Sue and Jules with Animal

Walk off Grand Slam

In the arms of the Rockies

After a nice evening at home with the Q's Jill and I headed out to meet her friend Danielle at the Snake River Tavern in Keystone. The great part about moving slowly through the country is it gives you plenty of time to catch up with friends that you haven't seen in years. Jill has known Danielle since our days at Boston University and five years had passed from the last time they saw one another. While they caught up at the bar, I took some time to catch up on some phone calls and just appreciate the fact that I was where I was. Less than twenty four hours in Colorado, and I already felt completely at ease. It could have been the thin air, but staring up at those mountains, life seem to make a lot more sense. There is a comfort in being surrounded by such massive peaks. Growing up in Chicago, I never really got a chance to spend too much time in nature of this magnitude. Every where you turn there is another mountain, another stream, another place to go exploring. Colorado truly is a magical place, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for me over the next four nights.
Keystone on a Wednesday night is not the most happening place, so we said our goodbyes to Danielle and then headed home to catch up on sleep, after all tommorow is Red Rocks.

Up in the thin air.

The dead sleeps this good. Maybe. According to Mike we were supposed to be so dehydrated because of the altitude. No oxygen for us just Motrin. Waking up to Mike and Jill talking downstairs, I finally realized where we were. It is amazing waking up to realize you are in the mountains. The views are great and the air is so clear. We had a wonderful breakfast in Dillon at a tiny placed called Kulas. After a breakdown of communication, Mike was on his way to pick up Kimie, Rebbecca, and Matthew at the Denver Airport. Jill and I weren't left to our own devices however, Jeremy was here to help take care of us. He led us back to Breckenridge where we hiked up a bit of a hill and explored some crazy mines (so many different beer bottles back in there). So we earned those cookies we got at Mary's Mt. Cookies. Sitting in downtown Breckenridge we decided to take a walk to see our guides former night club. 320 South. We took our son around with us everywhere. It is great how he just hangs out and doesn't make a peep. The sky began turning sour and we headed to Frisco to meet up with our host for the weekend Ken. I only spent a little time with Ken before this weekend in Chicago for Widespread Panic, and a half hour today but I am excited to spend some time with him in what I feel is Jill and my own realm. I realize one thing about Summit County... no wireless. Mikes, no. Kenny's, no. Kula's, no. So we headed down to the Marina in the rain and now are enjoying their free wifi. Jeremy has been the man in the know down here so he certainly made the day. Looking forward to spending some family time with the Q's and meeting up with some friends this evening. Fat Tire tastes better here by the way, I think its the altitude.

Silos and Smokestacks, Skyballs and Saxscrapers

The alarm ringing at 525 am is never a welcome thing, especially after a Cubs game. Jill was already up and stirring, and I dragged myself into getting ready. Much to our surprise we were downstairs and ready at five to six. Perfect. We said our goodbyes to Maria (you are surely missed and I can't wait to see you again) and disappeared east on Armitage. Its sad to leave good friends but the promise of ones down the road is so exciting. That would be the last time we would head East for sometime. A lot of things come up on long drives, a lot of questions are asked, and alot of things are learned. Is the whole country east of Colorado under construction? You need to clean the windshield EVERY time other wise you lose your vision and your appetite. If you want it to stop raining, buy new wiper blades. Nebraska smells like sh*t so badly you can taste it. Iowa has an oddly high number of wineries. Mom's always give good advice (no speeding, no garbage). There is nothing to really report other than that until Denver. Except for one thing. Maria packed a box full of presents for each day that Jill and I are on the road. It is fun seeing something new from Maria every day and we will decorate the car accordingly.
We made really great time, and stopped in Denver to eat. Actually we stopped in Denver because I had to use the restroom. The Borders was next to a Whole Foods so we get a snack and then headed on to Keystone to meet up with my brother in law Mike Q. at his house. Night had fallen as we started down the Loveland Pass. The directions we had was the third right on the Pass. We didn't realize you had to climb a mountain first to get to the shopping mall we were supposed to turn at. A lot of laughing and careful driving as the road twisted and turned into the darkness. We have to stop on the way back and see the Great Divide. We made it in one piece and were glad to see some familiar faces. A beer and some water later, Jill and I were sound asleep in an hour. Time Traveled 15:33. Distance traveled 1069.3. Bugs Killed 1,000s. Walmarts 2.

Responsibility and Reward

What a great night and an amazing way to set forth on an adventure. Jill and I met up with Sue and Jules at the Stadium Club for Jill's first Cubs Game. Its nice that we got to see Sue and Jules on this leg of tour since they were such a big part of our last tour experience. They opened their home to us when we were doing the shows up in Alpine Valley with Mike T., Monika, Max, Maria, and Jessimy. They kept us well fed and well drank, they did not disappoint this time either. Tim Troy and Dave were the other lucky Tomko children that evening and they brought with them a package that Jill and I had been waiting for. Our child had arrived just in time to join us on our trip. He is 18" long and 3 oz. He is mostly Muppet and all Animal. The game went into extra innings (all the runs scored in regulation were men with the last name Lee) and Jill and I had to meet up with Maria and also had to get up early to get a jump on travel. We had set a goal of 6 am leave (which Sue said we would never make) so begrudgingly we left in the eleventh and made it home to spend some time with Maria. Of course I know that Alfonso Soriano hit a grand slam to end that game in extras, but it was well worth missing that moment to spend time with my two favorite ladies.

The Delayed Traveler.

Those who know Jill well know that she never has traveled too well. Very few of her trips go off without a hitch as far as travel goes. Most of her trips into and out of Chicago to come visit are usually accompanied by long hours spent at either O'Hare or La Guardia. This has become such a problem now that we do not even speak to each other for the week leading up to whatever trip might be occurring for fear it is bad mojo. Messages are sent back and forth concerning a car service and hotel reservations. Her bad luck for this stuff is contagious, it afflicts me whenever I travel to see her as well. Voice raised in O'Hare I have shrieked, "Why the hell are you calling me?" right before my flight was inevitably delayed. I have gone to quite a few music festivals with Jill and with the exception of the first, every other one has been a test of wills. There was the mud and lightning of the Gathering of the Vibes 2000; the traffic, mud, and misery of Coventry; and the utter ungodly heat of Lollapalooza 2005. However I am pleased to announce Jill took off on time, has landed and her bag was the third off the carousel. Sorry about the constant updates but this is big news!!!! She is on her way to my house as we speak, time to hang out and then on to Wrigley Field.

Jilly and I at our first show together. Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation 12-30-1999. Bethy in the background

Prepping, Packing. Pacing

Well this whole adventure is about to begin unfolding. Jill is hurtling through the air on her way from NYC and I am sitting in my apartment packing and cleaning up. It is hard to believe that this day is finally here, and the prep is about to lead to an incredible journey. Two friends, one car, eight shows, fifteen states and approximately fifty-five hundred miles. What could possibly happen? What can't happen!!! Traveling to new places to see old familiar places, the excitement is beginning to become too much. The trip of a lifetime has already begun for Jill. Her plane took off on time much to our surprise, and she should be here just in time for stop one... Wrigley Field. I am thrilled to be taking Jill to see my first place Cubs on their hallowed field (thanks for the tickets Sue!). More to come later.