Pinnacles National Park, Matisse-Diebenkorn & Mark Johnson

Parks, In My Esteemed Opinion (IMEO), are in close competition with rest areas. The problem is there's not a rest area on highway 25 between Coalinga and Anthony Chabot Regional Park.

I spent the first night, about 20 miles north of Coalinga, California on a turnout on Coalinga Road. It was late afternoon when I'd finally gotten out of town and just couldn't do the remaining twelve miles to the park.

In the morning I was greeted (in an aggressive tone) by Mike Baumgardner with "What're you doing?!"  I rejoined with "Who wants to know?" a bit louder which got him tuh thinkin' 'bout his options. He claimed I was on HIS LAND!!!..."The easement is 30 feet from the centerline." I looked and thought he maybe had me by three feet. Always the gentleman, I gave him his choice of weapons, but once he learned I was enroute to the Matisse-Diebenkorn exhibit at SFMOMA he was all smiles and ready to talk art, cats and what to wear.

Pinnacles wasn't much better. Buggy, screaming children, hollering youths. It finally got quiet around midnight. Only $11.50 with the discount. No hot water at the sinks and those push-on faucets that automatically turn off after ten seconds.

It's all Mark Johnson's fault. If he'd just posted some of his paintings I could have gotten my art fix and avoided all this.

Ouray and Silverton - Colorado

As with most geographic spectacles, it's impossible to capture the magnificence. But that's why we're out here, isn't it....tuh see it. Ain't no dang fotey-graf kin do it. But, perhaps these will inspire you...to go see fer yerse'f.

The view approaching Ouray. Although this time of year is usually accompanied by "monsoons," this year has been particularly wet. The mushrooms have been fantastic! 

Ouray -- A name with many inferences. (My fav is that it's the British pronunciation (dropped aitches) of what the children in Captain Underpants books shout when the teacher announces recess.)

Immediately south of Ouray the road ascends a small hill to enter this valley...

Silverton...after a long steep descent (from either way). The Animas river flows along the right (SE) side of town with Mineral Creek flowing in from the NW. Their confluence, accessible from City Park, is about 500 feet behind the Visitor's Center...the white two-story building in the foreground (gray roof on right side of highway). It closes promptly at 5:00 p.m. 

The library is wonderfully welcoming with excellent wifi, many comfortable, over-stuffed chairs, couches and a large section for children. And dog-friendly too.


There are some nice homes awaiting renovation.

And, of course. there's the train.

The view a couple miles south. 

And for those who're uninterested in "yet another rock pile," there're flowers everywhere...