Day 2: Sunday, September 18th

Sadly I neglected to take any pictures of Erika's cozy basement apartment in Napa and its gorgeous, expansive backyard, which brings me to an important disclaimer: This travelogue should in no way be taken as a comprehensive document of my journey. I'm actually at a bit of a loss to explain what triggers the "ooh grab the camera" instinct in me. Prior to digital camera technology, I was always disinterested in taking pictures of things. Stopping the moment to take a picture of it always gave me a twinge of discomfort, some sort of existential jet lag. Now that it's so easy to snap a decent picture and because it's much cheaper to click the shutter because I don't have to buy film, I have no excuse. My camera fits in my jeans pocket, no extra fuss.

Sunday Erika and I wandered around downtown Napa. I actually went to Target to buy a pullover because that part of California was a lot colder than I had anticipated. Ironically the weather for the next three days was warmer than usual (setting a pleasant weather trend that followed me to an unseasonably cool Los Angeles). We checked out an antique store where I bought some old postcards and a Buckaroo Banzai comic book. I can't tell you how excited the little nerd in me was to find that.

Later on we met up with Amy and the girls suggested we go to Sacramento. Why the hell not? It's only an hour or so away. "Old Sack" in the downtown area of Sacramento is actually done up cowboy-style with wooden sidewalks, saloons, a steam locomotive and other assorted Silver Dollar City-esque trappings. Best of all, they have a record store that kicks ass, full of old jukeboxes. I bought 6 records: Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 (with unbelievable covers of "Wichita Lineman" and "Norwegian Wood"), Perez Prado, Wes Montgomery, Vaughn Monroe, John Abercrombie, and Louis Prima. More than I should have spent, but the store demanded I show my gratitude.