The Beats and Streets of San Francisco

Life has been kind of crazy and I haven't been posting the blog as frequently as I like. So... an extra long post to make up some ground. These photos were made on a walk around San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. North Beach is considered the birthplace of the Beat Generation and was the sometimes home to Jack Kerouac, one of my heros.


Mural on the side of the world famous beat generation bar Vesuvio.


My favorite photo of Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady seems to keep an eye on an international assortment of Kerouac first editions.
The Beat Generation Museum.


An organ formerly owned by a true Vox Humana, poet Allen Ginsberg.
The Beat Generation Museum.


The FOK stamp of approval.
The Beat Generation Museum.




North Beach street life.

Beat Generation Ground Zero

Words of wisdom

City Lights Bookstore
North Beach
San Francisco, CA

Welcome Home Dad!

Hanging at the Solo Saloon

The first time I met Christian Essex he didn't let me leave his house without a CD of his music. He isn't a shameless self-promoter, just passionate about what he does. He owns the fantastic Big Barn Studios where he produces all sorts of great music like a mad scientist at the multi-track.

This week I spent some time with my friend Christian getting images together for his latest project called Solo Saloon. Check it out and buy his music at cdbaby or iTunes. Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Happy Birthday!

Our oldest celebrates 5 years in fine style, inspiring not only images, but words to boot.

boys in swimming trunks
run laughing beneath blue sky
forging first friendships.

See more at Haiku For Mamas by Sylvie Essex.



purest of delights:
cupcakes, slip n slide, presents.
you're only five once.

Take a Dip

Rattlesnake Pool Stowe, Maine

A Walk in the Woods

It's been a long few weeks and it can be easy to feel like there is no end to the challenges that life brings. It's remarkable when you re-connect with what has always worked to help make sense of it all. Making this image I remembered what a walk in the woods can do to clear your head.

Diana's Bath
Bartlett, NH