The Road, June/July 2007
Icono Clast
Friday-Sunday, June 22-24
Monterey Bay Blues Festival
Sunday, June 24
The Road to Yosemite
Monday/Tuesday, June 25/26
Yosemite, Bodie, Mono Lake, June Lakes, Manzanar, Bishop, Devil's
Postpile, Mammoth Lakes, Lone Pine
Wednesday, June 27
Panamint Springs, Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek, Death Valley
Junction, Pahrump, Las Vegas
Thursday-Tuesday, June 28-July 1
Las Vegas
Monday, July 2
Blues Jam at the Stratosphere
Wednesday-Sunday, July 4-8
Greater Phoenix Swing Dance Club's Fourth of July Convention
Monday, July 9
Blues Jam at the Stratosphere
Tuesday, July 10
En route to San Francisco
Wednesday, July 11
Home
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___________________________________________________________________
A San Franciscan who never says "No!" to an invitation to dance!
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ -<->- http://geocities.com/iconoc/
TouringSFO: http://geocities.com/touringsfo/ <-> IClast @ Gmail.com
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
ICl...@jps.net
Visited m'mother in Redwood City, rode the GIANT DIPPER in Santa Cruz,
checked into a motel, dined at MONTEREY'S FISH HOUSE (again!) and went
to the opening night of the MONTEREY BAY BLUES FESTIVAL (Maria
Muldaur, Bobby Murray's All-Star Review), the reason we were in
Monterey.
It broke early so we went to Sly McFly's on Cannery Row to dance a
bit on its excellent not-quite new floor. Much to our surprise, Shane
Dwight was playing!
We spent all day Saturday and Sunday at the Festival hearing Red
Beans and Rice, Shane Dwight, Ike & Val (from Miami), EG Kight, Alvon,
and bits of Sai Whatt, and the Delta Wires on Saturday and Amy
Treadwell, Deanna Bogart, Blue Monday, Bella Blue Band, and Ms. Taylor
P. Collins on Sunday.
Kaye Bohler was at Sly McFly's Saturday and Sunday was the Festival's
after party where many of the performers went to have some informal
fun and so did we!
It was a wonderful event, superbly run with a very friendly and
appreciative audience, excellent sound, and deliciously unhealthful
deep-fried food. We stuck to the equally delicious, less unhealthful
fried, steamed, and barbecued foods, especially the turkey legs, from
the many purveyors. There were also many vendors of clothing, objects
d'art, and jewellery.
Other than us, we were aware of no dancers there except for a local
who brought three girls Saturday night. I got t'dance with two of 'em,
one a beginner, the other an excellent Follower.
We don't understand why dancers don't go to such events. The best
Swing dance music is The Blues. Where were the Swing dancers?
Sunday night at the bar, one of the directors said to us "Thank you
for sharing your energy at the Festival". We were very appreciative of
that.
A thing I particularly enjoy when Waltzing is looking down the floor
the long way to see the many dancers moving to the music as one. A
lovely sight! Well, Saturday night, there were hundreds of 'Lectric
Sliders that we viewed from a height of about fifteen feet. What a
sight! A T-formation in front of the stage and the aisle leading to
it. Wow!
___________________________________________________________________
A San Franciscan who never says "No!" to an invitation to dance
!http://geocities.com/dancefest/ -<->- http://geocities.com/iconoc/
icl...@gmail.com
The preceding is incomplete. Here's the rest of it:
. . . it. Wow!
We're glad we went and can unreservedly recommend the MONTEREY BAY
BLUES FESTIVAL, last week-end in June, to anyone who digs d'Blues!
She wants you to know that a few of the women were extremely well
dressed, from head to toe, as were many of the guys in outfits with
hats, shoes, and even spats. I noticed the miles of cleavage.
Days 4 and 5, Monday and Tuesday, June 25 and 26
Hit The Road at 12.6. We paid brief visits to Misión San Juan Bautista
and Casa de Fruita. We usually stop at the Romero Ovelook but, having
plenty of fresh water, did not do so. The reservoir is way down,
frighteningly so. I'm sure I'll have the same t'say of Lake Mead when
I cross Boulder Dam on the way to Phoenix.
We stopped by Merced's lovely former County Courthouse and got gas
for $3.05 with the intent that it get us to Pahrump that I estimated
to be four hundred miles distant.
We got to Yosemite's Bridal Veil Trickle around 18.6 and walked up to
its rainbow'd base. Then messed around Yosemite 'round Sunset with a
lovely 2/3 Moon before dining at Yosemite Lodge. Although the Sun was
gone, the Moon provided lovely illumination for our trip to Lee Vining
where we spent the night.
