Macy and I headed to the wilds of the high desert of California and David’s house.

Our route crossed the Mojave Desert.

No, I did not see any bleached animal bones or abandoned gold mines.

Here I am on a “shortcut” through the Mojave Desert.

The scenery was spectacular, but I had to drive very carefully as not to get bogged down in the sand or in a wash.

It took too long so I ended up backtracking to the main road.

I arrived at Dave’s house at 3 in the morning.

No problem, I thought. I’ll just lay the seat back and take a snooze until he wakes up.

It all went well until I rolled over onto the car key fob, Which activated the panic alarm.

It seemed like forever for me to figure out what was happening, but eventually I put the pieces together and canceled the flashing horn and lights.

But by this time, Dave was wide awake.

Armed with a 4 million candlewatt flashlight, he emerges from his house to investigate my commotion.

So now Dave’s storming out into the dead of night, thinking the local illegal pot growing gang has mounted a full on offensive to storm his gate, Macy’s barking her little head off and I’m pleading for my life.

At three in the morning.

So began my visit to Dave’s house!

Dave and me, after a poor night’s sleep.

Dave’s mural painting skills are on display on the side of his house.

The modern artist’s cabin.

An easel.

A wood burning stove.

And the internet.

Click here to visit Dave’s web site.

Dave painted these three spectacular paintings in tribute to his late friend and artist Jim Beoddy (center at the top).

Click here to visit Jim Beoddy’s web site.

One evening, while Dave was working, Macy and I made a small fire to cook dinner.

Here, Dave demonstrates his knapping technique on some suitable stones he found in the area.

The cool of the evening is when we would take Macy for a walk around the neighborhood.

One of Dave’s neighbors has posted several humorous signs.

Dave made sure we were comfortable and rested for the journey home.

The next day, I met Dave at the mural he’s restoring under the tutelage of Chuck Caplinger (Chuck’s web site).

This mural is on Desert Cycle Works, Twentynine Palms, California.

Chuck gave Dave a print of one of his art works.

Thanks for your hospitality Dave!

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