Fans of California might be interested in this
blog and site dedicated to California. It’s not updated very often, but some
of the stories are very unique, and cover people and places that most Californians probably don’t know. For example,
check out this article on the gems to be mined from some
old guidebooks, or this one on Frederick Turner and
the closing of the American frontier. The writers have some real chops. One of them,
Mark Sundeen, has done a lot of work recently with the Times and Nat Geo, so
these guys know what they’re doing. As I say, they need to do more updating, flesh this baby out. I’d like to see
more more more, so I hope they don’t give up on it.
ipod gear: Otterbox
If you spend much time outside messing about with your ipod, you know how risky it can be
to listen to your music and be active. I was kayaking with mine recently and it slipped off my vest where I had it
clipped and almost fell into the water. I almost lost $500 just like that.
Is there a solution? You bet. The OtterBox for iPod
20G & 30/40/60G, is a waterproof, interactive case that lets you access controls through a durable, and relatively
compact design. The OtterBox is innovative, but aesthetically appealing. The Otterbox is impact resistant, so it’s not
going to withstand a mountain biking wipeout at 30 mph, but just might survive falling out of your hand while you
jog. A convenient belt clip provides headphone cable management. This is a great new ipod innovation, and an
ideal solution for traveling ipodders.
The People’s Republic of Boulder
Just going to throw
another New York Times piece out there because it’s about one of my favorite cities. I lived in Boulder years ago,
and while I know it’s changed a bit since then, I know many of my old haunting grounds are still there: Pearl Street,
Chatauqua Park, Boulder Creek Path, etc. And of course, the Flatirons still loom over the city like citadels. I miss it
just writing about it.
Anyway, time Times gives the town some justice, naming quaint little spots like the
Boulder Tea House, not to mention the incredible assortment of outdoors
stuff to do there. But I have to admit the article left me a little flat. Can’t say exactly why. I think I feel like it
didn’t quite capture the vibe of the place, and just provided a laundry list of places to go.
Bicycles Locked to Poles
Jen Beckman who runs a gallery here in New York City has just
opened a new exhibition of photos by John Glassie called
Bicycles Locked to Poles. The photos are of…um…well, there are bicycles. And some poles. And
the bikes are locked to the poles.
Actually, I think it’s a clever photo topic…and pretty amazing that no one has really thought of it especially since
there are so many bicycles locked to poles in pretty much every city in the country.
Yosemite All Wet
Ah, Yosemite. Probably the best of all National Parks…except when it’s over-crowded with tourists in their motor
homes and kids screeching around on their bicycles. Oh, and when the entire valley gets sooted up with BBQ smoke and
the air is filled with the noise pollution of said tourists’ portable radios and TV sets. Then it sucks.
But that aside, there’s an article in today’s NY
Times about how the season’s unusual snow fall has made Yosemite gush. The falls are, well, falling at full fall,
and the rivers are raging. This would be an ideal time to head up there, and would make, no doubt for some great
photography. The fact is, despite the travails I just mentioned, Yosemite remains a jewel.