High Sierra Music Festival 2015

The temperatures were forecast to be 103 on the day we entered the Festival, and it probably didn't get that hot, but it sure felt like it.  Then the clouds came up, and the heat was tempered by breezes and shadows.  It even rained one evening, off and on, which damped down the world and made no dent on the festivities.

We didn't take as many photos this year.  Didn't do the scavenger hunt.  Instead, we kind of found the venue with the most music to our taste, and put our chairs into the deepest shade, and stayed there. At High Sierra, you can leave your chairs in the meadows all day, and in our case, since we take up a shady spot; our chairs are for others to utilize when we're wandering away from them.  It's so friendly and trusting!

We did go by to see Sara on Saturday, for a visit, our traditional breakfast and shower, and to open our birthday gifts.  This year was our 60th natal day.  Wow, I don't feel old at all!
Here's some of our better photos of the weekend.

Jeffery and I get in line to be wrist-banded.  This was a new way of doing the event entry.

the line of people waiting to be banded

Jeffery sets up our tents.  This year we were in front of the stables, instead of behind them.  It made things so much more social and interesting!

our entry-way and sign

the food vendor promenade has a new shade screen!

A new food vendor.  I thought of Riquia when I saw it.

these gold and silver stick on tattoos were all the rage.  Even little kids wore them.

Here I am in our first music venue, in the shade, ready to enjoy the festival with the Brothers Comatose!

We really liked the group Con Brio.

the Vaudeville stage is in a tent

Lucas the water hippie has grown another year older!

one of the fun bicycles

Chance having fun with the spray bottle

the Krewe of Roux has Kamp Bitchin' Kitchen running again this year, despite the loss of Chef Larry and his wife, Denise

the music stage, with photos of Larry and Denise.  We sure will miss them.  Glad to see the Krewe keeping up the tradition!

String Cheese Incident at the Grand Stand Stage, just before the rain

a view from our screen tent during the rain

view from my tent in the morning.  a parade of waking or still up folks will pass by, offering endless entertainment just by being themselves!

Lucas waters the Santa dude

Tim Flannery - third base coach for the SF Giants and musician par excellance

High Sierra Music Hall during the Brothers Comatose gig.  "I've got a brand new pair of rollerskates, you've got a brand new key".

noise-making for the fun of it!

love the pants!

Spiderman got out of one truck and hopped onto this cart and away!

this motorhome was rigged to make the night time surreal with moving lights and strange effects near the Vaudeville tent

Vaudeville at night

Big Meadow Stage at night

night time bicycle

bicycles and revelers at Vaudeville

High Sierra Music Hall at night

Sara and I open Mom's gifts together in celebration of our 60th birthday

pretty lady on the 4th of July

Steve Poltz, who makes us laugh, cry, think, and be ourselves

Locals enjoying the Steve Poltz show

Some of the characters on display

Steve Poltz crowd-surfing

Ooh la la, and happy Independence Day!

lady vendor

Dave, Jeffery and me

more characters.  well, it was really hot out!

John Butler Trio, I believe

Our neighbors, the Santa Cruz Samba Stilt Walkers do a drum set while we watch from our tent.  It was great seeing how the passers-by reacted to them.

People create high-flying banners so that their friends can find them in the crowd.  This one made me laugh.

I took this because I love lasagna (my mom makes the best), but I don't really care for spaghetti, so this made me laugh.

detail of a decorative panel

Dave and Jeffery with the clouds and the crowds beginning to loom and grow.  Despite the ominous sky, it did not rain on us.

Instead, we got a glorious sunset

which grew and changed, and caused much photo-taking.  What a way to celebrate the 4th in dry California!

these twins were our live entertainment for quite a while

Sunday morning, last day free blueberry pancakes and bacon, made by two kickball players

My personal favorite show of the Festival - The Sam Chase

Chance, Nadine, and Karen enjoy The Nibblers

lead singer of the Nibblers

I tried to get Chance to water my feet - brave, aren't I? - but he preferred to do his own thing.  Can you tell what's about to happen when he finally does get the water to spray?

final water-hippie photo - they come in all sizes and shapes.  Water hippies provide me with endless amusement while I listen to music, because you never know who will ask them to apply wetness, and what the result will be. Also, who is this beanie-capped youth and who will he become?  I wonder.

Thanks for allowing me to show you the four day event that you've already seen in years past.  I just love the High Sierra Music Festival, and am pleased and proud that our community hosts it!
Peace!