We hit The Road to Bodie, where we spent about an hour, at 11.2. We
returned to Lee Vining via the Cottonwood Canyon Road. Although it
appears to be twelve miles shorter, it takes about the same amount of
time. Fortunately, it was steeply downhill almost all the way with
some lovely and interesting geological niceties to see and the
occasional rusted implement.
We had planned to take the June and Mammoth Lakes loops but decided
not to. And we also did not revisit the Devil's Postpile.
Our previous visits to Manzanar were at night so we never got to see
the indoor exhibits. Well, we did this time. Although I knew a great
deal about what was done to our fellow citizens (one even took me to
dinner upon receiving his apologitary money from the gummint) I was
not prepared for the overwhelming senses of shame and anger that
caused me to collapse into uncontrollable sobs. I hadda get outta
dere! I know I'll never visit the Holocaust museum in Israel nor the
atomic bomb one(s) in Japan. I didn't know I shouldn't've visited
Manzanar.
It was 95°F when we got back on The Road at 16.8 and quickly rose to
111°F (according to the shaded thermometer at Stovepipe Wells) but
falling to 105°F by the time, 19.1, we go to Furnace Creek. It is that
section of road where I've previously been unable to keep the car much
below 100mph but this time I managed, only once noticing it was going
faster than 90mph. We stopped many times to look at dis 'n' dat, the
early evening colors and long shadows dazzling the eye.
In recent years, we've had no fewer than three meals at The Wrangler
at Furnace Creek Ranch. Our previous meals were excellent, beautifully
prepared, flavorful, and nicely served. Although our server was OK
this time, our food left a great deal to be desired. We presume
there's a new chef we hope is soon replaced by a better one.
Our first meal there, the server explained that the amount was
service compris because so many Europeans, unaccustomed to tipping,
visit in the Summer months. Our second meal there, the server didn't
mention that fact but, of course, I knew. This time, again, the server
didn't say anything about that. Even though it's clearly shown, and
the tag clearly provides a place to tender a tip. Tsk-tsk.
The sign sez "Next Services 57 miles" I told her and commented that
"the car says it can go 60 miles". She was frantic: "That's only three
miles!!!" "So?"
I sneakily turned off the air conditioner as we were to climb almost
2,900 feet to get gas. The car usually expresses its thirst around 31
miles to go but it did so this time at 24 miles to go. Six miles
before the station, the car had pleaded to be fed and gulped down
18.087 gallons of gas in a tank that I believe holds 18.1 gallons.
ICl...@jps.net
As usual our first day in the oppresive heat of Las Vegas, we didn't
leave the house 'til our Sun was near the Western horizon. We went to
what's probably a franchise to eat a mediocre meal and hit The Strip
around 21:30 when it dawned on me that we should go to the 22:30
performance of "Zumanity".
It's a very funny and cutely risqué show hosted by an obvious (to us,
but I think not to the general audience) drag queen who kinda sorta
revealed himself late in the show delivering the line "Luke Skywalker,
I'm your father" in a very deep and masculine voice.
The theatre is only 1,200 seats. Ours was a quite good one, in the
orchestra on the aisle about forty feet from the stage.
Among the performers was a contortionist who did frightening things
with his body. Two girls, probably gay, who did a lovely acrobatic and
balancing act with a globe of water. A very well developed dwarf who
did some acrobatics that were, because of his size, extremely quick
and some flying from fabric. A woman did a lovely, partly aerial, act
with hula hoops. Two gay guys had a fight in a cage for which I didn't
care (I like the brothers who balance much more). There were a few
other acts, each of the quality one expects of Cirque du Soleil.
But the first performer who impressed me more than any other is a
woman, perhaps African, dancing extremely fast and difficult moves
with all the strength and power I've seen only from the likes of
Iglevsky and Barishnikov.
We had a quick dance in one of the casino's bars and went to Mandalay
Bay, probably still the happen'est place in 'Vegas, to dance a bit
more. There was an ersatz Hustle couple there, she wearing an
extremely short skirt; he dressed quite simply. They had a few cute
moves but their execution, particularly his, left much to be desired.
She turned down my invitation to dance but they politely wished us a
good evening as they left. Because the band was not to our liking, we
stopped for some groceries and were at home at three.
