A Joe Cool Summer

"A whole stack of memories never equals one little hope."

-Charles Schulz

For the past two summers, the town of Santa Rosa, has come alive with sculptures of the Peanuts gang. The first year was devoted to Charlie Brown, last year it was the summer of Woodstock, and for this year, the final year for the series, it was all about Joe Cool, AKA Snoopy. I have loved making the trek to Santa Rosa, to photograph this amazing exhibit, and I am going to miss them next summer. I was hoping that they would eventually get around to other characters, especially Lucy. The sculptures are on display throughout the town. There are 95 total! The search for them around town, is a wonderful chance to spend time in one of the most beautiful Northern California cities, and it seems like everyone grows roses there, in every imaginable color and variety.

If you don't make it up there this summer to see the statues, then certainly try to make it to the Charles Schulz Museum. It is a place of happiness. You can feel his spirit all about the place, even as a statue of Charlie Brown greets you just outside the door. Once inside, the lobby has a wonderful over sized Peanuts comic strip on the wall, and plenty of exhibits, programs, workshops and films to enjoy. Across the street is the Redwood Home Ice Arena/Snoopy's Home Ice, and the Warm Puppy Cafe, where according to my information map, Charles Schulz ate his breakfast each day, before he sat down to work on each of his Peanuts comics. He live in Santa Rosa, for 42 of his 50 year career. He obviously saw the immense beauty of the city of Santa Rosa. I didn't photograph as many of the statues as I wanted to the other day, but they will be on display through September 21, so maybe I will get back up there. I hope so. :)

"I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it."

-Charles M. Schulz

Snoopy's Joe Cool Summer. Enjoy! :)

"Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use."
-Charles M. Schulz

"Joe Masterpiece"

"No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem"

"World Famous Novelist"

"Joe The Coolest Conservationist"

"Shakespeare Snoopy"

"Beagle Ridge"

"A Snoop Bis"

"Joe Brakeman Cool"

"Pucker Up Sweetie"

"Cool Reflections"

"Impressionist Snoopy"

"Cool The World"

Charlie Brown Greets You!

Charles M Schulz's Hollywood Walk of Fame star, which is located outside the Empire Ice Arena.

The Charles M. Schulz Museum

"I know the answer! The answer lies within the heart of all mankind! The answer is twelve? I think I am in the wrong building."

-Charles M. Schulz

"Big sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life."

-Charles M. Schulz

-OndineMonet
"The Original Joe Cool"
Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center
2301 Hardies Lane
Santa Rosa, California 95403
(707) 579-4452
August 2, 2007
Afternoon