Took my breath away.
(Click to biggify)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
October Sky
I wasn't working on a press today, but managed to get to a potluck at church. Glanced out an open door and saw this gorgeousness. The Bible says the glory of the Lord is greater than we can imagine. Greater than this wonderful sunset. Wow.
Took my breath away.
(Click to biggify)
Took my breath away.
(Click to biggify)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
A Shelf In Need
I took this shot in February, and it's the last thing I photographed before misplacing my camera. Fortunately, I was in the mood to replace it anyway! I just found the camera, 8 months later. It'll go back in my purse for backup duty. You can see the main gear of my press (in back), the delivery board, and the metal cup which holds the feed board-- but not the feed board. When I had to place my 10x15 C&P very close to the wall, I also had to give up the use of its handy swing-out feed board. Press placement was not optional-- in a small space there isn't much choice. So I had to make myself a shelf to serve as feed board.
Not being much of a carpenter, I used a soft pine board I had on hand. I placed hinges so it can fold up against the wall when necessary-- the shelf supports you can see underneath it are not attached to the shelf itself. They only support it when it is down and in use. I'm happy to have a working feed board. The guide for the electrical cords keeps them well away from the main gear when the press is running. It's just a cheap light duty spring.
What other kind of pencil should be neatly arranged in its own little hole at Three Toad Press?
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Home from the Wayzegoose
Not as many photos to decorate our westward journey, and just a couple of stories. I was disappointed to learn that contrary to custom at the Wayzegoose, there was no informal APA picnic planned for Sunday. After saying goodbye to Rachel, Dave and I drove over to Old Threshers' to see if we could help in any way, but the guys had gotten up early and everything was done. We ended up heading on out.
We stopped at one interesting rest stop in Iowa, which I didn't think to photograph. It fascinated me to learn that Iowa rest stops all have wifi-- evidently for truckers, but what a great concept! This rest stop also had some really nice architecture, a beautiful childrens play area, and a native plant area. Makes most of our California rest stops look rather sad. It'll be interesting to see how the two near Camp Roberts on 101 will turn out once they are finished.
Since we were traveling on Sunday afternoon and evening, there was little traffic and we whizzed through Des Moines and west. We got to North Platte around 9, and searched for a hotel further from the freeway. That worked: we got one with wifi, breakfast, and which cost less. It was shabby but clean.
As on our eastward trek, the second day was the most interesting. Once more we were traveling through Wyoming. This time, as we approached the Continental Divide, it began to drizzle. The temperature began to drop, from the 40s into the 30s. Then the rain turned kind of slushy, as if it were soft hail. Temps dropped to 28, and the next thing we knew, we were staring in disbelief at snow-- falling sideways! The snow seemed as if it were so dry it wasn't sticking to the windshield, and it blew around on the road as if it were sand. The nearby trees began to take on powdered sugar, and I dragged out my camera.
The AAA "Triptic" proclaims this pass as the Snowy Range Pass. Ya think? We were just delighted that the snow, even though blown sideways, was falling gently, and we ran out of it in less than an hour. It was delightful to look at, but without chains we would not have wanted to see more of it. A gas stop and a truck stop lunch of hearty stew was just what we needed!
After being snewed on, we got into open territory after crossing the Continental Divide again. I began to notice patches of pink flowers alongside the road, so we stopped for a driver change and flower photo. The flowers grow in low bunches, and I'm not sure if the darker pink ones are the immature ones and the whiter ones the buds, or vice versa. They are definitely the same plant, which has almost a succulent feel to it. Very pretty.
There aren't too many big towns from the Snowy Range to Salt Lake City; we didn't begin to look for a dinner stop until we were over the border into Utah. But it seemed the few towns along the road had no restaurants. Finally, close to 7:30 PM, we stopped at a little town whose (only) restaurant name should have been memorable- but it escapes me (was it Cindy's?). It proudly proclaimed itself famous "since 1930" for its fried chicken. Normally I avoid anything fried, but there we were-- and it smelled heavenly. Well worth it. They skin the chicken, and the coating is crisp, delicate and not greasy. Just right!