Day Five: Thursday, June 28
Well, after some more research, I learned of a Big Band playing this
evening at 8:30 at the Italian American Social Club so we skipped the
reception and Milonga. We had our last meal there and were blown away
by the excellence of the 17-piece band and girl singer. There's a
small, but good, dance floor that we had to ourselves the whole
evening. We were told "this isn't a dance band" but EVERY number was
danceable, including one Samba. This weekly gig is now on our don't-
miss in 'Vegas list. One of the musicians told me of http://dancegig.com
that appears to be a good resource for local dancing. 'Twas a very
nice day; home early at 01:00.
The excellent Royal Dixie Jazz Band, that's been playing for years at
the Gold Coast, is still there from 1-6:30! Many dancers attend and we
hope to tomorrow but, at four o'clock, the Jerry Tiffey band is
playing at Arizona Charlie's; we hope to make that, too, as well as
his long-standing Sunday gig at Texas Station.
garciy...@hotmail.com
used to do in her days with the Jerry Garcia Band?
All the female singers he had in that band, lacked the pure emotion
and genuine soul she brought to the part....
Chuck
ICl...@jps.net
> just a quick question.....did Maria Muldur sing any of the stuff she
> used to do in her days with the Jerry Garcia Band?
I don't know. I regret that I can't answer your question.
ICl...@jps.net
> Days 1-3: Friday-Sunday, June 22-24
M'mem'ry says that I've won one Jack 'n' Jill (explained at
http://geocities.com/dancefest/JackJill.html ) against real dancers
with real judges in my life. I still see, and dance with, that partner
almost every week.
> . . . we went to Sly McFly's on Cannery Row to dance a bit on its excellent not-quite-new floor.
When we walked in, she saw a woman jump to her feet in recognition
visually saying to her companion "I know him!" and head our way.
Before we could sit, she was in my face "Did you used to dance at the
Bay Swingers Swing Dance Club?" I hesitantly answered "Yes". "About
fifteen years ago I won a Jack 'n' Jill dancing with you!" Shane
Dwight had started a new number so I kept her hand and we had a
terrific dance during which I said to her "No wonder we won!"
But I doubt that we did. Winning against real dancers with real
judges is something so rare in my life that I'd surely not forget. We
were probably, at best, second.
ICl...@jps.net
June 28
Day Eight: Friday, June 29
Icono Clast said «The excellent Royal Dixie Jazz Band . . . at the
Gold Coast . . . from 1-6:30!»
Monday-Friday, 1-6:40. On Wednesdays and Fridays, there's additional
dance space. As we knew it would be, the sextette was terrific. The
music was good, very danceable, and the atmosphere very informal,
mostly regulars in attendance. The level of dancing was low but we
enjoyed the friendliness in addition to the music.
«at four o'clock, the Jerry Tiffey band is playing at Arizona
Charlie's; we hope to make that, too,»
And we did. There were many more people but the level of dancing was
equally low.
«as well as his long-standing Sunday gig at Texas Station.»
When we went last year, we were told he was taking the day off but, in
fact, the gig had been cancelled apparently, I learned today, because
"the people lost that gig because they were fighting over tables and
stuff". Those "people" probably have an average age of sixty!
Never could find his WEB site http://jerrytiffe.com/ 'cause I, and
many, had his name wrong: It's Tiffe, I learned, when he sang a riff
about himself that included his name's spelling.
We had an inexpensive, what it was worth, dinner at the Golden Gate
Casino, "Since 1906", on Fremont Street, saw one of the "Experience"
showings (there are probably four) as well as a thrilling Riders of
the Thunderdome, at one point four bikes flying around inside a steel
globe. Also on the street was cowboy singer Kenton Weaver, and Left of
Center, a kinda sorta softmiddleo'theroad Soul/Latin group to which we
danced a bit on the much-improved (for dancing) street. Dunno how we
missed Carl Ferris' Safe Sax.
Visited the Four Queens, Binion's, and Stratosphere (same act, "Front
Page", in the Images Lounge doing the same material the same way as
last year) on the way home.
Gaming conditions are worse than ever. We saw one Roulette wheel with
a $10 minimum and $500 limit. They gotta be kiddin'! My favorite wheel
had a single zero, $0.10 minimum and $1,000 limit. The player had a
fair chance. Most table games have a $5 minimum bet but we saw a Craps
game with a $3 minimum.
Day Nine: Saturday, June 30
Went to the Deseret second hand store in North Las Vegas to be shocked
that it's closed. Too bad. It was reputed to be among the best of its
kind in the USA. I still wear, and get compliments on, the shoes for
which I paid $2 each there a few years ago.
