Saturday's Discovery ~ March 1, 2014

While researching Western history and the origins of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering I came upon Montana artist Chris Owen ~ The Art of the Cowboy. Chris's paintings just stopped me in my tracks and his observations and thoughtful words speak volumes on horses and humans. Take a time out from your busy life and explore his world. 

A Cowboys's Morning

http://www.chrisowenart.com/

"The cowboy is the most important, most relevant figure 
to our nation's past, present and future". Chris Owen

Words on the Wind ~ February 2, 2014

Much to our surprise we're able to get the crew together for a farewell breakfast before we all take off for home: Linda, Bob and Jyl back to Idaho and Rod, Carol and me to Northern California. We've spent several days immersed in and celebrating ranch and cowboy culture: from rough beginnings in the Old West to the rough stock realities of modern times. Food for thought, food for the soul. Words have been stampeding around my brain for days, but the herd has finally settled down and quietly grazes at my fingertips. 

Tres Amigos

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AsherahPhotography

Words on paper to song 

We're invited to come along

Words on paper to spoken

We're part of a chain unbroken

Words on paper to art

We're taken into the heart 

We've been brought to tears

And learned to face our fears

We've laughed until we couldn't catch our breath

And had our souls warmed to their very depth

Spanish ponies and feral cattle

The art of a handmade saddle

North and South united by a horse's reins

Cowboy songs from Irish refrains 

Charlie Russell was born to wander

And left a legacy of the visual yonder
Called to serve his creative purpose

He'd draw or paint on any surface

His paint brush was his swagger

Perhaps the early American tagger 

Generations have a story to tell

Old and new unite to cast a spell

The journey becomes the guiding muse

Payable in points of view and worn out shoes

Writing new chapters from the old

Spurring new generations into the fold

© 2014, Shelley Macdonald
This poem may be reprinted or reposted with written permission

Western Saddle and Hat

www.etsy.com/shop/RandyNyhofPhotos

The Road to Elko ~ January 31, 2014

Home base for our adventure in Elko has been the Gold Country Inn. It's comfortable, convenient and has a great little restaurant called JR's. Linda, one of our friends from Boise, is staying upstairs. Our travelling partner Carol and Linda's friends Bob and Jyl are staying at a different hotel downtown. Somehow we manage to coordinate rides and the occasional meal. The only thing missing this trip are Boise friends Ken and Betty Rodgers. They had to put Elko aside this year to prepare for the next round of travel related to the screening of their documentary: Bravo! Common Men, Uncommon Valor

You may see the same friendly faces at a number of venues and only cross paths with your friends a couple of times. The beauty is that some of those very strangers become acquaintances and friends. It's just the nature of the Gathering. Someone I sat next to in one of the venues has a sister in Sebastopol. Go figure!

The day kicks off with "Cut 'em Loose" with Joel Nelson, Jerry "Brooksie" Brooks and Paul Zarzyski. As you may have surmised Zarzyski is one of our favorite performers, we never tire of his special kind of poetry and humor. We were first introduced to the inimitable Brooksie in 2012 during one of the shows honoring Charlie Goodnight. We marveled at her ability to recite an epic length poem. She defines the strong, courageous, and artistic woman of the West and is an exceptional reciter of classical and modern cowboy poetry.  

Second event is "30 Years of Wrangling Words" with six poets and reciters. The four gentlemen: Dick, Waddie, Joel and Paul were great but it was the ladies who stole the show.   

Georgie Sicking

Photo credit Lori Faith Merritt

Georgie Sicking was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1989. She calls herself a cowboy who just happens to be a woman. Her poetry struck a note for all of us. Be Yourself and Housewife will brighten the dreariest of days. Her biography and more poetry can be found at http://www.cowboypoetry.com/sicking.htm

Yvonne Hollenbeck is the top award winning cowgirl poet in America. Home is old family ranch in rural South Dakota, the nearest town is 30 miles away. Her poems The Truth About Cowboy Laundry and What Would Martha Do? will have you in stitches - which reminds me, she's also an award winning quilter.  Her biography and a few of her poems can be found at http://www.cowboypoetry.com/yh.htm 

It's just now noon, so we grab a bite to eat in the cafeteria and head off to the Members Show #2. Standouts from this show are Vess Quinlan and the Gary Haleamau Family Band from Hawaii. The day just keeps getting better. 

