Issac

August 27, 2012









Issac

Key West has been incredibly fortunate the past few years, basically since 2005, to have avoided being impacted by any Hurricanes, major or minor, so when we looked at the National Hurricane Center forecast upon our return to Key West from Colorado, we were a little concerned that a potential Hurricane was forming and we were in the exact center of the “Cone of Uncertainty” for what would become Hurricane Issac.





Every eight hours, a new update from the Hurricane Center would be posted as the storm inched ever closer to us. Generally if Key West is in the center of the cone early, it is almost certain to have veered away by the time it actually reaches the island. Issac however stayed the course and the path never seemed to alter at all and Key West looked to be right at the heart of the storm at whatever strength it was to be when passing over.







The Hurricane hype machine started up in full force as media members from the weather channel, other national crews and trucks from the local Miami affiliates began pouring in to town and reporting in rain gear from the beach, southernmost point- which had been covered in a large plastic tarp after being damaged during Hurricane Wilma in 2005.





Mark

The forecast for much of the week had the storm at tropical storm strength as it passed over Key West, which did not cause much of a reaction among locals, in spite of the ominous reporting from the beachside reporters. While nothing to make light of, a tropical storm doesn’t really instill too much concern among the local populace and Key West basically went about its business as the storm approached. There was never even an evacuation ordered for tourists, which usually is the start of the process during many storms.









Then suddenly the day before the storm was to hit, the forecast strength jumped and suddenly we were faced with the prospect of a strong Category One or even a Category Two storm- which is something else altogether. Not a reason to panic by any stretch, but preparations had to be stepped up with not a lot of time to get them done. I boarded up the house and we got some supplies for the inevitable power outages and we were ready for whatever came.







Then we waited, and waited and waited and nothing more than some strong winds and rain hit and the storm passed relatively uneventfully as a tropical storm that did little or no damage to the island- which is fantastic. Kathy & I even ventured out during the storm to check out the island and take in a hurricane party at Don’s Place bar. It was a pretty fun and the power never even went out- the lights did not even blink.









Key West breathed a sigh of relief and resumed their irreverent partying ways almost immediately and the reporters and TV trucks rolled out of town towards New Orleans where the storm would soon hit and actually cause damage and destruction, following a path eerily similar to Hurricane Katrina. Thankfully this was far less destructive and while there was damage it was nothing like the catastrophe of Katrina.





The entire experience was good practice in preparation and while many in Key West made light of the non-event that was Issac, we were just lucky that it wasn’t worse. Hurricanes are something that islanders just have to learn to deal with and become like second nature once the season starts. Hopefully our good fortune will continue for the foreseeable future.

Folks Fest Day 3

August 19, 2012

Shannon McNally

Kathy



Michael & Kerry

Folks Fest Day 3

The final day of Folks Fest was pretty similar to the first two days in that the day dawned bright and sunny with wonderful warm temperatures. We managed once again to have acquired the requisite low number and Kerry’s father Mike and nephew Nathan both raced in once again and scored excellent locations to serve as viewing bases for the festival. In fact, for the final day we had three options as Nathan scored a great tarp location right on the banks of the St. Vrain River in addition to our two usual spots.





Kerry & Matt

The musical selection on the final day was for me the least interesting, it was excellent as usual, but none of the acts were big favorites of mine personally. The day started out with a musical tribute to Woody Guthrie featuring many of the song school teachers performing songs by and inspired by the late great Folk icon. It was a nice nod to the history of Folk Music and a great way to kick the day off.





Jill & Trina

Shannon McNally was up next. I had seen her open for John Mellencamp way back in 2002 when she was fresh off releasing her first major label CD. Now ten years and five CDs later, I was catching her sultry version of singing and songwriting once again. Her set was great and she was as nice as can be when I went back to meet her after her set in the merchandise tent.

The Dunwells





I found the next act, The Milk Carton Kids to be really interesting as well. Basically two harmonizing singers and two acoustic guitars were all that were on stage, but the combination was electric and the two guys seemed almost like a full band with their amazing two part harmonies. Harmonies were at the forefront of the next band up as well, the four person band from Leeds, England, The Dunwells used overlapping four part harmonies for many of their songs.

Neko Case



The closest thing to a rock band at this years’ Folks Fest, The Dunwells performed an awesome set that made it easy to see why they are one of the darlings of the Folk Rock set and scored gigs at the likes of Lollapalooza and the ACL Festival as part of their US tour.

Lyle Lovett



We skipped most of Peter Himmelman’s main stage set to catch one of our favorite Folks Fest regulars, the funny and talented Ellis who was performing in the more intimate Wildflower Pavilion this year. A regular teacher at song school who has performed on the main stage in past years, Ellis has a unique and infectious laugh and a keen insight into writing funny and poignant songs. She performed a wonderfully well-received set to an appreciative throng who packed the Wildflower Pavilion to catch her set.







The final sets of the Fest belonged to the unique talent of Neko Case and the fascinating and iconic Lyle Lovett and his Large Band. Case got the evening off to a great start with a stirring performance highlighted by songs off her brilliant CD “Middle Cyclone” that came out a few years ago. The set highlighted her incredible and unique voice and got the crowd revved up for the final performance of the weekend by Lyle Lovett and his band.





Kathy

Lovett was sensational and was a perfect conclusion to an awesome festival. It was sad to say goodbye, but Kathy and I made the short drive to Boulder after his set, having packed up the campground during breaks throughout the day. We had an entire day to spend in Boulder and Kathy & I decided to spend it shopping along Pearl Street and then heading over to the Celestial Seasons Tea factory to take the free tour of the facility where every package of their wonderful tea is created and packaged.





Michael

The tour was fantastic and we got to see the inner workings of the factory from the factory floor and watch every aspect of tea production and packaging as well as sample any of the various teas that they make. It was a great experience, way better than I might have guessed.







Melissa, Michael and Jerome

We met my nephew Jerome as well as our friend Melissa, who just happened to be in Boulder for a work commitment for a great dinner and final night out for us in Colorado. It was a spectacular trip and we had a really, really great time.

Kathy, Melissa and Jerome