When packing, I learned that the swimsuit I had aboard ship in May
probably stowed away there. Went shopping for one at the Las Vegas
Outlet Mall, having failed after two frustrating hours at home, to
find one. Spent another two fruitless hours. Although there might be
four thousand stores, there's only one type of swimsuit available, a
horribly ugly thing that would make the hippest among us look like a
dork. She was quite impressed with the prices, though, and I did make
a purchase for an item for which I normally pay $18 for about $12.75.
Visited the Harley Davidson Café for a cup ("cup"? it was a good sized
bowl!) of delicious corn chowder and a cuppa coffee. Lotsa nice stuff
to see there; obviously bikes but also pictures and a huge USA flag
made of thousands of pounds of chain.
While looking for something else, I discovered that Huck Daniel has a
mis-named "jazz jam" Saturdays from 9-1 at Texas Station (we ate at
the buffet; a fair price for what one can have) that's been happening
for only six weeks or so but is likely to become a 'Vegas fixture. We
expected, and did, see people we know from his Monday night Blues Jam
at the Stratosphere.
The floor at the Armadillo Club is of good size and quality and is
very fast. There were no other dancers there even though there were
many, but not too, people on the floor so take a partner when you go.
Most of the numbers were Swing, some NiteClub TwoStep, one ChaCha and
one Rumba/Mambo. I joined the intermission ChaCha Slide but she
didn't.
Other than the shopping, and losing a bit gambling, it was a
pleasurable day.
She wants me to tell you that after one number during which many women
got up to dance, the singer chided "Where are the men?" A bit later, a
few couples and four single women were on the floor so I got up to
dance a few bars with the oldest of the women thanking her and moving
to another for a few bars, etc., and starting again with the first
woman. Each gave me a broad smile and a pleasant "thank you".
I have to tell you how delighted I am, again, with the great beauty
here. The air is extremely clear and, in the afternoon, it seems one
can see every rock on mountains that must be seventy miles distant.
The closer ones are magnificent, rugged, beautifully colored-but-
barren. I presume the smog-freeness is the result of the almost
constant zephyrs coming offa the desert.
ICl...@jps.net
Icono Clast said «Huck Daniel has a mis-named "jazz jam" Saturdays
from 9-1 at Texas Station»
It isn't "a mis-named 'jazz jam'." It's aptly titled a "Celebrity
Jam".
Day Ten: Sunday, July 1
A toe's been hurting for a couple of days but that's not unusual for
social dancers. I don't remember how long ago it was that I had a bout
with gout but it was alleviated by magical little green pills that are
never far from me. This morning, seeing its swollen size and tinge of
red, I realized that it was another, mild, attack. Sure glad those
little green pills have retained their mojo. Gout is prevented by
avoiding purines. Just try that!
A musician referred me to http://dancegig.com/ a local site with one
useful page: Resources http://dancegig.com/resources.htm that tells
who its favorite musical groups are and where, but not when, are the
best places to dance. There are links, however, where that information
can be found. It appears that, from time to time, they go out in
groups. They have a weekly "Dance Ministry" at a temple that involves
teaching single-time Swing and prayer to a god who inflicts hellish
heat upon them, blesses them with low humidity, and is deaf to their
pleas for undiluvial rain.
The class was very well attended, well balanced, and broadly aged.
The language used makes it clear that thou shalt maintain thy gender's
traditional role regardless of whether you like it. The first part of
it was followed by general dancing at tempi much too high for
beginners, which 99% of them were, to handle. Then another class
(during which I finally got something I've been trying to get for
ages) followed by the imposition of prayer and a bit more general
dancing on a large, hard, linoleum floor.
There were many teen-agers there when we arrived but the promoter
announced that someone had said or done something to offend them, was
thrown out, and the kids subsequently left. He blamed that person but
it was obvious to me why the teen-agers didn't stay: The playlist
(available at the site with BPMs and times) that consisted of the
likes of Little Richard, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc., and tunes
such as "Sea Cruise" and "Rockin' Robin". Great way to chase away
today's teens and they sure did.
I like that the teachers emphasize having fun while dancing absent
pretense to produce good dancers. They proudly proclaim that their
event is "tobacco and alcohol free" apparently ignorant of the fact
that that's the norm almost everywhere dances happen. They also claim
their event is "drug free" blissfully oblivious about their own
addition.
They apparently work without pay and don't charge those who attend.
If you go, please try to find a way to donate a few bux to help cover
their modest expenses.