When we purchased tickets last fall the "This is my Prairie" show with Ian Tyson was sold out. On a whim we decide to see if there are any tickets available. Jackpot! We get two tickets in Row E, five rows back from the stage. He's a singer, songwriter, cowboy, and storyteller extraordinaire. In 2011 he received the Charles M. Russell Heritage Award. You may remember one of his earlier incarnations as half the duo of Ian and Sylvia.

There are live podcasts of both the Members Show and Ian Tyson's show on the Western Folklife Center website at http://www.westernfolklife.org/2014-National-Cowboy-Poetry-Gathering-Live-Broadcast.html

The entertainment and inspiration is not limited to the shows. We hear young hopefuls harmonizing in the halls, see impromptu musical collaborations in lobbies and on the street. We're drawn back in time as budding poets paint word pictures that bring the Old West back to life and also tell the stories of today's real working West as well. That's what good modern cowboy poetry is all about. By the time the day is over we're giddy as kids who've been let in on a big secret. Time for a light dinner and off to rest up for tomorrow. Chance of some snow on the horizon. 

The Road to Elko ~ Jan 30, 2013

I knew if I didn't take some notes at the events I was going to regret it. Much to my bemusement I'm now sorting through eighteen pages of scratchpad scribbles written in near darkness during the shows. Gonna have to rethink this next time. What would Margo do?

One of the fun parts of the Gathering is bringing all our western gear, the stuff we don't wear in our everyday lives: boots, vests, hats, scarves, special shirts, fringed jackets and jewelry. It's a chance to step into our favorite culture. 

Old West Cowgirl
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaintingsOfTheWest

This year seemed to favor a change: perhaps due to below freezing temperatures and the copious number of layers we all wore or carried around, perhaps out of respect for the real cowboys and their families. It wasn't anything conscious, we just noticed a subtle shift from dressing the part to comfortable layers. I kept the hat and jewelry but traded the fancy gear for a favorite turtleneck and fleece jacket.

The wondrous part of the Gathering is that there are free shows and workshops every day. They're in small venues and often more entertaining than the large ticketed shows. The hard part is making a choice, as there are usually 4-6 events going on at any one time at several venues. 

The morning starts off with "A Couple of Rebels" featuring Vess Quinlan and Paul Zarzyski; both accomplished poets, reciters and storytellers. Whether free verse or rhyme their work will get you to thinking and haul out your emotions, running the gamut from tears to hysterical laughter. 

Our second show was "Verses for Nature's Adversities" with Doris Daley, Carolyn Dufurrena and Gail Steiger. A couple of lines in Doris Daley's poem "100 Years From Now" really stuck with me. 

We lived beneath the arch with a mix of grit and grace,

Just ordinary folk in an extraordinary place. 

These words still hold true. We may live in different places and times, but challenges remain for every one of us. The grit and gumption of our ranchers and cowboys make us realize we can dare to be brave and face whatever is thrown in our path. 

The first Members' Show at the Convention Center Auditorium was a round robin featuring Don Edwards, Joel Nelson and Randy Rieman ~ one and all credentialed and steeped in living the American West. Rather than try to put words to the experience, I'll send you to the link for the Western Folklife Center Members' Show #1 on Thursday, January 30th.

http://www.westernfolklife.org/2014-National-Cowboy-Poetry-Gathering-Live-Broadcast.html 

The theme of the Gathering was "Expressing the Rural West ~ into the Future". Planners worked hard to attract younger generations by taking advantage of social media and creating youth programs like the Teen Poetry Slam and Young Buckaroo Open Mic. We took notice, there were more young people attending, participating and performing at the Gathering that we'd seen in previous events. A new generation, old souls at heart, has stepped up to carry on the traditions of the West. 

Performance from Teen Poetry Slam

Photo credit Jessica Brandi Lifland

Glenn Ohrlin and Bridget Reedy 

Photo credit Jessica Brandi Lifland at

http://jessicalifland.com

We need to remember across generations 

That there is as much to learn as there is to teach. 

 Gloria Steinem

Look up any of the performers cited above on YouTube and you'll find some great examples of their work. If you go to Cowboy Poetry.com you'll find an incredible resource for research, poetry and all things cowboy. The link is http://www.cowboypoetry.com

We checked out a few of the trade shows in the afternoon, had an early dinner and called it a day. Time for a little dose of Louis L'Amour and dreamland.

