Eureka! it's Eureka

Okay - rest time over. Off we go again - Up 101 accross the Golden Gate Bridge and on to the Redwoods. Lots of fog as we left - but it cleared up before we got accross the bridge. What a beautiful drive - through vineyards and then out towards the ocean. Redwood forests, River beaches. We took our time and stopped often. The smells - the light - the cool ocean air. Heaven.
We pushed on to Eureka where we had new freinds we wanted to meet. A quick phone call to let them know we were headed their way. Another call as we enter the city limits and Micki leads me to their house. As we pull up to this nice, quiet, suburban neighborhood - Savi and Antonio roll thier eyes at me and say "we don't want to hang out with some strangers... we'll stay here in the motorhome". Fine.

I hop out of the Mohome into the welcoming arms of Micki. She is all smiles and welcomes me inside. Duane, her husband, has headed out to run some errands - they are celebrating tonight and she's in a great mood. I tell her about my travels - she tells me of her plans to spend a month in France this summer just to paint - and we talk about burningman together. Soon Duane arrives - he's full of smiles and hugs and so much to talk about! He begins showing me around the place - sculptures, paintings, art - everywhere!

I lead Duane and Micki outside to show them my little home on wheels - and within minutes he's got Savi and Antonio in his spell. He coaxes them out of the Mohome and leads them on thier own personal tour of his yard and studio. They are mesmerized. Duane gives Savi a lesson in airbrushing and using templates - later she shows him the work she's already been doing with templates - they are instant friends.

Duane and Micki pile us all into his 1957 Rambler and they proceed to take us on a tour of Eureka and Arcata. What a lovely and artsy little town. Duane has done quite a few murals in town - He stops to show us and tell us tales of each as we go. He teaches kids who are having a hard time - and some of the murals are their own works. He is very proud - it's obvious.

Then off to the beach for a bit - beautiful sandy beach. Some beach combing and more talking. We continue on to the "Lab". This is where the magic happens - where Duane and his buddies create their Kinectic sculptues. These are pedaled vehicles with moving parts that are also art. They have an annual race through the town of Arcata every memorial day weekend of these crazy things. When he opened the garage door of the "lab" it was mind blowing! So much to see - so many amazing things!!!

Duane asked with a twinkle in his eye.... wanna take one out? Of course we did! so he tucked us away into "Extreme Makeover" and he, I, Savi and Antonio took it for a spin around the town. We laughed and giggled and pedaled. So much fun!

Later we settled down back at his place - and I had to pry my kids away from him. They went form "we'll just stay in the Mohome" to "We want to stay and talk some more!!!!!"