Swiming with sharks in Ocean City with Brandywine

Shooting on location for Brandywine at their newest facility near
Fenwick Island

Visiting the Beer Can house near Harrisburg PA

Arrived back in Philadelphia

I finished off my road trip with a visit with my mom in Redondo Beach where we had a wonderful time! But I arrived back in Philadelphia and am back to the studio. What a trip. Sorry for the endless posts - what I learned was that a post a day or more is tooo much, and while on vacation! Thanks for putting up with me and I hope you did enjoy some of the video. If you missed it check it out in the archive section of this blog at http://www.peterlien.com

Peter and Eric visiting Warner Studios in Burbank on the former set of Friends.

Real Change

We had the chance to spend a few days with Rossette and Buffy in Seattle. They hosted us and made us feel real welcome.

I hadn't seen either of these folks in at least a year and it was like the conversation hadn't missed a beat.

Buffy is a healer and herb specialist and a consultant for health and wellness. Plus he is a generally lovable man who is easy to hang with, quick to a chuckle and has a palpable sense of the now. Plus he is rational- or so he reports.

Rossette is an academic, a leader and a truth seeker. Clear and sharp, whitty and sassy Rossette works at Real Change in Seattle.

Spiral Bound in Seattle

Seattle is many things but an architecture town it is not.The real exception to this is the Seattle Main public library building. You can read about how this building came about through a voter initiated ballot here .

Peter and I took ourselves on a bit of a tour and had a blast roaming though this hulk of a building. Take a look, there are literally hundreds of folks in the library in the middle of the week. Pretty cool.

I felt like we were in some early eighties planned lunar building - meant to practice life on the moon or mars. The building is great and each of the areas felt distinct and still easy to navigate generally.

Microcosm in Portland

Peter and I went to about a half dozen gardens on our trip. From formal gardens, back yard gardens, fee only gardens, random gardens, and the great garden of the forests....

The Portland Japanese Garden was a complete treat.

One enters at the bottom of a rather large hill, kind of an edge to a series of mountain tops. The initial approach felt like a real hike. Steep, full of switch backs and gave us and the other visitors a chance to quite our minds and get a bit breathless.

The gardens are on a deceptively small bit of land. Broken in to what seems like about 8 specific types of environments it was meticulously maintained and cared for. Worth mentioning as many Japanese Gardens lack the care the deserve.

Each section had a sort of wonder and the intended view was a compelling case and, at least in me, presented an almost immediate recognition of the landscape.

The actual garden, as place, was a something of a game, the plane was a bit confusing. So much so that we would find ourselves on a ledge looking at where we thought we had just come from only to look at a place we had no idea how to get to. Brilliant. It was an escape and felt like real wonder and joy. We explored and had a dreamy time wondering through these rather perfect Japanese Gardens.

>matty

Gorgeous Waterfall

You know how water makes things cooler? How the sound is calming? Sometimes in movies I'll see therapists switch on waterfall music.

Having now been to these gorges, I see how utterly absurd this all really is. A true water fall is inspiring, and truly, meaningfully awesome. Calming is not the word. The word is more like life affirming, breath inspiring and stunningly fantastic.
>matty

Mudeye in the mist!

OK, so I grew up in the world that Ithaca is GORGes was a not uncommon tee shirt and bumper sticker.


The Columbia River is a catagory of awe that is so monumental and tremedous... very end of the world and new world that it all at once felt like a fantasy movie and a cartoon of a never never land.



Of course this lasts as long as it takes to round the courner to find a pregnant woman climbing with her baby on her back or a disgruntalled teen in flip flops trailing behind her dad texting that one soon remembers that this is kind of like the Fairmont Park for Portland folks!

We did the 4 ish mile loop on trails with very extreme drops and the elevation that was at times a bit nausiating! I was freeking out a few times- sure that we would forever be lost, only to come upon a random child following her parents into the park... what ever, it was new. Peter's laughing at me helped though. He keeps it real.

On our desent from the falls, we worked a few cross backs with soft breezes form the river pushing up the hill and animating all of the lush vegitation, to the base and series of picnic benches for hikers.

As many of you know, I a blood sugar queen. I need almonds and eggs to make it through. Throw in some dried fruit and I can go like a robot. Deny me and I am a mess, a cry baby better left at the car.

So we roll over to an open table, I notice a lovely family and a woman with fantastic red hair- I recognized her. Strange right. I am not from here. We at once recognized each other. It was Carla Forte and Bruce Orr and their new baby Olympia!!!

We had a lovely reunion, trading tails of life in strange towns and generally remembering that we are great pals!

I had worked with Carla and Brude at Spiral Q and even performed at their wedding!



After a crazy swim in the gorge with dogs, and watermellon eating children we returned to Portland for an interview with Adam Kudy and our last meal in town before heading to Seattle for our last meal>>>>look for that post soon!

bikes, green city
festivals
fearies
food galore
reunions and new buddies all!!

Good bye Portland we have LOVED you!!


Written by: Matty

Shepperd's Dell

Arrived at Crown Point lookout on the Columbia River Gorge

Dolly and the missing Rose - Portland

Portland has been like a dream city. Sunny, friendly, killer meals and random reunions.

