Mike has to keep a pair of flip flops in his car.
Teresa has to remind him. Otherwise, he might show up to pick up the grandson at daycare and forget he’s barefoot. He’d be shoeless all the time if he had his way. So, it was no surprise that when I arrived at Pele at Barefoot Bay – Mike’s outdoor home oasis in Imperial, California – he greeted me barefoot.
Why the name Pele? Mike loves volcanoes, lava, and fire. He believes every tiki bar should include an element of danger. When Barefoot Bay comes to life at night, you’ll see flames in multiple places. There are lava rocks that actually steam at the base of the pearl fountain. He’s also included a crafted symbol based on a carving of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, lighting, dance, wind, and volcanoes. You’ll find lava and flame patterns in his ceramics, builds, and other items.
Read the rest of the story in Polynesiacs: Tiki at Home, page 222.
Pele Bar at Barefoot Bay, Imperial, California
