Fedoras afield

[hatophile]

That's as it should be, nature's raiment.

 

[mikespens]

Wow, a lot for me to catch up on here. Great posts all! One of my favorite threads

 

[mikespens]

This thread was re-created after some controversy as a dumping place for excessive picture takers as well as for the title. I'm going to dump some pics so pardon my indulgence.

Spent a couple weeks on the road in Wa, Or, and Caly combining some hobby, pleasure, and duty to family. The highlight of the trip for me was meeting up with fellow Lounger Che (seabass) again in San Francisco. I also had the pleasure of meeting Rich (fedoralover) by accident in Eugene, Or. during a knife show I was set up at. Our hats tipped us off we might have something in common. Wish I had the foresight to snap a few pics but the moment passed too quickly. My experience meeting fellow Loungers is one of meeting just good people, Rich was no exception and I hope we can meet up again next year in Eugene.

Enough rambling. Che was kind enough to pick me up and do what he does: Professional Driver. Believe this is on the Oakland Bridge



Our first stop was in Berkeley for a slice of fine pizza and to score some tequila, something Che and I share a passion for besides hats


Next stop was an appointment with Roberto and Jula Isola proprietors of City Vintage in South San Francisco. These are wonderful folks with wonderful vintage goods for sale. Roberto has over 800 hats in his collection and brought a few from his personal stash to show us. Che and Roberto have known each other since they were 12 yrs old



Che shared some of his good tequila and the good times began


Lots of hats to try on, Che went home with this rare early folding Hat, a Kuhn & Co I believe




An unusual and fine milan


Che liked this one too


His son little Che joined us a bit later


Time flew and it was dinner time so we went to a favorite of Roberto and Jula's called Di Napoli that was nearby. Little Che and his lovely gal Julita joined us for a wonderful pizza party


Last stop was Toppers for a Martini mixed by a pro with over 30 yrs experience. Before and after




Thanks for indulging me sharing a great time with great people

 

[mikespens]

OK, more indulgence.

Originally Che planned to invite my wife and I over for dinner on Sunday at his place but his lovely wife Sylvia got sick and along with a bonehead mistake by me (leaving my credit card at Di Napoli Friday night) meant a quick change of plans. Neither Che nor I can get enough of City Vintage so Roberto and Jula kindly agreed to meet us back at their store and bring some more hats. Once again the Professional Driver insisted on picking me up despite being an hour away. Golden Gate this time



A fresh load of hats. Yes those bins are full of em too


But first our hosts prepared cocktails from Nicaragua called a Floratini, made from Nicaraguan rum, Italian cherries, and sweet Vermouth. Delicious and addicting


We set our lids aside and indulged again










How about a fine Mallory in emerald green or a mint Strat in the box? Roberto and Jula have you covered


Vintage leather your thing?


Continued..........

 

[mikespens]

Needless to say, Che and I spent some money. Once again it was time for dinner, this time at Bertolucci's, est. 1928. What a meal


A satisfied customer, cheers!

 

[mikespens]

I'm not done yet. After a great stay and visit in Caly, it was time for some us time on the Or. coast on our way back home to Wa.

First night was in Grants Pass, Or, this was the temp in the shade at about 6pm


On our way to Newport the next day we stopped at a favorite winery in Loraine, Kings Estate. Not only is the wine great but they serve great meals, all locally sourced ingredients




Satisfied customers


Finally our destination for a quiet few days, the beach at Newport. Poochie likes it


She likes the room rules too


Nice local Art Deco



Historic Hotel at Nye Beach


A neighborhood shack


We always follow the menu rules



That's it! Thanks for indulging me

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Thank you for sharubg those.
This one was the one that got my attention

 

[TheDane]

That is some wonderful pictures and sceneries, Mike. Seems like you two buddies have a lot of fun. I would love to be a fly on the wall and dashboard during one of your field trips. Thanks to you and Che

 

[jhoops01]

Mike, that looked like a great trip! Thanks for sharing.

But just how many hats did you come home with? Lol

 

[alanfgag]

Just awesome, awesome and more awesome. Hi to Che! My first vintage hat purchase was from City Vintage. They got the era wrong, but I still have the hat and love it. I should've stopped there. Thanks for sharing this wonderful photo essay, Mike.

 

[DJH]

Yes, brilliant stuff Mike (and Che)!

 

[hatophile]

Wow Mike fantastic! Those hats, those ties, that Tequila! Che and family! What a great time.

 

[Blackthorn]

Last September my wife took me to Virginia City, Nevada for my birthday. I've always wanted to go there. My favorite place there was the Mark Twain museum, where he got his start in writing for the local newspaper:

Here I am standing next to the desk where he began writing his story of the Jumping From:

Later we visited the Opera House in a different part of town:

After we had a lot of fun there, we drove back to where we were staying in Carson City. There was a used bookstore there, and I wandered into one of the back rooms, where I found this beautiful old (deserted) bar. it evidently used to be a saloon and brothel:

Later I visited the Carson City museum, which had this fully reconstructed mammoth:

A good time was had by all.

 

[RJR]

Great trips and photos,thanks Mike & Blackthorn.

 

[hatophile]

More great travels Blackthorn!

 

[mikespens]

Nice blast into the past Blackthorn.

Thank you for sharubg those.
This one was the one that got my attention

It's the same one from my visit 2 yrs ago Joao, it's got your name on it!

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fedoras-afield.73776/page-40#post-1787623

That is some wonderful pictures and sceneries, Mike. Seems like you two buddies have a lot of fun. I would love to be a fly on the wall and dashboard during one of your field trips. Thanks to you and Che

Ole, you are correct, these pics represent a PG rated version of real events

For anybody interested, I found some posts of my original visit 2 yrs ago. Probably means more to me but brought back great memories

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/what-hat-are-you-wearing-today.19520/page-3386#post-1787465

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fedoras-afield.73776/page-39#post-1787497

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fedoras-afield.73776/page-43#post-1791231

 

[moontheloon]

Mike ... awesome pics ... I really enjoyed that

I feel like I was there

 

[Frunobulax]

Mike, I just got a chance to look at your pics. Great tour.

That's how you do Fedora's Afield!


Sent directly from my mind to yours

 

[Denton]

Page 127, a new high for Fedoras Afield.

 

[TheDane]

Probably means more to me but brought back great memories

I remember those posts - and obviously also liked them then. A very pleasant re-view

When I wrote the previous post, I actually thought of mentioning, that I missed Moco's cute, behatted head. Thanks to your links, that was corrected