Photography | Web Design | Drone Photography
Italian Art culture in Bakersfield
Bakersfield Museum of Art’s annual Via Arté Italian Street Painting Festival has become a Bakersfield tradition, bringing together the community and the visual arts since 1998. Using the asphalt as canvas, spectators watch each year as professional and student artists unlock their imaginations and turn the parking lot of the Marketplace into a gallery of amazing chalk masterpieces.
WINNERS 2019
It was a challenging and exciting backpacking trip that spanned 7 days covered 45.8 miles and 10443 ft of climb – Fannons, Shaddy, Prices & the Bowmans –
We finally made it to the other America, after an 8+ hour flight from LAX to Guayaquil , Ecuador. We arrived and have been amazed by the beauty of the country and the people – this is the host city of some 24 international Conventions going on worldwide this summer.
We had a great and unforgettable welcome at the airport from our brother and sisters, many signs welcoming us to cheers, made us feel very welcome and a little emotional to the extent of all the work that went into taking care of our every need.
Some impressions that is notable and will be etched in my memory is that Guayaquil is a very large city , my first research was about 2-3 million people live here, but that was the city limits, the metro area is more like 4+ million. A little more research shows that in North America there is over a half billion people and in South America almost a half billion people, so more people than I imagined. Being close to the Equator you have 12 hours of sun light and 12 hours of darkness (no seasons like upper latitude areas)
The climate in this area is like a hydroponic house, very humid and most days are cloudy but you really appreciate the cloud cover after you experience an afternoon when the Sun comes out.
This agriculture zone is great for growing Bananas, Coffee , Cocoa and many other fruits. Guayaquil, Ecuador is a port city and the area exports most of the worlds Bananas, especially to the Pacific ports where nonstop ships from Dole and Del Monte transport this profitable fruit.
Guayaquil has allot of resemblance to Tijuana, Mexico, it has its wealthy area and its poor area , no middle class but the resemblance looks like for a period of years it had no building codes and created a chaotic infrastructure. The current government is changing this to draw tourism , changing this not to be the gateway to the Amazon or the famous Galápagos Islands but an attractable place to stay and have fun.
What I will remember most of the area is the people of this area, they are very humble, and really want to show you hospitality. Cultures such as Westerners, Europeans & Asians can learn allot from how they treat people and make them want to come live here. Words can’t describe all the love and concern the people show especially the brothers and sisters from the country.
The 24 International Conventions going on around the earth is what brought us here and 6-7 months ago I never heard of this city but what we experienced this week our family will never forget the special memories.
What is so amazing is this International Convention is historic. The city has never hosted such a large event and the city leaders doubted that it could be pulled off. The Convention was such a success it will probably want to be copied by commercial corporations and event planers, but will never have the real force that made it happen. Peak attendance was 53000 on Sunday, 702 was baptized, 25 plus countries attended – 200 plus buses navigated the small streets all on different routes that took in effect of very congested hours, hotels where booked to the max, 13000 Brothers and Sisters volunteered from around this small country – A real logistic masterpiece took place.
Off to the country of Peru – more south we go
We flew in to the Capitol city Lima , this large city (10+Mil) on the PacIfic Ocean has a more European vibe than the previous city, we stayed one night, then off to Cusco the gateway to Machu Pechu , Cusco is unique in that it is so high in elevation 11300ft and a very large city with a historical city center that dates back hundreds of years before automobiles where invented so the streets are very small, a European feel. Interestingly the flight and most flights pressurize the cabin at 8k , so when we descended in to Cusco the pressure is raised to 11k to acclimate.
Sacred Valley and Machu Pechu – here we go, this is where it’s gets interesting, the journey requires a taxi, a train ride, a Bus ride and a hike at 9k ft. As you make this trek you understand why its a journey. Sacred valley is more like a gorge, steep cliffs, a beautiful river , your at 10k and the mountains go up to 16-19k feet , as you go to village to village the streets are cobblestone , some are dirt and small , this takes you time, but very interesting and dates you back in time.
So why would anyone go to Machu Pechu , it’s been a mystery how the Inca empire built this city , worship place so high in the Andes , they built it out of mega ton rocks with no modern type of equipment – the car size stones or larger fit perfectly together , some stones moved here from miles away. The vertical cliffs along with the Amazon climate make the a beautiful special place. The mystery wonders on in your head as you try to figure out how they did this some 500 years ago.
Edited with mobile phone
Photos –
All Photos (150) https://brocprice.smugmug.com/Travel/South-America-2019
Some of the great advantages of living in sunny Kern County is the great cycling weather and the abundance of cyclist that love the sport cycling. Each year one of the top races comes to California. The Tour of California (officially sponsored as the Amgen Tour of California) is a professional cycling stage race on the UCI World Tour and USA Cycling Professional Tour. It is the only event on the top-level World Tour in the United States. It was first held in 2006 (Landis Won) . The eight-day race covers 650–800 miles through the State of California.
Some other sponsors like Michelob Ultra that has been a minor sponsor for some 10 years usually sets up VIP tents at the finishing city. In this VIP area usually shared by other sponsors allows you great watching prospective near the finish line, food and of course Ice-cold Ultras to enjoy the event.
This year, I had a chance to take a friend (EP) to watch the great race. 👌
We say “Wine Making”, the better word might be “Wine Tasting” but what ever you call it, all seem to agree that we can enjoy both. One great benefit living in Kern is, the short hour and half drive to some of the best wineries in the world. Paso Robles has been developing over the years into community of agriculture, vintners and consumers of this fine fermented drink. 🍷
We took a day with some good friends and they escorted us to some nicest Winery Estates in the Paso region, we had a chance to drop by Bianchi, Sculpterra, Rava, Midnight , & the Castle like Tooth & Nail winery .
