the giant's lookout

November 18, 2022. Sunset 4:56 PM. Ocean Beach, CA.

"Sunset at the Giant Camera"
– Elisabeth Beaird

MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH…

November 17, 2022 Sunset 4:56 PM. San Francisco, CA. Our next-door neighbor, Tony is the first person to ring the bell in the slab out front- while we are away-- Hooray!!!
I was hoping to pass the torch and thank you Tony- for stepping up!

ARRIVED!

November 17, 2022. Sunset 5:33 PM. Austin, TX.

The Whole Foods parking lot in Austin, TX.
After many days of sharing the sunset in and around our car, we have arrived for a visit with Donald and Lillian where we will stay put for the next few days. See you back on the road in a few days.

passing through

November 16, 2022. Sunset 5:08 PM, Mimbres, NM.

Leaving Gila National Forest and the Gila Cliff Dwellings
We spent the afternoon at what remains of the temporary home to the Mogollon people in the late 1200’s is generously accessible to visitors to explore in this somewhat remote area (not so accessible) of the Gila National Forest. At one point during the climb, we heard lots of talking, echoing out into this lovely quiet environment. At first I was annoyed, but when I finally got into the “room”, there were only a few people there, very quietly speaking to each other in this very resonant space. It made me think of how it might have sounded 700 years ago- at the end of the day, everyone gathered together chatting, comfortable passing the evening together.

If you are ever even close to the area, it’s worth the drive to climb among and stand inside these well-preserved, evocative spaces.

Magic at Tom's House

November 15, 2022. Sunset 5:23 PM. Tucson, AZ. Leaving after a visit with our friend Tom who has transformed his home into an amazing Walden/Exquisite Mini Discovery/Invention center.
Thank you, Tom for a wonderful afternoon.

(switched Time Zones!)

1760 miles to go…

November 14, 2022. Sunset 4:46. PM. Beaumont, CA. Heading out on our drive from San Francisco to Austin Texas--
Here's the first of the sunsets along the way-- More to follow-
(We’re at the easternmost edge of Pacific Standard time on the California/Arizona border).

The final touches before passing the torch

November 13, 2022.
When beginning the dailybell project in 2008, the premise and practice was to observe every sunrise and sunset and to indicate the sharing of those moments with others by ringing bells – wherever one happened to be at those moments.

With the advent of covid and the subsequent shelter in place mandate in March of 2020, the idea of “wherever one happened to be” became much more predictable for those of us who were fortunate enough to be at home each evening.

So since Mid- March of 2020, we have been ringing the bell on the street in front of our home every night for the past 972 days.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to sustaining this practice and witnessing the end of the day together— every day since we first began to shelter in place in March of 2020. It’s been a wonderful experience and it would be great to see it continue- even as we now have largely resumed our more varied routines.

In an effort to make the large bell available without restriction, we have installed the bell in a slab of concrete and welded it in place in front of our home. We invite everyone who has participated in any of these past 972 sunsets (and anyone else within earshot or in the neighborhood) to continue to come by at sunset and ring the bell. It is my hope that the community of participants who have sustained this effort will feel free to and perhaps invested in continuing the practice on their own.