Thank God I’m a country boy.

Okay, so down south I’d be a redneck. But my last week in Michigan was definitely ‘country boy’ world. Topped off with having an alternator for my bike rebuilt (for $75) versus replaced like in the city (for $601 “plus labor”); to demolition derby and tractor pulls, you just don’t experience anything like this outside of “the Thumb”.

So, the weekend starts out at my brother, Dale’s house for a family gathering and celebration of my niece, Whitney’s birthday. And then progresses to Elkton for the Autumn Festival, where I of course park my house.

The first night of festivities includes the demolition derby. For the uninitiated, this is where a bunch of country boys, and a few country girls, spend the previous month frantically trying to get a car running, not so they can get to work, but rather so they can smash it against the cars of their friends (and sometimes enemies). For instance, this is a sequence of shots of one the heats. (You can double-click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

I know, you are thinking “Lon, HOW do you top THIS?” Well, imagine taking your average tractor out of the field, just before you’re are going to harvest this year’s crops, and souping it all up and challenging your buddies to see who pull the most weight the farthest down a gravel road! Yep, and you might as well set up a beer tent next to this road, because people are going to want to drink beer while they are cheering you on. I give you, The Tractor Pull:

And tractors come in all colors andshapes (and modifications)

And even trucks!

One day of this weekend event included a classic car show. This was really fun because it involved not only Model A’s and other older classics, but also many muscle cars that we all grew up with. Here are a few.

And here’s my brother’s car:

Yeah, I come from a pretty cool family.

Life is good, in the country.

Leitchfield, Kentucky

That’s the last time I stop for gas in Leitchfield, Kentucky.

Okay, its not Leitchfield’s fault. See, I was on my way from Michigan back to Texas, and still not having decided how I’d return, or when, I chose to take the Western Kentucky Byway to enjoy the scenery; and when I stopped for gas, I noticed someone had leaked transmission fluid in the gas station lot. Well, that someone turned out to be me. Keep in mind I’m driving my F350 Diesel truck, pulling my house, with not one, but two motorcycles (thanks to the additional bike purchased in Michigan) loaded in the back, and my trusty dog, Coffey riding in the back seat of the truck. So here I am with my house and worldly possessions and a disabled truck.

Two and half hours later, my truck was on a flatbed tow truck heading 30 miles east and my house was connected Mr. Duvall’s truck heading 15 miles south to what I could only hope was a functional campground (did I mention I was kinda in the middle of nowhere in Kentucky?).

Long (trust me, very long) story short, I’m getting a new transmission put in the truck (and no, given that the truck is a 1997 with over 200,000 miles, it is not covered by warrantee) and I’m sitting in a campground for the next 4 days (in this case, a weekend is just adding to the shipping time of parts).

Yesterday, I made the most of it by unloading one of the bikes and going for a ride (8 hours, 100 miles, you do the math). But unfortunately today I woke up to rain and it looks like its going to rain harder, with possible thundershowers, tomorrow. So having 2 bikes isn’t doing me a lot of good.

If nothing else, maybe I’ll catch up on this blog thing.

(By the way, Mr. Duvall called me this morning, just to check in to make sure everything was okay, and to see how it shook out with the transmission. Folks in these parts have been very accommodating.)

It's about time, eh?

I know what you’re thinking. “Oh my God, a blog entry! He hasn’t written forever.” You’re right, and I owe it to Larry Clark, whom I met in the parking lot of the Mammoth Caves National Park. But don’t worry, I’m not doing this for Larry (or you), but rather myself.

You see, Larry is another full-timer, and we were talking about travel and family and keeping in touch and all, and Larry tells me he writes a blog, so his kids and friends can keep up with him. And I told him that I used to keep a blog, but due to (and I’m ashamed to admit to this)…the instant gratification of Facebook and being able to just quickly post a picture or an update and be done with it….that I hadn’t taken the time to update my blog in a while. And then Larry says something very profound – he says that he finds his blog works great as a journal. When he and his wife are discussing things that happened two or three years ago, they can go back and see when it really was and who was involved. I’VE DONE THAT! I’ve gone to find a shop owner’s name when I’m going back to an area, or to remember where that really great restaurant was with the liver and onions. So I told Larry that he just gave me the incentive to get back to my blog. Be damned with Facebook!

