So I am told by my better half that I do not blog enough so here goes.
A few weeks ago I heard a ad for the 5th annual Targhee Americana Fest at Grand Targhee Resort on the only radio station I listen to KRCL 90.9. The lineup included some of my favorite artists. I wanted to go, but the tickets were $130 a piece. We have already spent a buzzut load of $ on tics to shows this year. We both have a thing for live music. So I am driving up the canyon to go fishing and they were giving away a pair of tickets and I was lucky caller # 5! WOO-HOO!
So Thursday rolls around and I am packing the truck, and getting things together when I get called in to work. I was @ work until 1:00Am, and then got called back in at 2:30. Needless to say I was running around like a chicken with his head cut off Friday morning.
After a grueling 6 hour drive me and Marlene saw off in the distance something we both had never seen. The west side of the Tetons.
We both thought it looked alot like Expedition Everest at Dinsney World.
When we got up to the entrance to the resort we were told that it cost $25 a piece for camping. After some complaining by me (I am getting old!), we made our way to the parking lot for the camping area. It was seriously several football fields away. We lugged all the gear up to the area to find all the flat spots had been taken. So I decided to find a spot that at least had morning shade. We found a fairly clear spot for the tent, and set it up. Here is a shot of the morning sun just to the right of our tent.
Just as we were finished getting our stuff all laid out we could here the first band begin to play.We found a spot next to the sound booth and laid a blanket out. Here is the view from there.
The bands were just amazing! Grace Potter and the Nocturnals tore it up. Jackie Greene took it to a whole new level, but that was just the start. The last band was Gov't Mule, who I really had wanted to see. The only song I wanted to hear was Thorazine Shuffle. As the first chords were played it was it!. I was in loving it. they ripped thru the first set like they were on fire. The energy level was sky high. They came back for the second set even more smokin. After probably the second best drum solo I have ever experienced (Grateful Dead 1992 Vegas was the best), They played a reprise of the Shuffle. What a show! But they were not done yet. Warren brought out Grace Potter and they did Gorgeous Woman. Incredibile. Then during the encore he brought out Jackie Greene and they did a dueling guitars that blew my mind. Here is a picture, sorry for the blurr but all I had for the weekend was my crappy Blackberry to take pictures with. Left the digital camera on the desk at home.
I went back to the tent and tried to get some sleep. That was not gonna happen. The guy in the tent right next to us was sawing some seriuos timber. I got out of the tent at 7:00 and watched the sunrise over the mountains. Forgot my phone in the tent that morning so no good pictures.
We made eggs and bacon in the packing lot because there was no way I was going to haul the three burner Camp Chef stove and grill to the tent! I forgot to pack a spatula. Ever tried to flip eggs without one on a grill? It does not work to well. After breakfast we headed out to go either fishing or to Yellowstone. After realizing it would have taken at least 2 hours just to get to the Park entrance, we decided on fishing. We stopped at a small fly shop, Worldcast Anglers, in Victor Idaho. The guy there was really helpfull with pointing us in the right direction for a quick trip. We headed to Bitch Creek. As we were hiking down to the river a couple was leaving and was kind enough to tell me what the hatch was. For those of you who do not know, Many different insects live most of thier lives in water during their larval and pupa stages. When the temperature is right they hatch out of the water and fly away. This is when the fish are seen jumping out of the water. They are eating the insects as they are emerging and floating on the surface. Anyways enough Entomology, When we got to the creek the first good cast I made was taken by a 20-22 inch Cuttthroat Trout. He took off down stream into the strong current and got off. I hooked into a couple more, but the temperature was rising into the 90's. I had fun but Marlene not so much. She said she likes the Provo River better because it has less bugs, and more little snakes slithering around. Here is a picture of her in my Adult Large size waders
When we got back to the concert we found out that the music started at noon. I had missed James McMurtry. He was one of the bands I really wanted to see. Bummer. Sonny Landrette was real good. The Wallflowers were up next. Marlene was looking forward to this, as it was the only band of the weekend she had heard of. They have a song titled 3 Marlenes that she loves. They played a solid set and she kept saying to me between songs that they were not going to play it. I kept telling her that they would. I suggested we go up front to get a closer view and get that good speaker gut vibration. Just as we got to the front They played her song. She was thrilled. After putting her to bed I headed back for Jonny Lang. As I was abuot to go in the Wallflowers came out of thier tour bus and were talking with fans. I went up and thanked them for playing Marlene's song. They all shook my hand and asked what my name was. Way cool dudes! Jonny was simply amazing. He sings with so much emotion. Truly moving.
We got up early Sunday and took down camp. The drive was long, and she had woke up with a head cold. She was flying back to Colorado Springs. I hate goodbye's, and I really hate crying in public, but I could not help it. I was very upset to see her go. Anyone with kids and has had to see them leave knows that feeling. It sucks!! I am glad I got to spend this amazing weekend with her, and I am glad I have such a wonderfull wife who supports me 100%. Sorry you could not have been there babe. I really missed you.
There ya go babe. How's that for a blog?
