Carlson & His Bike

Carlson & Bike

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One mid-morning later in the Summer, Carlson showed up on his bike. I think he wanted a picture of himself taken.  This picture is the next frame after Zion.  It precedes pictures of me.  The diary entry of 20 September 86 complains about how i look, so the pictures were probably taken within the preceding week, possibly even on the 7th. 

Zion

Zion is one of the most beautiful places in the United States, in my opinion.  It is to the Grand Canyon what a delicate gothic chapel is to the massive St. Peters.  

I don't know what it is like today, but when Carlson and I backpacked there in 1987, there were no amenities at all once one ascended from the camp ground and park curio shoppe.  We had to tote (and conserve) our own water. Those were also pre-cell phone days. But being young such absences were of no concern.  

For two days there was nothing to do but enjoy our own company and the vast expanse of a silent nature that seemed primordially welcoming.  

That... and watch the little squirrel feasting on his pit. :)

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Zion

Petrified Sands (East Park)

East Temple Look-Out

Emerald Pools

The "Grotto"

Near Angels Landing

In July 1986, Carlson asked me if i would like to camping at Zion National Park.  We drove there in his newly purchased Nissan truck ... with A/C.   In those days, away from the reception area camper grounds, Zion was pure wilderness.  There was no A/C  and we had to pack our own water.  It is one of Earth's stupendous places.  

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Diary for 20 July 1986 says:  Went camping this weekend with Carlson...  On Sunday [13th] we drove to Zion National Park and spent the next two days [14th & 15th] hiking around before leaving on Wednesday [16th].

Doing Recruit

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Exp. Log for April 30 had: MCRD haircut.   Note, the pole work continuing in the background. 

These and the prior fotos were probably taken by Kenny Boultinghouse, a neighbour who lived in second floor of the tan apartment house depicted in the background.   

It is always possible that both sets of fotos were taken on the same day by way of "before and after." 

Crewman

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These fotos were probably taken in mid-April.  The developer envelope is labelled "Jan-Apr 86" and these negatives (19-21) are next to last in the roll.  

Exp.Log has:  "4/19  Burger Oceanside."   At that time, I most likely went to the Deluxe Barber Shop, which was the best place for short cuts.   The sign on the past in the background references "pole removal" which evidently was what the roadwork was about.  San Diego was in the process of putting cable and electric lines underground.   A resolution of the City Council dated April 21, 1986,  authorizes pole removal on First Avenue through August 1986.    But these pictures were certainly not taken in August.   I suspect work began around the  21st and the resolution was simply ratifying projects that had begun.    In any event,  April 21st is a good probable date. 

Le Moi

Cantinando en Baja

Sometime in March [º1] Ralph, a former coworker at the shop, and his girlfriend, Leslie, invited me to go booze and gorge at a "great place" they had heard of in Ensenada.   Steak n' Lobster places were popular in SoCal and Mexican restauranteurs were quick to meet the demand.   Ralph and Leslie were nice kids.  We had a fun time, but at the end of the day I returned home with the realization that there was too much of a gap between us in age, culture and orientation.

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º1  Oddly enough, there is no note of this trip.  I withdrew $100 on 3/17, 3/27 and 4/7.  Marguerite came down on the 17th for St. Patrick's Day (oh joy) and 4/7 was probably taken out for fleamarket and lunch with Dave.  Based on the length of my hair and the fact that I got a haircut in mid April, a late March date is probable.  In addition, Easter Sunday was on March 30.  I think Ralph was still working at Design Synthesis,  so Saturday he 29th end up being the most likely date.