What's Up in Satori(ah)?

Everything is not grapes and wine at the southwest corner of New Avenue and Buena Vista Avenue (although they naturally tend to dominate the experience and conversation around here). For non-commercial places and experiences, we have another name: Satoriah.

For Example. This is a place where old GMC Vans are put out to pasture. It's a 1988 vintage that T. bought used in 1991 with 40,000 miles on it. Over the next 15 years or so, he put another 100,000 on it, most of them journeying to Grateful Dead concerts with Adorah (when she was still 100% Sandy). It sports its original faded blue paint job on the hood, along with the flowers Sandy painted around '98. In 2003, according to Adorah, in the back of the van (T. had decked it out like the teak sleeping cabin of a sailboat back in '91), their son, Riley, became more than a twinkle in their eyes. In 2007, with winery space at a premium, T. pumped up the tires, fired her up, and somehow backed her through a couple of gnarly sucker plum trees and against this fence to her Final Parking Spot. But cherished Dead Vans don't die; they morph.

The Latest in RVs. Last year, T. and Riley, built a "tree house" atop The Dead Van (some call it "The V Van" -- you'll have to ask AuRoRa or Adorah for details), complete with ladder, front porch, great room with carpet and picture window. This week, Riley settled on Camelot as the name for his Castle, and went down to the paint store with Dad, selecting a gallon of "Medieval Gold." Of course, Mom usually ends up doing most of the actual painting.

Golden Boot Award. Riley focused on the ladder and front porch ... and his shoes. 

It Takes a Village. Riley's friend, Kelly, helped, while the dogs held down the mustard, and Kelly's mom, Sophia, relaxed after a day of pulling canes. 

Camouflage. In another month or so, you won't be able to see Camelot 

or The Dead Van for all of the leaves on the sucker plum trees.

Riley and Kelly. Racing toward Camelot. 

Room with a View. We said there is a picture window. 

 Up on the Roof. The Front Porch is the best place on campus to watch the Sun set, although it can get a bit crowded. Morphing continues: there are loose plans to paint The Dead Van in the near future (Riley and his Mom are deliberating colors), and T. says a new battery and a new futon would make the sleeping cabin, with working lights and radio, as good as new. Stay tuned for Up-dates.

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