Across the nevada desert.

Amber and Bailey

Some random elk art in the Sierra





Hot August nights

The beginning of the trip, Sacramento Ca.

Starting the travels.


First stop, the Capitol.


A stop at the Capitol in California.


A Stop at the Lego store.



Our good friend Nancy.




Grandma, Grandpa and us.

The Gift

It all started Friday, July 30^th, 2010, in a small town park in Folsom, California with a boy, a man and a hat. The boy was cruising his scooter around the park enjoying the festivities of the casual community gathering. There were many sights to see and hear as the Friday Night Music in the Park provided the backdrop for families and friends enjoying BBQ’s, picnics, hula hoops, dancing, train rides and conversations.

While traversing the paths, the boy noticed a gray haired gentleman sitting on his walker and listening to the music. The boy especially admired the straw hat the gentleman wore. The hat atop his head was made of straw and appeared to have had many years of good use. The front and rear brims were down turned as any well used cowboy hat would be. The band was tinged from wear and the crown was worn and tattered seemingly the result of years of handling.

The boy complimented the man on his hat and they shared conversation. “I like your hat!” said the boy, “Thank you” said the man, “but it is old and tattered, and it’s all your fault!” said the man jokingly, “My fault?” responded the boy, “Well, I have to blame it on someone” teased the man. After pondering this for a moment the boy replied, “Okay, I’ll take the job!”

The boy cruised off on his scooter for a time and then returned to visit with the man again. As the two talked the man took off his hat and handed it to the boy and said “Here.” The boy responded “ For me?” “Yes,” the man said, “I need to get a new one anyway.” As they parted ways the boy wore the hat accompanied by an enormous smile!

The boy shared the story of the man with his parents and thus this blog began. Upon inspecting the hat it was discovered that the hat was manufactured by Bailey Hat Co. and it was agreed that the hat was to be named "Bailey."

What the man did not know was that the boy and his family, and now his hat Bailey, were not going home. This was the first stop of many on a trip around the United States. His hat was going on a grand adventure over the next three months.

What will follow are the images and stories of that adventure. With luck the man will be able to follow these stories because he is anonymous to the family known as the Nomadic Jesters.