Napa Valley Bee Company

Leaving Lima

Leaving Lima:
After making sure the 8671 was road worthy we pulled out of the Holiday Inn Lima and headed towards Apollo Dr. in Wapaakoneta, Ohio.  Native Wapaakonetian Neal Armstrong, the first person to set foot on the moon in 1969, if you believe man has been to the moon. I had to find out for myself because I grew up on Hamilton Air Force Base where supposedly the government used the flight hangers there to create the farce we now know as the first man on the moon. Plus, I really wanted  to see the “moon rock” on display. The  Armstrong Air and Space Museum is pretty impressive just from the  parking lot with beautiful architecture, some sort of orange NASA rescue jet, and best of all a replica of the space pod thing that fell to earth with the Apollo II astronauts aboard. I was shocked at the lunar pod’s size. I mean right now there are 6 of us stuffed in a Honda Pilot rockin’ coast to coast and I thought we are in tight. Hardly, those space travelers were all up on each other like intergalactic sardines. Not sure I could be an astronaut if I had to squeeze into that rocket. Reminds me of why I quit wrestling in high school. Besides the fact I sucked, I just wasn’t into being that close to other sweaty men. I can’t imagine astronauts stink but those cramped quarters would creep me out. What’s this have to do with bees?  Absolutely nothing. Although far be it for me to say there aren’t alien space bees. What’s it have to do w/Airstreams? A lot! Wally Byam, the creator of Airstream, as far as I know started his career working in aviation. I can see that though, airstreams do look somewhat air plane-esque.
After the sights and sounds of space experience we couldn’t leave Auglaize County with out stopping in Jackson Center to check out the Airstream Factory. Slightly disappointing the factory was closed and not a soul was in sight. When those Airstream fabricators aren’t there they split. No people, no cars, not much of anything except a bunch of airstreams locked down behind a gated parking lot. I was really surprised of the lack of activity on a Saturday. However, we did get to meet one Airstream employee, the guard. Apparently I tried to pull a big airstream no-no and pulled 6871 up along the building to get a photograph with the massive Airstream sign. What’s the big deal – after all she was born there. It ain’t easy being a blogging airstreamer, and Pops the guard wasn’t too sympathetic to the cause. He told us we could take pictures from outside the gate, hence the chain-link in the images.
The best thing about Jackson Center was the Amish family selling baked goods along the road in their horse drawn carriage. We were in Amish paradise with those tasty yum yums we got. We need a couple of those Amish carts in Napa, right there out on Soscal Ave. behind Taco Chavez.
Most the day after Jackson was spent driving towards highway 80. It was a little tricky zig zagging our way North East on the back roads but so beautiful. I got two words for ya’all:  Corn & Christ. Im blown away by all these Corn-again Christians. The middle of this country is in deep! Im not kidding, in one of those freaky towns we passed through with a population of about 8 had some artist go around and paint these massive purple hearts with a fetus inside them. I saw 2 personally and so sad I didn’t stop to take a photo because it is so unbelievable. Also everything Michael Pollan talks about is true. It’s all about “ in god we trust and in corn we grow”. Okay…. corn and soy. Some of us Californians need to get together move out here and show these bible bashing – corn growin hicks how to grow with a little diversity and by god how to sin.
The best part of the day was we were able to sleep in the airstream for the first time. It was so nice. Not Belagio nice but pretty damn comfortable.
It may have been that we drove super late and a rock would have been bliss but man, how nice is that to sleep in the EMoViTO for the first time. Davis loves it.

Front of 8671 at The  Armstrong Air and Space Museum.

Back of 8671 at The  Armstrong Air and Space Museum.

with the dinky space pod.

Davis holding up the orange NASA rescue jet.

8671 behind the rescue jet.

Back to the womb. 8671 in front of, yet behind the fence of the Airstream factory in Jackson Center, Ohio.

We even stopped by the Wally Byam International Caravan Club to show them one of the original  47 trailers that was on the Round the World tour in 1963-64.

Left side with truck.

Right side with car.

Joseph Beuys said.....

Honey is flowing in all directions.

- Joseph Beuys

Honey at a place called Panera Bread. I didn't try the honey but the bread and coffee were to die for.

Not quite honey, but I like the label.

WE GOT IT!

