Road Trip

On Friday, unsure of our weekend plans, we were sort of thinking about a blues festival in Oroville. Around noon, we found out that they were sold out, completely changing our agenda. But with temperatures in the minus status, we were not going to stay in Reno. Within an hour we were in the car on our way to Winters CA. We had to pick up our friend, Tim. He goes on every road trip, an essential part of a good time.

Our friends, Mike and Peggy drove down from Reno too and met us for a pre-show dinner at the Buckhorn Steakhouse. Every performance at the old playhouse, The Palms is a wonderful experience. Billed as Mark Hummel’s Harmonica Blow-Out, some of the best harmonica players around get together for this mini tour: Phil Osher, Rick Estrin (of Little Charlie and the Nightcats), Billy Boy Arnold, with Rod and Honey Piazza. Tons of music for one price.




The next morning we did a side trip across the Golden Gate and down to Baker Beach, ground zero for Burning Man. We worked our way toward Half Moon Bay, where we ate an outdoor lunch, feeling lucky to be in the sunshine and away from the cold for awhile. Then on to Santa Cruz, of course. We must go to Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola. This time I picked a raspberry napoleon. We also got a dozen fresh baked cookies and a garlic artichoke cheese dip. Delicious.

Then it was time for a little comet spotting. Thanks to a head's up from Ambrose, we knew to look for it at a fine outlook over Rio Del Mar beach. Luckily when we pulled in, there was an amateur astronomer all set up to show his kids the McNaught comet. He gave us the run down and shared the telescopes. Once Brad saw it, he was all over, pointing it out to the tourists who would listen. Now he wants to be called the comet docent, in addition to being the whale docent.

The highlight of this trip was the Boneshakers at Moe’s Alley. What a great band, what a great venue! Their singer, the very stylish Mr. Sweetpea Atkinson, gives the band a classy touch. Randy Jacobs, bandleader, songwriter, guitarist, is such a successful producer that they actually don’t get to play much. They never tour. They just like to play at a club in LA and occasionally come up to Santa Cruz for the fun of it.

The next day, we made the required stop at the used book/music store in downtown Santa Cruz. I held myself to five books, meaning I had to put many back. While we were there, we noticed a small flea market on the back streets. Lovely quality stuff. But I didn’t find any lovely quality stuff that I needed, so we moved on.

So, a long explanation of a short trip. What I’m trying to convey is that you can have heaps of fun if you head out. For us a big part of our pleasure is live music and we can always find a show by checking the internet or local newspapers. Just go. Get in the car, pick a direction, see what’s out there.