Roadtrip down Hwy 101, visiting Joel, head east to Tojo and the Davis Domes,

Last friday I packed my car with all my junk and took off from Spokane to head to California. After staying in Seattle for the weekend and hanging out with my all my wonderful friend's there, I left on Monday morning and find myself now at the Davis Public Library. Spent the last night with Tojo at his Mom's house. We went for a jog through the evening sun, running alongside a big field of crops, me sweating alot from the strange heat, and stopping every fewhundredyards to stretch out my legs and back as i'd just driven for 6 hours from Myer's Flat. Drove through the gorgeous Lake District on Hwy 2o and the sun shone the whole way and glinted off the waters of the myriad lakes.

One village in particular really impressed me; Lucerne, "the switzerland of America" as their

welcome sign proclaims. It was built up the side of the lush hills, just greening with the onset of spring heat, but still patched with mostly golden grass on the slopes, which shimmered in the full blown sunlight, creating a striking contrast against a vivid blue sky.

I drove with my window down and arm hanging out and i thought "this is what i came hear for", and i smiled ignoring my too-long and frizzed out hair whipping all around my face from the warm wind.Visited Joel, my Aunt Kristin's fiance, on his ranch in South Humboldt County. Kristen was busy with studying for finals week at nursing school so it was just us two. Had a great time hanging with Joel though and got to know him more. We walked around his woodsy mountainside property and he told me tales of travel and how he ended up with his ranch, and all about his wild and incredible lifestory, which i would tell you if it weren't for his wish it be kept private. Joels a very private guy, atleast he seems that way, even though he has volumes of stories to share and seems to never tire of orating them!

I sure dont mind thoug. He was very interested to hear about my travels in Asia and specifally my short trip to Tibetan China.

I

n Davis i had dinner with Tojo at great pub called Burgers and Brew last night. We sat on the open air porch and chowed down on the excellent B and B's and swapped some great tales. we also had fun checking each other in our iphone's Facebook App.

Today as i got my car's oil changed i saw an interesting headline in the paper about UC Davis' Dome village known as Baggins End (a The Hobbit reference!) having its days numbered. I cruised down and walked about quiant cluster of white fiberglass domes. They are scattered amid veggie gardens and trees and little tools sheds. I was amazed and so thankful to hear about the place before it gets raz

ed for new "Eco-student- housing" aka big fat ugly block buildings. They've been there since 1972 and have been focal points of teaching decades of student's practical knowledge in communal living and true eco friendly living.

The concern is that they are falling apart and would be too expensive to repair the school said. But i didnt see anything worse than grime that could be scrubbed off, plus any needed repairs should be straightforward and cheap as they are just fiber glass.

The true reason its probably safe to say is that the 28 hobbit homes are veiwed as a waste of prime real estate and that the days of the hippys are long gone. Its a shame they have such little regard for history and for what the Dome's very presence over the decades has meant for the thousands of students who lived and loved and dreamed there.

Go Progress!