JUBAL'S KIN CD RELEASE PARTY AT CLIFFTOP

The BEST part of Clifftop (for me) is not the jamming, dancing, yoga or the fashion. It is watching the young ones pick up banjo and fiddle and learn how to play “these songs” with a passion that comes from having it in their DNA. Many of these kids first heard old time music “en utero” and now they play and dance into the night like their parents used to. We elders don't have to worry about the music being forgotten when there are young talents like “Jubal's Kin” around to keep it alive.

Here, Roger, Gailanne and Jeffrey perform in front of adoring, happy smiling faces as friends and family gather to support them at their CD release party Saturday afternoon. They drew the biggest crowd that Norman and I have ever seen in our 12 years at Clifftop. Coffee by Mike's Coffee Shack, donuts by Dunkin', ambiance and setting by GarageMahal and music by JUBAL'S KIN! Check them out on facebook or their web site and GET THE ALBUM! Every song will be your favorite.

PLAYING "DRESS UP" AT CLIFFTOP WITH GARAGEMAHAL

Now for the fashion element at Clifftop. Don't go thinking for a moment that style does not play a part at a 10 day musicians campout. You will see the BEST of the cowboy boots that money can buy. We drooled over snakeskin Tony Lama's and a $500 dollar pair of custom handmade 6 stitch beauties. For the cowgirls … red is THE color.

Here is Robin in a pair of Justin's she found at GarageMahal (the silk dress and vintage sequenced fringed sweater vest also provided by GM).

Customers enjoy playing “dress up” and looking through our collection of hats, belts, boots and vintage western wear

Norman enjoyed helping customers find the perfect boots. Just like when we were children, he had them stand up while pressing down on their toes and telling them to “wiggle it”. I later discovered that he had no clue as to what he was doing. Even though we cater to professional musicians, who wouldn't enjoy wearing a pair of handmade sage green knee high boots with snakeskin inlay (back row, 3^rd from the right) or black and white cowhide by Code West (front row, 5^th from the right)?

Below, Nora Jane Struthers (winner of last year's band contest at Clifftop AND this year's best band at Telluride) models her vintage GM find that she wore on main stage for her performance Friday night. The camera fell in love with Nora Jane while Nina fell in love with this little blue floral number from the 50's.

"CLIFFTOP" AKA Appalachian String Band Music Festival

A five day mountaintop gathering of musicians and friends with contests, concerts, workshops, square dances, camping and a hymn-sing. West Virginia masters are presented to an audience of more than 3000 musicians and string band music lovers from around the world. Over the history of this festival, more than 20 foreign countries and 48 of the 50 states have been represented, with many returning year after year to this much-loved festival.

Contra and square dancing every night where young and old join hands in the lodge on the oldest and most beautiful hard wood dance floor in the south.

You'll find classes in flat footin, yodeling and even "festival yoga".

My sister in law Robin helped me teach the festival Yoga classes this year. The beautiful wood floor of the lodge with the sunlight beaming in through the windows is the perfect setting for any down dog! Smile-asana!

HOMEWARD BOUND ... Going to the East

Leaving Canada was hard on so many levels but we can hear the banjos and fiddles calling our names at Clifftop W.Va. so we head east. Our goal …

100 pair of boots! We will thrift our way across the miles in search of our new friends Tony (Lama), Justin and Dan (Post). Also have developed a passion for old movie theaters and General Stores in ghost towns.

You have heard of mountain hiking, backwoods mall walking and even city hiking BUT our favorite place to stop and hike along a road trip is a good old fashioned CEMETARY! Yes, you heard me right. So peaceful and quiet with great walking paths and lots of trees for shade in the summer heat. They also supply some interesting reading material in case you get bored. Here is one of our favorites.

