Newman's Own Dressing

His charity policy has always been stated right on the top label.

California Native American Day: More Photos

These dancers were from the Lake county band of Pomo, visiting to perform at the Sherwood Valley Rancheria ceremonial grounds.








Frybread is made from a wheat flour dough, and is a common staple found widely at American Indian events. It has a thick but puffy texture, and is fried in oil. If you can imagine something halfway between some Asian Indian flat breads, and a Mexican flour tortilla, this might be it. I first tried it at a roadside restaurant on a Navajo reservation in Arizona. The woman on the left, below, is holding some fried seaweed, gathered from the Pacific Ocean shore.







I didn't hear where this second group of Pomo dancers came from.

California Native American Day

First of all, I know this wasn't the best vantage point to capture the dancing. If I had moved to the other side I would have been shooting into the sun. All the spectators were back under the shade, and I stepped out into the open field and didn't want to intrude too closely. You know, neurotic visitor from another culture. I am shy. I also apologize that the dance had already started by the time I got my video setting to go. And just our luck, most of the dances up until this one went mostly in circles around the firepit, but this one faced away from the musicians until the end. So this is what I got. Sorry about my feet at the end. I'm not entirely in control of my equipment yet.

Now for the information you really want. This group of dancers was from the Lake Pomo, over near Clear Lake in Lake county, California. This event was held Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Sherwood Pomo Rancheria, on the western edge of Little Lake Valley and Willits, and was part of an annually held day of celebrations of Native traditions. Many similar events were held over the weekend at schools, rancherias and reservations all over the state. For more information about the Pomo people, see the Wikipedia article.

Roots of Motive Power Steam Up #4: Steam Roller

It can move at quite a clip, and is surprisingly quiet compared to gas powered engines.

Harvest Festival: Dinner

Roots of Motive Power Steam Up #2: Ranch Car

The top image is inside a steam locomotive cab, while the other two show a forward and back view inside a Northwestern Pacific caboose, as it is made ready to carry passengers around the Roots loop track throughout the day.

Some Close, Some Distant: Half a Year Done

I wish you could smell it. This was out at a ranch in Little Lake Valley, where the owners were gracious enough to let me explore.

Miracle Mile #5: Gribaldo's

Annual Roots of Motive Power Steam-Up Weekend