Hot Creek

Overlooking Hot Creek - near Mammoth 

There is a spot in the middle of beautiful valleys brimming with life that is a must-see for anyone exploring Highway 395 in central California. Approximately twenty minutes south of Mammoth Lakes, a bubbling cauldron of steaming water draws visitors year round. This geological wonder is the home of Hot Creek – a hydro-thermal system of water which percolates from the bowels of the earth on a journey to reach the surface of the earth.

Inviting but don't take a chance - may be your last 

 According to the United States Geological Survey, this meandering trip through underground conduits takes up to a thousand years. With temperatures below the surface at over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it is a place of wonder, albeit with built in dangers. It is easy to understand the desire to stick one's toes in the colorful pools, but that is where death may lurk in the scalding depths of the aptly named Hot Creek..

Beautiful view from atop at the visitor's overlook

Over the past several years, fourteen people have died daring to venture into the pools according to Atlas Obscura. In fact, there are signs posted alerting visitors to the risks. In fact, as recently as 2006 the water in the pools started to geyser, sending temperatures soaring and adding additional risks of scarring or other bodily harm, should a person be struck by the droplets or accompanying steam vents. In June of that year, signage was posted for the entire area that no swimming was allowed. In February 2016, the pools and surrounding waterways were fenced off completely and an old wooden ‘viewing’ bridge was dismantled which had offered up close and personal views of the pools.

The creek actually begins a few miles away where it is known as Mammoth Creek in the eastern Sierras. The waterway then cuts and dodges around the land flows and into the Long Valley Caldera. There it is joined by warming geothermal waters near the Hot Creek State Fish Hatchery and finally turns into Hot Creek Gorge, where the afore-mentioned pools are located. Eventually the waters flow south, cooling along the way into the Owens River as it empties into Crowley Lake.

There are still many explorers who come to marvel at the beauty of the pools and still more fly-fishermen who enjoy the pastime of catching an elusive fish who not only survive the warm waters but seem to thrive. Miles of hiking trails offer fabulous views of the Sierras and Owens Valley making the expedition every so much more enjoyable. Of course, there is hunting and off-roading – making the area a virtual outdoor person's Heaven.

Hollywood in the yesteryear took notice and filmed such movies as ‘True Grit’ and "North to Alaska' starring John Wayne, as well as both ‘Nevada Smith’ starring Steve McQueen, and ‘Shoot Out’ starring Gregory Peck in this unique biome.


J and L had been invited to join a camping expedition on the Owns River by their friends Bill and Becky Daugherty, and they were glad they agreed. Three days of moderate weather and very chilly nights  – at dawn, the thermometer read a chilly 14 degrees. Yow! But the mid-September afternoons were pleasant and pushed the mercury near 70. Important note: when camping at over 7,000 feet, one must take into consideration how quickly the weather can change. That is ever so clear in the shadows of the Sierras.

The researchers excited about finding fish near the hot spots

Weather good or not – a great time was had and the research into the Hot Creek area as well as the personal exploration was perfectly satisfying. A simple three and half hour drive put J and L into some of the most gorgeous territory in California. Nearly in out backyard, as we often say....

And isn’t that what traveling is for?

Rockabilly Night

When J was asked if he would be interested in attending a 'Rockabilly' evening at Riley's Farms in Oak Glen, he just stared straight ahead.

"A rockabilly thingie? Hmmm, Okay."

In a past blog, J and L wrote about taking middle school students to Riley's Farms for a historical perspective on the Civil War. A great learning experience was had by all - both students, staff, and parental chaperones.

But now a 'Rockabilly' event?

No, it was not another school field trip but simply an event of great music from the 1950's performed by a very talented band, awesome food and dancing for hours by the patrons. J and L, along with two of their daughters (Erica and Jessica) and their husbands (Brandon and Justin) would be the total for this family field trip.

Laureen, Erica and Jessica ready to Rockabilly

A little research showed that the Rockabilly is one of the earliest forms of rock and roll in the United States. It started in the South with the mixed sounds of country and rhythm and blues - this is, of course, the beginning of all rock and roll. The mention of 'billy' comes from the combination of 'hillbilly' music which forms many of the unique sounds of this forties and fifties invention into the music world.

