Monday, July 06, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
The Nuge Vs. Mike Pinera circa 1970 Miami, Florida
Going deep into the vault to bring you this extremely rare, one of a kind TV jam with Mike Pinera of Iron Butterfly and The Nuge AKA Ted Nugent. They were in Miami for a summer pop festival and stopped by the TV station for a one on one guitar only jam. These guys changed the music scene back in the day. Enjoy.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Hunter S. Thompson - The Crazy Never Die
The Mitchell brothers, owners of the O'Farrell Theatre in San Francisco, made a documentary about Thompson in 1988 called Hunter S. Thompson: The Crazy Never Die. It was based on the authors campus tour, includes stops in Oregon and Kansas. Hunter S. Thompson, a longtime friend of the Mitchell's and frequent visitor at the club, claimed in his 2003 book Kingdom of Fear to be its night manager in 1985.
Friday, May 15, 2009
F-4 hits a wall @ 500 MPH
This is what happens to an airplane when it hits a concrete wall at 500mph. Air Force engineers test a concrete barrier that will surround a nuclear reactor dome, to see if it would indeed survive an aerial attack. With the high speed cameras rolling, they attached an F-4 Phantom to the sled and then pumped up the speed to 500 MPH, and... What happens when an 'Unstoppable Force' meets an 'Immovable Object? Watch in slow motion as the F-4 turns to vapor.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Hunter S. Thompson
Some images & words of wisdom from Hunter S. Thompson on a cloudy Sunday.
I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.
Few people understand the psychology of dealing with a highway traffic cop. A normal speeder will panic and immediately pull over to the side. This is wrong. It arouses contempt in the cop heart. Make the bastard chase you. He will follow. But he won't know what to make of your blinker signal that says you are about to turn right. This is to let him know you're pulling off for a proper place to talk. It will take him a moment to realize that he's about to make a 180 degree turn at speed, but you will be ready for it. Brace for the g's, and fast heel-toe work.
It will be guerilla warfare on a global scale, with no front lines and no identifiable enemy... We are going to punish somebody for this attack, but just who or what will be blown to smithereens for it is hard to say. Maybe Afghanistan, maybe Pakistan or Iraq, or possibly all three at once. Who knows?
This blizzard of mind-warping war propaganda out of Washington is building up steam. Monday is Anthrax, Tuesday is Bankruptcy, Friday is Child-Rape, Thursday is Bomb-scares, etc., etc., etc... If we believed all the brutal, frat-boy threats coming out of the White House, we would be dead before Sunday. It is pure and savage terrorism reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
America... just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.
The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over. The others--the living--are those who pushed their control as far as they felt they could handle it, and then pulled back, or slowed down, or did whatever they had to when it came time to choose between Now and Later.But the edge is still Out there. Or maybe it's In. The association of motorcyles with LSD is no accident of publicity. They are both a means to an end, to the place of definitions. HST
I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.
Few people understand the psychology of dealing with a highway traffic cop. A normal speeder will panic and immediately pull over to the side. This is wrong. It arouses contempt in the cop heart. Make the bastard chase you. He will follow. But he won't know what to make of your blinker signal that says you are about to turn right. This is to let him know you're pulling off for a proper place to talk. It will take him a moment to realize that he's about to make a 180 degree turn at speed, but you will be ready for it. Brace for the g's, and fast heel-toe work.
It will be guerilla warfare on a global scale, with no front lines and no identifiable enemy... We are going to punish somebody for this attack, but just who or what will be blown to smithereens for it is hard to say. Maybe Afghanistan, maybe Pakistan or Iraq, or possibly all three at once. Who knows?
This blizzard of mind-warping war propaganda out of Washington is building up steam. Monday is Anthrax, Tuesday is Bankruptcy, Friday is Child-Rape, Thursday is Bomb-scares, etc., etc., etc... If we believed all the brutal, frat-boy threats coming out of the White House, we would be dead before Sunday. It is pure and savage terrorism reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
America... just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.
The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over. The others--the living--are those who pushed their control as far as they felt they could handle it, and then pulled back, or slowed down, or did whatever they had to when it came time to choose between Now and Later.But the edge is still Out there. Or maybe it's In. The association of motorcyles with LSD is no accident of publicity. They are both a means to an end, to the place of definitions. HST
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Chicano Shop "Lion"
The Shop Lion is a growing species, living in mechanic shops and brudels across the Baja peninsula. They vary in size from 9 inches to 3 feet in length. You can find them in packs of two or three, usually sleeping in a shady corner or hunting their favorite prey...snausages.
