. The waiting period has ended and wings were my next enjoyment. Washed my hands thoroughly of all wing residue. Sat in bed and jumped onto Netflix. I began watching a piece about The New York Times. As I allowed a sudden and persistent wave of inspiration over me. Other things were happening throughout my body. I began to think of ways I may become a better writer and storyteller through my conscious mind. Meanwhile my subconscious mind had a completely different game plan. As the 90 minutes went by on the documentary 90 minutes was the time it took for my body to say, "erick, those wings and macaroni didn't make me happy" a little bit of heat and persistence by body put through to me, I now sit here on an unusual but common looking seat, satisfying my writing inspiration and the indirect housecleaning of my dinners'e outcome.
And here is the picture of the night.

P.S I still have not found my card reader. Damn!

This is the word

I have been super unproductive and a huge procrastinator. It is not a good way of living. I think I am lacking that motivation that will make me MOVE! Or I need to realize what I am realizing right now and get up!

So that is what I am going to do. BYE! well Updating this here blog will be the start of the productivity. So... yolo?? haha.

-No picture today-

I have misplaced my card reader and still in search for it. Until then.

• -
  _