This is where the legends of Johnny Cash, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others were made. A fast paced and electrifying sound that is as much appreciated today as it was in it's infancy.

That was apparent as those who gathered for this Rockabilly event were all festooned in their time period getup's - girls in crinolined skirts and the guys with jeans with curled up pant legs. We had transported sixty years into the past for the evening and forget in which century we belonged for a few hours.

The family posing with their good friend Andrew

Erica and Brandon doing their Rockabilly thing

Rockabilly has its fans but most don't know the intensity it has with some musicians.

As Brian Setzer of 'Stray Cats' once said; "McCartney! Haven't met him and haven't played with him. I would love to. He needs to make a kick-ass rockabilly record."

This sound moves every inch of fiber in a person's body. "It's electrifying," as John Travolta exclaimed in the 1978 film 'Grease.' Now he might of been describing love but we like to think he was talking about the music of the time.

J and L enjoying a respite from the fast dances

J and L thought it would be fun for just the six of us - but we were wrong. In reality, J and L met up with two old friends, Andrew Lizotte and David Page, who had taken the short ride to Riley's Farms and the duo made many more friends on the dance floor.

The Rockabilly fans with their friend David

For a very reasonable expense the evening started at 6 p.m. and flowed into the hours nearing 10 p.m. After a very tasty dinner, featuring menu items named 'The Big Bopper,' the 'Elvis Special' and other delights, most of the guests were quite satisfied they had gotten their money's worth. Dancing to this  music is not for the faint of heart - actually, one could lose a heartbeat or two jumping and jiving like the crowd did on this particular night.

There was more than one end of a fast-paced song and dance that, yes, even youngsters in their twenties went huffing and puffing to find a chair being glad the band had struck the final note. People made their way back to the tables for a lung full of breath, a napkin to wipe the perspiration off the forehead, and perhaps a sip of a cool libation.

J dancing with daughter, Jessica - or at least trying to

Fitbits were screaming with results of steps. It was a night of continual movement and excitement.

The band, Craic House, seemed not to take a break and played on and on to the delight of the patrons.

This band was great! They had originally formed under the drummer, Danny Oberbeck, and have been around over fourteen years playing what they refer to as 'Shamrockabilly'. Their special type of sound has been performed at over 2,000 concerts and in the summer of 2017 they toured Europe.

The Craic Haus at Riley's Farms 

Craic Haus means 'Funhouse' not like a Crack House

As said, a good time was had by all.

There isn't much to say except when a chance comes to shake the dust off of one's feet - always take it. Blood pumping through the veins with raucous music and crazily moving feet can do more for a person than sitting on the sofa wondering why there are three hundred channels available but nothing to watch.

So, when exploring one's own backyard for things to do realize there is so much that there is not enough time in one's life.

And who knows? There may be a hot rod to pose by

Check newspapers, Facebook, etc to find events happening near you and go out find them. And if a dance or concert you are going to, don't worry how you look on the dance floor. There are plenty of others much worse on their feet.

Move, dance. smile, and be glad to be alive in the moment because it is only the moment's that make up the path of a full life.

The end of a perfect evening or perhaps the beginning of one

All photos were shot in black and white for effect by Justin Barr - https://www.justinbarrphotography.com/

Band - Craic Haus - https://www.craichaus.com/

Location - Riley's Farms - https://rileysfarm.com/

Sharks in Tombstone

Get out of the water - the Sharks are coming! Swim like your life depends on it!

Sorry, a past memory of the terrifying blockbuster film, 'Jaws.'

Take a deep breath - we're safe because a great white shark isn't jumping out of the water. These Sharks are probably one of the most energetic bands we've ever heard. They performed recently for the Doc Holliday's celebration in Tombstone and this band is a little different from most others: the lead vocalist is none other than the very talented actor, Dennis Quaid.

