Johnny (Cash) Knows What I Mean

This year has been a whirlwind of tours. We’ve crossed deserts, seen snowy mountains and experienced gorgeous sunrises. We’ve also seen some freaks, but met some nice peeps and overall-had a lovely 2010. Here are snippets of my top ten places we’ve visited from this last year.
I’ve been everywhere, man.

Number 1:
I love to play practical jokes on unsuspecting musicians. It helps them not take themselves too seriously. Plus, it makes me laugh.
Sort of a win-win.

Number 2:
Marfa, Tx is smack dab in the middle of nowhere. It’s filled with a unique art community that made us all feel right at home.

(photo courtesy of Malcolm Schuyl at http://www.wildvisions.co.uk)
Number 3:
I had a bit of a run-in with a snow goose while driving David Copperfield through the frozen tundra of Canada.

Number 4:
Visiting Sturgis, SD was quite the eye opener-complete with halter tops, leather chaps and helmets adorned with horns. Weird.

Number 5:
There are many things to love about Austin, Tx-and the  St. Cecilia Hotel tops the list.

Number 6:
Slapped in the face with a little dose of Mexican reality snapped me out of a pity party.

Number 7:
Biceps is a passionate man-especially when it comes to stage performance. So passionate, in fact, that he got scolded during a show for doing very naughty things.

Number 8:
My mother-in-law has a knack for searching out some of the coolest stores. She introduced us to a store called ‘Victory’, and it changed our lives.

Number 9:
I like to focus on the beauty found in each town we visit. But, there is a seedy underbelly that from time to time humors me.

Number 10:
There is much more Woodstock, NY than hippies. Much more.
I have enjoyed sharing our year of touring with all of you, my dear readers. I hope that you have seen some places you are inspired to visit, and perhaps some that you will avoid…
Happy 2011 to all of you!

Oh Cecilia, You’re Breakin’ my heart….

If you don’t know this song by Simon & Garfunkel…please click here.
Then come back here. Or else.
Well, Cecilia…you’ve done it again. You’ve broken another heart.

All I wanted were a few pictures of your magnificent landscaping, the sky blue pool, the uber private rooms, the sassy ‘member’s only’ lounge area….

I had no idea, Cecilia, that you were so exclusive and that even these shots that I had already captured were strictly ‘Verboten!’.

Yes, I felt the vibe from the yard crew as they gave me the stinkeye…but I had no idea, Cecilia, as to the reason why.

I was in love with you, my dear. From the cruiser rental bikes to the perfectly manicured lawn, you had captured my heart. And then, something horrible happened-something embarrassing.

As I snapped what would now be my very last photo of you, Cecilia, I was asked to leave…rather politely-but still-asked to leave, since we were not guests.
I turned fifteen shades of red.
Don’t worry my lovely Cecilia, when I am filthy rich and cruising through Texas once again, I will be back in your arms. And I will have forgiven you for shutting me out-for breakin’ my heart-because that is what true love is.

A Naturally Cool Thing to Do

Smack dab in the middle of Austin is a gorgeous natural spring called Barton Springs, which runs through Zilker park. We were brought to this wonderful oasis by some good friends of ours while finishing up this last tour. It was refreshing, to say the least.

I had to be coaxed, prodded and bribed to wear a borrowed bikini in public. I decided to get into the water as quickly as possible. However, the water is frigid. Cold. Icy. Chilly. Polar.
It took me ten minutes just to get my ankles into the water.

The sun had begun to set, cooling off the air around us. I inched my legs further into the water. After about twenty minutes, my knees were in. I was so proud of myself. And then this little cutey pie came up behind me and plunged right in. It’s hard to have a four-year-old show you up.
I finally forced myself to get in up to my waistline. My teeth started chattering. Biceps told me that once I got all the way in, it wasn’t so bad. He has never lied to me before…but….
I decided to stay at the waist line level. Please don’t judge.

Our friend shelled out the $3 to get us into the ‘nicer side’ of Barton Springs-complete with a diving board. There is also a free side to Barton Springs, but that means no diving board, no life guards and no sitting area.
However, you can have your dogs frolic about on the free side, which is honestly pretty cute to watch. And this is coming from a cat-lady.
I recommend this ol swimmin’ hole if you are ever in the Austin area. You won’t be disappointed.

No Air to Austin-A Refining Fire

Every tour bus has its issues. I had one that proudly proclaimed that the engine compartment was on fire. Thankfully, it wasn’t. We had a bus throw a drive shaft while cruising down the highway at 65 m.p.h..

The incapacitated bus coasted to the ‘Snap Shop’…on our anniversary.
We drank wine from paper cups and watched Billy Bobs procure their night crawlers and 12 packs for their upcoming fishing excursions.
It may sound weird, but it was actually pretty fun.

A generator failure is a frequent problem on most buses. And usually, a bus has a backup generator or another source of alternative power. This one does not.
When your generator fails, you loose electricity which powers your lights, air conditioning, refrigerator…pretty much everything.

Without air conditioning, the only source for ventilation are two tiny windows in the front and back lounges.

It was a long night to Austin for all of us.

Peeling myself from the leather couch I tried to sleep on this morning, I joined my eternally positive man up front to watch the sun rise. He had driven through the night, aided by Rock Star energy drinks, just to get us to Austin before the sun melted us all. And he did it with a smile on his face. I am too dang lucky.