A faithful companion to anyone that will feed them....
or Krazy-glue a wig to their heads.
A faithful companion to anyone that will feed them....
or Krazy-glue a wig to their heads.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Mexico 1, France 0
Happy Cinco de Mayo!!
The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. While outnumbered, the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army that had known no defeat for almost 50 years.
And to think, it all started over a Mexican pouring his chili over a French soldiers fries. Viva Mexico!!
The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. While outnumbered, the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army that had known no defeat for almost 50 years.
And to think, it all started over a Mexican pouring his chili over a French soldiers fries. Viva Mexico!!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
F*CK The Man for $289/month...
yes you too can "stick it to The Man" for $289/month over the next 36 months. You probably have no idea what I'm talking about, but here's a clue. Harley Davidson (HOG-NYSE). That's right, the old perennial God of all things rebellious, now offers financing...along with repo services for you true bikers.
Look around HD's on everything from bikes, to clothes to bedspreads and horseshoes; they even have purses.
HD's done an excellent job of persuaded millions of people that they should ride Harley bikes because they, the consumer, can't be bought.
Gone are the days of HD and the greasy, dirty bikers that rode piecemeal bikes to hell and back. Now it's all business and shareholder content. There's something inherently wrong with our society when you can finance rebellion on a monthly payment plan.
Look around HD's on everything from bikes, to clothes to bedspreads and horseshoes; they even have purses.
HD's done an excellent job of persuaded millions of people that they should ride Harley bikes because they, the consumer, can't be bought.
Gone are the days of HD and the greasy, dirty bikers that rode piecemeal bikes to hell and back. Now it's all business and shareholder content. There's something inherently wrong with our society when you can finance rebellion on a monthly payment plan.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Crocker Motorcycles
Hand build in small quantities by a former Indian dealer, Albert Crocker. Some say this was the first "factory custom" motorcycle.
http://www.crockermotorcycleco.com/
Monday, April 27, 2009
If You're Not First....You're Last!!
Carl Edwards pays tribute to Ricky Bobby in the most uncanny of ways. Edwards' reaction to his car barrel-roll down the front stretch and into the catch-fence while leading the race on the last lap was more pointed.
"That's the way it is. We do our best. We're put in this box by NASCAR and we have to race this way. If you look at how the final four cars were finishing, you had to be pushing the guy in front of you."
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was pushing Ryan Newman and Brad Keselowski was pushing Edwards. Coming to the finish, Keselowski wanted to get around Edwards.
Edwards edged up to block Keselowski and Keselowski headed back to the yellow line. And as Edwards tried to slide back down in front of him, Edwards' No. 99 Ford got turned and airborne.
"NASCAR can talk about aggressive driving zones all they want, but you aren't going to win a race unless you are pushing a guy all the way around the race track...so, you end up having to wreck people or having to get second and none of us want to do that." Edwards said.
Edwards' car came to a rest just before the start/finish line and before getting in the ambulance Edwards went the few feet to the finish in a symbolic gesture. "I didn't know if it mattered if I went across the finish line, but I just wanted to finish the race," he said.
Magic Man & El Diablo would be proud.
Source: http://www.thatsracin.com/
"That's the way it is. We do our best. We're put in this box by NASCAR and we have to race this way. If you look at how the final four cars were finishing, you had to be pushing the guy in front of you."
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was pushing Ryan Newman and Brad Keselowski was pushing Edwards. Coming to the finish, Keselowski wanted to get around Edwards.
Edwards edged up to block Keselowski and Keselowski headed back to the yellow line. And as Edwards tried to slide back down in front of him, Edwards' No. 99 Ford got turned and airborne.
"NASCAR can talk about aggressive driving zones all they want, but you aren't going to win a race unless you are pushing a guy all the way around the race track...so, you end up having to wreck people or having to get second and none of us want to do that." Edwards said.
Edwards' car came to a rest just before the start/finish line and before getting in the ambulance Edwards went the few feet to the finish in a symbolic gesture. "I didn't know if it mattered if I went across the finish line, but I just wanted to finish the race," he said.
Magic Man & El Diablo would be proud.
Source: http://www.thatsracin.com/
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Ale-8-One: Flat Ginger Ale or Nectar of The Gods
I came across Ale-8-One by fluke one winter when I was sunning my ass in Florida. I met a couple from Kentucky (Winchester, Kentucky to be exact...population: me, you & your rifle) they use this stuff for everything, from mix drinks to salsa.
