March 23, 2011

To the Center of the World

Balkan bead crocheted village snake.
Last week I had an opportunity to return to San Diego. This time I was giving a presentation to the Bead Society of San Diego about the history and my journey into Bead Crochet. The last time I did a talk I used an overhead projector with acetate slides so I had to do a lot of learning in a big hurry here. New software and digital projectors were new frontiers for me.
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It's always interesting to watch and listen to people who have never handled bead crochet ropes before. The feel of them quickly grabs their attention. Several people said that they had no idea beadwork could be that supple and that they'd have to give it a try. It was a delightful weekend with a very hospitable group of people.
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Coming into San Diego, we passed windmills; lots and lots of wind power being generated. I had never see so many, of varying sizes, in one place before. It was a mind boggling sight.
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Nothing says Southern California to me more than seeing Palm trees everywhere you looked. Everything from the small fan palms to the towering, skinny King Palms. I counted over 15 of these light wrapped palms at our motel. It must have taken ages to get these all neatly wrapped with little lights.
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On the way back to Arizona, we detoured to visit Slab City, near the Salton Sea. It's an abandoned World War II Marine barracks (Camp Dunlap) that is now used by RV'ers and squatters. I'd be hard pressed to explain just what is out there. I guess I can only say that it was interesting!
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Jesus Mountain is hard to miss; sand, hay bales, heavy layers of paint and some rather fantastic outsider art.






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Unusual and creative campsites are tucked into the desert here and there. Generators and solar power are the only way to survive in this place.... or a huge parachute sun shade.









After living in the North East, it was rather startling to come around a corner in The Dunes and see these snow plows.... plowing sand! The wind was really blowing and we could see sand dunes slowly being moved from one side of the road to the other.
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Niland, Calif. is practically a ghost town in the desert. We ran across what I'm thinking is a desert rat. Man, 3 dogs, horse and pack animal. What a disparity of culture with the satellite dish over his head.


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I had a good laugh as we were heading back to the freeway. The GPS said we were passing the Center of the World Rd.
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You could say
we had been to the center of the world
and back!


6 comments:

  1. Wow, what a great post! I really enjoyed it. Thanks. Especially the "Center of the Earth Road". Unbelievable! I am inspired by your art and love bead crochet. One of these days when I build up enough courage, I will attempt a snake.

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  2. I love the "off the grid" photos! Especially the truck with the CD shingles! Very creative and adorable. Reminds me of the hippie days. You don't see that too much anymore!

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  3. It sounds like you had a great time. I've seen TV specials about Slab City - it's a place like no other. What a hoot. :-)

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  4. I loved seeing that you brought your lovely box of treasures. I'm sure all your participants really enjoyed viewing all the wonderful beauties that came out of it.

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  5. Anonymous9:04 PM

    "Salvation" Mountain, not "Jesus", (although I'm sure that Leonard wouldn't mind at all. He's the guy that built it. (Leonard, AND Jesus!)

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