Day 2 - Sonoma

Morning walk in Salinas ... no cows here, phew!




























Sonoma Princess, cow hunting




























The Napa/Sonoma/Calistoga area captured my heart ... love at first sight! Too much to consider photographing ... perhaps on the way back south.

Traveling with Princess


The cooler contains her frozen duck and mackerels, as well as her steamed veggies (and a few diet colas, string cheeses, and fruits for me, hehe!)

Round 'em up!

Ixa took herself off for a little herding session, courtesy of my bad call on an off-leash moment. She drove the cattle from the far left of the image, uphill through a pasture, through a couple of gates, along a fence, then gathered them under a tree. When I ran up breathlessly (fearing her injury from an angry bull or the muzzle of a rancher's gun), she checked her group then sat gloating at her accomplishment ... I wish I had a picture of that!


The 5 minute drive route:


Ixa's herd


Yeah, cattledog all the way.

Go North Young Dog!

Day one, road trip north to find our next home town!

First stop for a run on the beach in Ventura


Picnic at Lake Cachuma
















On the road agaaaaaain!

holy mackerel!

We need a Bath

Japanese bathing rituals came up on a discussion list I participate in, and this neat link was offered: 24 Hour Bath

I read a novel by Yasunari Kawabata called "Snow Country" that I recall having lovely descriptions of aspects of traditional Japanese hot spring culture.

Also, I'm guessing this book is pretty well known: "In Praise of Shadows", by Junichiro Tanizaki. It's a slim book, an elegant description of traditional Japanese houses, with a beautiful section on the bathroom.

I go to Korean bath houses here in Los Angeles, and there are similar protocols ... cleaning (especially SERIOUS exfoliating at a trough), followed by a circuit of hot/cold baths, including an angelica tea bath, as well as a series of saunas with varying humidity and heat. Shoes are not worn into the locker room, and sandals are used for specified areas, like the toilet.

When I first started going, the clientele was almost all Korean, and the baths were very clean and quiet. They've caught on with others, so are a bit noisier and slightly grungier. Which is ironic, since westerners often scoff at the idea of a public bath space being hygienically sound!

Can't find any luxury "dog baths", but there seems to be a healthy market for dog bath robes!

Contemplative Walking

I have practiced a few forms of meditative walking, but not since my dog Ixa came into my life. When I walk, in my urban environment, with Ixa, the distractions defeat me: aggressive dogs, cats and squirrels, kids, street crossings, and leashes.









I also used to jog on a treadmill, and I'd find a steady pace that provided a deep, moving meditation. I miss that.



Last week, I set up a treadmill at home, for Ixa and I to use together. I simply wanted peaceful and comfortable walking. But, it turns out to offer a meditative experience, not only for me, but for her, too! She lowers her head and focuses on the path, present in her stride. It's so tranquil, and an enormous change from her normal on-guard, sniffy, excited tromp through the city.

Surprisingly, the treadmill is our little spaceship for contemplative walking. But, perhaps, one day, we'll make a nice labyrinth!

Steven Seagal

Mystical dog incident

While being interviewed by PETA, Seagal was asked to provide an example of a special interaction with an animal. To lend context and meaning to his animal rights work, Seagal offered the story about a dog which approached him during his early aikido years in Japan. Seagal described feeling as if he had known this white dog forever. After keeping the dog for a few days, the dog (by barking) warned Seagal that his dojo was on fire. Seagal quickly summoned help to put out the fire. He never saw the dog again.[27]

Seagal Wiki Page