Steamboat and stuff

Well, I’ve been back from Steamboat for almost two weeks and I think I’m going to see just as many bands here at home this week as I did while I was there. Here’s a little synopsis of my time in (and en route to) Steamboat.

I drove up there this year, and by drove I mean rode, I only drove when there was absolutely no chance of snow on the ground. I can’t believe I’ve always flown, it’s an absolutely beautiful drive, I’m so driving/riding from now on! I’ve even looked into a trip to CO during the summer, I can’t imagine how pretty it is, then. And, I’m glad Stephanie was there for the ride to laugh at all my cheesiness, I would have been lost without that!!

Since the drive is 17 hours from my house to Steamboat and we wanted to get settled and to the bar the first night to see the Texas game, we decided to go to Aspen before hitting Steamboat. We also decided to leave my house at 1030 pm Saturday night instead of 3 or 4 am Sunday morning. That was a great idea, we had a 2 hour detour trying to get to Aspen. We picked Stephanie up in Amarillo and were on our way. When we get to Aspen, we have time to eat dinner and head to the bar for Wade and Ragweed. What.a.show! It was great to see Ragweed with non-Texas fans, they weren’t the regular Ragweed fans, it was quite fun. If you haven’t heard me say this before, I’m not a fan of Ragweed fans. We had a little blip after the show, but that ended up with everyone okay and we were on the road to Steamboat around 10 the next morning. Also, Aspen is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. They have perfectly shaped trees with the perfect amount of snow covering the mountains. When I got to Steamboat, the mountains were just ugly in comparison to Aspen.

The first night in Steamboat is a just get settled and get ready for the music night, they don’t have anyone playing the first night. So, we got settled and headed to the Tugboat to watch Texas win the Fiesta Bowl (Hook ‘em Horns!!) and see a bunch of people that it’s been too long since I’ve seen. I won’t even try to list everyone I hugged that night J The days of music were all a blur, here are some, if not all, of the shows I caught while I was in Steamboat: Jason Eady, Stoney Larue, Micky and the Motorcars, Corb Lund, Band of Hotties…uhh..I mean Heathens ;), Adam Hood, Hayes Carll, Ryan Bingham, Jason Boland, MMC again, Jack (ohhh Jack,) and last but certainly not least Walt Wilkin’s and friends acoustic show on the last night. Jack played the outdoor show, like last year, but he came out in a tshirt and ski goggles, nothing more, nothing less. And, that’s Jack. Walt Wilkin’s had an acoustic show the last night where any of his musician friends stopped by and sat in. Just to name a few: Jack, Jason Eady, Bobby Duncan, Pure Prairie League (WAY cool,) Kevin Welch, Autumn Boukadakis, and more. Jack was just sitting in the audience (well, in the artist area) watching the show for a while, other musicians were, too…Gordy Quist, Wade Bowen, Fred Andrews, and so on. It was a very cool show. Actually, that show WAS Steamboat. I had said, at one point, I wish I hadn’t signed up to go, but I more than changed my mind while I was there. I need to go call and make my deposit for next year!

The drive back wasn’t near as bad as I expected, I figured it was going to feel like 50 hours, and it didn’t. We caravanned with Nikki and Amber for a bit. We finally made it back to my apt at 4 am Sunday morning. And, we were EXHAUSTED!! I didn’t move from my couch all day Sunday, really I stayed there most of the week, too, after work. This week, I’m finally feeling human, again.

I got all moved at the end of December, I still have lots of stuff that I need to organize, but I’m pretty much settled. I got tv and internet on Tuesday, THANK GOD!!! I’ve watched more SATC than even I can handle. I got AT&T UVerse, it’s great! I can set my DVR from the office, I don’t even have to be home. I love it! Well, I love everything except that it’s not working in my bedroom, don’t know why, it worked fine while the installer was there.

Like I said, this is a busy week for music. Last night, I went to the Granada for Adam Hood and Mike McClure. I’m taking tonight off. Tomorrow, I’m off to Dallas for Steve Poltz at the All Good Café. A friend of mine is coming in town for his show and she swears by him, so I’m checking him out with her. Saturday, I’m hopping in Heather’s car and we’re making a crazy road trip to Gruene for Adam Hood from 1-5 and then it’s back up to Dallas for Boland at Gilley’s. Sunday, I’m going with Heather, Cori, and Lori to the Clubhouse fundraising show. Lots of great people are playing this show, I’m looking forward to it.

Now, this concludes my longest blog…ever. If you made it this far, thank you! I’m going to try to keep this updated more often, it’s nice to just type.

*edit* I forgot some things I learned on the drive....for starters, the Smoky Mountains are in Tennessee, not Colorado. Also, cows in the snow are from now on to be called ice cream cows. And, it is a tough job be on lookout for bicycles in the snow ;)