Saturday, June 15th

With little planning and high expectations, I’m picking up the bus on Treasure Island and heading into the north central portion of California.

From 1970 to 1973, I attended Lassen College, a 2-year Forestry, Liberal Arts and Gunsmithing college in Susanville. You math majors may have caught the disparity but it took me this long to get both the AA degree and all the personal exploration I needed to do. Actually, if it were for not being inducted in the military for overstaying at a 2-year college, I might still be there!

During this time, I met some genuinely wonderful people. And, given the state of the world in the late ’60’s and early 70’s, escaping to a town of 4,000 was a welcome change from Los Angeles. Seems quite a few similarly minded individuals made their way to Susanville and Westwood (population about 1,200) from all over the country.

Over the next few days, I’m trying to connect with two peeps from the past, but have only reconnected with one so far. Rob Lee was a fellow I met early on in 1970 and we’ve stayed somewhat in touch – the last time was 10 years ago or so. I reached him on Friday and asked if I could come over and play on Saturday afternoon! He was so surprised and accepted.

But first, STEPH!

So this journey begins Saturday, June 15th. I pick up the bus on Treasure Island and head for a brunch with Steph!

Food and company were excellent at Nido’s in Oakland. Mexican restaurant that’s been around since the 80’s and really delicious.

Steph is so dang cute in her miniature automobile!

Jared was coaching a game or practice or getting ready for his summer baseball camp he and Steph run, so it was just Steph and me for brunch.

Thanks again Steph and Jared for covering my bus in the bay – and Jared finding a baseball was so excellent and must be a sign of something!

Rob Lee

I met Rob in 1970 at the old Lassen College. The new campus was opening later in the year so classes were in part of the high school.

Being a New Yorker, Rob tried college first at St Lawrence University, but was having too much fun too early and ultimately found his way to Susanville. He was working toward a Forestry major and ultimately graduated from UC Davis with his degree in Landscape Design.

I was immediately drawn to Rob’s infectious smile and outgoing nature. Always felt we had many common beliefs. Now, sitting with him and seeing the parallels over the past 45 years, we had lots of catching up to do.

After school and some travels, Rob and his wife, Dawn, returned to Westwood to raise a family and start a business. He, with Bill Adams, started a landscape design / build business and after 30 or so years, he and Bill retired.

This has allowed Rob and Dawn to return to Placerville, where Rob’s parents had purchased a ranch in the early 70’s. The ranch is outside of Placerville and this area was the epicenter for the Gold Rush. They even have two abandoned mines on the property. Lots of really cool history here. The main house is now occupied by their daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby and Rob has built an off the grid home for he and Dawn.

Talking constantly for 4 hours and we figured we needed some dinner. I offered to take Rob into Placerville for dinner, but he had a better idea…The El Dorado County Fair. Dandy time – great people watching and we got to catch a set of a CCR cover band.

Here’s where the laughter stops

It’s almost midnight when we made our way back to the ranch. Just as we hit the gravel road, a truck suddenly pulls out and we immediately see a dog chasing the vehicle. Problem is, the animal went wide and right into our path – we hit the poor thing straight on and could hear it thumping underneath. It was Rob’s daughters dog – fuck!!!

We got out and were able to get Coop from under the car. He hardly made a peep as we got him in the car and back to the house. Felt his legs, body, head – again no peep from him, only panting. Got him in a kennel and looked for the nearest open vet. It would have been over 50 miles and Coop wasn’t showing signs of pain so Rob kept an eye on him and would take him in around 7AM.

In the morning, Coop was still doing OK, so it was time to head to a vet. We said goodbye and I began my push north to Susanville. Rob said he’d keep me posted.

Update on Coop – he has a dislocated hip, which the doctor reset and hopes that holds or surgery might be needed. No internal injuries. That is one tough young pup. By the way, he’s a Pit, which might explain a few things.

Heading over the Donner Pass and up the Feather River Canyon to camp on Lake Almanor. I took a winter semester off college to read Lord of the Rings at a home on this lake that was rented by Bill Adams and Bill Green. I’ve never been known to be a fast reader.

More later – this is starting out to be a great trip, except of course, poor Coop.