So, how is it that I was in the Mammoth Cave National Park to meet Larry in the first place? We’ll I was out on the new little Dual-sport motorcycle that I bought while in Michigan. A “Dual-Sport” used to be called and “Enduro” when I was growing up. It’s a motorcycle that is licensed to ride on the roads, but at the same time is equipped to ride in the trails and hills. I’ve been shopping for one for almost two years when I sold my “second bike”, the Sabre. The Valkyrie has been good (obviously so, since I bought another one after totaling my first in May), but is not very well equipped for some of the dirt roads and trails I’ve taken it down. Anyway, I was out riding back roads of Kentucky and came to a ferry crossing run by the National Forest Service. The river was about 100 feet wide, so this was a short but cool ride. I got talking to the ferry boat driver afterward (he was heading up the hill to also do some weed-eating – yes, this was WAY in the boonies and his job was to maintain the place, as well as drive the boat. DARN – I just realized that I should have asked him if *I* could drive the boat?! Well, I guess I was having too much fun running around the back roads and trails with the new bike, that I missed that adventure.)

But I digress. While talking to the driver, he told me of another ferry, that does even more river crossings “up to 300 a day” versus his 40. Turns out, it is near the Mammoth Caves, which is also just up the road. And he says “if you haven’t seen it, you really should” (talking about the caves, not the ferry, but frankly I already knew I’d be riding that other ferry as well). So, I rode to the Caves and parked in the Visitor Center and toured and read. It’s the world’s largest underground caves. They have this cool picture showing the 300 miles of caves. Very cool. (Literally, too.)

It was after walking around and clicking a few pictures that I met Larry (you remember Larry, right?) and we talked in the parking lot for a half hour or so.

So I’m back. I’m going to not only keep up with the blog, but I’m going to try to work my way backwards and post some of the events that occurred since I last wrote. I’ll continue to post the pictures on Facebook, so if you want to see all of them, you’ll have to become my friend.

And yes, I DID ride that other ferry. I was still the only vehicle on it, so I got to visit with the driver for the entire 30 second ride.

Why am I in NoWhere, Kentucky riding a dirt bike and visiting with Ferry Boat Drivers? Oh, yeah, if you haven’t been keeping up on Facebook, maybe I should fill that little tidbit in.
Stay Tuned.
Life is Good, and I’m happy to be back.

I've Been Thinkin

Anyone that knows me well enough, knows that while I enjoy listening to music, in no way do I ‘study’ it. Its probable that half way thru a song, if the beat gets to me deep enough, I’m so lost in my own thoughts that I have no clue what the words are. If you think that attention deficit is significant when it comes to just a song, then you can understand why I don’t typically buy albums. The idea of an entire compilation of songs relating to one another and telling a story has always been a mystery to me. Combine that with my motorcycle riding and fact that the radio in my truck died over a year ago and you can understand that listening to recorded music doesn’t play a large part in my life. The fact that I like to sit alone in the woods around a campfire is another indicator of my enjoyment of silence (and the voices in my head).

So, for me to ‘review’ a song, much less an entire CD is out of character. But over the past couple days, I can’t help but to sit down and write. A friend gave me a CD she burned (yes, boot-legged, but I’ll justify that by the end of this piece) of some music. Other than having heard the name of the artist from her (local to her blues scene), there was neither endorsement nor encouragement to listen to this particular CD (as a matter of fact, she gave me 3 to listen to, in no particular order).

Well, when I put this CD, marked only with “Gino Matteo”, into the player, my short attention span came into focus. The lyrics of the first song brought me a sense of connection with the artist

I been a full blown sinner, I been a liar’s son

I been a losers winner, I’ve only just begun

I used to live for fire, come quick out of my mouth

Where was he going with this? Is this another ‘to hell with the world and the rest of you’ song? You know, the type that talks about how bad he is and be damned with the rest of you? That was quickly answered

I been a full blown sinner, I been a liar’s son

I been a losers winner, I’ve only just begun

I used to live for fire, come quick out of my mouth

‘Til I got some holy water and slowly put it out

Chased a few dragons, knocked closed some doors

Now you don’t see me chasing any dragons anymore

Now I’ve gotta warn you first off, the lyrics alone are not nearly as powerful as when you hear them. The power, soul and ‘back beat’ as one reviewer put it helps to capture the emotion.

So, I start to want to know this guy’s story. A sinner, that’s gotten the taste of holy water and isn’t chasing dragons no more? I can relate. Probably older, weathered, seen some things in life. Keep in mind I’m drawn to Delta Blues, most of which comes from the trials of slavery, indentured servitude and “life sucks but with my music and my friends, I’ll make the best of it”.