On the way back home, instead of the usual overnight stay in Charleston, I veered way off course and met up with the Kentuckians, way out in the wild somewhere. They kept going on about this soda-pop I had to try before I left; so I packed up the truck and drove back into town and picked me up some Ale-8-One.
Known colloquially as Ale-8, it's a regional ginger-flavored soft drink, distributed only in Kentucky and portions of neighboring U.S. states Indiana and Ohio. It's a family-owned enterprise in the small town of Winchester. Still a closely guarded family secret, the Ale-8-One formula was developed by G.L. Wainscott in the 1920’s after experimentation with ginger-blended recipes he acquired during extensive travels in Northern Europe. He sponsored one of America’s first “name the product” contests, and “A Late One” was the winning entry. The drink’s logo, Ale-8-One, was adopted as a pun of its description as the latest thing in soft drinks.
Ale-8 could be described as a ginger ale, but with more caffeine, a fruitier flavor, less carbonation, and about 1/4 fewer calories than conventional soda. You ask me or Leroy, it tastes like flat Canada Dry ginger ale.
On the way back home, instead of the usual overnight stay in Charleston, I veered way off course and met up with the Kentuckians, way out in the wild somewhere. They kept going on about this soda-pop I had to try before I left; so I packed up the truck and drove back into town and picked me up some Ale-8-One.
Known colloquially as Ale-8, it's a regional ginger-flavored soft drink, distributed only in Kentucky and portions of neighboring U.S. states Indiana and Ohio. It's a family-owned enterprise in the small town of Winchester. Still a closely guarded family secret, the Ale-8-One formula was developed by G.L. Wainscott in the 1920’s after experimentation with ginger-blended recipes he acquired during extensive travels in Northern Europe. He sponsored one of America’s first “name the product” contests, and “A Late One” was the winning entry. The drink’s logo, Ale-8-One, was adopted as a pun of its description as the latest thing in soft drinks.
Ale-8 could be described as a ginger ale, but with more caffeine, a fruitier flavor, less carbonation, and about 1/4 fewer calories than conventional soda. You ask me or Leroy, it tastes like flat Canada Dry ginger ale.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Inglorious Basterds ... A Basterd's Work Is Never Done
Inglorious Basterds is an upcoming ensemble war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Despite it being a war film, the movie will be a "spaghetti-western but with World War II iconography". In addition to spaghetti-westerns, the film also pays homage to the WWII "macaroni-combat" sub-genre (itself influenced by spaghetti-westerns) as well as films by Jean-Luc Godard.
The title (and partial premise) of the upcoming film is inspired by Italian director Enzo Castellari's 1978 movie Quel Maledetto Treno Blindato (literally translated as That damned armored train and released as Inglorious Bastards in the USA).
The original plot was set in Europe during World War II, a group of American soldiers are in the process of being shipped off to military prison for a variety of infractions, ranging from desertion to murder. While they're being transported, a German air attack hits the convoy, killing most of the MPs and enabling five of the prisoners to escape.
The group decides their best bet is to head to neutral Switzerland, where they can avoid the fighting and prison. As they make their way to what they think will be freedom, they end up volunteering for a commando mission to steal the new prototype gyroscope for the Nazi V2 with help of the French Underground. Somehow the team must sneak onto the most heavily guarded train in German territory, steal the Nazis' most precious military hardware, and bring it back to the Allies without getting arrested again by their own side.
Tarantino's version follows Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent) who witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa. Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema.
Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of retribution. Known to their enemy as "The Basterds," Raine's squad eventually joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich. Fates converge under a cinema marquee, where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own.
The Roman Temple of Evora, Portugal
The Roman Temple of Évora (also referred to as the Templo de Diana, after Diana, ancient Roman goddess of the moon, the hunt, and chastity) is located in the city of Evora, in Portugal. The temple is part of the historical centre of the city, classified a World heritage Site by UNESCO. It is one of the most famous landmarks of Évora and a symbol of Roman presence in Portuguese territory.
Although the Roman temple of Évora is often called Temple of Diana, any association with the Roman goddess of hunt stems not from archaeology but from a legend created in the 17th century by a Portuguese priest. In reality, the temple was probably built in honour of Emperor Augustus, who was venerated as a god during and after his rule. The temple was built in the 1st century AD in the main public square of Évora - then called Liberatias Iulia – and modified in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Évora was invaded by Germanic peoples in the 5th century, and at this time the temple was destroyed. Nowadays its ruins are the only built vestiges of the Roman forum, in an open square fronted by the cathedral and the bishop's palace.
