Day 8, 11/9/2010 - Woody Guthrie Tribute

For the last couple of days, I've been listening to KVMR radio, and enjoying the progressive attitudes here in Nevada County.  Guided by the likes of Country Joe McDonald (of The Fish fame), I learn about Woody Guthrie. As part of the Smithsonian Institution's travelling exhibit, Joe McDonald crafted a tribute to Woody: This Land Is Your Land: The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie. If I were going to be in town, I think I'd try to see this. Alas...





If you'd like to sing along, but don't remember them from grade school, you can follow along below. (No, there will not be a bouncing ball.)

This Land Is Your Land

This land is your land This land is my land
From California to the New York island;
From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and Me.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me.

I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.

In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?

Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.

Day 6, 11/7/2010 - Rain

Alone the day, but very contented. As the rain poured, I envisioned the trees, California live oak, madrone and digger pine, capillary roots drinking after a long dry season, leaves and needles dancing in the falling droplets. It's hard to convey how ... rain like this makes me feel a little more at ease.  I wore my crushed beat up hat and needed no other cover, the rain moistening me, as I walked, delighted by the weather.

Day 5, 11/6/2010 - So. Yuba River State Park

I'd like to add this link to BridgeHunter.com which gives structural and historic details about this bridge. I learned that it is an Open Spandrel type concrete bridge, and was constructed in 1921. This bridge is open to pedestrians, but vehicular traffic must use the newer structure adjacent to it.

Day 2, 11/3/2010 - Starry, Starry Night

Yep, it's true--there really are more stars in the night sky when you get waaaayy outta town. I'm watching for shooting stars--just in case.

Day 1, 11/2/2010

Taking off for the Sierra, the radio conspires to create an impromptu playlist of just the right mix of running away songs.

1)    Free Bird, Lynyrd Skynyrd (Packing Baggage)

2)   Twilight Zone, Golden Earring (Fueling)

3)   In Your Eyes            Peter Gabriel            

Love, I get so lost, sometimes

Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart

When I want to run away

I drive off in my car

But whichever way I go

I come back to the place you are

4)   Runnin’ on Empty, Jackson Browne (stopping for $2.98/gal!)

5)   Honky Cat, Elton John 

They said, "Get back honky cat
Better get back to the woods"
Well I quit those days and my redneck ways
And, oh change is gonna do me good

6)   Highway 441 (and other lies) Big Head Todd & The Monsters

7)   I’d Runaway...

 


Critter* Count:

17 Hawks**
11 Snowy Egret ***
0 Pheasant (one can always hope!)
8 CHP/Sheriffs

*Roadkill excluded!
**Nearly 14 hawks were spotted on the ground alongside the roadway (hwy. 99, I think), it being 4:20 and all, I guess it was hawk chillout time
***Does not include the 10,000s of birds at the bird sanctuary, including many snowy egrets and 1,000s of snow geese

Stopped at Covered Bridge along the Yuba River.