We had a Solstice Campout in late June, and we did various other recreations in between the chores and tasks of regular life. Then, thanks to the way July 4th fell this year, we got to see the fireworks up in Graeagle. Normally we're at Festival on the night of the fireworks, so this year, we took Craig, and had ice cream cones and watched the show, which occured on June 30th.
Beyond that is where this post will start, with July doin's, which include the High Sierra Music Fest, and The Renaissance Faire, both in Quincy.
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| On our way to a funeral, we stopped for gas at a train crossing in Marysville. |
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| And here came the train! |
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| Jeffery is a decked out for Tutu's funeral |
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| The Church at the Mission San Rafael. |
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| Close up |
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| It's not the most wondrous of the Missions inside, but I am thrilled to be at my first-ever service in a Mission! |
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| One of the many glorious and colorful stained glass window sets. |
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| This lovely miss was celebrating her quinceanera; her 15th birthday. She let me photograph her. |
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| On to Festival. This photo shows how the festival grounds have yet to fill up. We are waiting to get in and claim our spot. |
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| We are right where we want to be! Behind the stables and up against the fence. |
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| There's Jeffery, relaxing after the camp set-up. |
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| First act of the day; a lively bluegrass band; Pixie and the Partygrass Boys |
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| Fun bicycles |
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| We met the film-crew fellow, Jake, while waiting to get in the Gate. He told us about this band, Diggin' Dirt, who hail from Arcata CA. They were the 2nd place winners in the People's Choice Band Contest, which was such a close-run thing, HSMF brought both 1st and 2nd place bands to the Festival. We loved Diggin' Dirt a Lot. |
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| Decorations at Vaudeville and other venues were done by Rob Tobin. Look close; we could all make such paper cup and plate fantasies. |
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| Little fairy dancer. The Fairy Wing vendors were at the Festival, so a lot of folks were sporting wings. |
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| Bubbles floating on the breeze |
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| Our camp neighbor, Ely, whose family run business Mi Casa, was providing the yummy tequila at HSMF. |
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| Inside the Parade Barn. A new figure; the white wolf! |
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| Morning scene near the wash-house sinks. |
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| We got a little rain, so we had to wear warmer clothes on Friday morning. But only for a while. |
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| The Music Hall, all bedecked in umbrellas and twinkling raindrops. |
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| During the "protest music set", Steve Poltz sang the lead on "War Pigs", to my great delight! |
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| Dan Lebowitz, aka LEBO, plays the steel guitar, backed up by the drummer and bassist from Magic in the Other. |
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| I love watching the sound stage guys do their work. |
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| There's the Fairy Wing vendor, swirling her gauzy wings. |
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| Steve Poltz had us all singing "This Land is Your Land" as he joined the crowd in the audience. He's so fun! |
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| Two cavaliers! |
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| Tuba player from the City of Trees Brass Band. The band just brought the party to Camp Happiness. |
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| Jeffery with his Moocher's Mug. I have one, too. We didn't feel greedy asking for a little more...... |
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| City of Trees Brass Band. |
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| This is Neil. He's from Brisbane Australia, and he was introduced to the Festival by Steve Poltz, so we had to go say hello and have our photo taken with him. We saw him several times over the next days. |
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| The fellow in the green hat and sunglasses is Rohdi, the host and chef at Camp Bitchin' Kitchen. |
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| The double bus is back! |
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| The Family Crest was one of Jeffery's favorite bands. He danced the whole set! |
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| Lucas the water hippie is back again! We've watched him grow up for over 5 years of Festival. |
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| It's a Wookie! |
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| The young man selling ice creams is one of the best salesmen we've ever seen. He's amazing. |
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| Outfits of every kind can be seen by sitting in a chair and watching the people go by. |
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| Jeffery took up the offer of the lady with the FREE HUGS t-shirt. |
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| Action Man! |
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| This dusk wedding was real. Part hippie, part Jewish, part pure fun; with the Grand Stand stage blasting out Grace Potter so that we couldn't hear the vows very well. We got to be part of the human arch that the newlyweds ran through after they were officially hitched. |
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| Night glowing things. |
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| My heart-stone from Cori and a peace medallion from Joe the Peace guy. |
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| There's our lad Lucas, and his artist friend. Lucas is 16 now, and a lovely young man. I bought an artwork from his friend. It was a watercolor entitled "Metallic Singularity" which was appropriate, as I'd touched a metal meteor at the JPL. |
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| They brought Gospel back on Sunday morning! It was exactly what we needed. Thanks, Lebo! |
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| The kids parade on Sunday |
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| This dude right here. CR Gruver from the New Orleans Suspects. He gave us a solo on the honky tonk piano that literally blew me away. And then, oh golly, oh then...... he had a piano/organ duel with Ivan Neville. Look at how intent he is. It was great! |
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| There's Ivan Neville, shooting a riff for CR to answer. |
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| Among our HSMF Heroes is the T.P. crew. |
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| Packed up a ready (sadly) to head out. |
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| The same view as at the beginning of this post, only with more vehicles and campers in it. Farewell HSMF. Until next year! |
I'll have to add the Renaissance Faire into the next post! Love you all! Peace!
