Why Saturdays were invented...

Day 13: Sacramento Brewfest + Second Saturdays = Full Throttle Fun

After a quick workout with my brother at the local gym, it was time to start the Saturday Scandals. A quick ride out on the bikes was invigorating and the sun prepped me and Phil for some cold brews. We met my old college buddies, Nicole and Mike, at their small downtown cottage to get ready for the day. After a beer we started our hours of walking thru the beautiful city of Sacramento.

I know, the first thing you think of when Sacramento is mentioned is 'beautiful', but after traversing a couple large blocks, seeing the huge green trees, big empiristic buildings, and crossing some expansive rivers, you really get to see the natural appeal of a true walking city. As nice as the walk was, it was long, (Thank you NICOLE!!) at least the sun made it feel that way. No worries though, we were on our way to a beer fest, what better way to prepare.

Evander, Nichizzle, Mikesux, Walrus, De-bra, and DavidJo.

Upon arrival, the mini-Gaucho reunion commenced. Friends from all around Northern Cal. made the trek to imbibe and fraternize. Gauchos in attendance included myself, Mike + Nicole, former roommates Evan and Dave with the Fee Fie Foo Giant (De-bra), Lawrence "Big Guns" Booth, and Chris "Limp Knee" Huntsman. We made several toasts to life, love, and thankfulness (that Xtizzle was out of town). Jk. Beers with extra hops, extra wheat, and extra alcohol helped lube all of us old friends up, and old jokes and stories were being flung like jello in a food fight.

After hours of laughing, drinking, and awkward silences, the beerfest came to a close. But the party does not stop at 4:30pm. Not in Sacramento. Second Saturdays is a monthly event in which a large contingent of the Sacramento Arts, Music, and Food vendors put their best foot forward and the entire town livens up to enjoy the scene. A quick drive over a few blocks and I find myself landing in a cultural boom that I would only expect from such cities as San Francisco and Chicago. Even the street bums were culturally talented. Cue awesome Michael Jackson Bum. Hey! Hey! Hey! Eeeeeeeee!!!

To further my cultural adventures, Mike and Nicole took me to an exquisite Spanish restuarant, Tapa the World. My first excursion into Spanish cuisine was well taken. Granted I know Tapas will be different once I actually get to Spain, but I'm glad I have some sort of idea what to do before I get to Madrid. A bottle of Red and awesome finger foods fueled us to continue our journey.

After an hour or so more of stopping at Churches, Stores, and Boutiques (most equipped w/ kegs) to see artwork and music, the long-walkers mosied our way home. Nicole, Mike, and I ended the night in the quaint cottage and crashed hard after a long day. We lost Phil along the way, but he will have to tell you about the remainder of his night. Thats a whole different entry.

Angeloco and Nichizzle taking down additional brews at the local pub.

A great day in Sacramento with great friends and great memories.

I want to extend a very Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms. My mom especially! Tropical Storm Coodee. If you don't know her, you should just hear some of the stories!! She has more wild and crazy stories before her 20th b-day, than most people have before they're dead. I can only hope to be half the adventurer she is. Love you Ma!

-Angelo

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes - the ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing that you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things."
- Jack Kerouac

Sacramomento....

Day 9-11



Less than 20 days before take off.



My arrival in Sacramento was warm and very welcomed. The ride thru the remainder of the Central Valley included the world famous cities of:

• Firebaugh




• Madera




• Merced




• Turlock




• Modesto




• Stockton




• and Lodi

and if you've never heard of at least 3 of these places you need to look at an atlas more often. I mean, they have the best truckstops west of the Sierra Nevadas.

I arrived at my good friend Josh's home in the quaint town of Roseville, CA approx. 20 miles east of Sacramento, CA on the I-80. He gave me a welcomed hug and handed me a beer. Ice cold, and much appreciated. After taking down a couple on Josh's porch that looked straight out of a Twain novel, my old college roommate DavidJo and megaphone mouthed friend Xtizzle (Christina for short) met me for some dinner. It was good to catch up on old times and see how Xtizzle's wedding plans are coming along.

Manishevits, DavidJo, Angeloco, and Xtizzle (the bride to be)

I won't be able to attend the wedding, so I won't be able to object to the union of Christina and Lawrence, saving him from a life of hearing aids and sign language. And you know I would be all over that garter. You chumps would not have a chance!!! Just kidding. In all seriousness, I wish my two friends the best of marriages, an everlasting friendship, and a growing love.

Day 12

Today, I met my brother Phil(MyAZ) at his home in Lincoln, CA. After a quick ride to Peryn, CA to pick up his smoking and shaking rig of a bike, we headed down to Mid-town Sacramento to grab a bite and a beer. Ripping thru traffic along-side my brother is an adrenaline rush to say the least. Rolling hard and fast thru Sacramento gridlock is much more fun when you have someone to do it with.

Rolling hard thru the Sacremento Green Valleys.

Dinner was spent together with lots of family. My Aunt Betty, Uncle Jaime, along with their whole crews all converged on an innocent pizza shop in Shingle Springs, CA. But most importantly to note in attendance was my Grama Margie. All who know her, have an idea where I get my voyaging spirit. She has been on the move since her and the rest of my great/grand family moved from the Kansas midwest to California. No one has been able to settle her down in 80 years and I dont' see it happening anytime soon. I appreciate and love my Grama immensely and I am glad that I was able to find her before I take off on my own adventure. I think I will see her again before I leave for Espana, but its always important to give appreciation and take advice for those have accomplished much, and have seen even more.

Tonight, I rest up and tend to my Sunburned face and arms for a big day in Downtown Sacramento to meet up with Evan, Chris, Lawrence, Nicole, Mike, and more for a day drinking session at the Sacramento Beerfest, Gaucho Style. If your around and down, you know who to call.

I wanna extend a true thank you to Josh, who has been a fabulous host for the past 3 days feeding me teriyaki carpet chicken bowls, keeping a fridge with cold brews, babysitting me, and having a puffy nice couch ready for this surfer. Raise a beer to Manishevits when you get a chance. Le chaim.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing" - Helen Keller