Time for a Serious Update...Happy Holidays

Day 179 on the Monterey Peninsula
Carmel Roasting Co., Carmel

This is ridiculous, I know. I haven't posted here since back in September for goodness sake. I haven't been quiet, just not posting here. I've been spending my time developing my online art studio at www.SolaSendero.com and write an art blog there. That's the reason for my silence here.

But for the New Year, I'll be posting here and at Sola Sendero. I've been trying to decide exactly how to proceed with my blogging interests. I think I've narrowed my focus down to just two blogs. At one time I had four. That's totally dumb. I was repeating myself too much. My life is all a jumble of events and interests and I think I can cover it with two blogs.

I considered just having one main blog, and that's all. But then I decided to devote one blog to mainly my art studio and art life. The remainder of my life will be covered here. Afterall, I spent a year on the road developing this blog and I don't want to just let it go. I may hit the road again, some day. I know I'll continue to travel.

So, when it comes to expressing myself on various topics (other than art), then this is the place. If necessary I'll cross-pollinate information between Sola Sendero and MyRoadArt. For now, these are the only two blogs I'll be writing. My business cards and all advertising for my artworks and writings will mention both blog locations. If I have something to say, it'll be here or at Sola Sendero.

Lazy, Hazy, Days of Fall Coming

Day 92 on the Monterey Peninsula
Outside the Stirrup Co. Pizza restaurant, Carmel Valley

We've been experiencing an Indian Summer of sorts...been warm, almost hot. But the Fall is coming, along with cooler temperatures. It is lovely this time of year, I'll admit it. I enjoy sitting outside and doing nothing. Especially doing nothing.

Now that I've been off the road for over three months, I'm getting the itch to travel some more. But for now, it is almost impossible. I've still got to recover from the past year I spent running all over the Southwest. There are many places to see around here...places I've yet to visit. So why rush off to drive somewhere else? I like it here.

I spend most days painting in my art gallery, or at my part time job in a local liquor store. I like the people you meet in the liquor store...all sorts of interesting characters. And my artistic passions are being met daily by the watercolors on my desk. I sit near a window and paint while listening to Joan Baez or Leonard Cohen. Yesterday I had a goat keep me company. The old nag was sitting in the back of a jeep parked in the alley beneath my studio. An occasional "baaaa" was all I could hear. It's rather quiet in the Village.

Wine Bottling in a Truck

This week a wine-bottling truck has been parked nearby. Local vineyards bring their wine, and these guys bottle it up for them. The wine goes in one end, and it comes out the other fully corked and ready to go.

Day 67 on the Monterey Peninsula
Wild Goose Cafe, Carmel Valley

It's hot today in the Valley! The entire summer was very mild and then out of nowhere, the past few days around here have been almost setting new records for high temps. I'm not complaining. Things could be worse. I could be back in Texas.

I turn 50 today. Happy Birthday to me. Thanks. Now to survive the next 50 years.

I've been trying to figure out how to add the data from another blog to this blog, but so far I can't come to terms with the "widget" code. Gee, what a nightmare. I want to add a bunch of links to a new linklist, without having to write them all in one by one. Cutting and pasting code is the usual way, but I can't figure out where to paste the code. I'll figure it out. It'll just take some time and thought. I might as well go ahead and type in the data!

I am getting a little fed up with Blogger...but I've come this far with them, I hate to change things up. I've got a lot of photos and posts here, and it would be a real chore to try to move stuff around. Blogger needs to get it's act together. But...you get what you pay for.

Day 66 on the Monterey Peninsula
Carmel Coffee Roasting Co.

On Saturday of Labor Day weekend I spent the day on the Peninsula. I started out at the Del Monte Shopping Center for lunch and to listen to some jazz music. Each weekend for a few weeks, a jazz concert will be held there. It was a little cool, but the sun finally broke out and it turned into a beautiful day.

After lunch I drove to Fisherman's Wharf and attended the Monterey Greek Festival. I also walked around the dock and spent some time at the Portola Plaza.

Below are some photos I took during the day.

This guy looks like a politician. Actually, he (she?) is one of "George's Birds." George is a regular at Fisherman's Wharf, along with his birds.

Greek dancing at the Monterey Greek Festival. Zorba never looked so good.

The crowd at the Greek Festival enjoying Greek food.

Whale Watching cruises are popular at the Wharf. I like the wooden fisherman who looks rather sad. I guess the fish aren't biting.

I guess they missed the sign...it says "no parking".

Day 55 on the Monterey Peninsula
Wild Goose Coffee House

Not much happening today. The weather is warm and locals are out walking their dogs and enjoying the nice warm weather. I began a part time job last week. I'm working a couple of nights a week and the location is near my home.