The Road to Elko ~ Jan 28-29, 2014

Off to Elko, Nevada for the 30th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. We missed 2013 due to severe weather (Wimpy Coastal California Kids) and this time next year I should be recovering from a liver transplant (Not Allowed in Crowds). Our friend Carol came with us and nothing was going to keep the posse away from this celebration of living history, horses and cowboys. It is also Nevada's sesquicentennial (150th) birthday. Although I'm a California girl, I have family ties to Nevada and proud to have some history there. 

We took off about 10:30 and got to Reno in the late afternoon. After tossing the luggage into our rooms the three of us took off for a walkabout (a daily ritual). Coincidentally, the distance from the Silver Legacy to Labels, our favorite consignment store, is a two mile round trip. Walking Justifies Shopping! We had a delightful dinner with our friends Steve and Barbara and then called it a night. The Biggest Little City in the World is a good halfway point in the journey.

Some find the high desert a featureless bore, but I am always stunned by it's vast beauty, subtle colors, vitality and adaptive genius. The drive to Elko was cloudy and cool with a promise of rain and snow as we climbed each pass to the next great wide open. Nevada is also experiencing drought conditions so if moisture gets this far east there is hope we're getting rain at home. 

We arrived in the late afternoon, unpacked and headed out to our first show at the Elko Convention Center: the premier of the Trails End Ranch Radio Show from the mind of Stephanie Davis. We were lucky enough to see the first, post workshop, performance at a San Francisco gallery last year. 

Rehearsal
Fred Newman, D.W. Groethe, Stephanie Davis, 
Jerry Brooks, Henry Real Bird

Photo Gib Myers ~ Elko Daily Free Press

We became a live in studio audience for the show (My dad took me to the Red Blanchard Show in San Francisco in the 50's so this was a delightful step back in time for me). The ensemble is made up of six actors and five poets who write all their skits and advertisements (my favorite was for Western Brew ~ Lose Your Need to be Right) and a seven musician band. The show has grown and evolved since our first viewing so we were thoroughly entertained. 

After the performance Rod, Carol and I met up with our friend Tam for dinner at the Star Hotel and then headed back to the Gold Country Inn to catch a few winks before our first full day of entertainment kicked into gear. Note to self: no more large dinners at 9pm.

Note to my readers: Many of the event performances are well worth checking out and are available as live podcasts from the Western Folklife Center at the following link:
http://www.westernfolklife.org/2014-National-Cowboy-Poetry-Gathering-Live-Broadcast.html 

Wishing You Were Here ~ Nov 23, 2013

 

 

Another year exits stage right
Life moves on with each sunset flight

From the seeds of friendship you so freely cast

A cosmic garden has come to pass

It took root in love and continues to thrive

Ever brilliant and so much alive

 

We all have new challenges to bear
As well as joys and stories to share

We remain the same, yet forever changed

By the cosmic cowgirl, at home on our range

You taught me well about facing each day

Life throws us curve balls, but we're here to play

 

Follow your heart

Jump in with both feet

Say what you mean

And follow your dreams

 Zarzo's lines reside in plain sight

 Words to the wise forever in flight

 

 

Did you come to ride?

 Or did you come to hide? 

 

 Here to ride girlfriend, fearless, strong and true

So very glad to have shared time with you

The Road to Elko ~ Saturday Day 5

It's hard to believe this is the last day of the Gathering. Three of the usual suspects (Leland, Trisha and Linda) join Rod and me for breakfast at JR's. We've all been going in different directions each day so it's fun to catch up and compare notes.

The morning is unscheduled for us so Rod and I decide to take in several of the trade shows. We find some stunning work: from saddles and tack to custom made hats and boots, from paintings, photos and bronzes to jewelry and clothing. A friend suggested we check out the 8th Annual Great Basin Native Market at the historic Girl Scout House. We did and I was totally taken by the paintings and prints of a young woman named Micqaela Jones. Her work speaks for itself. Take a minute to check out her website.

Innocent One

http://www.originalartbymicqaela.com/

We came home with a vest for Rod and some small treasures and gifts. As independent artists we understand the love, commitment and time that go into the creative process. Though we cannot always support artists financially by purchasing work, we'll always let them know how much we enjoy what they do. We know from experience how a positive comment can make your day.

