Cali's a great place to visit...Solstice Parade compromised!
Rules of Solstice Parade: No motors on floats and no signs or signature of any sort. Oddly, nothing in print that says a float can't make a political or social statement; however, I'm very certain that floats of a political and social nature are not allowed. So why the Mexican man with Mexican children wearing masks and pulling a pack of cigarettes with a skull attached?
I emailed the Solstice committee but haven't heard back. If this sort of float is allowed, who's to say a float protesting the current administration in Washington, or a float in favor of the Arizona illegal alien bill, or a float protesting cruel and inhumane treatment of animals shouldn't be allowed??? See what I mean? The parades intent is not to lecture but to celebrate Summer Solstice.
I don't get this.
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The crazy air guitar dude is....um...oh, the one on the bottom, yes, at the post-Solstice parade party in Santa Barbara.
Even though this picture of me and my Aunt Ev (dad's youngest sister) was taken the day before the parade, I wanted to include her in my Solstice Honey post 'cause she bitched at me last year as all the "honey's" were blondes. And after all, my Aunt Ev is the best Solstice Honey out there!
This was my 4th or 5th Solstice. Was sorry that my brother, Jas, couldn't make it (fishing in Canada). Always a good time. Colorful floats. Colorful dancers. And the people of Santa Barbara embrace the spirit of the day that's fun to watch. Click on 
Tom (far right) getting into it after the parade at Alameda Park. Quite primal, I must say. Old and young alike got into the action. Course, there wasn't 500 naked bicyclists like there were in the Seattle Solstice parade...but we had fun nevertheless.
Nice shot. We look like the cast of 
Me, Scotty, Jason and Joe.
Joe & Brenda and me - at Tom Nowak's, another brother in the Nowak Clan.
The Brothers Ircink.
My Uncle Bob and Amara - his brother's girlfriend's daughter
We left with about 15 minutes remaining in the parade - some people were antsy to get to the beer garden (or shop some more) - and I missed this woman, wearing nothing but pasties, some floss and shoes.
A reveler in the parade.
The floats are quite unique. No motors allowed - everything powered by the sun or by foot.
Scott and Chuck Nowak. Chuck is the youngest of the Nowak clan (8 all told). My Uncle Bob (married to my dad's youngest sister, Evelyn) is the oldest. Scott is the oldest of Bev - a Nowak herself. We hunt and fish with Bev's husband, Gary. Should I slow down?
Brenda and Ashley. Brenda is my cousin Joe's lady (Joe is the middle child of Bob and Ev) and Ashley is engaged to Scott. These two like to shop - and can never sit still. I DO enjoy their company though.
There's Cousin Joe and my brother. We got impatient for the parade to start so we walked a block and grabbed some libations.
Mark, Laura and Melissa Aldecoa. They live in Buellton - Laura is the youngest of the Nowak sisters. That's Natalie on the pavement - the youngest of my Uncle Bob's kids. Anyone see Aunt Ev?
These statues are grouped in an area of downtown Santa Barbara - window washers and other figures at play and work. Here Dr. Franklin and I have a little chat about the 2nd Amendment and the right to bear arms. He concurred - as did the United States Supreme Court, 5-4.
For a hunter, Jas is quite the animal lover. Until dove season comes around. KERPLOWIE!!
Ash and Scott. Young love. We'll come back to them in 20 years and check in on things.
Cousin Mike - child number 4 in Bob/Ev Nowak clan. He just graduated from high school and thinks he's big shit. He also plays guitar and drums. You know I sing - THAT's an instrument, too.
Mike showing off for the crowd. He's actually pretty good and self-taught.
A group of us at Haskell's Beach.
Waiting for the big wave.
One-legged dog. He hopped around pretty good - would never have known he was a leg shy.
Girls in jacuzzi. Good place to end, huh? 
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