WE GOT IT!
Finally after roughly one year we got it!
Today I picked up the 1963 22 foot Airstream Safari that I will be using for the EMoViTO. It was love at first sight. No. I’m serious…… I had a very similar experience with the instant connection I made with Davis only minutes after his birth. Okay,  that might be a bit extreme but something instant for sure. I was so freaked out about my obligation to the project yet knowing the history of the trailer (see EMoViTO page) and wanting to keep her integrity. I know this sounds ludicrous but I didn’t get a negative vibe from the trailer, not at all. Quite the opposite. I spent some time alone with the trailer taking detail picture getting to know her. I couldn’t help thinking about what this trailer had been through. Remember Marian Copley, the original owner who took the trailer around the world was a school teacher. Perhaps it’s the Magellan negation (www.magellangps.com) lady who has been leading us to our every destination. But I heard – theoretically – a lady or spirit say “Save me – Change me” or something like that. Really, I got a real sense that it might be all right to use this trailer. I was thinking just how dignified it would be to use all her internal cabinetry in the new design. Clean it all up and reconfigure the oven, sink, and drawers into a desk, shelves, and a sitting area. The other option would be to offer it up to the Airstresamers  for what I have into it and a shell from another early safari, one that I wouldn’t have to gut. Either way this trailer it’s truly a dream……
This is how it went:
We got up at around 7:30 to meet Jeff and Angie, they were only 5 miles up the road from our hotel. Holiday Inn in fact.
“ Two houses down from the church with the big blue roof”,  Jeff told me.  They are both so much younger than I had thought. The nicest people though. They have been holding on to the trailer since Dec. It took awhile not only to get the trial but to hooked up too, since we are using the stabilizer bars. Almost Immediately there were two issues. The connection between the ball and the hitch were making horrible loud sound, a noise that sounded like it hurt. Whale-like sounds when turning and the electrical needed an extension  7 prong plug.  The wires from the trailer were a little short.  We took her first to the carwash and gave her a bath, I’m not sure it did much but it made her feel good. We took all the blue duct tape off the windows, Jeff had put it on just incase there were storms, and there have been. Smart, but I need it to look better for the photo opts. We ended up taking the trailer to Mike Dobie at Fowler & Hadding, LLC. The experience was enlightening, excuse the pun, but it’s true we were both working on the lights and I also learned a lot about how to test the electrical. Mike is a big race fan, his son races sprint cars and dreams of racing at sears point some day. So perhaps we’ll see Mike again in our neighborhood next time. I told him I stay the hell away from NASCAR when it’s in Sonoma, theres more cars there than trucks on the freeway.
As if we weren’t blessed enough by the good vibe of the trailer and meeting Mike but just on a fluke we stopped by Darby Surplus Building Materials. Their logo is a bee and I thought it would be a great photo opt to shoot a couple frames with the Airstream under the sign. By luck or fate Troy was emptying the garbage and was friendly about us taking a couple of snaps. We went in and talked a little about the trailer and the project and asked for a couple business cards. I left with a free tee and had met another solid Ohioian.
The trailer was riding a little high in the front so we had to reassemble the stabilizing device so when  we put it all back together I threw in a little grease that the Jiffy Lube dude gave me on a rag for free. See, the trailer vibe started off good and just got better.

Here are some shots of the day:

This isn't our trailer, just one that looks like ours we saw in a gas station.
It is however a 22 foot safari 1964.

This is it!
In front of Jeff and Angie's just before we pulled out tom leave.

This was Davis when he found out the trailer was going to be made into a "bee-mobile" and it wouldn't be having any video games installed.

WASHING HER UP:

This is Mike working his Ready Killowatt magic.

Troy from Darby Surplus Building Material.
Gotta love their tag line:
"Where the REAL worker bees swarm for bargains"

This is what caught my eye.

Bee Crap

A few of the stupid bee things I have come across:

Clearfield, Pa.

Clearfield, Pa. – The second half of yesterday and all day today was spent traveling from Springfield Pa. to Clearfield Pa. We are actually in route to go pick up the Airstream in Lima, Ohio. When I spoke with Jeff  Newland, the guy selling me the trailer, he told me it was a 6 hour drive from Springfield to Lima. Perhaps, in a rocket ship. We drove the Old Blue Route Highway 760 to 80 West what seemed like at least 6 hours. and only made it about half way. Jeff called this morning and I’m all “ How far are you from the Philadelphia”?  I’m guessing he must have misunderstood me in our original conversation. Lima is 6 hours from the PA – OH state line. As I write we are 3 miles from Ohio.   
Worthy of note is that compared to our West Coast bee forage this time of year there is so much more for the bees to eat in this area. It is MAJOR cloverville, it's like grapes in Napa….. only less management and sulfur involved. It is so lush and green here. When I left Napa the dry brown hills were on fire, literally scorching acres as we headed off to the airport.
Because the trip has turned more about getting from point A to point B quickly I haven’t had the time to scour the landscape looking for bees. except for maybe in small spurts at rest stops with Davis.  At the last rest stop – mile 35 - there wasn’t much in the way of bees so in the name bees and this blog I drank a honey beer with lunch. It wasn't that great...
Slightly off subject but still of relevance is something I wasn’t aware of until  I started driving last night:  The 18 wheelers are dominating the highways. I was driving much slower then I would normally – we have a Uhaul in tow until we pick up the Airstream - I must have been passed by a hundred big rigs. I’m serious, it’s nuts. I'm wrestling with this so bare w/me….. imagine, the planet as one big massive beehive. All the worker bees coming and going moving things around like pollen, nectar, honey and propolis.   Now, think about all the things we move around this country. Wal Mart  crap, Target crap, Safeway crap, and  just plain crapity crap.  This is our hive.... and we wonder about  what’s causing Colony Collapse Disorder?  Collectively we need to start thinking more locally.

