May and June Happenings

We have performed in Mt. Vernon and Tama recently and had good crowds. All of us except Gabe traveled to Yellow River Forest over Memorial Day weekend to camp, fish for trout and play bluegrass with our original guitar player, Tim. He and his wife have a huge extended family and this has become a yearly event. Everyone gathered around the campfire to hear bluegrass music. The music carried well in that valley, and surrounding campers showed up to listen as well. We had to stop at 10 p.m. when the ranger drove slowly past - a hint that 10:30 starts quiet time!
... The following week Don & I and Dean & Mary drove way up to northern Minnesota and stayed at a cabin in Campbell's Resort at Sand Lake. Stopped at Tim & Rae's in Minnetonka on the way up and were treated to a wonderful dinner, so of course, we had to play bluegrass afterward. We had a nice, relaxing vacation, although it was cool and the fish weren't biting much. When we weren't out in the boat we played bluegrass, and even performed at the lodge, just for fun. The kids there were fascinated with my bass.
...We went to Tama to hear 4 Mile Creek, who were performing a reunion concert. This is a band Corky (of Castle Ridge) played banjo with back in the 80's and they all did a great job.
... Last Monday Mark and Joy came up to jam with us and the time flew. What fun, and LOVE Joy's fiddle and Mark's outstanding bluegrass guitar.
... We'll be performing in Solon soon and are really looking forward to it.
.... Just a few words about upcoming things ... We'll be going to the festival south of Kalona the weekend of July 10th, and to the Backbone festival the weekend of July 24th. It will be great to do some jamming with our bluegrass festival friends - see you there!!