The Sharks in concert in Tombstone

Quaid in Soul Surfer

No reason to run from this unbelievably talented band, the 'Sharks', with their lead singer, Dennis Quaid. Yes, the famous actor of such films as"I Can Only Imagine,' 'The Right Stuff', 'Innerspace', 'Wyatt Earp', 'The Parent Trap', 'Soul Surfer', 'Far from Heaven,' and that is just a quick list of  what this superb and diverse actor has starred in.

Quaid as Doc Holliday, 1994 - "I'll be your Huckleberry."

Dennis Quaid is talented - okay, we got it but to be the lead in a band? Come on? Really!

It is a fact but also a reality is the 'Sharks' are a real band playing great music that have entertained thousands of fans over eighteen years and still going strong.

How did this happen though?

Well, after playing Jerry Lee Lewis in the 1989 biography film of 'Great Balls of Fire', Dennis Quaid made himself a name among musicians. He acted the part of the darkly handsome man who liked to snap back his head when singing while pounding the piano with his boots. Lewis wanted to play 'his' music and the rest of the world could just sit back and enjoy or tune out.

Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire!

Surprisingly, Dennis Quaid was intimidated when he actually met Jerry Lee Lewis, even though Dennis had a band called the Eclectics which performed in New Orleans and Southern California to positive reviews. He was a songwriter/singer/guitarist and enjoyed many a gig as a band.

Then again, you can't blame a young but up and coming star such as Quaid who was meeting a real life legend. Larger than life gods do intimidate mere humans sometimes.

His portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis worked to rave reviews and in 2000 after being a guest on the Harry Dean Stanton Band, he was approached by one of the band's members who wanted to start up their own band.

Dennis had taken a decade away from his musical dreams to work on acting but the thought of his love of the guitar and lyrics was never far from this man's head.

Dennis, of course agreed.

The 'Sharks' were born and they went on a feeding frenzy entertaining people in small and large venues.

This celebrity is the real thing when it comes to being a band member

Of course, after meeting Dennis in Tombstone on Saturday morning, we did wonder if this was just a 'celebrity' pretending to be in a band.

It has happened.

But J and L had 'VIP' tickets to the concert and were totally wrong about the earlier thought. This is a hard core rock and roll band with Dennis as the lead singer.

Seven hundred guests held tight as the night screamed into Tombstone with threatening monsoon thunder and lighting but not a drop of rain fell on the hour and a half concert. The band played non-stop and the fans danced and sang along.

Concert in full force - the excitement is now in full force

A great evening was had for all.

Though in retrospect, Dennis seemed to have as much fun as the rest of us - his energy level was surprising from a man who had signed autographs, posed for photographs, been a judge in the 'Doc Holliday' look alike contest and just being a gracious person.

He was fresh and singing like he had just woke up from a restful snooze.  The 'Sharks' were amazing. This was no celebrity band - this was and is a band to be reckoned with. Talent and nothing less.

Of course, the band was nothing but awesome - no wonder this group has been around for almost two decades. The bass player, the lead guitarist (sorry, Dennis) and the drummer work with a synergy most corporations would love to have and they all keep an eye on the lead singer. Dennis has a habit of sometimes leaving the stage while playing guitar and mixing with the crowd and a riff there may have to be substituted to keep in tune.


Below are photographs taken in Tombstone of the band - Jamie James, Tom Slik, Kent Strange and Tom Walsh - of course the above photographs are of Dennis Quaid.

Questioning, with a 'star' playing lead may be harrowing but it all worked and the thunderous applause of the audience proved it.

And the energy continued as our gracious host celebrated after his concert with a party at the Crystal Palace for 160 of his closest friends. The events left us awed by Mr. Quaid's talent and his quiet, humble, gracious manner. A night we won't soon forget...and if you have the opportunity to see these sharks, go. You will not be disappointed...and you may find yourself singing along with your new friends.

J and L with Dennis Quaid

A discussion about Dennis's upcoming film at the after concert party

What's wrong with my corset?

J telling Dennis his new character needs more dimension 

https://www.facebook.com/dennisquaidandthesharks

https://www.dennisquaidandthesharks.com/