Friday, September 4, 2009

My Way or the Milky Way








Breakfast at camp, early morning. The light was incredible. Our neighboring tent cabin was occupied by a band from the pacific northwest called the Master Musicians of Bukkake. Seven dudes in a tent. They were super nice, and though none of us were familiar with them, we enjoyed their stories of playing psych rock in black robes and hoods, especially as they were an interesting group of fellows, all quite different from each other. They were at Fernwood to play a gig the following night, by which time we would be in Berkeley. Milky, one of the band members, came over and helped Mae with our fire, since our wood was all moist and dewy. Milky had no shoes on, and was donning this big floppy hat that I just loved. He reminded me of the adorable hippies we used to hang out with (and be, ourselves). We kept referring to Milky the rest of the trip. We like his name. The whole bunch were great neighbors. Oh, and Fernwood has darn good showers for a campsite, perfect coffee, and really, just look at that sunlight shining through the redwood treetops.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Camp Redwood




























Night one of the road trip, in beautiful Big Sur. We sure know how to camp.. except, we had only one tiny flashlight. In fact, the last few pictures in the tent cabin were taken in total darkness. We could have done better with illumination, yes, but we got by. Fire is helpful, and Mae and Katie are fire making/stoking champs. This trip was all about food. We took an amazing spread, grilled dinner this night and had so much cheese and wine and fruit.. We also planned a few meals out at legendary Big Sur eateries, like the Big Sur Bakery, where we had a delicious fish dinner the following night (and met Flea- Megan saw him and said "What up, Lakers" it was very inside-LA). The site we camped at is called Fernwood. Its so beautiful, kind of set down from the road off Hwy 1, along a river, and beneath the tallest redwoods. You could kind of hear everything, it was so quiet at night.. We could hear the dudes in the tent next to us snoring up a storm, and I'm sure they could hear us laughing uncontrollably, talking about girl stuff, and quoting the kittens inspired by kittens youtube video all night long. We really had the best time.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Cafe Fanny






The morning after our dream dinner at Chez Panisse, Katie, Mae, Megan and I checked out of our fabulous hotel on Shattuck Avenue and headed to Cafe Fanny for breakfast. Alice Waters and her sister opened Cafe Fanny in 1984 and named it after Alice's then baby daughter, whose name was inspired by Marcel Pagnol's 1930 trilogy of films, Marius, Fanny and Cesar, about waterfront life in Marseille. (The restaurant itself was named after Honore Panisse, the main character in these films). Cafe Fanny is much more casual, serves breakfast and lunch fare, simple, rustic and of course unbelievably delicious. Alice has this die hard philosophy that an egg eaten within just hours of coming out from under a chicken, is the best egg you will ever taste, and that cafe au lait should be served in a bowl. I can now report, she is right. After breakfast we stopped next store for a baguette at Acme bread, a staple bakery in Berkeley (yes, started by a Chez Panisse alum) and picked up a few bottles of wine next door on the other side, at Kermit Lynch, the main wine merchant for the restaurant. I bought a bottle of their Rhone, and a Sancerre, my very favorite white wine. Who will I drink it with? Maybe you...

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Happy Birthday Julie


Julsie it's your birthday
God bless you this day
You gave me the gift of a little sister
and I'm proud of you today
Julie it's your birthday
Happy birthday Julie
Julie it's your birthday
Happy birthday Julie
I wish you love and goodwill
I wish you praise and joy
I wish you better than your heart desires
and your first kiss from a boy
Julie it's your birthday
Happy birthday Julie
Julie it's your birthday
Happy birthday Julie
Yeah.

(from the episode of the Simpsons, where "Michael Jackson" writes a birthday song for Lisa, from Bart. I love this song so much. You can hear it by clicking here)

Shutter Happy












Our first stop when we hit the coast on the road trip. I love how we are all taking pictures of each other taking pictures. We were at seal beach, (though the tide was high and we didn't see any seals) and it was just such a beautiful day. The water smelled great. Everyones beautiful hair was blowing all over. Snap, snap. A great start to 4 days of fun, friends and adventure. I will be adding more images to the next few posts of the trip, including this one probably, when everyone archives and shares their photos. Which I hope will be soon!