The ruins of the temple were incorporated into a tower of Evora Castle during the Middle Ages. The base, columns and architraves of the temple were kept embedded in the walls of the medieval building; the temple-turned-tower was used as a butcher shop from the 14th century until 1836. This new use of the temple structure helped preserve its remains from further destruction. Finally, after 1871, the medieval additions were removed. Restoration work was directed by Italian architect Giuseppe Cinatti.
The Évora temple still has its complete base (the podium), made of both regular and irregular granite stone blocks. The portico of the temple, now missing, was originally hexastyle, six columns across. A total of fourteen granite columns are still standing on the north side of the base; many of the columns still have their Corinthian-style capitals sustaining the architrave. The capitals and the bases of the columns are made of marble from nearby Estremoz, while the columns and architrave are made of granite. Recent excavations indicate that the temple was surrounded by a water basin.
Although the Roman temple of Évora is often called Temple of Diana, any association with the Roman goddess of hunt stems not from archaeology but from a legend created in the 17th century by a Portuguese priest. In reality, the temple was probably built in honour of Emperor Augustus, who was venerated as a god during and after his rule. The temple was built in the 1st century AD in the main public square of Évora - then called Liberatias Iulia – and modified in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Évora was invaded by Germanic peoples in the 5th century, and at this time the temple was destroyed. Nowadays its ruins are the only built vestiges of the Roman forum, in an open square fronted by the cathedral and the bishop's palace.
The ruins of the temple were incorporated into a tower of Evora Castle during the Middle Ages. The base, columns and architraves of the temple were kept embedded in the walls of the medieval building; the temple-turned-tower was used as a butcher shop from the 14th century until 1836. This new use of the temple structure helped preserve its remains from further destruction. Finally, after 1871, the medieval additions were removed. Restoration work was directed by Italian architect Giuseppe Cinatti.
The Évora temple still has its complete base (the podium), made of both regular and irregular granite stone blocks. The portico of the temple, now missing, was originally hexastyle, six columns across. A total of fourteen granite columns are still standing on the north side of the base; many of the columns still have their Corinthian-style capitals sustaining the architrave. The capitals and the bases of the columns are made of marble from nearby Estremoz, while the columns and architrave are made of granite. Recent excavations indicate that the temple was surrounded by a water basin.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
The Four Horsemen
What do you get when you combine a convicted felon (Frank C. Starr, vocals), a KISS freak with a genius level I.Q. (Ben Pape, bass), an eccentric runaway from the D.C. hardcore scene (Dave Lizmi, guitar), a British ex-Pat (Haggis, rhythm guitar) & an orderly from a Canadian mental institute (Ken “Dimwit” Montgomery, drums)…
After hearing The Four Horsmen you’d think they were straight out of the 70’s hard rock movement, but the band was actual formed in the late ‘80’s in L.A. Starr lucked into the gig after Rick Rubin noticed him whooping someone's ass in the parking lot of the Rainbow Bar & Grill. Friends referred to Starr as "a career criminal, a mechanic, and a part-time spandexed hairband warbler." The bands style was blues influenced heavy rock and their fame was both fleeting and full of tragedy, more then any band deserves.
The first tragedy would occur when Dimwit passed away from a drug overdose on September 27, 1994 after the band had reformed. Starr and Lizmi decided to dedicate the album to their deceased friend and were joined by Chuck Biscuits (Dimwits brother and drummer of Danzig). However, in November 1995 before mastering of the album was complete the band suffered another tragedy when a drunk driver hit Starr while riding his motorcycle down Sunset Strip. He was sent flying, suffering massive head trauma and fell in a coma. Unfortunately Starr never recovered and after spending over 3 years in a coma , he passed away on June 18, 1999.
After hearing The Four Horsmen you’d think they were straight out of the 70’s hard rock movement, but the band was actual formed in the late ‘80’s in L.A. Starr lucked into the gig after Rick Rubin noticed him whooping someone's ass in the parking lot of the Rainbow Bar & Grill. Friends referred to Starr as "a career criminal, a mechanic, and a part-time spandexed hairband warbler." The bands style was blues influenced heavy rock and their fame was both fleeting and full of tragedy, more then any band deserves.