This , I have been told is part anomilly. See, Portlandiers have very specfic opinions of their town in the winter-

"it can kill you"
"everyday you are in a dark pain"
"drinking makes the whole damn thing easier".

So it's tough, no doubt. Still we made it to town on the perfect weekend. See the city is quite a bit like Philadelphia. It's a city of neighborhoods. We have been to most- Martini parties, dinners, and random street fairs all over.

I bought a fancy bamboo jacket on sale- SOFT>>>>>>

Gravy and Screen Door, were by far the greatest restaurant meals. With a great vibe, outdoor seating and a "stay if you wanna" vibe that made the whole dining experience well worth it. Funny how eating at a super place makes me feel that my general food enthusiasm might be better spent running a little soup and sandwich shop? Michale I I have talked about a pie store too. Well, I'll let you all know how that goes.



Seems that Portland is a place the folks go to get away and start over. Plenty of our conversations have been with great people leaving a mess behind. It's a city that one can re invent oneself and you can see it in the street culture, the clubs, the restaurants and the cafes.

Philly has more than a few things that we can learn from Portland and we should.

Peter, Bashi and I had a blast at the rose garden and made the silly video posted right above this text.

We're off the the Columbia Gorge and to hit some waterfalls and enjoy the warm sunny Portland summer day in the woods. Watch for that post and another about last nites meal... soon. Until then - Ciao!


Matty

Breitenbush Hot Springs

If we did anything "straight" on this road trip it was getting to these waters as fast as we could. After the raging heat of the northern California fires, the idea of a lush few days in healing waters and cool breezes sounded just about right.

The whole place is set up like the Methodist camps of the late 19th century. Neat rows of cabins, the main lodge house and a retreat center at the core and all around, trails. Lots of trails.

Peter and I took the chance on our first morning to make our way through a winding 3 hour hike. Listed as moderate, the altitude was the expert part. Peter seemed fine, but I felt the air- or rather the lake of it!

It was cool to see and feel the real micro climates that this land supports- the wetland, the grove, timber jungle- yea, I made that up, but it really is. The woods here feel like a jungle. Soring heights, mossy edges, orchids and mushrooms abound.

We took to the tubs and pretty much managed the main part of our trip soaking and steaming.

The North West Faerie community uses this place twice a year for gatherings and gatherettes. Its easy to see why. We left earlier than we had wanted due to another community coming and renting the whole place for them selves.

Part of what is so fantastic about this place is that it supports more than 100 folks, some 55 year long residents. They generate more than 80 percent of their own energy from the hydro power and compost and recycle tons of material.

The people we met we pretty diverse in experience and port of departure. Irish, Israeli, Californians,queers, artists, professionals, families with children and alternative types. All and all a very friendly bunch. It made for some sweet dinner conversation, too.

And the MEALS! This place can throw down on the meal plan! Three fierce meals, high in protein, veggie heavy and hearty 'ta boot. I was pleased :)

This is a real must see/ do if you find your way up NW.

Matty

101 degrees in the Shade!

We wandered to the very hot edges of the fires today. Joshua has been fighting them lately. The main flat area of town is an airstrip. The road into this place is about 19 miles and took 2 hours! It was at the edge of cliffs we were driving through these layers of smoke and hitting gravel edge all the time. Of course peter took ever opportunity to speed and brake suddenly- lovely

We wondered down the center and edges the heat was terrible.

Wet in the fire.... on the far edge of the flat area is a river, stream.. and then river again. It was a sweet relief from the heat

The wild flowers are everywhere. I remember years ago a great fearie elder talked about the greatest jungle being the desert.

True in so many ways.


>>>matty

Giants on the road to Hyampom

Sometimes the air here is like nothing I have experienced.... maybe Greece. It's clear, cool and strangely, uh, hmmm, it's actually kind of big. Yea, it's big air. Like it contains a huge gasp of anticipation and possibility. Like what is next is in the next inhale.

As we moved a bit inward to Hyampom, great grassy expanses opened and the edges of what s left of the redwoods gave us a wink on a small detour The Avenue of the Giants.

My first time through here and the smell is saturating. It surrounds you; it comes from everywhere and brings a quite stillness. We moved again through the woods into the vast grassy fields. Amber and hot, these fields had billowing smoke from the fires further inward. They seem to go forever and almost assembled. Like a great leggo map or something. Maybe its just having looked at these edits for so long I believe that everything that has a place can be moved. Oh wow was that my first moment of postmodern existentialism? (Here at least...)>>matty

wind, dolls, windows, sunsets, serious trees...smoke

Catching some of the images....

Russian Trade or "you eat using a table"

A short snack before our adventure on America's great Russian outpost- Fort Ross.

I love making picnics for road trips. Fresh fruit , cheese and what ever I can buy on a road stand or at a local farmers market. Clean it up, have some wine. Fantastic. Although truth be told, I do usually have at least something to drink out of. Do we look hot swigging this stuff?

Fort Ross and the Russian river area of the Coast was like kissing gravel on the road. This strip of Highway one was tight, fast and wildly fluctuating micro climates.