Just before we left for Elko we received a postcard from the Western Folklife Center that let us know we'd won tickets to see Baxter Black. He is a former large animal vet and a cowboy poet "known for his humor and sharp observations that focus on the day-to-day ups and downs of everyday people who live with livestock and work the land". He is a very physical entertainer so his entire being becomes part of the story. We laughed so hard our cheeks were cramping. You need to check out the cybercast: under "Special Show" on Saturday's events at: http://www.westernfolklife.org/NPCybercast.html

Next we head over to the G Three Bar for another of the free events entitled Far Out West with Stephanie Davis, Ramblin' Jack Elloitt and Ronstadt Generations. Our friend Michael staked out front row seats for 12 of us so this was a real treat. Before the show I started chatting with the woman sitting next to me. Andi is from Gardnerville and told us about the Genoa Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival April 26-29 with Waddie Mitchell, Dave Stamey, Juni Fisher, Paul Zarzyski, Cowboy Celtic. Sounds like another road trip to me!

Stephanie and Jack regaled us with story and song, but I'd never heard of Ronstadt Generations so didn't know what to expect. Michael J. Ronstadt is Linda's younger brother and plays with his sons Michael and Petie: original material and traditional Southwestern and Mexican music. They gave a wonderful performance, but Michael stole the show with his unconventional cello work. Check out his original song Bridging the Gap at
http://www.michaelronstadt.com/

Old Ranch Wagon

http://www.etsy.com/shop/laZycatdesignZ

Truthfully I don't remember what we did for dinner (we ain't forgetful we just get our mature on now and then ~ thank you Carla) but we're back at the Convention Center to meet up with friends, dressed to the nines for the evening events.

Tonight is Classic Poetry: recitations of historic poems by 14 of the week's premier poets. The show made for an incredible and entertaining evening, a grand finale to the day and the Gathering for us. The cybercast is under Saturday at http://www.westernfolklife.org/NPCybercast.html  

Rain at the Ranch ~ Luna, NM

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesertDebrisArt

The Gathering is truly something that needs to be experienced. It's all about preserving and sharing the threads of a universal history of cowboying and ranching around the world and a love of the Amercian West. Where you come from and what you do to make a living have no bearing here. There are new friends to meet at every event, programs to make you think, open your mind, shed a tear, delight your ears, laugh out loud, or perhaps try your chops at one of the open sessions. We heard some amazing young performers who will no doubt carry the torch for the next generations. Take the time, make the time, to take this journey back into history.

Tomorrow we head for home on some roads less travelled.

The Road to Elko Day 3 ~ Saddle Up!

There are still patches of snow and ice on the ground so you need to watch your step (temperatures range from 9-35 degrees during our stay). I perfect the "flat foot shuffle" to avoid a cartoon pratfall. None of us bounce like we used to and at 66 (say what?) one needs to be conscious of such things. It ain't pretty but it's effective.

Where to start? Oh, how about a small intimate breakfast for 15-20 at Stockman's. It used to be called the "Ladie's Breakfast" but this year it was changed to the "People's Breakfast" ~ menfolk allowed. We took over an entire corner of the restaurant and sort of rotated between bites to catch up with friends we haven't seen since the last Gathering and to meet the newcomers.

Ken, Leland, Trisha, Linda and Betty

The Idaho Contingent

First event of the day is the Keynote Address at the Convention Center by actor Barry Corbin - you may remember him from Lonesome Dove, Conagher, or Northern Exposure.

As Roscoe Brown in Lonesome Dove

His feet are in both worlds, that of a cowboy and that of the mythological cowboy on screen. As a consummate character actor he strives for authenticity in his roles. He regaled the audience with behind scene stories like learning how to drive a six horse stagecoach team just prior to filming a shot.

Our next two events are also at the Convention Center so we decide to grab a bite to eat. So much for the vegetarian, low fat, small portioned California cuisine we're used to. Rod and I split a BBQ beef sandwich on a french roll that has enough meat on it for another meal. Oh well, when in Rome....

Many of the shows and workshops at the Gathering are free and well worth squeezing into the day. These poets do what they love and perform to keep their love of history and the west alive. Check out their websites to find out more.

Rib Ticklers: the lighter side of ranch life

• Yvonne Hollenbeck is a South Dakota cattle rancher's wife, cowgirl poet and quilter ~ http://www.yvonnehollenbeck.com/
• RP Smith is a 4th generation cattle rancher from Nebraska who hosts his own radio show "Home Grown" from his ranch. http://www.rpsmith.us/
• Jay Snider rodeoed in his younger years and now raises horses and cattle in Cyril, OK. He's the 2008 Academy of Western Artists top male poet. http://www.jaysnider.net/

Western Tails (or Tales as it turns out):

• DW Groethe is an award winning poet, picker and cowboy who writes what he lives and breathes. http://www.cowboypoetry.com/dwgroethe.htm 
• Amy Hale Auker is a talented poet and writer from Arizona. Her book Rightful Place is rooted in "ranching, family, and a lifestyle hidden at the end of dirt roads". http://www.amyhaleauker.com/
• Paul Zarzyski is a former bronc rider and award winning poet from Montana, the self proclaimed "One-n-Only-Polish-Mafioso-Rodeo-Poet". I've seen him a number of times and always look forward to the next. http://www.paulzarzyski.com/

News Flash: Paul will be performing here in Sonoma County at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts on February 24th as part of a program of songs, music and poetry of the American West called Don't Fence Me In with Wylie and the Wild West, North Bear, The Quebe Sisters Band, and Los Texmaniacs. Don't miss it!

Afternoon Fare: We recover from lunch, take a little walk and come back for the Western Folklife Center Members Show #1 with Jay Snider, Randy Reiman and the Gillette Brothers.

• Randy Rieman is a master horseman, poet and reciter living in Dillon, Montana. His voice will hook you at first word and you find yourself traveling down a trail in the footsteps of his story. http://www.pioneermountainranchhorses.com/
• The Gillette Brothers are singers, guitar and banjo pickers from Crockett, TX who won Best Traditional Western Album of 2010 for their CD "Cowboys, Minstrels and Medicine Shows" http://www.campstreetcafe.com/guy&pipp.htm

Early evening a bunch of us gather at a the Star restaurant for dinner. As is tradition in a Basque restaurant large bowls of soup, salad, bread and then a myriad of side dishes from green beans to french fries are brought to the table for everyone to share. You can order "dinner" too, but from experience we knew the first round would be more than enough.

Sated and exhausted from a day full of entertainment and making new friends we call it a night and return to the Gold Country Inn. We head over to the little casino in the lobby and play for a bit. The Ernie Sites band is in the bar each night and has the place hooting and hollering. We're rocking on our stools and singing along with everyone else. Friday will come soon so we flat foot it back across the driveway and turn in about 11pm. There is little down time at the Gathering so you have to get some shut eye when you can.

If you go to the Western Folklife Center website you'll be able to enjoy cybercasts of main events. For February 2nd the Keynote, Members Show #1 and Wordsmiths are available at http://cybercast.westernfolklife.org/2012/

The Road to Elko

Once again I'm headed to Elko, NV for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Last year was my first experience. I went with my friend Carol and had an absolutely incredible adventure. I had no idea what to expect and got my boots blown off.

The Gathering is a grand celebration of the west. This years focus is the southwest, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. Both states celebrate their centennial year of statehood in 2012. I'm especially interested because I have ties to Arizona history. My great grandfather, Stanley Chipman Bagg was at one time the editor of the Tombstone Epitaph. My grandfather John Sherman Bagg discovered the Catherine Mine near Lake Mojave. Some of the historic information states SC discovered it, but the real story is that JS was under 18 when he filed the claim and had to put it in his father's name!  

Children's book illustration from 

The Poet of the Sierras published in 1937

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ankiradesign

Cowboys, ranchers, and denizens of rural and urban environments come together in Elko to enjoy a week of workshops, poetry, music, art and history. I'm introducing my darling husband, a rural Oregon boy, to the Gathering this year. We'll meet up with friends from Idaho, Nevada and California that we rarely get to see. Trisha's Posse rides again and we'll celebrate the friends who could not join us, but who will be there in spirit!

Vince and Trisha Pedroia

Instead of making the drive all in one day like last year, Rod and I decided to take it easy: have dinner with friends and spend the night in Reno. We were planning on getting home by 2/6 but we just found out we have no promises to keep so if the weather holds we may do a little exploring.

I'm taking my camera this time so there will be words and pictures. Do put this one your Bucket List. For more information go to the Western Folklife Center website at http://www.westernfolklife.org/

Cowboy Poetry Gathering ~ Day 3

It's a wee bit crisper this morning, 20 degrees, so we make it easy on ourselves and toddle across the parking lot to JR's for breakfast while the Jeep windows de-ice in the morning sun. We meet up with our friend Michael after breakfast and head out to the trade shows.

"Raku Vase with Horsehair"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/wyopotter

The shows are at 4 different venues around town. A couple were easy to find, two were not: one in a small hotel conference room and another well hidden up the stairs to nowhere at Stockmans. I'm an artisan and have done fairs for over 20 years. There is something to be said for having all vendors at one place. It focuses shoppers on the artisans not the task of getting to the venues. It may be a matter of what space is available for the trade shows, with so much going on during the week, but I decided to email the Western Folklife Center and make the suggestion anyway.

"Bareback Rider"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/3LPhotography

The variety and quality of the work offered was astounding: handmade saddles and tack, quilts, cards, clothing and jewelry, custom boots and hats, furnishings and frames, lamps and sculptures, plus all varieties of wall art from photography to etchings. Each of us came home with a treasure or two.

"Desert Rose"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sedonaskye

We took the afternoon off to rest up for the evening concert. Carol and I discovered a great little Italian place for dinner called Luciano's near the center of town. The concert opened with poetry and stories and closed with Wiley and the Wild West.  Wiley is the consummate performer: he has a great voice, is an amazing yodeler and has more moves that Dwight Yokum and Mick Jagger combined. We were either rolling in the aisles with laughter or at rapt attention enthralled with lyrics that told amazing stories of the West, of ranching, of rodeo and the characters that made it happen. A perfect closing to a grand adventure.

"Abandoned House in Montana"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GeorgiesLens

No early night for us though, we again decide to play the penny slots and both Carol and I walk away with pockets jingling. Still not tired we decide to pack most of our stuff so we can get an early start in the morning to head for home.  Dreams of horses and the prairie.

Cowboy Poetry Gathering ~ Day 2

Bounced out of bed at 6am and hit the showers, 5 hours sleep and fresh as daisies. As we head to breakfast we're thinking heatwave, who needs a down jacket, it's up to 24 degrees this morning! The dry cold of the desert creates beautiful ice patterns on the Jeep windshield. Definitely not the wiper strangling sticky mush we get with frost in northern California, but we still need to crank up the seat heaters and defroster and patiently wait until we can get a move on. The strategy for tomorrow ~ park on the side of the hotel that gets first sun. Wise women learn quickly!

"Morning Ice Crystals"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PhotosFromMichele

Coffee and breakfast then we're off the the Great Basin College Theater to spend the morning at the "Song Swap" with Paul Zarzyski and Wylie Gustafson.

Wylie

We're entertained with stories, poetry, music and how the collaborative process works. Wylie's new album "Raven on the Wind" features a number of lyrics written by Paul. The audience was brought into a discussion of how to keep the Gathering, and this genre of poetry and music alive. One woman asked if either artist was mentoring young performers, another suggested bringing stories, songs and poetry to the schools to expose students to a way of life most only read about. It's powerful to have those you admire listen to you and take an idea into consideration that may become part of a solution.

"Raven"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaintingPrints

Our afternoon was spent at the Elko Convention Center for recitals, lectures and readings. Each of the presenters reeled in their audiences hook, line and sinker: making us think and leaving us with a desire to learn more. 

   

After a relaxing dinner we head out to the G Three Bar Theater at the Western Folklife Center. The best venue so far and two great shows: at 6:30 Acoustic Poetry with Paul and Wylie (can you tell we love these guys) and at 8:30 a triple threat: young and talented singer/songwriter Adrian, cowboy poet and story teller Leon Flick and singer/songwriter Dave Stamey. Both shows bring the house down. 

After the concerts we toddle back to the hotel, to wired to sleep we entertain ourselves on the visitor friendly penny slots. Too much fun!

So are you starting to get the picture? It's been a 10-12 hour marathon and we've come away more energized than when we started. We run into friends from around the West at the different venues. The contacts are "more drive bys than visits" according to my friend Margo, but we all understand, it's the nature of this event. The gathering is hard to explain, it just needs to be experienced. Put it on your bucket list!

Oh, did I mention it was going to be 80 degrees in Sonoma County today. This is early February, right?