Salinas Valley Barns

Inspired by a request from my friend Terry DeLapp to get some photographs of the farms and farmland of the Salinas Valley, a series of new imagery is emerging. The photographer Dorothea Lange called it "The New California - The Unfinished Business".
Thriving small family farms are mixed in with corporate agribusiness across the open plains of the Salinas River watershed, an arid, windswept corridor mostly irrigated by man's engineering possibilities. Missionary priests walked through this valley three centuries ago and brought with them varieties of food crops that resemble some still growing here. Their language flourishes here as their ancestors live and work and feed us continuing the work of characters in Steinbeck's novels.

Click on any of the images to enlarge.

The Distribution of Your Donations in Nepal

Chandra Gurung, our trekking guide in Nepal, was able to organize all of the funds we collected into school supplies for his village school district. We collected nearly $2500 since the March 1st. slideshow at Hearst Theater. I sent the money to him through Western Union, and when he was finished with his Spring Trekking Season he bought and delivered the materials for the students.
This morning he sent us his photographs from the celebration that happened at the school in Setung, Chalise, Dhading District.
Nancy and I want to thank each and every one of you who opened your hearts and wallets for these kids. We are both humbled by your generosity, and happy that we could make a contribution.
As you will see, Chandra's photographs are full of joy and excitement. The villagers had a big festival.
The banner shows our names, but the truth is every persons name who donated is on there too.