Monday, May 19, 2014

Bluegrass From The Forest

Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Since leaving Debra and Richard in April we have been working our way north to a deadline, which has been to arrive at Shelton by Friday afternoon, so that we could be at this bluegrass festival.
It is not a big festival, but it was in the right place at the right time. I think that there were about 400 people turned  up. The festival was held in the buldings and grounds of the local High school, we were parked on car park, or perhaps I should say packed on a car park, as it was very close fellowship, but we were not here to enjoy the views. The weekend was split into four concert sessions with half a dozen bands performing two or three of the normal 45 min sessions. The headline band was Junior Sisk And Ramblers Choice, but they were supported by some great bands. The school was very pleasant campus and the concert sessions were held in their auditorium, which was a beautiful building which would have been the pride of many towns, let alone a school.
Around that we found plenty of time to jam with friends, (although we had never met any of them before). In particular I spent a couple of very late nights with some people local to the Olympic Area who told me some great stories about the logging and fishing that was is so important to this part of the country. Again, Mount St Helens eruption was an important and memorable event in their lives. They were most welcoming and forgiving of my playing style (or lack of) and my infuriating inability to remember the words to songs.
On Saturday afternoon we were once again delighted to see Roy and Anne when they come over to see one of the concerts, they were camped nearby, packing their trailer ready to fly out this (Monday) lunchtime. We have been amazed at how, without really trying, our paths have crossed on this trip.
On Sunday there was a short concert performed by the Kids of Bluegrass, which involved kids of all ages, including one 2/3? year old girl who was just the sweetest kid who played (held) a fiddle. We have really enjoyed being able to share what we have been doing over this last few weeks.
Sunday afternoon the festival finished and we packed up an rolled on northwards up the Peninsula and have found a State Park called Dosewallips S.P. where we will relax for a couple of days before exploring more of the Pacific North West.

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