Instant Housing

We attended an architectural demonstration by Dante Bini, Italian architect. He's developed a type of pre-fab structure that can be easily erected at disaster locations where quick, temporary housing is needed for displaced people.


The splayed house is positioned over a huge balloon that is then inflated to erect the house. Once the walls are fastened together, the balloon is deflated and removed.

Napa Valley Gathering

Cassandra and Val are out here in CA visiting from Montana. Home base is Kay and Lucy's place in the Napa Valley and we're camped out on the land enjoying camaraderie and laughter. Kay is an acupuncturist in Napa and has been a friend for decades. Lucy, a filmmaker, is also trained in classical violin, so I loaned her my fiddle which I haven't been playing during my travels.

Mom and Dad

Before going to visit Mom and Dad, I stopped at Whole Foods to pick up some soup and bread for our lunch. I enjoyed getting caught up on the latest family news and they enjoyed hearing some stories about my Baja trip. Later in the afternoon I set up my portable treatment table and did massage and non-force chiropractic adjustments for them.

We are all fans of the 'Survivor' show so we enjoyed watching the latest episode together. I applied to be on the first 2 shows but wasn't chosen, obviously. I've thought about applying again, but at this point I would have to really train hard to get in shape for the physical demands the experience requires. Hmm... not sure that I'm motivated enough to do that.

A 27 Hawk Day

I am fascinated by raptors and always count them as I'm traveling. It's one of my road games to amuse myself while driving. After passing through the town of Los Banos, I headed north to tour the San Luis Wildlife Refuge. I had hoped to walk the trails and do some bird watching, but again - most of the area was closed except to hunters so I could only drive the perimeter. To my delight, I was rewarded with the sighting of 27 hawks, mostly redtails. A 27 hawk day - what a treat! That's a record I think.

Hawks always remind me of my brother Donny, who died of cancer four years ago. Ela told me that in the two years before he became ill, he had several vivid dreams of soaring like a bird. He told her the dreams felt very real and he loved the sensation of flying. Often, whenever I see a bird soaring overhead I call out, "Hey... Donny Babe!"

Mendota Wildlife Area

I stopped at the Sportsmobile factory in Fresno to have my awning repaired and enjoyed hugs and a chat with Liz and Lynn. Next I headed for the Mendota Wildlife Area south of Los Banos. Most of the area was closed except to duck hunters with special permits. It was a lovely warm day and I found a quiet spot on the Fresno Slough where I could observe the waterfowl and watch the occasional splash of fish jumping.

I love the sunsets here and enjoyed listening to the birds and ducks finish up their days-end chatter as the frogs started their evening symphony, joined later by the coyote moonlight serenade.

Colonel Allen Allensworth SHP

Heading north past Bakersfield, I decided to stop at this state historic park which is a restoration of the town of Allensworth, the only California town to be founded, financed and governed by African Americans. The small farming community was founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and a group of others who envisioned a town where blacks could start a new life together and become self-sufficient. Unfortunately, a re-routing of the railroad and a drop in the area’s water table, eventually resulted in the town’s demise.

~~~ Mary Dickenson Memorial Library ~~~

I took a leisurely tour of the town's restored buildings and enjoyed watching the informative 20 minute video at the visitor center. Initially, I had planned to spend the night at the campground since there are many burrowing owls living at the park and I had hoped to get some pictures. However there must have been a recent hatch of pesty flies and I found them too annoying, so I moved on.

The most important building, historically and in the memory of Allensworth pioneers, is the schoolhouse.