What we did!

This is the blog of our 12th Trip to the U.S.A.
On this trip we arrived in March and spent a week with our friends Connie NA Jim at their Bluegrass Party, in Florida.
We then flew to Phoenix, where we collected our rig and then explored Southern Arizona, from the cowboy city of Tombstone in the East, to the desert City of Yuma in the West.
Travelling north along the course of the Colorado river we visited the London Bridge at Lake Havasu before exploring the Mojave Desert, including some more of Rout 66 and Calico Ghost Town.
Moving North West through California we shared in the CBA Bluegrass Campout in Turlock, before visiting Bodega Bay to follow The Birds. After sampling the delights of the Napa Valley we joined in The Fiddle Convention at Cloverdale before storing our rig and returning home after seeing some friends in San Leandro, near San Francisco.
This blog gives a day to day record of many of the things we did on this trip.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Ma\rch 11th - Harpers Hideaway

Monday Morning and the party is now just about over, just a few friends left to help finish the clearing away. Wednesday we ate baby back ribs at the Oakwood with about 30 friends (at this point the diet went right out of the window ). When we came back we sat in Connie's front room to jam, because it was too cold outside. Thursday we took our side trip to Rainbow Springs, by the time we returned the numbers of people rolling in had increased. Thursday night we took refuge in the kitchen to jam, to cold outside still, though warming up Friday we got into full swing as the main bulk of people arrived. On the evening we had the Band Scramble, for a change I was in the very last group to perform, so we were able to take a leisurely hour or so to practice together. The set went really well, making a great finale to the evening, with Paul (who had arrived that evening from New Jersey) finishing off with Foggy mountain Breakdown. Saturday was fun with groups performing on the stage all day, we were able to relax in the sun and listen, though I spent sometime playing. the evening was taken up with the more organised events. This summer Connie and Jim celebrate their 50th anniversary, so wanted to share it by renewing their vows, so we had a special time, with Larry presiding, while they restated their vows, talked a little abut their life together and then sung some songs with the Crooked Halos. It was very touching. This was followed by the Paaty Poopers, the all man/lady band who have entertained us in their inimitable style over the last few years. This year the 'Theme' was the Outhouse, based on 7 Old Ladies Stuck in mthe Lavatory. Very funny, but I guess you had to be there. At last it was warm enough to sit out and jam, we had a really nice jam by the stage until 2.00, then realised that the clocks also go forward, so it was really 3.00 before I got to bed, still good fun. Sunday Morning Brunch was a very relaxed affair as we sat in the sunshine. This followed by a very pleasant Gospel Hour (or two), people had steadily drifted off home and so in the afternoon we were able to do some clearing up. In the evening we sat and jammed to some good old hit songs, good fun.and I find myself sat in Connie's Kitchen with the Party over That brings us to today, Monday, with only one traditional activity left to undertake - Beal's Double Points Senior Citizen Monday Sale scrum down, yes we hit the shops to find bargains in Beal's Outlet shops. Tomorrow we drive back down to Orlando and resume our journey to Phoenix to pick up the trailer.
Party life

2 comments:

  1. Sounds as if you had a great time - I can sort of imagine the Paaty Poopers as seeing them last year was hilarious. We fly out on Tuesday - having the usual mixed feelings but willbe fine when we get there. Have fun in Arizona

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  2. Hope you have a great journey and trip. Xx



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