Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Wings and wheels.

California Fritillary


At a gig in South City yesterday, I watched this California Fritillary absolutely gorge itself on Lantana. I have the very same flowering plant on my back patio, but can't get a butterfly to come a-calling to save my life. Having spent time looking through a lamenated pamphlet of California butterfly species while docenting at the Butterfly exhibit, I knew this species to be a type of Fritillary, but didn't think its range extended beyond wild hillsides. South San Francisco is not really known for its natural beauty, to be honest. (Sorry, SSF!)

Autumn in Golden Gate Park

Church of Eight Wheels

After my butterfly gig on Sunday morning, I traipsed over to the unofficial skate rink just down the road, skates in hand, literally ready to roll. The patch of pavement enjoyed by roller boogie types, skate novices & pros, inlineskaters, and the occasional cyclist is usually packed out. Maybe the cool fall temperatures kept some enthusiasts away. There was more than enough room to go around in a circle without worrying about bumping a fellow skater.

Toward the middle of the afternoon, the more able skaters, led by our host (seen in the above shot with yellow, furry leggings & in top hat) perform the dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller video. The grass around the track usually fills up & out come the camera phones. I'm not savvy enough to do the Thriller dance, but am on-hand for a bit of roller boogie shuffle that happens as well. It's a hoot.

After three hours of wheeling like a madwoman around the track with only a few pauses, walking back to my car felt awfully weird. It was like I couldn't plant my feet solidly on the ground. My body must have expected to be up on wheels still.



8 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a good time. Great to have such a place so close to home. (Although, you're braver than me. I'm too scaredy to get on skates.)

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    1. It's fun & it brings me back to childhood in a good way. :)

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  2. I know you must so love living there. What fun...

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    1. I like that there aren't any snow days preventing skaters from having their outdoor fun. :)

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  3. That does sound like a heap of fun. Back in the day I loved skating. Now I suspect I would spend more time on my butt than upright.

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    1. I just bought wrist guards in the hopes of staving off a bone break should I fall & stick my arms out to catch myself.

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  4. What fun! I loved rollerskating as a kid and I switched to inline skates in my twenties. It can be hard to find good places to skate.

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    1. It's very hard to find good places to skate!

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