Yesterday I said «She wants me to tell you . . . I got up to dance a
few bars with the oldest of the women thanking her and moving to
another for a few bars, etc. . . .»
This evening I saw one of those women whose first words to me were
"Thank you for dancing with us last night". Sweet!
That woman suggested we return to the Gold Coast even though she
didn't appear there, to dance to Elements, one of the groups mentioned
at the DanceGig site. There was a good crowd, many (just like home)
Filipinos, who danced very well. We were told the gig would end at
01:00 but it didn't 'til 02:30. OK with us.
We sat with the guy who'd been thrown out by the godfreaks (he seemed
to think he ought'nt've been), a guy from home and two girls. Also
there was a couple we often see at home.
Day Eleven: Monday, July 2
We didn't leave the house 'til well after 18:00 there being so much
talk about the heat and its dangers. No, we're not afraid of it; just
don't like the discomfort of it even though it's not as bad for me as
it is for her.
Finally found a swimsuit. Cost half as much as at home.
As long anticipated, and frequently recommended when talking about Las
Vegas, we went to the Monday Night Blues Jam now officially called the
Huck Daniel Revue at Images Lounge in the Stratosphere.
Not only did we encounter the same performers, but also many in the
audience were the same as in past years. Huck has changed the show a
bit but not so that anyone unfamiliar with it would notice.
We danced, of course, and a nice looking blonde from Salt Lake City
asked me to dance. The number was too fast but we got through it,
gasping at the end. She was quite good and that dance allowed me to go
to a woman with whom I'd earlier been speaking to prove the point that
"anyone who can dance can dance with anyone who can dance" by telling
her that that was our first dance, that we'd never before seen each
other.
In previous years, the gig was from 10-1 but it ended at two this
evening.
And, as in previous years, the crowd was warm and friendly creating
an extremely pleasant atmosphere. Our table mate suggested we go to
Orleans at five tomorrow and we probably will.
ICl...@jps.net
Started the day back at the Gold Coast for one set of the Classic Jazz
Band, née, The Royal Dixie Jazz Band. It's been justifiably called
"the best kept secret in 'Vegas" 'cause there were not many people
there, listeners or dancers.
Then to Orleans for the octette of Alysa Williams, a singer with
three backups, guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums. Although we didn't
care for her, and hated the tiny floor, we stayed for both sets.
Had dinner there. Won a bit before dinner, lost a bit after. Hit the
Bellagio fountain just right, stopping on the street where nobody
tootsachew.
Fed the car on the way home and will top it off in Kingman that will
get me back there via Phoenix.
Not much of a day.
A final observation about Las Vegas about ten hours before I hit The
Road to Phoenix:
Although I love to see our Moon, during the entire time here there've
been only two other celestial bodies visible: Jupiter and our Sun. I
presume this is the result of the extreme light pollution here. How
sad it must be for a child of a poor family who's never gone far
enough into the desert to see the Milky Way. Yet what a thrill it must
be for that same child the first time the night sky we know is seen.
ICl...@jps.net
Hit The Road at Noon for the absolutely magnificent 300-mile trip to
Phoenix. I particularly like the rocks around Nothing, mileposts in
the 140s.
Crossing Boulder Dam was quicker than usual and there was very little
traffic the whole way. Fearful of a speeding citation, the car rarely
got above 80mph. It reported the outside temperature as 114 degrees
Farenheit almost all the way, 113 on arrival in Phoenix around 17:00
on a day that it had reached 117!
As expected, Lake Mead has very litle water in it. How's 'Vegas to
survive? Yet they keep on building, at least two casino/hotels in
progress and many housing developments.
My roommate arrived about ten minutes before I. We went to dinner and
had the good fortune to see the fireworks display although from a
sound distance of about three seconds.
Danced from about 22:30-02:30 followed by a while in a quite hot,
perhaps 105-degree, whirlpool.
This Frank Lloyd Wright hotel is lovely but the distances from one
place to another are great and walking in the sun is not pleasant.
Day Fourteen: Thursday, July 5
It's H O T out there!
Washed some clothes, hung them in the car, went for a snack with an
Argentina who lives in Palm Springs and my clothes were not just dry,
but almost too hot to touch when we returned.
Took a nap, something I do not do, before dancing from about
19:00-01:00, an early end for me but I wasn't giving very good dances.
Back to the whirlpool and this note.
ICl...@jps.net
Weather sizzling; competitions cool; dancing hot!
So? What'd y'expect?
ICl...@jps.net
Quit dancing around 03:30 last night, went to the pool then to bed
awaking refreshed today BUT this evening I was nodding off 'til about
21:00 when I fully woke up.
