Here on the Central Coast we have one of the biggest sandboxes in the
world at our front door...The Pismo/Nipomo/Guadalupe
Dunes Complex wherein lies the Pismo Beach State Vehicular Recreation Area. This is
one of the last places in the USA where us All-American smoke-belching, Fossil-Fuel
Consumin' Bourgeoisie can roam up and down the beach with our vehicles.
This area is really nice, and even though there seem to be a couple deaths each year due
to testosterone and alcohol-fueled misadventure, it is overall a nice place to take the
family for a bit of driving that may not be around too much longer.
This dunes area stretches over many miles, and is quite famous, the classic Silent Film
'The Ten Commandments' was filmed here in the 1920's. And anytime an artist needs a
stretch of sand that looks like the Sahara, this is the place to come. A really great
history of the dunes can be found at Gerard's
History of Pismo-Oceano Dunes
John standing by the Rivenrock truck.
On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings
The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz
And the sky with no clouds
The heat was hot and the ground was dry
But the air was full of sound.
1981 GMC 3/4 Ton 4X4. Dump Bed, 12,000 lb electric winch, 350 ci engine with RV
package.
After two days in the desert sun
My skin began to turn red
After three days in the desert fun
I was looking at a river bed
And the story it told of a river that flowed
Made me sad to think it was dead
After nine days I let the horse run free
'Cause the desert had turned to sea
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
there was sand and hills and rings
The ocean is a desert with it's life underground
And a perfect disguise above
Under the cities lies a heart made of ground
But the humans will give no love .
You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no
name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain
When I was looking for the right words to capture this dunes area, I
came upon the song 'Horse with no name' written by Dewey Bunnell in 1971.
It was a surprise to me that he had lived in this area in the sixties, so I am happy to be
setting his words to these photos.
Here is what he said to describe the song and it's conception...
"
I had spent a good deal of time poking around in the high desert with my
brother when we lived at Vandenberg Air Force Base [in California]. And we'd drive through
Arizona and New Mexico. I loved the cactus and the heat. I was trying to capture the
sights and sounds of the desert, and there was an environmental message at the end. But
it's grown to mean more for me. I see now that this anonymous horse was a vehicle to get
me away from all the confusion and chaos of life to a peaceful, quiet place."