When you decide to make the day trip, find someone that knows the area and love this fine art of making wine, We appreciate the Hoffman’s that showed us much hospitality and shared there partnership (Membership) with these great wineries
The Winery’s that we visited was out of this world in style , uniqueness and distinctive in experience, we cant wait until we get a chance to go again. They report that there is over 300 Winery’s in this region, we knocked out five.
I think we can say we Love Wine tasting and learning about Wine Making. 🍷
Trying to get a fast shot of Baylee on the night of the Memorial, testing camera settings and Eye Autofocus
Had a chance through my work to head down to the home opener of the local Dodger game, it was a great opportunity to be outdoors and have a beer and enjoy some good old Baseball. The game set a couple of records.
Panorama shot
Golden Road Brewery – 2019 Dodger Special Edition Can
Perfect weather – like in the low 70s
Blue Everywhere – okay I added a Blue Filter
It might be a cold time of year, but California is never that cold to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Kern County has one Ski/Snowboard site named Alta Sierra formerly Shirley Meadows. The great joy of this place is the location close to proximity to Bakersfield. 👍
Sunday we made the 85 minute journey up there , March is a great time of year to take the drive, the weather is warming the grass is growing and the trip up through the Kern River Canyon is spectacular journey. 👍👍
Everyone that finally made the journey was excited to go play in this once a year (locally) phenomena when moisture from the clouds turn heavy and drop water that turns to snow due to the temperature.
Baylee and her friend Caylee took the time to enjoy the snow and use there abilities to ride a board down the slippery slopes of Alta Sierra
The only negative on Skiing or snowboarding was the cost associated with this sport. Cost to ride the slopes, and if you don’t have equipment like skis, a snowboard, boots, poles you need to rent and it all adds up. When you mentally get pass the cost factor, it will be one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities you can do. The beautiful mountain scenery, the clear crisp air and the excitement of all those young and old enjoying while smiling is a great experience. ❄️ 😁
* Cost of slope pass and rentals $80 , 1/2 day pass $70 (Big ski areas is twice this)
Baylee, Caylee and I had a great time, it showed because we stayed until they shutdown the lifts (around 4pm) and excitingly refueled at famous Kern River Brewing and Restaurant , That’s a experience in it self . One thing we learned is we will be back and want to make it up to other California Ski/Snowboard parks soon
We enjoyed the great outdoors even when the temperatures drop and the fun never stops
It’s been [DateCounter startDate=”2019-02-10″ endDate=”now” format=”Days”] days since Suzanne Passed!
Audio of Memorial of Suzanne Price
Download Audio & Program (22MB zip file)
SUZANNE (Suzy) PRICE Feb 9th 1944 – Feb 11th 2019
Frankie Suzanne Price, 75, passed away on February 11th, 2019 @ 1:15pm in Tehachapi, California at home due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.
Suzy was born in Long Beach, CA to O.G. (Olin George) and Patricia Brown on February 9th , 1944, she married Charles Price on May 27th, 1961, in Bakersfield. She dedicated 56 years of her life to helping her family, friends, and neighbors to learn about God’s Word. Her tireless faith and love as one of Jehovah’s Witness motivated her to spend countless hours in the Bible education work that is free to all people from any background or race. Nothing brought Suzy more joy than to spend time with family, friends and doing spiritual activities. Over the years she was Invited to attend International conventions in Europe and Africa to encourage others in the hope of living on a paradise earth, what the creator Jehovah promises in his Word.
Suzy went to East Bakersfield high around 1958-61 and meet her future husband Charles at Ken-Kens drive-in on Niles street in East Bakersfield, he was impressed with her on how she immaculately dressed and would consider to hang around him as he said he was just an “Okie boy from Lamont” after a period of meetups the following months and while the “Cruising Craze” took place around the country they became closer. The time came when Charles asked her to marry him, she said yes, but only one stipulation she asked, that he would let her continue to study the Bible with the Witnesses , He said yes. She loved what she learned from the Gods word and appreciated the value it had on instructing her life.
Over the years her devotion as a full and part time pioneer helped many reach baptism, some that she helped changed there life to adhere more closely to the bible resulting in many in their own family to become witnesses and see the value in Gods word.
Suzy is survived by her husband Charlie, sons Scott, Brock, Chris, and Joel. Daughters-in-law Bethany and Laura. Grandchildren Tori and Baylee. Great-grandchildren Emery, Briar and Boston. Brother Danny Brown and many extended family members. Suzy is preceded in death by her only daughter Wendy Renae.
~The family of Suzy wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Golden Hills Congregation, countless spiritual brothers and sisters and family friends who cared for our mother with the most loving care. Also, we would like to express gratitude to Optimal Hospice, especially Yvonne, Ashley, Heather and Jani.~
Memorial Service
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses – (Hall D)
5501 E. Brundage Ln, Bakersfield, CA ,
Saturday, February, 23rd 1:30 pm
“This Path is one of the top Trails in the state”
Kern County is a great place to have a “Road Bike”. Some might not realize we have the Kern River Parkway Trail, a paved trail away from motorized traffic that is 30 miles of enjoyable fun. This Path is one of the top Trails in the state. Most outdoors enthusiast ride bicycles, but it is shared with runners, joggers and walkers.
I try to ride my road bike a few times a week on this path. Road bikes usually are much lighter than mountain bikes. Less weight means you can go further or faster with the same amount of effort you put into your mountain bikes. Road bikes have much narrower tires (compared to a mountain bike) with much higher pressure. This means you have much less rolling resistance on a road bike. Once again, you can go further or faster with the same amount of effort you put into your mountain bike.
Your riding position on a road bike is much more aerodynamic than it is on a mountain bike. Thus you can go further or faster with the same amount of effort you put into your mountain bike.
See you out there.
Video Test Via Azure