They did a number on me tonight, making me dance more than I really
wanted to and, hoping to avoid nodding off on the morrow, quit at
02:30 and went to the pool.
Around Midnight, those plastic thingies that emit light were passed
out. Almost everyone wore one or more. One partner had one on her
head, her neck, around her waist with a loop, and on her lower and
upper arms. When I spun her, it was like a light show! Kewl.
We're at the Arizona Biltmore, a very large resort. Walks from the
rooms to the ballroom can take longer than ten minutes. That was also
true at the Camelback Inn BUT, at the Camelback, the employees get
around on little electric carts. They will stop what they're doing to
take you from where you are to where you want to be. Here, there's
one such that must be called and they can't get as close to many
destinations as they can at the Camelback.
The Camelback's landscapeing is mostly cactus, trees, and rocks. Here,
it's mostly lawn. Many of us have been bitten by invisible creatures.
There, I can recall no such complaint.
Here there's a water slide that closes in the afternoon. Unable to
resist, I went out in the afternoon sun to take a few rides and am
glad I did. It's only 92 feet long but it's very well designed.
This year, the music of John Festa, David Koppelman, Victor Loveira,
and Beth Bellamy has been very much to my taste, i..e., the best ever
for me. Others aren't as pleased, of course: de gustibus non
disputandum est. The competition music has also been right on, unusual
for this event.
Frank's floor is smaller than five thousand feet but my usual test
around 22:00 Saturday indicated that it's just about right.
In addition to the bacon, eggs, potatoes, pastries, juices, and fruit,
the Camelback served us sausages at the "Midnight Breakfast". Last
night, there were also egg burrititos.
I have not heard one person express a preference for this venue over
the Camelback. I doubt that there is one.
ICl...@jps.net
[This report is appearing in three fora. In one of them, there have
been comments. In the other two, no comments but several people told
me they've read every word. Nice to learn. Using an unfamiliar
machine, I've not taken the trouble to edit for the interests of a
particular forum as I would have done had I been doing this at home.]
The schedule said dancing would end at 01:00 tonight. I said "I'll
believe it when I see it" as people have been dancing, as usual, 'til
around O6:00. But 'fore Midnight, it was announced that "there was a
mis-understanding with the hotel. We thought we had the ballroom 'til
Noon tomorrow. We have three DJs here willing to play as long as you
want to dance or until five o'clock."
[When I have an early flight home, I dance 'til it's time t'go to the
airport. I presume many in the ballroom now are doing just that.]
We were then asked to clear one side of the room so that workers could
start preparing the ballroom for the next event and picking up of the
floor could begin. Although there were hundreds of us dancing, we
didn't need the full floor.
Although I wasn't giving bad dances, I wasn't giving very good ones,
either, and I could hardly move so I quit around 12:40 and went to the
whirlpool for a bit.
Last night I said "We're at the Arizona Biltmore, a very large resort.
Walks from the rooms to the ballroom can take longer than ten minutes.
That was also true at the Camelback Inn BUT, at the Camelback, the
employees get around on little electric carts. They will stop what
they're doing to take you from where you are to where you want to be.
Here, there's one such that must be called and they can't get as close
to many destinations as they can at the Camelback."
Not true that there's only one. There are several but they're driven
by the bell hops so one has to go where they are to find one.
OVERSIGHT: "This year, the music of John Festa, David Koppelman,
Victor Loveira, and Beth Bellamy has been very much to my taste"
I neglected to mention Mike Gallo and Bob Brown.
I have still not heard one person express a preference for this venue
over the Camelback. I still doubt that there is one.
Off to 'Vegas in the morning and the Huck Daniel Revue in the evening.
ICl...@jps.net
I neglected to ask the car how much farther it could go when pulling
off the highway in Kingman. I did as the tank was filling and it was
too late: 100 miles. I coulda made it here and would have achieved a
600+ mile tank. But paid only $2.86 a gallon, I think.
The car reported 100°F all the way, 107°F on arrival in 'Vegas.
Took a shower and ate at a quite good Asian buffet then to the Huck
Daniel Revue at the Stratosphere that was as good as expected. For
thirteen years, it happened elsewhere. It's been at the Stratosphere
for six years and I think we discovered it four years ago; she thinks
three and is probably correct. Huck's been playing in 'Vegas for 48(?)
years and probably hold the record for the number of performances.
here.
This might surprise you: I'm on a losing streak at the tables. Will
probably make another attempt, on the way home, in Primm tomorrow.