Eighteen - 18 wheelers

18 trucks that passed me at night.

 

A few bees I saw scruffing for nectar in a nasty truck stop while filling-up ($70.03). It was really difficult to get a  good shot off because the wind was blowing so hard.

Rob's Beer Review: JW Dundee's Original Honey Brown
This is a tale about two passions, bees and beer. One develops from and egg,  metamorphosis's into a very complex social insect -A. mellifera.  The other develops from barley,hops, and sugars. The only developement I got was the development of a bad taste in my mouth from this beer.
Basically the beer wasn't that great..... sorry!  I love the idea of honey in beer, even the name honey on the label is cool. but the beer?  what can I say? I'm an anchor steam man....

 

Springfield Day 2

Springfield Day 2 – I saw so many more bees today. I have been noticing a number of bees the last few days however, they were really out flying today. I spotted bees on clover, those purple blooms again, and even these new small little grass like yellow flowers. The interesting thing about the bees foraging on the little yellow blooms is that they worked the nectar in those flowers so quickly. I hardly had time to focus the camera and they were off to the next nectar source. I was able to get a few good shots but most were soft with motion blur. It was really great to see so many of the girls out working. I wish I had more time in Pennsylvania to look up some beekeepers to see if I couldn’t shadow them to check out their hive husbandry. After all I packed my veil.
Majority of the day was spent preparing to leave for Ohio. One thing I forgot was to bring a car seat for Davis so I went to New Jersey’s largest thrift store to find him a five point harness. We arrived a little early so I walked around the building looking for pollinators.
Not much in the way of bees but I found the most amazingly beautiful moth. One like I have never seen before, white with black spots. It was so cooperative, I was like the maparazzi – the moth paparazzi - all up in this moth’s grill and it never flinched. I sometimes wish bees were that easy to shoot. When I’m photographing bees I generally shoot from the hip. I’ve been using a new Cannon Elph – my boy Karl sold me a SD1100 si at Seawood Photo - it has the best infrared sensor and macro capacity. i rarely look through the view finder. Often I find that the hip-shot images give me a varroa check later when I am editing the pictures.

Check out this Moth!

Check out this Moth too!

Varroa check:

Springfield

Springfield - Our day consisted mostly of visiting my dead relatives. I first took Davis to see his great great grand mother Pauline Miller. Actually he was never able to meet her in person so we did the next best thing…..
We visited her grave. We affectionately called her “nana” and she’s buried with all the other Geiserts in the Mount Zion Cemetery.
Her tomb stone reads Pauline Miller 1998 – 1985.

I know, I know, it’s slightly morbid but we also visited both my grandmother and grandfather too. Albeit at a much schwanker Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery.
A big difference in the two cemeteries or “ lands of the dead" as Davis was calling them is that at
Pauline’s plot (which is awesome, nestled between the only two massive trees in the place) is you can actually plant flowers. Mark and Davis planted a red Geranium at Nana’s. At Florence and Joe’s you are not as invited to over indulge your loved ones. We left cut lilies. It is apparent there is a lot more structure SP&P. Cut flowers only.
The up side to the whole grave site thing is I saw my first Philadelphian honeybee. Sure enough, one of the girls working the clover. Back here there’s tons of clover everywhere. In the yards, parks, cracks in the streets, and cemeteries. Check out the pollen sacks – brownish! This brings up an interesting questions: the issue of which plants supply what forage source? Clover honey is well known yet here is a forager working the flower for pollen too? Curious…….

Perhaps it was the heat of the day but when we returned from the death parade I saw both honeybees and bumblebees working clover and this other purple flower. Awesome to see feral bees foraging in the urban environment of Springfield PA. the neighborhood doesn’t strike me as a place anyone would keep bees but looking at our local Napa contingency who knows?

Here are a few floral images I made from some of the dead fake flowers laying around the cemeteries:

Philadelphian Honeybee. Check out the color of her pollen. The first bee I spotted on this trip was at the Mount Zion Cemetery.