Once again we drove straight through Salt Lake City to avoid commute traffic the next day. This time we found ourselves near the airport, with no indication of any motels past it. We ended up at a Super 8. Generally those aren't luxurious, but this one has to compete with business and airport customers, so it was really nice. A full breakfast was offered. There was a pool and exercise room, but of course we didn't take time to use them. I'd definitely stay there again though.
Final day-- we didn't get too far away from Salt Lake City until we stopped at a rest stop. We hadn't seen this area by daylight, and it was the Bonneville Salt Flats. That was fun to explore. They are brilliant white, and the salt is --surprisingly-- as hard as concrete! An interpretive sign lets you know that you cannot see the end from the beginning of the 7-mile long test track, due to the curvature of the earth. Amazing sight. Just for scale: that stick figure is my tall friend Dave, dwarfed by the landscape.
Of course, once we left Bonneville, there wasn't much scenery to enjoy. We did pause in Lovelock and went through their museum-- and found a printing exhibit! Sadly, it was set up and just left; there are no interpreters to use what might be an effective working shop. But the museum was good- lots of variety, including mineral exhibits.
On the way home, our drive was enlightened by some of Mark's purchases- bound volumes of the Inland Printer, a printing publication for many years. The passenger would comb through the thick volumes and read amusing excerpts to the driver. One article was entitled "The Composing Stick as Paintbrush," and the design photographed below was its illustration:
Composed completely of hand set type pieces, I think it makes an appropriately letterpress tailpiece for this last installment about our cross-country drive to the 2009 APA Wayzegoose. TypOgraphic!
We stopped at one interesting rest stop in Iowa, which I didn't think to photograph. It fascinated me to learn that Iowa rest stops all have wifi-- evidently for truckers, but what a great concept! This rest stop also had some really nice architecture, a beautiful childrens play area, and a native plant area. Makes most of our California rest stops look rather sad. It'll be interesting to see how the two near Camp Roberts on 101 will turn out once they are finished.
Since we were traveling on Sunday afternoon and evening, there was little traffic and we whizzed through Des Moines and west. We got to North Platte around 9, and searched for a hotel further from the freeway. That worked: we got one with wifi, breakfast, and which cost less. It was shabby but clean.
As on our eastward trek, the second day was the most interesting. Once more we were traveling through Wyoming. This time, as we approached the Continental Divide, it began to drizzle. The temperature began to drop, from the 40s into the 30s. Then the rain turned kind of slushy, as if it were soft hail. Temps dropped to 28, and the next thing we knew, we were staring in disbelief at snow-- falling sideways! The snow seemed as if it were so dry it wasn't sticking to the windshield, and it blew around on the road as if it were sand. The nearby trees began to take on powdered sugar, and I dragged out my camera.
After being snewed on, we got into open territory after crossing the Continental Divide again. I began to notice patches of pink flowers alongside the road, so we stopped for a driver change and flower photo. The flowers grow in low bunches, and I'm not sure if the darker pink ones are the immature ones and the whiter ones the buds, or vice versa. They are definitely the same plant, which has almost a succulent feel to it. Very pretty.
There aren't too many big towns from the Snowy Range to Salt Lake City; we didn't begin to look for a dinner stop until we were over the border into Utah. But it seemed the few towns along the road had no restaurants. Finally, close to 7:30 PM, we stopped at a little town whose (only) restaurant name should have been memorable- but it escapes me (was it Cindy's?). It proudly proclaimed itself famous "since 1930" for its fried chicken. Normally I avoid anything fried, but there we were-- and it smelled heavenly. Well worth it. They skin the chicken, and the coating is crisp, delicate and not greasy. Just right!
Once again we drove straight through Salt Lake City to avoid commute traffic the next day. This time we found ourselves near the airport, with no indication of any motels past it. We ended up at a Super 8. Generally those aren't luxurious, but this one has to compete with business and airport customers, so it was really nice. A full breakfast was offered. There was a pool and exercise room, but of course we didn't take time to use them. I'd definitely stay there again though.