ICl...@jps.net
"I don' wanna go via BAKErsfield" whined I to me so pulled out a map
to find another way. 'Twasn't hard: The Northern Yosemite Highway
doesn't end at the Eastern Sierra Highway.
We hit The Road at 16.8 to go via Pahrump as it appered to be shorter
from our starting point. Part of the Blue Diamond Highway passes
through Red Rock but they aren't where it does.
Passing by the many fuel stations in Pahrump, that I should consider
how much was in the tank simply didn't enter m'mind.
The terrain 'tween Pahrump and Beatty (where we had dinner) is as
fine and spectacular as any. I'd not seen it since visiting Scotty's
Castle probably in the '60s and forgot how great it is. Might do it
next year, too.
We got to Tonopah at 22.5 and considered staying there but it was too
early and decided to stay in Benton.
We stopped at the lovely roadside rest a bit beyond highways 6/95's
Coaldale Junction to look at the stars but there was too much light. A
bit farther along, though, at Esmeralda County's Milepost 17 on
Highway 6, it was so dark I lost the car 'though but a few feet from
it. The Milky Way went from horizon to horizon. I saw nothing move up
there but an airplane.
The roads from Pahrump to Benton are two-lane with 70mph limits; it's
a very quick way to go. At about 79mph ("UhOh!" I said. "There's a cop
behind us" and I slowed to 70 but he flew by, siren blaring, lights
flashing, to take care of a non-injury traffic problem many miles
farther along), I was among the slowest on the roads. At Benton,
however, where Highway 120 began for us, the curves start and the
speed diminishes almost to half. It's a fun road for roller-coaster
freaks as much airtime can be achieved.
We'd never heard of Benton nor its Hot Springs nor considered that
there'd be no place to stay there so we were compelled to continue to
Lee Vining soon to realize that feeding the car at Eastern Sierra
prices was imminent.
She said "I smell smoke!" UhOh. We saw no smoke, it was very dark, nor
flames but as we approached the Eastern Sierra Highway we saw many
flashing lights. At the road to June Lakes, the Western side of the
highway was closed and there were firefighters. They told us there was
a fire nearby but they had it under control.
Last time in Lee Vining, we got the last room in town. This time, we
didn't. Four gallons of $4 gas added to the tank, we went 20 miles out
of our way in search of lodging. It seems I can't take a road trip
without sleeping in the car at least once very two weeks. Slept in the
car at the Mono Lake Overlook from 2.2 to 6.3 but I never got
comfortable nor slept well.
Day Twenty: Wednesday, July 11
We returned the 20 miles to Lee Vining for breakfast in a restaurant
packed with three crews of firefighters. They were provided food bags
to go and paid by signing for The State (I think) to pay the bill.
It was raining lightly as we climed to the Tioga Pass but stopped as
we crossed it.
From 8.8 to 9.7, I had to get some more sleep, again from 12.5 to
13.0, and yet again, in Oakland, from 15.8 to 16.6.
Added a gallon of gas in Oak Flat that got us to Tracy for the fill.
We stopped in Oakdale for a while and had a snack in Livermore.
Somewhere around Livermore, I had moved to the Left lane to see a sign
to San Francisco much too late to go that way. Then another appeared
indicating we were going the correct way. I had no idea where we were
until we got to the Grand Lake Theater. I guess the other road went by
Alameda.
It was a magnificent day and we could clearly see Mount Tamalpais and
Twin Peaks from very far away.
There was no toll taker in spite of the green light. What to do?
Pulled over and went inside to pay. "What if I hadn't come in?" "The
CHP would have fined you."
Got home at 17.3 having driven 2,532.1 satisfying miles.
We all know the basic San Francisco-Las Vegas route is about 600
miles. Going via Yosemite and Death Valley adds about a hundred miles.
The route home described above adds, if I've calculated correctly,
about 25 miles and might be about the same driving time as going via
BAKErsfield, the slow portions being limited to the Northern Yosemite
Highway.
###
- Bobb -
I'm reading along now ...
What do you mean by
" It was 95°F when we got back on The Road at 16.8 "
What is 16.8 ?
Is that a mile marker ?
Or time of day ? ?? 4pm and eight tenths ?
I see it used later it text too so asking now .
Enjoy the trip.
Bobb
<icl...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1183029671.9...@z28g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
Icono Clast
- Bobb - wrote:
> Icono,
>
> I'm reading along now ... What do you mean by " It was 95°F when
> we got back on The Road at 16.8 "
>
> What is 16.8 ? Is that a mile marker ? Or time of day ? ?? 4pm and
> eight tenths ?
