Listening to the blues at StingRayz Marina

A good friend of ours plays in a rock and blues band called Lucy’s Bones. Last Saturday they had a gig at StingRayz Marina on the Sacramento River outside the tiny town of Knights Landing and we joined them for a few hours.

I often say the Sacramento River is a miniature version of the Mississippi (minus the humidity), and StingRayz could just as easily be somewhere in Mississippi or Louisiana although it also has a bit of a Baja California beach vibe. It’s an unpretentious place for unpretentious people, and I enjoy myself tremendously every time we go.

Some people might be put off by all the “stuff” piled up outside StingRayz, but what is one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. I think the old vehicles, gadgets and implements add a great of character.

Somebody at StingRayz has a way with the chain saw!

These sculptures were made on-site, judging from the amount of debris around them

Here’s one half…

…and here’s the other

But the real reason why I decided to write this post was to show you what a difference plants can make. Somebody at StingRayz clearly is a plant lover (albeit not necessarily a gardener). In addition to the plants in the ground—including a few small Mexican palms (Washingtonia robusta), prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) and tree philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum)—there are lots of potted plants scattered throughout the property. They’re not always in pristine shape but that doesn’t bother me because what is at StingRayz? The place is rough around the edges, and that’s what I like about it.

StingRayz has its own boat dock

Prickly pear

Mexican fan palm

Tree philodendron

Black bamboo

Bird of paradise and succulents

Aloes, cannas and more

Nice spot overlooking the river

More river views

Banana and bathtub

Nice banana—check out the barrel!

I almost agreed to climb into the tub for a photo but then I chickened out

Another nice spot to look at the river and enjoy the music

Quirky collection of things

I’ve never seen a birdhouse made out of a cowboy boot before

Assorted aloes

Palm seedlings next to the stage

I realize that places like StingRayz aren’t for everyone. It’s not a regular hangout for us either but I look forward to visiting every time Lucy’s Bones plays there. You would agree: There’s something special about listening to the blues while looking out over the languid river.

Although my mind was busy wondering if those Mexican fan palm seedlings were free for the taking…