Season Begins With Sister Cyn

What would the holidays be without family? Sister Cyn and I like to start off the season by shopping at Village Garden Center during their open house. Absolutely our favorite browse...every single time.

First, we like to have breakfast at Basic City Luncheonette.  It is a ya-can't-go-wrong-with-their-breakfast kind of place.

So much to look at.  You would not believe how much the three of us spent.  And we all went back later and spent more.

At some point you know you have to leave.  Make sure you go home happy.  How could you not?

Make sure you do something fun with someone you love.

SEEING JOHN McEUEN

John McEuen was born December 19, 1945 in Oakland, CA.  He began playing banjo at age 17 and later learned guitar, fiddle and mandolin. McEuen is an American folk musician and founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He joined the band in 1966 after Jackson Browne left the group. In June of 1973 they gave us the album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which featured Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Merle Travis and Maybelle Carter.  It was gold. A few years later they would become the first American band to tour the Soviet Union.  He has won numerous awards over the years. McEuen gave banjo lessons to Steve Martin in high school.  That friendship continues today.   The two friends won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2009 for The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo. McEuen left the band for a solo career from 1991-1997 and return to the Dirt Band in 2001, but leaving again in 2017.  Today he tours playing his favorite Dirt Band songs giving you the stories behind the songs accompanied with stills shown on a large screen behind the band.  Perhaps McEuen's most important legacy, and what some call the most important record out of Nashville is Will the Circle Be Unbroken.  He brought this performance to The Historic Masonic Theatre in Clifton Forge, VA along with his band The String Wizards (Les Thompson, Matt Cartsonis and John Cable) on November 12, 2017.  I was there. I was seated orchestra left, seat 1 in the loge, which placed me closest to the band of anyone else in the room. Boone was the 2nd closest. Awesome.

SEEING MARTY STUART

John Marty Stuart was born September 30, 1958 in Mississippi.  He is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for both his traditional style, and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk, and traditional country music. Marty became a professional touring musician at age 12 touring with a gospel singing group. At age 13 he took his mandolin as he quit school and began playing and touring with Lester Flatt .  That ended with Flatt's death in 1979 so he joined, as a guitarist, Johnny Cash's band until 1985 in order to focus on his solo career.  Marty soon had his first string of hits in 1986 that lasted throughout the 1990s.  Marty has earned a few Grammy Awards and he continues to record albums and tour. Something I did not know about Marty: he is an accomplished photographer.  Some of his works were published in the 1999 collection Pilgrims: Sinners, Saints, and Prophets.  September 15, 2017 Marty Stuart performed at the Historic Masonic Theatre in Clifton Forge, VA.  And I was there.

A Day In Downtown Staunton - The Farmers Market

Staunton has a great downtown and the Farmers Market makes it even better. The season for the market has ended so I will have to wait for Spring to do what I did on this day in May.
You should start out having a pastry and coffee at Blue Mountain Coffees on the Wharf.

I also like that you are surrounded by original artwork.  That is always a good thing.

Once fortified with coffee, pastry and art, you will feel more like walking around the market.















I see a gift to take to a friend.  She will appreciate this Focaccia.



What would the Farmers Market be without music?



And kids entertaining themselves.



And dogs being dogs.

SUNSET TOUR IN SEDONA

I booked a private sunset tour with  a private tour guide, Mike Krajnak for our last night in Sedona. Mike owns Southwest Outside Adventures. Check him out at www.southwestoutside.com.  He is a great guide and offers an experience you will not forget. While amongst the Red Rocks, you want to see them at sunrise and sunset because that is when the color is the most spectacular. This evening was one of the top two favorite experiences for me while in Sedona.  Not only did Mike take us on roads with no lines, he also took us on dirt roads!  I was so happy to work on this blog and see these photos again. Photos take you back to the moment.  I remember I did not want these moments to end.

































































The sun was fading quickly so we need to drive to Schnebly Hill for the sunset.



I told you about Schnebly Hill in my October 29 blog. There, after a short hike with Mike, we saw an incredible sunset.

I know Dolly was enjoying the evening sun as well.  I am sure she was looking off in the distance wondering where I am.  Dogs do that, right?