Workshops

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Part IV: Road Trip - The Journey Home



Monday morning it was time to begin our return trip. Unfortunately, the weather forecast turned sour and severe storm warnings were issued across our direct path home. Weather forecasts were examined and we made the difficult decision to head south and then turn west, adding an extra day to our three-day drive. We had already planned to add a day for our return trip, but it was so we could slow our pace just a bit. I-80: no. I-70: no. I-40: yes.

Highlights of our journey home: Kansas City, Joplin, more Jubal Phone Taps, Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation, Big Cabin, ROUTE 66, Tulsa, Texas, Amarillo, Dane Cook comedy CDs, New Mexico, Land of Enchantment, Tucumcuari, Albuquerque, Saints and Sinners, fry bread and indian tacos, Gallup, Arizona, Yellowhorse, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Meteor Crater, Flagstaff, sheep, Roadkill Cafe, Kingman, Mojave Desert, Colorado River, California, Needles, Twenty Mule Team, I-5, David Sedaris: Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Oregon, Siskiyou Summit, Medford, finally a health food restaurant, Salem at 4:30 pm Thursday.

Stats: 3,648.9 miles, 11 days, 13 states (Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, California), 22 road kill counted on the return trip, dubbed carcai.

Memorable quotes:

We are nomadic eaters.

I wonder where that giant potato is going?

The Smart Water is not working.

Sometimes my thoughts are like ticker tape.

I can't wait to meet Norma.

You know you've been on the road a long time when you don't know what state you're in.

I'm current on road kill.

Ladies, get your guns, I mean your cameras.

Health food store? The weirdo needs some s--t.

We have 4,000 miles of street cred. Write that down.

























Friday, April 12, 2013

Part III: Road Trip - Art Classes



Art classes! I took two and a half. I figured as long as I was traveling 2,000 miles to an art retreat, I might as well sign up for a couple of classes. I took two full day classes and one evening class at the last minute. I took two classes from Serena Barton, a favorite teacher, and one from Jane Davies, a teacher I've been wanting to take a class from. Win. Win. Win.

JANE DAVIES: Abstract Landscapes - Exploring Color and Composition











Serena Barton: Papers Wabi Sabi







Serena Barton: Landscape of Dreams




Part II: Road Trip - Excelsior Springs



We arrived in Excelsior Springs on Wednesday evening, in time for dinner. The retreat was held at the beautiful and enchanting Elms Hotel and Spa, but we stayed across the street in a B & B, The Bishop's House, where we were treated to warm mid-western hospitality by our hosts, Norma and Doug. I had time to explore the community of Excelsior Springs on foot on Thursday and again on Sunday. It's a charming little town and I had the opportunity to take lots of photos of nature and wonderful, old crumbling buildings. One of the main attractions in the city is the Hall of Waters. It has an interesting history and here's a great summary by Roadside America.