Imagine 18 shows in a dozen libraries in 9 days. That’s a lot of singing, picking, joke-telling, kids with skinned knees, kids with Crocs, moms with kids, clapping, laughing, and most of all, a lot of fun.

Where would you rather be on a hot summer’s day than in a cool library surrounded by kids and books guitars, fiddles, mandolins, and music? That was us and we loved it.

High in the mountains overlooking a pastoral aspen-lined valley singing to good folks, that was a beautiful Colorado mountain summer day. Thanks to Richard and Rebecca Swain for having us at their beautiful ranch and thanks to Rae Cronk for arranging things. A summer day could not have been spent better.

Olde Town Arvada’s annual street fair and a fun day it was. Thanks to Kit Simon of the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor for the invite. June 10, also just happened to be Janette’s and my 17th anniversary. She and the kids took me into the Pickin’ Parlor where I was told to pick out my new anniversary/ Fathers’ Day gift, Carlton guitar case for my old martin D-18. Wow, I could probably now throw my guitar off the top of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon into the Colorado River and pick it up in the Sea of Cortez dry and unharmed. Thanks Janette, & Kids.

Was great to see Dallas, Lachlan, Claire, and Nancey there. Thanks for coming.

We got a great night’s sleep at the Wild Horse Canyon B. and B. and a great send-off breakfast thanks to Opal Roberts. Driving west most of that Sunday, we got to “Bluegrass on the River” about an hour before we were due to play. Now, we’ve been to lots of festivals in lots of beautiful settings but it’s hard to think of a prettier setting than the Pueblo Nature Center on the Arkansas River. The main stage actually extends out over the river; fall through the stage decking and you are swimming. We were happy to be there for our first time even if it was only the final day of the weekend. We heard nothing but great reports about how the weekend had gone. Damian Ratolo had 21 bands there and this is one terrific festival.

We’re thinking we will get to do the whole weekend next year. (always the first weekend after Memorial Day. Mark your calendars.) We hope so. Thanks Damian, great event.

We were home just a few days from Missouri and it was right back on the road headed east to Dighton, Kansas. We got to take the grandkids, Lachlan and Claire with us for the weekend and had lots of fun. We stayed at the Wild Horse Canyon Bed and Breakfast thanks to our hosts Opal and Marvin Roberts.

Playing with us that weekend was the McLemore Family Band, fine folks from Colby Kansas and our favorite lefty-blogger, J.F. Stover. There just aren’t many of us proud liberals out there on the traditional music highways and J.F. is a great guy with a very thoughtful e-newsletter. Keep up the good work, J.F. And many thanks to Opal, Marvin, and the good folks in Dighton. This festival is what wonderful people in the Heartland are all about. Some music. Some wind. Lots of fun.

Janette finished the school year with a three-week, fourth-grade sub assignment at Stein Elementary School in Jefferson County. What better way to finish the school year than some live bluegrass music? Have a fun summer, kids!

This must have been our fourth time playing at Desert Trails and each time we have too much fun. The room is nice and the crowd is nicer. It’s fun to play without a PA and that place seems to draw the best out of us. Desert-rat songwriter extraordinaire Les Buffham was there and we’ve got plans to hook up soon for chat and maybe some songwriting. Lori Faith Merritt and husband Bill were also there. Faith just may be the very best horse photographer anywhere. Check out her website: www.photographybyfaith.com. “Specializing in Equine Images That Transcend the Ordinary.” And yes they do. I think you may even find some images of us on her website. Check it out. Some day very soon we are headed into the desert at first light with Faith for some saguaro images of us.

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