"FRED HEADS" AND "STUPIDEST PARENTS"

Before we get into last night's Fred Eaglesmith concert, we would like to announce two awards. After much deliberation, the vote is in and the prestigious “STUPIDEST PARENT AWARD” goes to the couple below who put their two small children in front of a herd of wild moose so they could get a good photo op! Here are the kids, playing with their toys just a couple of feet from the grazing herd, also a picture of the “STUPIDEST PARENT” taking a picture of their kids playing next to the wild animals.

(These parents were also nominated for the “Wag of My Finger” and a “What Were They Thinking” awards earlier this evening.)

Next is the highly acclaimed “Best Hippie Camper” award.

Now, for Fred. I am a die hard “Fred Head” and last night was no disappointment. After his appearance on the David Letterman show (see on youtube), he is on summer tour with his new CD “Cha Cha Cha” ... 48 shows and an Atlantic cruise in 3 months. The Drake Inn is a small pub with a wooden dance floor and no extra charge for the hecklers. His new back up band, including the Ginn Sisters, really added to the show … harmonies and high heeled lace up stilettos and all.

If you like country rock and stand up comedy, check out Fred. You too can hear songs like “My Baby's Got Big Hair”, “You're Spookin' the Horses” and “When (exactly) Did We Become White Trash?” His more serious side includes my favorites “Alcohol and Pills” and “John Deere”.

THE CALGARY STAMPEDE (ALBERTA CA)

How could you be in Calgary, Alberta CA during the Calgary Stampede and not go … so we went. It is billed as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” and we would have to agree. Ten days of ropin' ridin' bonco bustin boot wearin' fun for cowboys and cowgirls from all over the world competing for millions of dollars in prize money. My only regret is that the infamous "Naked Cowboy" was not in attendance.

ICE AXES & TEA HOUSES

A stunning view of the lake nestled in the snow peaked mountains … one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. You can go canoeing or spend a lazy afternoon having lunch outside the Lake Louise Chalet. You can take a leisurely 2 mile stroll along the lakeside or a longer and more strenuous hike to one of the two teahouses which offers another amazing vantage point with a long tradition. We stopped here for a pot of peppermint tea and a pumpkin chocolate chip scone.

For the more adventurous spirits … you can see it all from horseback

or from the side of a mountain like these two rock climbers (man in red holding the life line for his friend upper-center of photo).

Taking the “plunge” at Lake Louise comes in many forms. This bride and groom chose a most beautiful backdrop for their vows in front of the Lake Louise Chalet

while this “20 something” took a different kind of plunge daring her friends into the 30+ degree lake waters.

People from all over the world come here to hike, meditate, paint, take pictures

or soak in one of the three natural hot springs in the area. More on THAT later.

ALL THIS AND A MUSIC FESTIVAL TOO!

This could be the most beautiful place on the planet. Turquoise blue rivers, majestic mountains and hiking trails that let you get intimate with all of it. Banff greeted us with an unexpected music festival to celebrate the 125th birthday of the park. It was held on the grounds of the Cascade Gardens. The lineup was awesome with some of Canada's best singer songwriters and a dance band that made you get up off your blanket. The sky was bright blue and the sun helped to warm up the 65 degree temperature.

Here is a youtube link and some pics ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZwOrWQQF0A

THE MOST SCENIC DRIVE IN THE WORLD

The drive from Jasper south to Lake Louise and Banff is called the Icefields Parkway (AKA highway 93) and is considered the longest and most scenic drive in the world.

Views that rival any we've seen in the Tetons and the Himalayas. Lakes, canyons, whitewater, glaciers, wildlife, vistas, snow peaked mountains …

(Mistaya Canyon above and The Weeping Wall below)

Now, when it comes to global warming, I am confused and admit to being on the fence. I cannot literally “see” the big picture and come to terms with the whole global environment, ecosystem and warming thing BUT … I can tell and show you what we have just seen with our own eyes here on one of the largest remaining ice systems in the world.

Again, we will let our pictures tell the story. Each marker shows where the Athabasca Glacier extended to from the Icefield over the last 120 years.

(The Abathasca Glacier is approximately 1/50th the size of the Icefield itself)