Closer to Home - Pauma

Picture postcard? - Nope, our own.

 Many times in our travels we meet people who have interesting hobbies and sometimes J and L’s own hobbies introduce us to interesting people as well. Case in point – with Tombstone Legends, the western theatrical group to which we belong, we met and became friends with David and Pilar. They are a great and lively couple who seem to have way too much to do on a day to day basis but they do it all with smiles and laughter.

One of David’s hobbies, if that’s the right word, is being a member of a local Southern California band by the name of Soul Gravity – singer and bass player while Pilar is one of the Gravity Girls. A nickname gladly owned by the svelte young woman who loves nothing more than to get on the dance floor with the other wives, those other Gravity Girls, and move to the groove created by the very talented band members of this band.

Soul Gravity getting ready to Groove.

 We were invited to Casino Pauma for a concert on a recent Saturday and off we went in the early morning with the idea of taking in the beautiful sights of Pauma Valley, where the casino was located. Rolling hills of green vegetation, thousands of acres of varied citrus, and just plain unspoiled lands were a joy to view as we drove south on Highway 215 and then southeast on Highway 79 just outside of Temecula. 

 Pauma Valley is home to the Luiseno Band of Pauma-Yuima Indian Tribe and the reservation was established in 1893.  Over 6,000 acres in Northern San Diego, eastern Orange, and southern Riverside Counties make up this homeland for a relatively small population compared to the other five Luiseno tribes spread out over mid-Southern California. A rich history and beautiful surroundings makes this area of the Southwest a must visit for any explorer.

Pauma Valley looking northeast

 Sadly, the truth was this was the first time for either J or L to visit this lovely area despite its close proximity to our home, an easy one and a half hour drive south. But at least we made the trip and the experience was well worth it.

One of the pleasures of traveling is the journey as we sat and spoke about what we were viewing, what we expected to see at the next bend in the road, and wondering if we could stay awake until nearly one in the morning which would be the last set for the Soul Gravity Band.

To say the least, this exploring duo were not considered night owls by many who know us. We were determined though and very proud of our efforts later in the night when we were still gyrating on the dance floor at half past midnight. We did not turn into mice and our vehicle did not get a round pumpkin shape.

Soul Gravity in full swing.

Soul Gravity has had name and member changes in the past but with most of the current band members playing together for the past three years, it looks like it’s here to stay. All of the entourage have decades of playing various music as well as instruments and on the night we watched them perform it showed how truly professional this band was.

With an unbelievable repertoire of classic and contemporary rock hits, there was never a moment when the dance floor was without some soul (play on words there) moving to the beat. People swaying, and not from the booze, to the music led to a very enjoyable and sometimes perspiring evening. 

David handled the bass guitar like an expert and with the sounds coming from stage there would be no doubt he was.

Belt it out David - belt it out!

The Gravity Girls, spouses of the band members, were front and center dancing, laughing and just enjoying themselves watching their significant others up on stage entertaining what looked like a sold out show.

Pilar - resting and smiling

 L and J sat, listened, danced, laughed and spoke with the members of the band during intermissions and then too ‘grooved’ on the dance floor. A couple of dances were rather aerobic leaving John wondering if he were having a heart attack or simply out of shape. Laureen handled it with ease and joined the Gravity Girls while I took a breather between songs.

One o’clock struck and the night was done for the more than satisfied guests as we moved from the casino to the parking lots but the band had another hour of breaking down and stowing their mass of musical equipment.

This was the time it was good, real good, to be only a guest and not the ones the guests came to see.

 Soul Gravity Band

 (webpage)

Soul Gravity Band on Facebook 

Huaca Pucllana

I'll be your tour guide!

 One of the greatest things about traveling is to see what many have not seen. Duh! That makes sense doesn't it? But we have met and discussed traveling with a multitude of people who have spent ample time in an area and never seen what was under their nose or at least eye level.

Even Captains make bad decisions.

J had a friend who had been in the army and stationed in Germany for two years back in the nineties. The gentleman never ventured more than five miles from the base during those 730 days. To this day he regrets his decision not to explore the country and countries near him. The history he missed could never be gained from reading books. The lost chance of talking with locals will never be his to endeavor because unfortunately at this point in his life he can't afford international travel.

What a waste of a moment.

Sometimes travel is not in the finances for some but when the opportunity becomes reality then exploring you must go.

J and L have been to Lima three times and loved each trip. Exploring and researching before and after the trip always pulled up something we had missed and this last trip surely amplified that certainity.

In the heart of the largest city in Peru lays a wonderfully well preserved and restoration project that is a must for anyone venturing into South America.

This is just the beginning to unveil what is beneath.

 In the Miraflores district of central Lima there is a staggering arrangement of acres upon acres of adobe and clay structures including pyramids dating to the 3rd to the 8th centuries. This once proud center of ceremonial and administrative area for an ancient civilization - which we know through various records and accounts from conquering entities - lasted nearly 700 years. But it actually continued somewhat secretly after the Huari took over the area in the 8th century with the local people still going to the site and worshiping as they wished knowing that their discovery may cause their own imminent death. It got to the point that the top levels of the worshiping pyramids were scraped or broken down by the believers so the invading 'armies' wouldn't know they were there worshiping.