I get up every morning and this is what I do

I thank the Lord above me, for helping get me through

I walked so many valleys, alone in the dark

‘Til I got some company and put ‘em in my heart

Chased a few dragons, knocked closed some doors

You don’t see me chasing any dragons anymore

Well the next song starts out

That woman took everything and left me for dead

Took me to the courthouse just to mess with my head

Left me blinded, beaten down and bloody on the floor

And I just KNOW this guy is older, till the next line tells me

“Well there's too much going on now, I'm only 24"

I’m sure this isn’t coming from someone that young. The songs have such a feeling that you just know this guy has lived it, and isn’t just writing some bluesy songs (by the way, this is not really a true blues album. I learn later when I look him up, that his influences run the gamut of blues, rock and a lot of N’awlins!) But I’m feeling from these songs that there is a certain emotion, a thread if you will, that ties all the songs together.

This might be a good point to give you a little background of where my mind was when I was listening to this CD (in case you didn’t notice, this isn’t so much about the CD as it is about ME! LOL). I had just come back from one of my little wanderings, this time on an airplane rather than the bike; and I was in my typical ‘return to the real world’ funk. That’s when I get mixed up in my head about living in the woods versus society. The idea of regular communications with people (and pissing them off if you don’t) and having to be places at certain times. Thinking about life; where I really want to go; where I am; and what I’m doing (or not doing) to get there! So I find myself getting up later, getting to the SoupMobile later in the day. Leaving earlier and not having a focus on anything longer term than the next hour. Like I told one concerned friend – some people need a good cry now and then. For me, I need a good funk now and then. I get all reclusive and listen to dark music. I didn’t expect this CD to be dark, but God has a way of bringing us into what we need.

So, boy was I slapped upside the head when I heard the title cut to the CD – “I’ve Been Thinkin”, about people not having it so good, and then he hits me with

Well I was so selfish, but now I can see

That some folks maybe got it a little bit worse than me

Started thinkin, yeah, I’ve been thinkin’

WHAT! I’m supposed to acknowledge that others have it worse? And I’m supposed THINK about it? Of course I’m being facetious here, but wallowing in my pity is part of the funk! My life sucks – I’m not living in the woods. I’m expected to answer my phone and even login to the computer. I’m supposed to go to the SoupMobile and support their mission of feeding, clothing and sheltering the homeless. I’m supposed to be building my personal business to support me in the future. All these things are not in direct line with my desire to sit by a fire and answer to no one! And here this 25 year old ‘kid’ has ME thinkin (and again, the WAY he sings it, especially when the instruments go quiet and it’s just his voice, is so powerful).

So powerful that I did something I don’t normally do – I got online and checked out Gino Matteo! With the CD in the player, I followed the lyrics of all the songs. I read his interviews (yep, he apparently really is only 25!) and got just a little feel for his influences. Not much about his life. That bit I’ll defer to the songs on his CD. Songs like “Chocolate Jesus” (a Tom Waits remake, but with Gino’s touch and placement in this CD), “Liquor Store Man”, “Hopeless Sinner” and “Fat Cat”, that I was sure had to be about something different than a fat cat. Or is it?

Well, after listening to this CD a half dozen times, which is REALLY out of character for me, I went for a motorcycle ride and pulled myself out of my funk. After all “some folks maybe got it a little bit worse than me”.

Perhaps you had to be in a funk to appreciate this CD, but I don’t think so. I really like his sound, and the way he doesn’t follow the normal rhyming of songs (see, I’m not a song writer or musician, or I’d know what his ‘style’ is).

And yes, while I was listening to a boot-legged CD, but I stepped out of my funk and got online and purchased the CD. Yeah, it was that good.

http://www.ginomatteo.com/music/

So, maybe I become a reviewer? Nah, too much stress. I’ll just continue to groove what sounds good, and share it on occasion.

Life is good, enjoy the music.

Chicago Blues, Family, and Friends

I have to admit that after nearly 2,800 miles in 6 days on the bike, my butt was starting to get a little sore by the end of the last day. But (no pun intended) I'd do it again in a second. There's something so free about riding the bike, versus being cooped up in a car for that many miles and days.

This year's trip for the Chicago Blues Fest had more twists than normal. Besides actually starting out with good tires, fresh oil and a clean bike....wait, nope, sorry, the bike was definitely not clean. But that was because it was raining when I left on Thursday morning. Anyway, this years trip was going to not only include the blues festival, but also a side trip to Michigan for a family picnic/graduation party. And, rather than a quick night's stop-over in Memphis on the way home, it would involve an extra few miles south to Clarksdale, MS, Home of the Blues.

