Any time Juno can swim, it’s a GREAT day!!!!
It was 102 degrees as we made our way across the hot desert on Fourth of July. Fortunately we were headed west towards the Oregon coast where it was 10 degrees cooler. We landed at McMenamins Edgefield (https://www.mcmenamins.com/edgefield) in Troutdale for a wedding we were playing. It was a fabulous old hotel (built in 1911 for the “down and out”) that today, is like a carnival for adults! They have a 3 par golf course; big scale concerts at their amphitheatre with artists like Steve Miller and Michael Franti; beautiful gardens and landscapes everywhere; three restaurants and a movie theater on site; and don’t forget “Ruby’s Spa;” a unique winding, circular hot pool with beautiful foliage everywhere, providing privacy for guests around every corner. And you can order a cocktail or beverage anywhere you go, and carry it wherever you’d like. Folks at all hours of the day and night were headed down in their bathrobes, drink in hand, smiles on their faces, taking the hobbit trail down to the spa for a relaxing soak. It was a fabulous experience!
Nicc walking down the hobbit trail.
The wedding the next day was lovely, but also an under-taking, as most weddings are. It took place on the grounds at the picturesque Admin House with lush gardens and thankfully some shade. The entire wedding event happened at this location which was good! Load in at 2pm, and load out at 10pm was a challenge and made for a long day. It’s one thing for a full band to provide 5 hours of music, but a duo? Plus they all wanted to dance before dinner, so we were pullin’ out our big gun’s right up front! Rockin’ and rollin’ in 94 degree heat! We both have the blisters to prove it (on our fingers, not our feet thankfully), but Nicc definitely strained her voice which was a total bummer. Sometimes it’s an occupational hazard.
We loved seeing all the dads dance with their daughters, twirling them around, and doting on them; connections evolving with smiles and laughter right before our eyes. “Life is Beautiful” indeed! Those little girls will likely have precious lasting memories of that day…..we, on the other hand were over-heated and exhausted, slathering arnica gel on our feet and sore shoulders back at the hotel room, tending to the doggie, Juno who patiently sat in the room 6 hours while we entertained. Weddings are a particular challenge in that you are “holding the energy and vibe” for the entire evening. Lots all happening behind the scenes to make the wedding happen, but the music for the evening is what ensnares everyone. The joy is contagious! How wonderful!
The lovely newly-weds were super happy, and we exchanged a heart-felt hug the next day before departing to Lincoln City, Oregon to see our friends, Jen and Mary. We had some QT with those girls, and a place to thankfully hang our hat for a few days. We got to visit our favorite spots like Pacific City, had long walks on the beach with Juno, and the Inn at the Spanish Head offered its usual great views and yummy appetizers!
We happened to pull off just past Whale’s Cove at a rest stop, quite happen stance along the way as Juno needed to pee, and low and behold, there was a beautiful gray whale making its way up the coast line, spouting air from its spout every 2-3 minutes. It was magical! So random, and yet so destined to be seen by our eyes! What a delight!
We headed to Florence, OR. to visit my long time friend from childhood, Annette and her partner, Torsten. They had recently purchased a beautiful home near the Sand Dunes (where they like to play on their dune buggies). It sat on a pristine lake, so serene and peaceful, but with the dune buggies revving their happy engines in the background. She loves it! It’s her passion. (She knows revving engines means somebody’s having a really good time!)
Her two dachshunds were not as socialized as Juno and she had forewarned us, but we were clearly not really prepared for what was in store. There were many time out sessions and not much relaxation had by all, but we eventually got it figured out just before we left. I’m sure it will be a repeat performance next time we return. Needless-to-say, it was a lovely visit that I wouldn’t trade for anything! So good to catch up!
We headed for Bend early Saturday morning, as we had a 5 hour drive ahead of us, and were scheduled to play 5-8 pm, with sound check at 4pm. Meghan Kelly Watters and her wife, Lindsay fortunately made the long trek there to meet us with her fabulous, groovin’ drum kit and we had a fantastic set there! We were on the lake with a nice breeze, but to be fair, it was 97 degrees in the mountains, and we were frying our asses off!! Nicc was in the sun for a full set poor thing. It was “NO BEUNO!” Meg saved the day and arranged for a place for us all to stay that evening!
We had breakfast the next morn with our buddy, and former drummer, Scott Lindbloom and his wife, Katherine. We were the first guests they’ve had at their place since the Covid shut down. They served an amazing gourmet meal we enjoyed on their back patio, and it was so nice to catch up and enjoy Scott’s wonderful sense of humor again. Love him like a brother!
We drove 1,300 miles in a week, 25 hours total, and came home to a few big caliber shows 3 days upon our return. Needless-to-say, we were very wary from not only the road (body is still vibrating) but the intense heat and smoke from all the fires, both in Oregon and in Idaho. Singing a three hour set in hot, smoky weather was very difficult. We both had sore throats after the show, and have been babying our voices upon our return home. Plus eating on the road for a week poses its own challenges…..we are, indeed what we eat!
We’ve had 14 shows this month, mostly in the hot heat, but ya’ll have “Showed up for the show” with waggy tails and smiles that we carry in our pockets each and every day!!! Thank you all for your incredible support, we are so grateful!
We will be traveling abroad in WA. and ID. most of August………we plan to do our next love stream on Thursday August 19th! We do apologize for missing the first Thursday of the month for our next stream. We’ll be up in the mountains of Stanley, ID performing where there is little to no cell reception! But hope you’ll tune in August 19th for a fun-filled show from our home to yours! We so appreciate you and look forward to seeing you in person or at our next stream. Cheers, cheers, cheers my friends! So grateful for all of your support! Hope you’re having a fantastic summer!
Take the best of care now, and do ‘all the things that you love!’
Love Mo and Niccole
And sometimes…Juno drops the ball to see Nic’s retrieving skills! :-)
