Runamucca

I am writing this post from the far reaches of Winnemucca, Nevada, where I am visiting a friend and Tweepers, his cat. Winnemucca is as far into real cowboy country as you can get. You see cowboys on the street, and they aren't dressing for the Rawhide! This weekend there is a Harley rally in town, which means there are a lot of bikers, so we stopped in at the Mineshaft Bar -- "where T&A is A OK"! They had cherry shots that tasted of lighter fluid, strippers, and a door that never locks.

Yesterday, we drove on dirt tracks to Waso: an old way-station for the railroad. It had several little tiny buildings, most of which were deserted. One of them was a tiny two-story building just big enough for a railroad worker. It was such a nice design, and very functional. It made me bemoan our culture's desire for big houses. This one would have suited me fine, if I had a shed for all of my stuff.

I haven't even written about the landscape out here. People think of Nevada as a big wasteland with Las Vegas in the middle, but out in Eastern Nevada I've seen some of the most beautiful landscape I've ever experienced -- miles of scrubby sagebrush with big rolling red mountains in the background. If you are exploring around here, seek out Paradise, a town I am hoping we'll head out to today. It is lovely: remote and arid. The climate is rough, but it is worth checking out.

Last, but not least, if you are hungry you can get a really good Basque meal at the Martin Hotel. And on some nights they have live music. If I survive one more night of bikers, bars, and booze, I'll be back in San Francisco by tomorrow night. That is, if I don't ride off into the sunset on the back of a Harley.

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Stay Tuned

Yes, it is true, I FLAKED on my Sunday Blog. I promise to get back to the regular scheduled posting on 5/29.

On Dogpatch and Deadwood

Yesterday, I biked with some friends down to Dogpatch, where we had the honor of being extras in a soon-to-be-released film. The filming took place on an empty Muni bus in the Muni yard. Afterwards, my buddy M. reconnoitered the neighborhood looking for a good place to dine, which we found on Third Street at the Hard Knox Cafe, a soul food joint where you get two sides and muffins with your meal. You can't beat that.

Dogpatch is a funny little neighborhood surrounded by industrial buildings and not far from the S.F. Drydocks. This is one of my favorite places in the city, funky and set apart, with a personality all its own. The Third Street Rail will change that, so check it out now while you can.

Before I take Calamity Jane's fabulous photo off of my blog, I thought I'd say a few words about her. She was orphaned young, and fended for herself from the time she was an early teen. She did a man's job in a man's world at a time when women were expected to wear corsets and behave like ladies. She was a severe alcoholic, but who could blame her? She was born ahead of her time. For a good biography, check out the one on Wikipedia, or Calamity Jane's own words.

Finally, I wanted to put in a word for Claire Tompkins' orgo blogo. It always has something interesting on organic life in the East Bay.

Community Chest

One wonderful thing about San Francisco is its community gardens. I recently was blessed with a plot at the Page Street Garden. I don't think I could handle a real yard on my own, so my little community plot is just right. Yesterday, they had a garden clean up. Folks came to tend to the common areas and get their plots ready for summer. Such events normally occur earlier in the spring, but since we had enough rain to float Noah and his Ark, the party was postponed until yesterday.

My plot is home to an enormous old lavender bush. It also hid a treasure: A tacky ceramic cherub, hiding in the weeds in the back corner. I am hoping it acts as some kind of snail-prevention charm, and I plan to put my own stone gargoyle in as well to balance it out. Today, I bought a wonderful collection of California Natives to fill up the space.

To change topic's entirely, on Friday I attended E.'s 40th birthday at Medjool, a trendy Mission Street establishment with an outdoor bar on the roof. I really liked the outdoor ambiance, and even though I don't count as "trendy", I plan to return. I'd like to say it was the perfect night for such an event, and it was for San Francisco: the fog came in and everyone was bundled up in jackets. I recommend checking it out!