Final day-- we didn't get too far away from Salt Lake City until we stopped at a rest stop. We hadn't seen this area by daylight, and it was the Bonneville Salt Flats. That was fun to explore. They are brilliant white, and the salt is --surprisingly-- as hard as concrete! An interpretive sign lets you know that you cannot see the end from the beginning of the 7-mile long test track, due to the curvature of the earth. Amazing sight. Just for scale: that stick figure is my tall friend Dave, dwarfed by the landscape.
On the way home, our drive was enlightened by some of Mark's purchases- bound volumes of the Inland Printer, a printing publication for many years. The passenger would comb through the thick volumes and read amusing excerpts to the driver. One article was entitled "The Composing Stick as Paintbrush," and the design photographed below was its illustration:
Wayzegoose in Iowa, part 2
Friday of the Wayzegoose was more fun-- roaming around, looking at what people were setting up to sell on Saturday (and in some cases, buying right then!), examining the other huge machines on the premises. Steam tractors are huge! We also got a train ride, late in the day. The small press pictured in yesterday's entry was hooked up to an actual gas engine by a long belt. Steve Ault, one of the steam guys, was feeding a job for a good part of the afternoon.
A Miehle "Pony" newspaper press loomed large in my eyes. Used during special events, it can produce a really big broadside.
The highlight of the day was the huge (another word for impossibly big? giant? colossal?) Babcock -- a newspaper press about 100 years old. It runs on steam, and the volunteers print an actual newspaper on it during the Old Threshers' Reunion.
The steam to power the press is piped over from a boiler next door, and regulated by this machine in the corner. You'll pardon me for not knowing its name: there was no formal introduction. I was stuck at my table most of the day.
There aren't any photos of the Saturday morning sale, and for good reason: we were all too busy! Suffice it to say that Ink in Tubes did fairly well, and I sold a whole lot of things I had cleaned out of my shop. Then I went right out and spent what I earned.
The sale ended at noon; after a short lunch break the Dave show began. For those of you unfamiliar with APA tradition, we have an auction on the Saturday afternoon of our Wayzegoose. Dave Peat and Dave Churchman run it, with a lot of other volunteers keeping track of the action so vendors and buyers all go home happy. Dave and Dave put on quite a show-- they know each item they auction, explain its use, tell stories, nag and cajole bidders, and generally have fun. One item was a lithographed artwork, and I got pressed into service as spokesmodel, err, non-spokesmodel. That's Dave Churchman on the left, Dave Peat on the right. I'm hidden behind Dave Peat's arm. Thanks to Rachel Scott for this shot.
During the Auction, Dave (Robison) had been busy consolidating his Multigraph trove. A purchase plus a bunch of freebies equaled a whole lot of packing. "Trust me," sez he, "I grew up packing burros for Sierra hikes." Then Mark Barbour comes up. "By the way, I bought a few things for the Museum, but I'm flying home. Is it OK with you to add them to your car?" "Talk to Dave," I replied. "If there's room, fine!" So I get out to the car after the auction. Push the Magic Button and up flies the trunk. I had to laugh.
If the car had gills, it would be stuffed right up to them. Approximately 85% of that stuff is _not_ mine! I won't show the photo, but the middle seats were full, too. We barely had room for luggage and icebox on the way home.
At the banquet, we got a shot of the five Californian. That's Dave Robison, myself, Barry Schrader (in front, now of Illinois), Mark Barbour, Allen Stump, & caboose.
A Miehle "Pony" newspaper press loomed large in my eyes. Used during special events, it can produce a really big broadside.
The highlight of the day was the huge (another word for impossibly big? giant? colossal?) Babcock -- a newspaper press about 100 years old. It runs on steam, and the volunteers print an actual newspaper on it during the Old Threshers' Reunion.
The steam to power the press is piped over from a boiler next door, and regulated by this machine in the corner. You'll pardon me for not knowing its name: there was no formal introduction. I was stuck at my table most of the day.
