Driving back from Palm Springs we decided to take the scenic route via 101, but even more so by trying to stick close to the ocean on Highway 1/PCH through the Morro Bay/Vandenberg Air Force Base area. The clouds were out most of the way, but it was still kind of cool to see a part of the route between San Francisco and Los Angeles that I’ve never seen. We did stop for a bit at Stern’s Wharf in Santa Barbara, and we took some footage as we were leaving Palm Springs itself, before reaching “the 10.”
We had a good time enjoying the consistently 90-degree-plus weather for a long weekend. It was my first time flying into the PS airport. My good friend George, with the two schipperkes pictured below, let us borrow his car and I crashed at his lovely home one night while Shando was still at his work retreat. George, Shando, and I are pictured in a booth at Lulu’s Restaurant. Lucille Ball made an appearance in our album, too.
I certainly never saw these parts of Manhattan before and I regret that I didn’t get to explore it even more. My friends live nearby on Cabrini Blvd., so I usually stay with them there and should be able to check out the cloisters and such again in the future.
I have a long history with the Twin Towers going back to the late 1970’s when they were only a few years old. I have footage of them from my apartment window on Governor’s Island elsewhere on this site in color back then. I was there in NYC when the towers fell and interviewing for a job on the 76th floor of one of them a few weeks before September 11. I document that on this site in great detail as well. I happened to be at this event just as the last few windows were being put on the Freedom Tower and the museum was open for the survivors and first responders. A friend of mine actually got tickets for immediately after but it didn’t work out for my schedule. The thought of him suggesting that I go with him was very touching, though, as I don’t get back to NYC all that often these days.
Much has changed on Christopher Street since I moved away from NYC, but I still have a ton of nostalgia for this area which was so formative in my coming out process. I still feel a sense of strong envy for those who live in such a dynamic area and in the amazing buildings that will survive centuries more than they already have. Fortunately the streets were closed for a vendor fair when I waltzed down and took this video with my friend Steve.
Alex, Jesus and I (with the Yorkies) went to see Rose, Sara Rose, Erick and Kristal. I also got to see a few of my friends from years ago — Garrison Singer and Brian Holland.