So, I leave Thursday morning in the rain and head north. The plan was to grab a room when I got to about 4 hours out of Chicago. Then, on Friday I would ride into Chicago and meet up with Joy, who was flying in from Denver. Well, after about 12 hours of riding on Thursday, I decided that 4 more hours to get there wouldn't be so bad. So, I called Casa de Bill and verified a late (or perhaps I should say early AM) arrival and cold beer would be permissible. Nothing like 16 hours on the bike to begin a weekend!

After about 4 hours of sleep, Bill and I ventured out on Friday morning for the festival. Very quickly we found out that "pot hole construction" had the expressway into Chicago shut down. So, Bill lead us thru some of the more colorful neighborhoods on the back way into the city. What a diverse city it is! It was a sunny, cool morning and people were out everywhere. There was music in the streets and everyone seemed to be in a festive mood, even though they were going about their busy Saturday morning routines.

Our tour finally came to an end in Chicago and we met Joy at Victor's condo. If you don't know the story of Victor and his 30th floor condo overlooking Lake Michigan, Lake Shore Drive, Grant Park (where the festival is held) and the city, well apparently you haven't been paying attention.

Okay, this is where I have to tell you about Saturday's plans. Normally, Saturday is when my friends would come down and meet us at the fest. But this year I had a family party in Michigan to go to. You see, my Uncle Ric has been having family picnics for the past couple years (which I haven't managed to attend) and this year he combined it with my cousin Stephanie's graduation party. And since Uncle Vince was going to make the trek down from Northern Michigan; and some aunts and uncles (and as it turns out, cousins) from Canada were going to be there; and since Eric was going to be in town.....that's a bit of an understatement, since he lives in Egypt (http://backpackerconcierge.com/). Well, you get the idea. Oh, and I didn't tell my folks I'd be there, so that was kinda fun too. After all, it was only 5 hours from Chicago!

So, because I wasn't going to be at the fest on Saturday, most everyone was able to oblige me and come down to the fest on Friday. Due to the shortened schedule, I didn't get any great shots of musicians that I'd like to share, but I did get lots of good shots of friends.

Starting out with the Three Amigos/Musketeers/Stooge's/Friends (and Al! LOL)

Of course, also keeping in tradition, we have Russ and Ken and very dignified poses.

Here's a shot of the group early in the day.

And later in the evening.

I also managed to find MadDog and Tall Jim, whom I had met at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival back in October.
Be sure to notice the banner in the background for the newly formed Windy City Blues Society (http://windycityblues.org/). There were other old and new friends, as is typical for the festival.

After the fest, Bill, Joy and I caught a cab to Buddy Guy's Legends for more music, and then another cab to the White Palace for breakfast. This last stop was a good idea, since I wouldn't make time to eat until about 1pm the next day.

Speaking of the next day, that's when I headed for Michigan. Just like Thursday, I started the day out in the rain. Unlike Thursday, it rained for HOURS on my trip to the family gathering. But, I managed to make it just fine without incident (remember the note at the beginning about new tires? Well I definitely tested their traction capabilities on this trip).

Like I mentioned earlier, there were aunts, uncles and cousins, many of which I hadn't seen in probably 20 years or more, and some of which I don't remember ever meeting at all! At this point, I'm going to post a few of pictures. If your family, hopefully you know who everyone is. If you aren't family, you don't really care anyway.

We'll start with a toast to the graduate (she's the one without the toast!).
And here's Dale, Kelly, my folks and Uncle Ric.

And still more family.

After the party, I followed my folks to their place for the night. After all, it was only an additional 3 hours north. We had a nice visit that evening and the next day, before I headed south about 2pm.

I took a day and a half, the half of which started out in the rain, as usual, to get to Clarksdale, where I was going to meet up with Mary Jane. And can you believe that as many times as I've been to Clarksdale, I've never been to the Delta Blues Museum? Well I toured it on Tuesday and enjoyed it very much. I also attended a reception at the Greyhound Station for the opening of the Farmers Market with MJ and Laura. I really like the town, and the people are so friendly and welcoming (as a note, I swung past Tricia's Italian Restaurant and Pie Hole, to check on their progress. Lights and the drop ceiling were being installed, so its definitely coming along. I'll keep you posted.)

Wednesday's forcast for my ride home was HOT! Yes, I'd have an 8 hour ride, facing west, in 90+ degree heat. Rain would have been very welcome. I arrived home to a happy dog, a dry yard and the reality that the next planned music festival isn't until the King Biscuit in October. But, I'm planning to go to Michigan in August for the Cheeseburger In Paradise festival so I've got some time to rest my butt and clean the bike.

Life is good, ride safe.