The sale ended at noon; after a short lunch break the Dave show began. For those of you unfamiliar with APA tradition, we have an auction on the Saturday afternoon of our Wayzegoose. Dave Peat and Dave Churchman run it, with a lot of other volunteers keeping track of the action so vendors and buyers all go home happy. Dave and Dave put on quite a show-- they know each item they auction, explain its use, tell stories, nag and cajole bidders, and generally have fun. One item was a lithographed artwork, and I got pressed into service as spokesmodel, err, non-spokesmodel. That's Dave Churchman on the left, Dave Peat on the right. I'm hidden behind Dave Peat's arm. Thanks to Rachel Scott for this shot.During the Auction, Dave (Robison) had been busy consolidating his Multigraph trove. A purchase plus a bunch of freebies equaled a whole lot of packing. "Trust me," sez he, "I grew up packing burros for Sierra hikes." Then Mark Barbour comes up. "By the way, I bought a few things for the Museum, but I'm flying home. Is it OK with you to add them to your car?" "Talk to Dave," I replied. "If there's room, fine!" So I get out to the car after the auction. Push the Magic Button and up flies the trunk. I had to laugh.
At the banquet, we got a shot of the five Californian. That's Dave Robison, myself, Barry Schrader (in front, now of Illinois), Mark Barbour, Allen Stump, & caboose. Once again, a good time was had by all!
[Note printers' frustration setting in: utter inability to control widows & orphans in the clunky layout of this blog software! Even the "preview" doesn't match the final posted version.]
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Wayzegoose in Iowa- September slightly out of place
It was an ambitious plan. I wanted to drive to the APA Wayzegoose in Iowa. I had only flown, when the Wayzegoose was in Parts East. But I've always wanted to drive across country. First, I had to find a driving buddy; someone whose driving I could trust, who would be good company, and who would enjoy the Wayzegoose. Fortunately, my friend Dave qualifies on all counts. He surprised me by being able to come, day job notwithstanding.
We got from San Jose to Salt Lake City in the first day! When we stopped to think about it, it really wasn't a huge accomplishment-- just 2 drivers doing about the same milage they're used to, switching off as each tired. It felt very good to have that day end, though! A forgettable hotel in Salt Lake City provided shelter-- on the east side of the City. My theory: a big city draws commuters. We were leaving in the morning. We may as well leave in a direction in which commuters did NOT want to go! We were outgoing as they were incoming. It worked. Day one was a no-photo day. Nevada is boring, and we drove through Utah as the sun was going down.
Day two brought a pleasant surprise in Ft. Bridger, Wyoming. This historic park and reconstruction of Jim Bridger's fort (and a later military fort) was a major and early stop on the Oregon Trail. I got to see some of the wagon ruts (now softened by 100+ years of rain), and we both enjoyed the interpretation about the Trail and
later years. My ancestors must have seen Ft. Bridger in 1852, the year they crossed the plains. Great-grandfather Francis Reasoner drove the oxen, and his father, Rev. John Stout Reasoner, the horse team. This day warrants a photo. After Ft. Bridger, it rained like crazy-- enough to slow us down to about 40 mph. Sheets of rain with lightening to spice it up! Then it went away.
In Laramie, we had a rogue Pearl spotting-- in a just-closed for the day print shop. I noticed the flywheel in the window, alerted Dave, who was driving, and wheeee, around the block we zipped, to park in the lot and peer in at her. It was raining a bit, and as we craned our necks for a better view, the owner came from the back shop and looked quizzically at us. When we gesticulated in the direction of the Pearl, the owner opened the door and we had a nice conversation about the press and where to get supplies for it. The owner told us she'd bought the business to get the Pearl, and hoped to fit her up and use her. Some of the original trim shows in this photo, important to me since I have two Pearls to restore and repaint!
That evening we drove as far as North Platte, Nebraska, arriving late. The Motel 6 did _not_ have wifi; this is less forgivable than, say, no pool. Guess I'm getting spoiled.
Day 3 was highlighted by our quick stop at the only surviving Pony Express building-- at least, to hear them tell it -- a little log building in Nebraska just east of North Platte. On and on we drove, through Des Moines and almost to Cedar Rapids, arriving in Mt. Pleasant about 8 PM. Met up with my roommate Rachel Scott and had a nice evening visit before retiring.
