It seems like every year I try to find different subjects to photograph at Hot August Nights. This yeat I shot steering wheels and dashboards. In between those photos, I found an opportunity to look closely at different aspects of autos.
This image was one of my favorites.
I was taking potos for Scraps Dog Bakery at the Sparks Marina this year and usually there are several little kids that happen by and want to talk to Santa. No little ones this year but a couple of skate boarders with mustaches came into the store and were playing with the dog toys and I convenced them to sit for a photo with Santa, skateboards, mustaches and all. I think it was a good photo.
Santa is dancing a jig at Santa Paws at Scraps Dog Bakery at Sparks Marina 2009, I volunteered to take the photos of the dogs again this year.
My latest in wine glass photo art. I was bored and wanted to take some photos so out came the wine. The legs had a nice feel and look but I had to try this several times as the fingerprints, bubbles and misc dust particles were making my life hard for that moment.
I went over to PunkAss's house to taste the latest beer that we started brewing 3-4 weeks ago. If you're interested, please go and see my other blog "Sparks Home Brew" We brewed this beer in his garage so the above image was quite appropriate. We geek-ed out on shooting some photos of our latest beer and checking out the stats from the website. On the laptop you can see a map that shows all the locations that we have readers from. I'll go and get it and show you here:
I went to Punkasse's to make some beer and brought the vette along. A neighbor came by to take a look at her and he was impressed at her condition. I think the vette looks great from 10 feet but a just a few she needs some work.
pietro cabernet sauvignon at Gabrielle's Vineyard, originally uploaded by yodamon.Krissy and I went to Napa California this year for our 22nd anniversary. Krissy started feeling sick on Saturday morning and was suffering from a migraine for the rest of the trip. We had heard about a great winery, Gabrielle's Vineyard, and had reservations for a wine taste on Saturday morning. After a fantastic breakfast of small blueberry pancakes and maple syrup we got directions to the winery. These were total wrong and ended up east of Napa about 12 miles in the wrong directions but a quick cell phone call got us in the right direction. I was on my way to Oak Knoll on 29 and Krissy not feeling well so I dropped her off at the BnB while I went to our wine tasting appointment. The hosts were very nice and showed me a wonderful set of wines, olive oil and herb laden salts. I bought 8 bottles, two of each they offered. We tried to go to Zinsvalley Restaurant http://www.zinsvalley.com/ for lunch but it appears they have closed and later after the trip I found that they were opening at a new location at 1106 First Street, downtown Napa. Glad to hear that. I hope they keep the same menu and people. One of the best parts of the trip was we were able to bring home two cases of the Silverado Zinfandel 2006. I am such a big fan of this Zinfandel. http://www.silveradovineyards.com/ I got only a few photos taken in the Napa valley since Krissy wasn't feeling well the whole trip. We did trade a dinner at Coles chop house for a take out burgers to eat back at the BnB. The Bed and Breakfast, 1801 Inn on First Street http://www.1801first.com/ , was beautiful as always. We stayed in the #2 Alsace Amore for the first time. I will reserve this suite again!
heat of the summer, originally uploaded by yodamon.The days are hot and the flowers are hot. I shot this DOF photo of Black Eyed Susans in Black and White.
I looked over my shoulder while I was eating lunch at Mow Mow Pizza in Disney's California Adventure and saw a surfboard with this logo. Very cool.
While I was in Kauai Hawaii this year I decided that I would try and do a series of black and white palm photos. Here is the latest one, If you would like to see the rest of the series, go here Palm Black and White Series
The trip over was fast and good. The weather was cold and wet in all week and that's where the problem started. I dreaded the drive back as I knew that the trip back would be icy. On Thursday I started looking at the road control for the Sierra Nevada passes on I-80. I checked the road controls and saw a window on Thursday that I should have left but that would have made me miss two days of class. Not an option as I need this training. I opted to stay at least until Friday. Friday morning I kept my looking at the road controls and thought about dumping the car at SFO and riding home with one of my class mates. I called and they stated that if I dumped the car and ended my contract without returning the car to where I picked it up I would be charged the full rate plus $65 a day for the one way trip. I even tried to get a plane ride home at the tune of $880 for one way that night. No way! After lunch Friday I decided to go. Class was good and I learned a ton.
The Trip Home...
I decided to try and drive it. I made it all they way into the Sierra's, up to the Alta exit and then I was denied access and forced to turn around. I got a room at the Holiday Inn in Auburn and had a beer. At midnight I got a call that my daughter was in a car wreck. She was bumped up and scared but ok. Back to sleep in an hour or so. Saturday morning I looked at the road conditions again and the conditions were not good. I waited another hour and it was the same. I thought and thought about the alternatives and thought I could stay and wait for an opening for $250 a day that the room and the car was costing me. Another option was to dump the car and riding the Greyhound bus over the hill.
I did just that. Time was short. I drove to Roseville and dumped the car. The rental attendant gave me a ride to what he thought was the bus depot and then return back to the car rental depot when he didn't know the way. I called a Taxi and the guy said 10 minutes. 20 minutes later and 3 phone calls a lady cab driver arrived. She had tattoos all over but all she had to do was drive and fast. We pulled into the bus station and the driver was closing the side doors and told me I was supposed to be early but he let me on. The fair was $26 from Roseville to Reno. Actually a bargain.
It was 10am when the journey started. Only one seat was left and I took it. We stopped at Colfax to put the snow chains on.
Trip Observations:
