Tour 2011, Days 15-21
Got into Memphis about an hour later than Amtrak predicted. Andy Cohen called about 6:30am, to say he was there to pick me up, and the train got in around 7:30am. I am still annoyed that the Profit Motive requires that coal and other freight gets priority over moving humans in this nation.
We had a grand breakfast at the Arcade, just down the block, got coffee at Bluff City Coffee, and then headed over to Folk Alliance the moment the "Not So Open" sign was turned around. I am now fully registered for the February Folk Alliance shindig in Memphis, and have an application in for a Sanctioned Showcase (Andy says I'll have a Private Showcase in his track, also. Looking forward to all of it, must record a new vocal CD beforehand.
Andy got me a spot playing for the Broad Avenue Artwalk in Memphis; it was lovely to do, even if it was on the loading dock of the warehouse across the street from all the galleries, and down 15 feet. I did a mess of my loud vocal pieces, amplified (the kind of gig I *can't* get in Boulder, since I'm a Street Musician there). grynner drove me out, but I didn't get a firm look at any landmarks for the return journey.
I am mostly angry with myself over this escapade. You see, there's a lovely candelit labyrinth at FoS, and I wanted to be back for it. I knew, given the time, that I'd be walking in rather than being able to be driven in. We missed one sign, ended up on a road which said "Mississippi River Boat Ramp", turned around, and found the right gate eventually. Andy dropped me at the (closed) gate with the stop sign (turns out there are two, I'd thought there was only one. I'd also only ever heard folks say "Campground" in reference to the place we gather there, so, with harp and satchel, cane and watermug, I began following signs to "Campground". Turns out there are three "Campgrounds" in Meeman-Shelby State Forest, and none of them are the site we use (the Piersol Group Camp). So I trekked through all three; north as far as the "Hunting Area" sign (nope - not where I want to be), turned around and went to the next "campground" (just a bit off Poplar Tree Lake, the south end of MSSF, also not correct), checked the "Dog Ridge Campground, just in case - it didn't seem right (and wasn't), but when I saw RVs, I knew, and turned around. Got on the last remaining road which said "Campground", only to find, eventually, a VERY steep hill which I knew a) was wrong and b) that if I continued down it, with 65 pounds of harp on my back and my 25 punds of satchel, that my bad knee would never let me ascend it. Turned around, headed back, found the sign I'd missed a bit earlier - "Mississippi River Boar Ramp" (again, this time off the foot-trail rather than the road). Got to the Visitor Center, discovered (whilst sitting on the only bench I'd seen since entering the park that evening) a map of the park, and realized I'd been as far to each end (West, North, South) as was truly possible. On foot. In the dark. Nightblind. Weighted down. I was not amused. In fact, until I discovered the little tiny road marked "Piersol Group Camp" on the map, I was fairly ready for blood, and, yet, again, mostly angry only at myself.
Since Stoiph died, the only information the Universe has offered at my request has been (in Stoiph's voice, of course) "We have complete and total freedom". This time, walking the labyrinth (not the candlelit one, but the one which comprises the paths of MSSF), I discovered the Universe offering me the lesson of "Don't bite off more than you can chew."
This was useful (if painful) information. Next year's Northeast loop I intend to separate from the Southeast loop, with at least a couple of weeks back in Boulder between. The fact that I don't get back to reasonable altitudes, air pressures, and humidities for almost another three weeks is daunting.
One of the highlights of FoS was that rekkerafthor was ordained. Another was that I got to play for a committment ceremony for two youngsters I adore. Another was that the Hand-Harvested Wild Rice I got through Hawk from the Anishnabeg I delivered to una-con-laluna was turned into AMAZING "Red Beans 'n' Rice" (the Goddess of which, she is a Divine Avatar), and she recognized the sacredness of the spirit she was cooking with, and asked us all to partake in that reverence. Not only was it a spiritual experience, it was exceptionally yummy.
Andy drove us through Clarksville, and we had the opportunity to catch up with a friend I haven't seen in 19 (really? 19?) years. Her children are adorable. She herself does not appear to have aged a day. Drove up to Pleasant View, KY, and crashed at Kurt's (friend of Andy's), got to Lexington the following evening, and was able to have ratus join us there (with Dags and Raven, hooray!) for an impromptu House Concert. It was lovely. Thanks to Tom and Betsy for hosting us.
Again, there's a whole lot more that I'd love to write, but time constraints are pressing, and I must pack shortly. This trip is whuppin' me, and I've got to figure out ways for it to be gentler, or I'll not survive doing this sort of thing for more than the next couple of years.
Saturday I'm in Roanoke, and I should have a chance to update again. Be well!
We had a grand breakfast at the Arcade, just down the block, got coffee at Bluff City Coffee, and then headed over to Folk Alliance the moment the "Not So Open" sign was turned around. I am now fully registered for the February Folk Alliance shindig in Memphis, and have an application in for a Sanctioned Showcase (Andy says I'll have a Private Showcase in his track, also. Looking forward to all of it, must record a new vocal CD beforehand.
Andy got me a spot playing for the Broad Avenue Artwalk in Memphis; it was lovely to do, even if it was on the loading dock of the warehouse across the street from all the galleries, and down 15 feet. I did a mess of my loud vocal pieces, amplified (the kind of gig I *can't* get in Boulder, since I'm a Street Musician there). grynner drove me out, but I didn't get a firm look at any landmarks for the return journey.
I am mostly angry with myself over this escapade. You see, there's a lovely candelit labyrinth at FoS, and I wanted to be back for it. I knew, given the time, that I'd be walking in rather than being able to be driven in. We missed one sign, ended up on a road which said "Mississippi River Boat Ramp", turned around, and found the right gate eventually. Andy dropped me at the (closed) gate with the stop sign (turns out there are two, I'd thought there was only one. I'd also only ever heard folks say "Campground" in reference to the place we gather there, so, with harp and satchel, cane and watermug, I began following signs to "Campground". Turns out there are three "Campgrounds" in Meeman-Shelby State Forest, and none of them are the site we use (the Piersol Group Camp). So I trekked through all three; north as far as the "Hunting Area" sign (nope - not where I want to be), turned around and went to the next "campground" (just a bit off Poplar Tree Lake, the south end of MSSF, also not correct), checked the "Dog Ridge Campground, just in case - it didn't seem right (and wasn't), but when I saw RVs, I knew, and turned around. Got on the last remaining road which said "Campground", only to find, eventually, a VERY steep hill which I knew a) was wrong and b) that if I continued down it, with 65 pounds of harp on my back and my 25 punds of satchel, that my bad knee would never let me ascend it. Turned around, headed back, found the sign I'd missed a bit earlier - "Mississippi River Boar Ramp" (again, this time off the foot-trail rather than the road). Got to the Visitor Center, discovered (whilst sitting on the only bench I'd seen since entering the park that evening) a map of the park, and realized I'd been as far to each end (West, North, South) as was truly possible. On foot. In the dark. Nightblind. Weighted down. I was not amused. In fact, until I discovered the little tiny road marked "Piersol Group Camp" on the map, I was fairly ready for blood, and, yet, again, mostly angry only at myself.
Since Stoiph died, the only information the Universe has offered at my request has been (in Stoiph's voice, of course) "We have complete and total freedom". This time, walking the labyrinth (not the candlelit one, but the one which comprises the paths of MSSF), I discovered the Universe offering me the lesson of "Don't bite off more than you can chew."
This was useful (if painful) information. Next year's Northeast loop I intend to separate from the Southeast loop, with at least a couple of weeks back in Boulder between. The fact that I don't get back to reasonable altitudes, air pressures, and humidities for almost another three weeks is daunting.
One of the highlights of FoS was that rekkerafthor was ordained. Another was that I got to play for a committment ceremony for two youngsters I adore. Another was that the Hand-Harvested Wild Rice I got through Hawk from the Anishnabeg I delivered to una-con-laluna was turned into AMAZING "Red Beans 'n' Rice" (the Goddess of which, she is a Divine Avatar), and she recognized the sacredness of the spirit she was cooking with, and asked us all to partake in that reverence. Not only was it a spiritual experience, it was exceptionally yummy.
Andy drove us through Clarksville, and we had the opportunity to catch up with a friend I haven't seen in 19 (really? 19?) years. Her children are adorable. She herself does not appear to have aged a day. Drove up to Pleasant View, KY, and crashed at Kurt's (friend of Andy's), got to Lexington the following evening, and was able to have ratus join us there (with Dags and Raven, hooray!) for an impromptu House Concert. It was lovely. Thanks to Tom and Betsy for hosting us.
Again, there's a whole lot more that I'd love to write, but time constraints are pressing, and I must pack shortly. This trip is whuppin' me, and I've got to figure out ways for it to be gentler, or I'll not survive doing this sort of thing for more than the next couple of years.
Saturday I'm in Roanoke, and I should have a chance to update again. Be well!