The first tragedy would occur when Dimwit passed away from a drug overdose on September 27, 1994 after the band had reformed. Starr and Lizmi decided to dedicate the album to their deceased friend and were joined by Chuck Biscuits (Dimwits brother and drummer of Danzig). However, in November 1995 before mastering of the album was complete the band suffered another tragedy when a drunk driver hit Starr while riding his motorcycle down Sunset Strip. He was sent flying, suffering massive head trauma and fell in a coma. Unfortunately Starr never recovered and after spending over 3 years in a coma , he passed away on June 18, 1999.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Black Oak Arkansas...a rogue bunch of thieving hillbillies known for stealing equipment and wearing women clothes, but they were huge in the 70's !
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd perform Saturday Night Special live at knebworrth fair 1976
Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced /ˌlĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd/, IPA: lɛnɜːd skʰɪnɜːd) is an American Southern rock band. The band became prominent in the Southern United States in 1973, and rose to worldwide recognition before several members, including lead vocalist and primary songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, died in an airplane crash in 1977. The band reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with Ronnie's younger brother, Johnny Van Zant as the frontman, and continues to record music today. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006.
Working For MCA knebworrth fair 1976
The Allman Brothers Band
Greg Allman performs in this amateur video an acoustic medley backstage at a 1982 concert
The Allman Brothers Band is a Southern rock band based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman (slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, organ). While the band has been called the "principal architects of Southern rock"[1], they also incorporate elements of blues-rock and hard rock, and their live shows have jam band-style improvisation and instrumental songs.
ZZ Top - Tush
Monday, March 23, 2009
Fear & Loathing in Costa Rica
4:30am is an ungodly hour even for a loud howler monkey, expect when you're in La Fortuna. Even in a groggy state, I take a quick inventory of my surrounding and produce a handful of stones large enough to make a monkey think twice about returning the next morning.
So I do the only thing I can do, throw a stone at the beast in hopes that it'll either leave or succumb to whatever injures I may inflict with my haphazard throws. Fortunately for the monkey, my one armed assault barely made it past the treeline. I swear the monkey was laughing the whole time.
Regardless, the morning air is crisp and the smell of volcanic ash is just barely noticeable, but strong enough to make you want a cup of coffee. The pots on the back terrace, so I mosey on over and brew myself a cup to start the morning.
The pot will take a while, so i grab my camera and snap a shot of the morning sun cracking over the horizon. Barely a cloud in the sky and no one else around, expect for the monkey grinning in the distant trees. Arenal's mouth is visible in the morning sky, a treat considering the humidity usually keeps the top shrouded in a veil of cloud cover. Considering the fact I can hear hot magma rumbling inside Arenal, I feel an odd sense of peace and relaxation. However I have no fear, as my cabin is constructed of the finest three-quarter inch wood Costa Rican money can buy.
That and the fact my truck is facing downhill and if need be I can make short work of whatever separates me from the nearest road. Luckily my off-roading skills won't be needed today.
After my morning coffee and a taste of tobaco-puro, I take a shower and head over to Mirador for some breakfast, which consists of the traditional gallo pinto, fried plantains, scrambled eggs and some fruit. Don't get me wrong, the Mirador offers a great selection of food, however when prepping for an afternoon full of sun, cigars & frescos the last thing I need is an injection of a high fat western-style breakfast.
Afterwards I take the truck into town to stock up on fruit and water for the rest of the day. Arenal looks all to surreal in the early morning. The cloud cover has moved in to cloak the mouth of the might giant; yet Fortuna is eerily calm in the shadow of Arenal. The town's comprised of only a few streets which lead to the park in the town square. W alking around town square, there's a motley assortment of backpackers, local merchants, children in school uniforms and a bunch of guys that look like extras from a Larry Bishop movie.
Nevertheless it's a nice place to call home for a few days until I make my way to Jaco beach on the Pacific coast.
So I do the only thing I can do, throw a stone at the beast in hopes that it'll either leave or succumb to whatever injures I may inflict with my haphazard throws. Fortunately for the monkey, my one armed assault barely made it past the treeline. I swear the monkey was laughing the whole time.Regardless, the morning air is crisp and the smell of volcanic ash is just barely noticeable, but strong enough to make you want a cup of coffee. The pots on the back terrace, so I mosey on over and brew myself a cup to start the morning.
The pot will take a while, so i grab my camera and snap a shot of the morning sun cracking over the horizon. Barely a cloud in the sky and no one else around, expect for the monkey grinning in the distant trees. Arenal's mouth is visible in the morning sky, a treat considering the humidity usually keeps the top shrouded in a veil of cloud cover. Considering the fact I can hear hot magma rumbling inside Arenal, I feel an odd sense of peace and relaxation. However I have no fear, as my cabin is constructed of the finest three-quarter inch wood Costa Rican money can buy.