Yes. On a long trip, I think logging things to the minute is overkill
as there are so many variables on The Road.
> I see it used later it text too so asking now . Enjoy the trip.
Did. Thank you. I hope you enjoy reading about it.
[I saw this yesterday but the electricity went of at 2.8 and remained
so for about five hours. Went t'bed!]
--
___________________________________________________________________
"San Francisco is a pleasure. Los Angeles is a headache" Rita (NYC)
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ -<->- http://geocities.com/iconoc/
TouringSFO: http://geocities.com/touringsfo/ <-> IClast @ Gmail.com
Icono Clast
> Icono,
>
> I'm reading along now ... What do you mean by " It was 95°F when
> we got back on The Road at 16.8 "
>
> What is 16.8 ? Is that a mile marker ? Or time of day ? ?? 4pm and
> eight tenths ?
Yes. On a long trip, I think logging things to the minute is overkill
as there are so many variables on The Road.
> I see it used later it text too so asking now . Enjoy the trip.
Did. Thank you. I hope you enjoy reading about it.
[I saw this yesterday but the electricity went of at 2.8 and remained
so for about five hours. Went t'bed!]
--
___________________________________________________________________
"San Francisco is a pleasure. Los Angeles is a headache" Rita (NYC)
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ -<->- http://geocities.com/iconoc/
TouringSFO: http://geocities.com/touringsfo/ <-> IClast @ Gmail.com
Hatunen
wrote:
>[File and sending time 04:23 yesterday. Wher'zit?]
Must be a problem with your news server, because I'm getting two
of everything.
--
************* DAVE HATUNEN (hat...@cox.net) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
Icono Clast
Las Vegas via Monterey, Yosemite, Bodie, and Death Valley at
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/RoadJJ07.html If your only
interest is point-to-point distances, times, and speeds:
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/RoadJJ07.html#Stats
Phoenix, too.
Regulars in this Group know I dance. To see what it is we do elevated
to the highest level, i.e., championship, take a look at this:
http://www.barberassociatesinc.com/swango/swingjam.htm
I know all of the dancers and have danced with six of 'em.
The man with the beard shown in close-up is Robert Royston, the only
person, with his partner Laureen Baldovi (the one with the white top,
vast midriff, and long black hair) to have won the most important and
prestigious championships in the worlds of Swing and Country/Western
dancing in the same year. But they actually did it for four
consecutive years, an achievement unlikely to ever be equaled.!
The woman in red is Robert's wife, Nícola, but they hadn't yet met
when that was accomplished. When he and Laureen did that, they had a
studio in Pleasanton. They now live in New York. The other guy with a
beard (open shirt) is Jason Colacino who, when a teen-ager, was
Robert's student.
Robert, Nícola, and Laureen have a beautiful and delightful routine
that oozes with suggestiveness as we all know about their
relationships: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bUaB80J-CrA
--
___________________________________________________________________
What is dancin' but makin' love set to music playin'? - Sammy Cahn
sharx35
"Icono Clast" <ICl...@JPS.Net> wrote in message
news:46bd925e$0$24006$8826...@free.teranews.com...
You may read a color-coded-to-interests report on our 2007 trip to
Las Vegas via Monterey, Yosemite, Bodie, and Death Valley at
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/RoadJJ07.html If your only
interest is point-to-point distances, times, and speeds:
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/RoadJJ07.html#Stats
Phoenix, too.
Regulars in this Group know I dance. To see what it is we do elevated
to the highest level, i.e., championship, take a look at this:
http://www.barberassociatesinc.com/swango/swingjam.htm
I know all of the dancers and have danced with six of 'em.
The man with the beard shown in close-up is Robert Royston, the only
person, with his partner Laureen Baldovi (the one with the white top,
vast midriff, and long black hair) to have won the most important and
prestigious championships in the worlds of Swing and Country/Western
dancing in the same year. But they actually did it for four
consecutive years, an achievement unlikely to ever be equaled.!
The woman in red is Robert's wife, Nícola, but they hadn't yet met
when that was accomplished. When he and Laureen did that, they had a
studio in Pleasanton. They now live in New York. The other guy with a
beard (open shirt) is Jason Colacino who, when a teen-ager, was
Robert's student.
Robert, Nícola, and Laureen have a beautiful and delightful routine
that oozes with suggestiveness as we all know about their
relationships: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bUaB80J-CrA
HOT! Those babes are hot, hot hot.