Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay ~ Mazatlan Mexico

Cara right now is not at home. She is not even in 'Merica. Cara is on the beach of Mazatlan under warm skys and surrounded by the color of Mexico.

Cara in Grad-School nannied for a wonderful family by the name of the Flemmings. They have two beautiful children Casey (3) and Max (1.5) who Cara and I have known since Casey was just 4 months.

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A few months ago the Flemmings asked if we wanted to go to Mazatlan for a week. They needed some rest and relaxation in the bright latin sun and a break from the bleak, dreary, cold, gray of Seattle. The question is how do you relax with two toddlers running around? Thankfully this is where we come in. They wanted to have a babysitter who they trusted so they could take some time to enjoy couple life again. That babysitter is us, 5 hours a day, playing in the pool, making sand castles, and applying SPF 40 like every 20 minutes. To make sure we would go they have paid for our airfare, lodging, and some spending cash. This offer was a hard one, what would we do? Did I mention Cara is already on the beach?

Take a look at this place we are staying. Unreal! We just want to thank Brian and Krista for this wonderful gift!

Morning Waves

The ocean has been in my blood since my dad taught me to surf.

To relax I imagine crashing waves

hear the melody of the tumble of water

Here is a wave that first emerged a few months back.

Like the tides it came, crashed, and collapsed back to the mind.

Tonight, maybe due to the moon, the tide ebbed to the forefront

I took down the old wave from the living room wall

Pulled out paints and brushes, closed my eyes, and looked for

the crashing of water, the new tide, the new wave.

Bullet Holes...

This month has been kind of tight on the old purse strings. To alleviate this pinch I went to Grand Junction to visit my friend Kyle who has been building his parents new house. The job was to hang sheet rock, aka, dry wall, on the ceiling of the house. This is probably one of the worst jobs, second to installing insulation, and staining decks a day laborer can land. The work was tough, carrying 8ft sheets of gypsum fireproof boards, humping them onto your head, climbing a ladder, holding the board with one hand, fish for a nail in your nail bags, grip your hammer, move the board into place, hold with one hand, nail with the other, and multiply that by 1000 square feet or so, and 9 hours flies by really fast.
To stretch our weary bones, the following day we did a morning jaunt to the Bullet Holes. A bouldering area frequented more by Hill-Billies and Meth-heads than dirt bag climbers. The rocks are great Dakota Sandstone (Clastic Sedimentary) riddled with bullet holes, lame graffiti, and a sea of broken bottles. Ideal conditions for climbing!

After climbing we went to the greatest store this side of I-70. Its called the Junque Man and junk is what this old timer has collected. The store is in heaps and piles, sorted by house goods, electronics, old magazines, motor parts, broken records, pee stained sleeping bags, bent forks and spoons, sweet belt buckles, worn boots, and years of old, missing, unwanted, glorious treasures. I walked away with a nice pair of cowboy boots, already broken in with dry wall stains, for only $5. Unreal the amount of time you could spend here, combing the bowls of this man's life long collection. Next time I visit Mecca I will bring my camera!

Coffee Mountain Flying

First is the morning coffee

wash the blur out of the corners of the eye

talk about Mexican Highways, endless waves,

cooking along the coast, how life is more than we have time for all at once. Next lace the boots, climb a mountain, track life in the snow, taste the view in winded breaths, finding out the easiest way down is to fly....

Coat Rack

You are a Juniper tree and you are a coat rack.

You are older than the footsteps I leave in the mud

You will be standing here after I am in the ground

Hold my coat while I play and I will be back latter today

I am off to chase the north, follow deer around the bend

Leaving foot prints afar and I will return again.

Professor Paddle Sticker

This kayaker I drew last year while living in Seattle. The kayaking site for the State of Washington is going to use it on their stickers! My first Published Art. www.professorpaddle.com check it out..

Dissent is Patriotic

Drop something useful...

Remember...

Some time this week, try to ride your bike, walk, take the bus, skip, run, or car pool somewhere you normally drive.

Bangs

Nothing like living on a budget and getting free haircuts. Vanessa my older sister took out the garden shears and trimmed us some sweet looking do's. No really we are the hottest people we know.....haha Cara is really trying to emulate Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley her idol/god/rolemodel/icon... Take a look for yourself...