That and the fact my truck is facing downhill and if need be I can make short work of whatever separates me from the nearest road. Luckily my off-roading skills won't be needed today.After my morning coffee and a taste of tobaco-puro, I take a shower and head over to Mirador for some breakfast, which consists of the traditional gallo pinto, fried plantains, scrambled eggs and some fruit. Don't get me wrong, the Mirador offers a great selection of food, however when prepping for an afternoon full of sun, cigars & frescos the last thing I need is an injection of a high fat western-style breakfast.
Afterwards I take the truck into town to stock up on fruit and water for the rest of the day. Arenal looks all to surreal in the early morning. The cloud cover has moved in to cloak the mouth of the might giant; yet Fortuna is eerily calm in the shadow of Arenal. The town's comprised of only a few streets which lead to the park in the town square. W alking around town square, there's a motley assortment of backpackers, local merchants, children in school uniforms and a bunch of guys that look like extras from a Larry Bishop movie.Nevertheless it's a nice place to call home for a few days until I make my way to Jaco beach on the Pacific coast.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Costa Rica & the Arenal volcano region
The Arenal Volcano, in Spanish Volcán Arenal, is an active stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica (10.5N, 84.7W), it's approx. a 3 hours drive north-west from San Jose, in the province of Alajuela, canton of San Carlos, and district of La Fortuna. It's the most active volcano in Costa Rica. Recognized as a volcano since the 19th century; it was known by foreign investigators as Volcan Costa Rica, Rio Frio, Canastos Volcano and Cerro de los Guatusos. Arenal is the youngest and most active of all the mountains in Costa Rica. Scientists have been able to date it back to more than 4000 years ago. The area remained largely unexplored until 1937, when a documented expedition took place to reach the summit.
Once locally known as Cerro Arenal (i.e. Mount Arenal) it was presumed extinct until July 29, 1968 when an earthquake caused it to erupt after approximately 400 years of dormancy. The eruption wiped out the town of Arenal and killed 87 people. It lasted for several days, and during that time destroyed crops, property, livestock, and forests. 15 square kilometers were buried and the explosion affected over 232 square kilometers. The eruption caused three new and active craters to form.
Before the eruption, there was a wide variety of plant and wildlife on the mountain. It has been active since the explosion and can be reported to have minor eruptions every 5-10 minutes. All of this has not detracted Arenal rises 1657 metres above sea level and overlooks Lake Arenal; both are part of Arenal Volcano National Park. The country's most active volcano, Arenal's eruptions are strombolian in type, being frequent but moderate and can be viewed without danger as long as the viewers are behind the safety perimeter. This constant activity and minimal endangerment makes Arenal a popular tourist destination, especially at night, because the lava and incandescent rocks make a spectacular sight. The last major eruption of Arenal occurred on August 23, 2000. There's a variety of accommodations in La Fortuna & Arenal to suit every taste, from el cheapo hostels to your standard fair. I'd recommend Lomas del Volcan. The hotel sits at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano, just 4 km from La Fortuna.
It's a great spot just off the main road; you'll have to cross a stream to get to the hotel and cabins, but it's well worth the drive in to the hills.includes two terraces, from which you can enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano. The cabins include one king size bed and one queen or two queen size beds, ceiling fans, AC, refrigerator, coffee maker, telephone (international call service available), hot water, security boxes and laundry service. The back terrace of each cabin has a front-row seat to view the volcano. Most of the time, the volcano is surrounded by clouds near the tip, and it is touted as good luck to see the whole volcano without clouds. The volcano heats several hot springs nearby, including Tabacon, a popular tourist destination.You can grab yourself a freshly rolled cigar in the lobby of the Tabacon hot springs.
I don't condone smoking, but after tasting a freshly rolled cigar, I can tell you it tastes like you're smoking cinnamon chocolate candy. That's right kids, cigars taste like candy!! The hot springs are located west of La Fortuna on route 142.
Tom Jones...The Grandaddy of Cool.
Tell your momma; somewhere in a dark hotel room, Tom Jones is singing and thinking about her.
Tom Jones - If He Should Ever Leave You - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
After each take, the manager erupts: “That was great! Wonderful! Did ya see that? Ya can’t get better than that!”
Tom Jones - If He Should Ever Leave You - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
After each take, the manager erupts: “That was great! Wonderful! Did ya see that? Ya can’t get better than that!”
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