Walk with me
I love cars, the eco part of my soul is likely to be headed straight to hell – in a fast gas guzzling vehicle. However, there are some times when wheels just don’t cut it and it’s better to wear off some shoe leather to get a real sense of place.
Out in Death Valley, I took a walk on a lost river bed. Deep, cracked patterns took off in all directions. The wind was fierce and the heat was astounding. Just after filming this clip a sand storm took up on the other side of the road. It was time to get back into the car. But for those minutes while I dehydrated at speed, I managed to touch the ground and get a lot closer to a long natural event.
Another example where I prefer to be out on my feet is probably in any given city. I tend to strike out in one direction, see something that takes my fancy and head off somewhere else. The good people of San Francisco seemed horrified at the distance I would make (“But that’s like, more than Seven Blocks toward Castro!”) But I took off through more sparsely populated areas – the mission – find Al’s comic book store and purchase Ignition City issues. It was not really that far away but it did take me to an art store with some nice chaps who confirmed the way I was headed, a book store which would have broken my bank account had I stayed due to all the lovely editions in there and finally to my destination.
That’s Al’s Comics and that’s Al. He’s really friendly. So far Al has been running his shop for more than 20 years. The radio plays good Uk and US punk and alternative music, he knows a hell of a lot about the funnies, not so funnies and decidedly adult papers. While I was browsing, an incredibly charismatic woman came in and gave him a huge bunch of roses. The rest of that is their business.
Not only did I get what I was looking for, I also picked up some nice local prints too. Check it out! Zombies vs Robots vs Amazons! I’m delighted by that combination and hope to catch up when the Mermen enter the battle!
From Al’s Comics I took my boots all the way back into town, all the way down Market to the ferry port and then along the way to Fisherman’s wharf in time for the last rocket boat ride of the day.
It’s a little bit schlocky, but kinda fun. I like fast boats in the same way I like fast cars. It’s also great to see the coastline from the water at a pace.
After all that exercise and frankly feeling a little bit crippled in the pins, I had a quick fish supper on the wharf and caught a cable car back toward the hotel.
I short walk to collect some coffee and I was back at the Bijou to jot some notes and upload some pictures. Nice change from riding shotgun, though even now I am aching from the route on foot!
JK – Who clearly needs more exercise.