Denmark, Iowa, is not far from Mt. Pleasant, so after arriving at Old Threshers' museum and unloading our "stuff" for the sale on Saturday we visited Larry Raid's place for a look at where he holds Linotype University. It was a surprise to see it isn't quite as big as I expected. Larry has plans for a small town at his place, if he ever gets enough businesses to move in. Very ambitious! Lots of fun poking around at all the waiting Linotypes. Dave is one of the few people I know who would find the lone Multigraph in a huge warehouse of Linotype hulks.
I'm trying to determine how to explain Old Threshers. Imagine a huge campus with many very large warehouses on it. Now imagine them all full-- of *restored* farm machinery. One such warehouse has a large print shop inside of it. I think about half a dozen Linotypes, a full size newspaper press, several large proof presses and another several platen presses share the space with type cabinets line up on the walls. A large railed-off walkway describes an L through the exhibit. The amazing thing is that none of this is crowded-- even though the print shop is only a small part of its warehouse!
All the farm equipment runs on steam, as does the newspaper press. Totally awesome. In addition, a steam locomotive pulls a train around the grounds! I'm told that thousands of people attend their annual event. Our group was small-- under 100 for the Wayzegoose, and possibly as many as 200 for the printers' swap meet and sale on Saturday. But what a great time we all had!
Break: Stay tuned :)
We got from San Jose to Salt Lake City in the first day! When we stopped to think about it, it really wasn't a huge accomplishment-- just 2 drivers doing about the same milage they're used to, switching off as each tired. It felt very good to have that day end, though! A forgettable hotel in Salt Lake City provided shelter-- on the east side of the City. My theory: a big city draws commuters. We were leaving in the morning. We may as well leave in a direction in which commuters did NOT want to go! We were outgoing as they were incoming. It worked. Day one was a no-photo day. Nevada is boring, and we drove through Utah as the sun was going down.
Day two brought a pleasant surprise in Ft. Bridger, Wyoming. This historic park and reconstruction of Jim Bridger's fort (and a later military fort) was a major and early stop on the Oregon Trail. I got to see some of the wagon ruts (now softened by 100+ years of rain), and we both enjoyed the interpretation about the Trail and
In Laramie, we had a rogue Pearl spotting-- in a just-closed for the day print shop. I noticed the flywheel in the window, alerted Dave, who was driving, and wheeee, around the block we zipped, to park in the lot and peer in at her. It was raining a bit, and as we craned our necks for a better view, the owner came from the back shop and looked quizzically at us. When we gesticulated in the direction of the Pearl, the owner opened the door and we had a nice conversation about the press and where to get supplies for it. The owner told us she'd bought the business to get the Pearl, and hoped to fit her up and use her. Some of the original trim shows in this photo, important to me since I have two Pearls to restore and repaint!
Day 3 was highlighted by our quick stop at the only surviving Pony Express building-- at least, to hear them tell it -- a little log building in Nebraska just east of North Platte. On and on we drove, through Des Moines and almost to Cedar Rapids, arriving in Mt. Pleasant about 8 PM. Met up with my roommate Rachel Scott and had a nice evening visit before retiring.
Denmark, Iowa, is not far from Mt. Pleasant, so after arriving at Old Threshers' museum and unloading our "stuff" for the sale on Saturday we visited Larry Raid's place for a look at where he holds Linotype University. It was a surprise to see it isn't quite as big as I expected. Larry has plans for a small town at his place, if he ever gets enough businesses to move in. Very ambitious! Lots of fun poking around at all the waiting Linotypes. Dave is one of the few people I know who would find the lone Multigraph in a huge warehouse of Linotype hulks.
I'm trying to determine how to explain Old Threshers. Imagine a huge campus with many very large warehouses on it. Now imagine them all full-- of *restored* farm machinery. One such warehouse has a large print shop inside of it. I think about half a dozen Linotypes, a full size newspaper press, several large proof presses and another several platen presses share the space with type cabinets line up on the walls. A large railed-off walkway describes an L through the exhibit. The amazing thing is that none of this is crowded-- even though the print shop is only a small part of its warehouse!
Break: Stay tuned :)
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