Life and all in Redding California
Here’s a recording I captured of a firedance, performed in Palo Cedro a few weeks ago.
With all the recent wildfires raging here locally, posting this seems almost risque`.
When one dances with fire, it can burn.
Wishing safe success to the firefighters on the Gulch Fire in Bella Vista today. Protecting Northstate homes from wildfire is a different dance altogether.
Dancing with fire, it’s Really Redding.
A study in contrast. The first image, the Interstate 5 bridge at Cottonwood Creek, when it was running at a pretty good clip in 2006.
And then below, from yesterday in 2014.
I’ve noticed a lot of changes in the local creekbeds since the drought began. Much of lower Churn Creek’s riparian vegetation is dying or in distress. I sure hope we get a wet winter.
As seen from our friend’s patio overlooking the Sacramento River. Music by Craig Padilla and Skip Murphy for a 2007 live recording at Turtle Bay. Fireworks generously provided every year by the philanthropic McConnell Foundation. Thanks to all involved!
Fireworks in Redding California Fourth of July 2014 from Skip Murphy on Vimeo.
Awesome fireworks on the fourth. It’s Really Redding.
Big fun! Jessica Skropanic featured a couple photos of me and the lovely Karry in Naples in their Sunday Edition. Here’s the link:
Below is the actual image I sent her. I thought it funny because we were unwittingly photobombed by the waiter’s buddy at the outdoor cafe. She said they couldn’t run it that way because we didn’t know his name. I explained that I was certain his name was Luigi Bomboni, but she was evidently unconvinced. Here’s the original image:
And if you are not completely bored by other people’s travel photos, you can see my images of the Vatican here:
https://reallyredding.com/2014/03/23/my-images-of-the-vatican/
And of Valencia here:
https://reallyredding.com/2014/03/17/a-european-city-with-a-redding-flavor/
Connections. That’s what looking at history provides. Connections to the past.
We attended the Shasta Historical Society’s walking tour of Diestelhorst Bridge yesterday.
Below, historian Mike Grifantini offers stories that help connect us all to the Diestelhorst Bridge.
The story of its origin resonated. The bridge was a project funded by forward thinking Redding civic leaders around a hundred years ago. They commissioned a leading architect of the time for its design, A.V. Spah.
The civic purpose for the bridge was to drive highway traffic through downtown Redding. If it weren’t for this bridge, traffic would have shifted east via Freebridge, and would have left Redding merchants high and dry.
Evidently, their plan worked. Redding did not dry up and fade away.
I considered the connection to another bridge in Redding, the Sundial. Now celebrating it’s 10th year. A bridge commissioned by visionary civic leaders, and designed by a leading architect. A bridge designed to drive traffic through Redding, rather than around it. Connections.
You can see the Sundial in the lower corner of the image above. Its angularity seeming to be a reflection of the trestle struts.
Forward thinking citizens. Using bridges to drive commerce, and connecting a thriving community. A plan like the bridge itself, having withstood the test of time.
It’s Really Redding.
There’s another historical walk in Redding scheduled for this evening. See what connection you may find.
Captured these images from a meadow off Mt Eddy, about an hour’s drive north of Redding. Very pretty.
From Wikipedia, “Dodecatheon is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. The species have basal clumps of leaves and nodding flowers that are produced at the top of tall stems rising from where the leaves join the crown. The genus is largely confined to North America and part of northeastern Siberia. Common names include shooting star, American cowslip, mosquito bills, mad violets, and sailor caps.”
Mad Violets. They’re Really Redding.
Cannabis Gelato. Remember, you saw it here first, Redding.
Erin said this idea might take off in the U.S. like Starbucks. Maybe so. Afterall, we already have cannabis products like girl scout cookie weed, so why no icecream as well?
I’d rather see this comfort food, below. Paella and Sangria enjoyed at a sidewalk cafe. More like this please.
On the other hand, here’s an image Redding folks wouldn’t much care for. We would call it tight parking.
Here are a few more images of Barcelona from our recent journey. Click to enlarge, and click enlarged image to exit.
Spain feels very comfortable, indeed.
Some of you know I recently toured cities of the Mediterranean, accompanied by the lovely Karry. I like photography, so some of you have requested that I post my travel shots. Here are some (okay, 48) Vatican images, in no particular order. I hope you enjoy viewing as much as I did capturing them. Click on the image to expand, and then click on the expanded image to exit the slideshow.
It’s not Really Redding, but it is really beautiful.