Bees working the foliage around my uncle's place in the suburban area of Philadelphia:

A Bumble Bee

Today is the first day of our journey. We stayed the night in Oakland to get an early jump on the day. Davis and I flew from Oakland to Phoenix and then to Philadelphia. It was a pretty crazy travel day but I won’t bore you with the details of delays and the new prime real estate at airports nearest the outlets. Everyone needs to recharge phones, computers, and ipods. It’s nuts, I almost went fist to cuffs over an electrical outlet. Try having all systems down while traveling with a 4 year old and air traffic delays. Almost as sad as the frequent flying plug ogres is the current situation with lack of honey here in Springfield. Okay, so I only whipped into a Wawa market while my uncle grabbed some AAA batteries but there was absolutely NO honey. Seeing as this is meant to be a bee based blog I did find some bees but it was a pathetic attempt. To Wawa’s credit they did have a Burt’s Bees end cap display. :

cant forget your bee garb. i packed my veil  even though if i do get in  little bee face time i wont wear it. it'll just be cool to look prepared.

running for the plane, im always late! no matter how well i plan in advance.

davis is always ready, he was born ready. what a fabulous little traveler.

she loves him more than salt................

is what im talking about.  not much in the way of bees....

  BUT I LIKE THIS ONE!

CRAZY BEE DAY

today wasn't much of a bee day for me in the way of hive management. however, yesterday was just off the hook bee crazy.

first stop
i spent the early afternoon working bees with my boy billy-g in yountville. at first it wasn't so bad until about mid-day when the heat kept climbing and the quality of the hives declined. i really thought we had some great colonies out there but with each hive we opened there was another problem.
colony number one had numerous laying workers. at first appearance the bees and brood looked fine until i started noticing eggs in the pollen then eventually as we worked through the hive we saw more and more eggs in each cell. at one point i saw a section of brood with what must have been 10-20 eggs in each unused cell up in the honey stores.

look really close deep into these cells, they're just jammed packed with unfertile eggs. i guess perhaps i could be a newly mated queen that hasn't yet sorted out the laying order. if so she has a long way to go. since i never saw a queen and there was some nice even laying im going to keep my fingers crossed and come back in a week. hopefully i wont pop my inner cover and there be a zillion drones.

bill and i also found a hive that looked great in population but on closer inspection we noticed a pretty serious brood disorder. no sunken in capped brood, bee scale, or funny smell but definitely problematic brood with dying cells of brown disease. we shook all the bees in question onto new fresh drawn comb and burnt all the frames and foundation that looked a little sickly. it's sad to kill bees but on the other hand if we are seeing a colony with little of no disease resistance  we really don't want that genetic pool mixing with our stronger survival stock. i will also check this colony in one week to see their status.

i saw a really interesting marking on a queen. a big black dot on her

i've never seen anything like that before.

while working the bees i also saw a wasp fly up and start attacking a worker. ripping it in half before the guard bees were able to push the yellow jacket off. i guess this is the time of year the yellow jackets start needing protein.

Partners for Sustainable Pollination

Partners for Sustainable Pollination was started roughly a year ago by Kathy Kellison as a way to work with willing farmers, beekeepers and scientists to develop, demonstrate and validate ways to improve Honey Bee health. Their mission is to incorporate more native pollinators, managed and unmanaged into meeting field crop pollination needs in the state of California and the United States. From the first time I met Kathy I knew she was going to do amazing things. Her calm nature and easy to digest explanation of the current situation won me over. The partners are an amazing group who have the better interest of all pollinators on their radar but the European Honeybee have a special place in their hearts. Three of the supporters I know personally:
Serge Labesque, Beekeeper, Glenn Ellen, CA
Eric Mussen, Ph.D., Department of Entomology, University of California-Davis
Randy Oliver, Commercial Beekeeper, Researcher, Grass Valley, CA
are the top three beeheads I most admire and respect for their advances in saving the species.
Majority of the founding members are beekeepers first but I am most moved how Kathy and the others involved have taken all pollinators under her wing, not just the species most important to them. Often it is easy to lose track of the fact that the current collapse goes far outside our own apiary. Please - please- please!....... Take a moment to read the attached documents and sign on as a supporter of PFSP's cause. I champion the campaign and would advise you to do the same!
It's really easy - just shoot Kathy a quick note letting her know you are interested and she will add you to the list.
k.kellison@earthlink.net

My favorite from a photo shoot I did with Kathy for the Beekeepers of Sonoma Series

Download dear_colleague_letter_for_ag_pollinator_habitat_group_letter.doc ~2..doc

Download petition_letter_for_ag_pollinator_task_force_june_20_version.doc

Download pollinator_habitat_exhibit.doc

Download PFSP_brochure_rev08.pdf