Finally caught 2 fish

Yesterday I did get the laundry done, and in the afternoon E went to the gym, I worked more on the river cruise blog, slow going since uploading pix is chancy. The wireless signal strength is weak much of the time and sometimes the pictures just are too much.

Last evening we walked over to the Michael Martin Murphey concert; included in the price was a BBQ plate (brisket, beans, cole slaw, potato salad, bread). It was all very enjoyable, and the weather was cooperatively comfortable with jackets on after sundown.

MMM closed the concert with his trademark "Wildfire," just as thrilling as it was all those years ago when it was popular, and even more when you hear and see him do it in person. He is a magician on the guitar, and his storytelling style grabs you.

MMM is an evangelist for land ownership rights and protection thereof. He did one very poignant song on this subject, and when he sang the line, something like, "You can see it in the eyes of every woman, every man, who's spent a lifetime living close to the land," I began to realize why I feel sad at scenes like I described in the Powderhorn Valley. His song spoke of the passing of a way of life, and that's exactly what I see in so many areas around here. What were once thriving homesteads, full of people, activity, production and day to day life, are now derelict, deserted buildings, falling down in disrepair and neglect.

So the sadness is for the passing of an era, a way of life, that extends beyond these homesteads. When I visit my home town in Missouri, the same feeling is there, accompanied by even anger, because in this case it's so personal, the loss of the smalltown life that seemed so perfect as we were growing up, and the seeming loss, too, of the spirit of the place, as what were well-kept homes even during the Great Depression are now either demolished or shabby in comparison, or replaced by multiple mobile homes jammed into the lots once occupied by single family homes.

Back to MMM, the enterprise that brings this artist, and plans for more throughout the summer, is called "The Backyard," headed by Hutch and Roxa who own and operate the gas station and restaurant located just south of the rv park. They've built 2 log structures back behind the other buildings, one for performance and one for food and bar service, all open air. MMM is their first performer of the season, and we're not sure how they captured him but are sure glad they did! It was a 2-night engagement, and was sold out both nights at @250 attendees each evening, seated at open air tables, all chowing down on BBQ brisket and trimmings and thoroughly embracing this opportunity for good food and entertainment. Last evening the fellow in the audience who'd traveled the furthest was from Australia.

Today we went fishing at the lake, E caught one smaller trout, C caught one (her first) somewhat larger trout. They're in the freezer awaiting one more to make a meal. We left the lake just in time, being warned by thunder and lightning; it started pouring rain soon after we got back into our 5th wheel.

It's brats & beans for supper, it's cozy and warm in here, and we're glad to be back inside for the evening, out of the cool wind and rain!