Model of a worker at the time period.

 Religious freedom was an unknown topic at this point in history but those with the desire to worship will always find a way. Destroy a temple or pyramid and pray within its rubble.

Rather clever really.

During the oncoming ages, places of worship were abandoned, areas of sacrifice forgotten , rites were mere myths, and the exact location of this or that were built over or ignored.

But the Peruvians are proud of their history - good or bad - and this large area in Miraflores has been under constant archeological preservation for decades. The history of these almost forgotten Peruvians are at the utmost of the reestablishment of this central area of knowledge.

J is very happy with this discovery.

Uncovering history.

As years go by more and more will be learned about not only the priests and the people who actually lived within the walls of  Huaca Pucllana but those of its citizens living nearby supplying the everyday needs of this large religious facility.

And isn't that the name of the game - if you believe, no matter what century you will support those you believe in?

No politics here - just a thought.

A beer and a wine can make a day so much nicer at the end just ask L and Paul.

A Stroke of Genius

Sometimes in marriages it takes one spouse to gently remind the other of a possible foible, to help set things right as it were. This time it was the lovely L of J and L, Laureen, who had to once again remind J, John, that we do not write simply a travel blog but rather a blog with a broader scope: one concerning research and exploration. John usually just tells inquisitive minds - "Yeah, we travel and write about those travels." He starts researching, then writing and thinking of how the words and photos need to fit onto the page while Laureen smiles and explains that the whole idea behind this blog is to share the concept of digging deeper into "What's in your backyard?" Research and then go out and explore where that research leads whether near to home or further out into the world. It doesn't really matter, just go!

John continues to smile away while speaking with our new-found friends of the evening while Laureen explains the nuts and bolts of what we do. While social media in all its various forms is done, and perhaps overdone  in our modern age, blogging is still a relatively opaque field for many. And,  it is good to have Laureen around in public when John opens his mouth - it's a synergy sort of thing.

Laureen - posing, again

So, with a wedding anniversary coming up J and L wondered what sort of thing would be truly unique - sipping champagne atop the Eiffel Tower? Walking the ruins of an ancient tomb in Rome? Perhaps even looking for pirate treasure in the Caribbean? But reality crashed in and with work schedules they started looking into local events which could be fun and emphasize togetherness (thus why people celebrate the day they were married).

Kudos to Laureen who found a small company out of the Inland Empire in Southern California called the Purple Easel.

A rose by another name

An extremely innovative practice of getting groups of strangers (of course, you can attend with loved ones or friends) for a few hours to teach the art of art. Yes, actually painting on canvas - that one stumbling block which gets in the way of most talented people - to put our work out there for others to see (and criticize perhaps). If to criticize is to bolster the artist's talent then bring it on, but if it is simply a tool to ridicule then leave the room.

At least, that is J's sentiment with as many writing critics he's had.

The artist at work

We spent a very enjoyable evening in Riverside, California at the El Torito Restaurant with our two instructors (artists extraordinaire), Ian (the guy in the front of the room giving stroke by brush struck  instructions to us palette neophytes), and Aarick who wandered the room giving hints here and there to the artists-in-training doing their best to create works resembling something you could call art. For many it was a struggle mixing the right shades from the variety of colors, but we looked good mixing and actually most of the new artists turned white canvases into something they could proudly show friends and family.

Dr. Beyer - deep in artistic concentration

It isn't easy painting background colors, trees, shadows trees, branches that don't look like lumps of color, and most challenging of all, the elk.  At one point, Laureen's baby elk, I believe the term is calf, appeared to be an alien hybrid animal. Art is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. Eventually though, with the assistance of our instructors, the animal began to take on more earthly proportions.

Writing is difficult enough, and I suppose that is why God created editors, but when placing colors onto canvas there is not much help from above. Unless it's people like Aarick or Ian standing behind you suggesting gently that your painting would look better if you concentrated on making the trees look like trees instead of telephone lines waiting for the utility crews to attach the overhead wires. Of course, they never said things like that but were only the most two encouraging fellas one could hope for when painting.

The fun begins

This was not paint by the numbers - nope. A blank canvas, an original painting at the head of the room, and directions (amply given) by the two artists. Every painting resembled the original to a degree but unique was an understatement amongst the forty people there on a Monday evening hoping to be the next Monet.

A proud moment

J was hoping not to get paint on his jeans while L was looking forward to the next attempt to be placed in the Louvre. Well, perhaps I overstate just a bit.

Bringing it home

And you have to love a company which advertises - Laugh, Drink (responsibly), paint and you will leave with your own unique and personally painted masterpiece.

Purple Easel offers painting events at their studio in Rancho Cucamonga or at various locations through-out Southern California and seems to be growing by the week according to KTLA and the Inland Empire Explorer.

Not sure we painted a couple of masterpieces but we're blogging about them, putting them on Facebook (L is since J can't even spell Facebook) and they are hanging in our home.

Our First Works of "Art"

That's what we refer to as masterpieces in our high desert locale!

For more information:

Purple Easel

Enriching Lives Through the Joy of Painting

11966 Jack Benny Dr. Unit 104 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 Phone: 909.638.1272
Reservations@PurpleEasel.corms & Conditions