Yesterday I drove to Carmel to attend the Carmel Art Association BBQ and Auction. Read about and see some photos on my art web site at http://www.solasendero.com/. I also posted a short video clip on youtube. See below.

Day 51 on the Monterey Peninsula
Wild Goose Cafe

I've been really busy getting settled into my art studio and working on my art web site at www.SolaSendero.com. Therefore, I've not had much time to do much in town. Many places I have yet to see. But as time goes on I'm beginning to get familiar with the area.

I'm looking for work in a local art gallery, and that's been a lot of hard work. Looking for a job is always a difficult task, especially if you are looking for a specific kind of work. But I'll find something soon.

I did take the time to see the movie Dark Knight. Heath Ledger was amazing, of course, and it's a shame he had to die at such a young age. The movie itself is indeed dark.

The local schools have started, and warm days have been in town this week. Some have said this will be the last few days of really warm weather before the Fall season. The entire summer has been mild here. Carmel has been cool most days. Carmel Valley, eight miles inland, is generally 10 degrees warmer than Carmel. Having come from the hellish 100-degree days in Texas, this is paradise.

Carmel Valley's Fiesta and Other Stuff

Day 35 on the Monterey Peninsula
Wild Goose Cafe, Carmel Valley

I've settled in the Monterey Peninsula area quite nicely, actually living in the Carmel Valley area. I've been here just over a month and don't plan to get back on the road anytime soon. Having been on the road for almost a year, I need a nice, long, break.

I've opened an art studio above a small grocery market and have named it "Sola Sendero", which means "single trail" or as I interpret it, "lonely trail." I don't speak Spanish and I'm certainly no expert, but from what I understand the word "sendero" refers to a small path or trail that is only wide enough for one person to walk. The word "real", as in El Camino Real, refers to a wider roadway where wagons amble along and traffic is constant. Whatever be the case, I liked the sound of "sola sendero."

My web site dedicated to my artwork and the studio is at http://www.solasendero.com/.

My plan is to keep this blog alive and kicking. It will be my hangout to write about whatever I wish. I'm closing down my blog "Writefinger" and merging the content here. Therefore, MyRoadArt will be my blogging site for all things other than art. SolaSendero.com will be my art-related blog and web site.

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Carmel Valley held its annual "Fiesta" this weekend. I sat in the sun for five hours listening to classic rock and smelling BBQ ribs. Kids were playing, live bands were in good form, and the weather cooperated. Below are a couple of pictures.

4th of July at Fisherman's Wharf

Day 5 on the Monterey Peninsula
Wild Goose Cafe, Carmel Valley

The picture at right was taken yesterday while I was strolling down the boardwalk at the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. It was quite a spectacle as thousands gathered to enjoy the 4th of July.

Fireworks were scheduled for later on, but I decided to leave early. The crowds were enormous and I was afraid that it would take me days to get out once the show was over. The fireworks were located on a barge out in the bay, so I'm sure it was a great sight. But I was glad to leave while the traffic was still semi-navigable.

Below are some more photos and a video clip.

Home in Carmel Valley

I've been channeling Jack Kerouac lately, and wondering how I ever decided to get off the road and settle down in Carmel Valley, a small rural community a couple of mountains over and a ten-mile drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea or just plain Carmel if you wish. I am home, I think. At least I'd like to think I'm home.

I spent 323 days or so living in motels and in casinos on comps and attending art festivals and blogging and takeing pictures. I guess I'm tired and have stopped traveling. I came to Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula a few days ago and just decided to stay. The ocean, the cool breezes, the nice people keep things in balance when you consider this area is among the most expensive places to live. I'm paying more for gas than rent.

I've opened a studio for a place to hang out and write, paint, draw, swat flies, and watch delivery trucks drop off fresh fruit to the market that sits beneath me. All is well, so far.

Off the Road.

Day 323 on the road...not so fast.
Day 2 no longer on the road.

Wild Goose Cafe, Carmel Valley Village, California.

Well I've done it. For now, I'm off the road. After almost a year of traveling the Southwest, I've landed in the beautiful Carmel Valley, 10 miles inland in a southerly direction from Carmel and Monterey.

I'll be posting more in coming days on the reasons for leaving the road and what I've learned along the way. As for this blog, it will continue. So don't leave.

Scenic Hwy.198 near Coalinga

Cannery Row at Monterey Bay, Part 2

Cannery Row at Monterey Bay

Fisherman's Wharf at Monterey Bay, Part 2

Fisherman's Wharf at Monterey Bay