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.