So many times during this and many other trips I've taken around the world, I've been grateful for my father. A super guy who taught me about self reliance and preparedness. He would have loved this part of the trip. The fort was a mostly reconstructed fort from when the Russians ruled this part of the continent. The museum was chock full of the usual history tips and factoids.

Sad for them.. and the native folks of course, that years after the Russians left the gold rush hit and well... the west was won, or destroyed or concurred....

Watch the short video for the final encounter with the national guide. I mean who am I to judge, but take a look at her and listen to the presentation- such as it was, and you tell me, what the heck what she up to??>>>matty

Meeting sister fawn d amen

So luxky to connect with a good queen via lady b!!

Eureka the sisters r everywhere !!!

Brain Freeze

The pacific coast is awesome. In the most real sense of the word. Huge, slamming, blue grey wind swept. It is really off the hook as an east coaster, I have become so accustomed to da'shore. This is not da'shore.

We pulled off the Highway One

Making our way down the rather raggy coast to the beach and tidal pools was far out. All along the way were surfers stoakly evaluating the surf and making the call for the day- to surf or not to surf. Cute and smart, that is until you get into the water. Let me just make this clear.... the water is not to be gone into. Under all circumstances you will die from complete death tsunami of arctic water.

I left small bits, even maybe my small pinky toe in that ocean. So much was I affected that I started my own blog called Brain Freeze. Look for that soon.

EMU-EMO

So this land, north of San Fran is a hot spot dears... in fact it is a hot and cold spot. Nearing 100 degrees in the day and close to 40 at nite , the desert is a fantastic physical experience.

Down dirt road and on a drirt path, this remarkably easy place to find was an oasis in a strange land. Peter and I were invited by Jombi and Wyn. Good buddies and buddies of buddies are always a fair bet for a holiday road trip!

The place was kind of ranch like, and filled with everything one would expect from the fea- crystals in windows, steavie nicks lace on the windows and pillows on the floor. We were embraced. Fun a deami the day or so we spent could not have been a better fist leg of the road part of this road trip.

The main event was, of course, the BBQ>>> filled with pork ribs, chicken and all sorts of grilled delights! Better still two gigantic berri pis, homemade of course. Even my BF MIchael would have eaten at the fearie potluck!!

Sweet folks, good fun dogs and a jumble of fun in my new friends Johnny and Ben!


Now>>> OFF TO THE COAST!!!!!

Magical Faerie BBQ in Sebastopol CA

Tree Lover!

A raw encounter with Jombi Supastar!

Walking through Berkeley

Eating Pizza at the Cheese Board Collective

.."we're all gonna die!!!"

I left my house in west philly at 3:45 am Philly time. Liberty cab was the only cab that will get me at that or really any time of the day in my neighborhood. Danielle was my driver. A cool , sixty something guy that was easy to talk with and in a great mood for before dawn.

He asked why I was going to SF-" they crazy with the gays gettin hitched..." "yea" I said."I guess, but really isn't a marriage kinda crazy?" I asked.... he gave a loud hoot and agreed we figured, hell if they gays wanna spend all there time with one fella, "go at it."

I love a cab ride.

At the airport I ran into Brett Shiel of the Peace School dropping , what I assume is a really good friend off at the airport. Not that we really talked, but come on, what kind of a super pal is that to drop you off at the gate at 4am??!!

Uneventful at the first leg to LAX was, my small commuter trip to Oakland was pretty much hell. The plane was meant for about six grown adult Americans, and they stuffed maybe fifty of us in, as well as.... yes, five children under five.

Now, I l've children, some of my closest friends are children. These little ones had a narrative going from the moment we hit the seat. "bless the" as a mother might say who says nice things and means less nice things.

After a rather depressing discussion with the young runaway next to me, we all settled into a short 45 minute flight.

As we made out approach to Oakland we hit a bit of choppy air and the plane feel quite. Something unconscious that we may have shared. Its familiar to those that fly... the more we are quite the safer we are. Just as the silence had found it self on the plane...a small shrill voice of one of our little companion travels belted out-

"we're all going to DIE!!"

Quick in hale and the plane feel out in to hysterics. I landed safely- all of us in one piece.

Bless the little ones and welcome to California, yea, we are all gonna die one day, but until then, road trip.

Livin Lush in Berkeley

Visiting with Jombi Supastar and Wyn in Berkeley this week waiting for Matty Hart to arrive tomorrow, allowed me to play in the gardens surrounding their house. Wyn, a talented garden designer was kind enough to take me on a tour. Check out this latest video from the series "On the Road with Peter and Matty"


Wyn's Home Garden tour from Peter Lien on Vimeo.

We are off! Another epic road trip begins.

I am always excited with the unknown of a new trip. Rushing to the airport only to wait for hours. Looking for a power plug and a comfortable seat all of which are hard to come by at Philadelphia International Airport. Should have brought a pillow to sit on as it seems all the power outlets are not near any seats. Was looking at the CAL FIRE website to see if our route would be impacted by the raging forest fires. It does not seem to be, but they are close and the situation could change on a dime!

Google: OES Interactive Fire Map for up to date info. See where Hyampom is in relation to the fires.