#olompali

olompali state park

TAKING A PHOTO OF A PHOTO BEING TAKEN -- WAY BACK TO THE OLOMPALI YEARS.

NOTE: The person in between Bob and Bill is Ken Babbs, not a member of the Dead.

PIC INFO: Resolution at 1053x1557 -- Spotlight on a group portrait of American rock band, the GRATEFUL DEAD, photographed by Thomas Weir during the band's "Aoxomoxoa" period at Olompali State Park in Novato, California, c. 1969. 📸: Sylvia Clarke Hamilton.

OVERVIEW: "The Dead had a close connection to Olompali – it was, for them, something like sacred ground. After returning from Los Angeles in spring ’66, they moved to Rancho Olompali and stayed there through May and June, renting the property for several weeks.

Though they weren’t there long, they would remember their stay as an idyllic golden age, a “paradisiacal retreat.” (Although sometimes in their acid trips, they’d have threatening visions of the ancient Indians who’d used to live there, their spirits still haunting the walls and trees.)

The band held some famous parties during their stay, playing music for a stream of tripping visitors from San Francisco. On one occasion, May 22, they sent a flyer to all their friends in the music scene: "The Grateful Dead invite you to an afternoon of inter-galactic travel, to a communion with the spirits of long dead Indians, to a dance celebrating mainly all of us.""

-- GREGORNOT (via Reddit), "Aoxomoxoa" photo shoot 1969, 📸: Thomas Weir"

Precarious? “We couldn’t get the stage any closer to the fuel tank, if that’s what you’re gonna ask.” It was. What’s the ladder for? “Climbing.” Sure.

Garcia’s about to pop that blond fucker for stealing his look. Also: Olompali? And: This photo comes via the Brokedown Podcast, which you should check out. Plus: I’ve changed my mind about Purple Dress’ age nine times now. Look at her: she could be anywhere from a really-mature 13 to 43 with good genes. Double-Plus: Behind Garcia on the other side. Blue shirt and sunglasses. All right, all right,…

Hey, guys. Whatcha doing?

“Rapping with Phil.”

“Wearing high-waisted shorts.”

“Making you stare at my stomach for longer than you should.”

“Being pale and having bangs.”

“Also having bangs.”

“Your bang game is totes on point.”

Yeah, speaking of bang games: you guys should wrestle.

“What?”

“Huh?”

N0thing.