Meanwhile, Doc Takes Invermere BC

It's a long, rainy drive to Invermere from Kamloops. I'm on the road about half an hour later than planned. Just a slow start. I could of slept longer, given half a chance. Meanwhile, it's been a slow crawl in heavy rain. On several occasions the Lincoln hydroplanes slightly on puddles, or in the ruts of the road. Very scary. I'm driving pretty slowly. Not a good water car, or perhaps it's the winter tires? Or perhaps it's just the volume of water on the road?

I stop in Golden and drop some posters off at the bookstore. I had a really fun show there last season, and I'm looking forward to coming back in 2012. But now, onward to Radium Hot Springs and Invermere!

The weather improves as I move down over the pass area and into the valley. Thank goodness! And I'm still here on time. I forgot that I was to cross the time line today- adding an extra hour to my arrival time! I had planned on being here quite early, so I did have a little, one hour envelope to cover me. There's my name on the sign- always a good thing to see when coming into a town!

Arriving at the venue, I find deer at the entryway, munching on apples. They politely stand back to let me load in, but are not going anywhere. I ask Tony, the chef/owner of Strands, whether or not he's got apple-fed venison on the menu! Actually, there is elk on the menu this evening- but from an Alberta farm. As always, the meals at Strands are amazing. Definitely the place to eat. I tease Tony that I only come to BC so that I can stop for soup!

Over to my hotel for a quick time out, and then it's showtime! Last night I missed having Big Dave, but tonight I'm used to my own company again. I have a nice show. The place is full, and the staff keep the red wine flowing. It's another early night, so after tearing down the PA I'm back to my hotel. There's a saloon downstairs, and a party in the parking lot. I turn on the white-noisy heater and all that recedes into the night.

White Rock- The Pacific Hotel

Gabriola Island House Concert

Metchosin, BC

Return to Victoria: Longs and a House Concert

It's a quick run down to Victoria this morning. The Lincoln is sounding great- we give her a little test run into Ladysmith, where we stop for coffee and supplies.

Down the road we stop to look at the big trees. There are bigger, older trees than these in British Columbia- but these might be the largest next to a highway. The photo doesn't really give the scale of the tree the actual BIG that it is. We usually roll through here in late October or early November when the salmon are running the river, so the park is quiet today. We listen to the trees for a few minutes, and now it's on to Victoria!

Long and McQuade is waiting for us. It's a big store with a music education

facility.

We set up and do a mini concert in the guitar department. After answering questions and signing CDs we are on our way. We've got a house concert this evening!

Nice intro, eh?!!

Dave and I have a ball! We've got a full house at this house, and everybody is having fun.

Jacket winner!!!

Door prize! This photo captures us taking our "winner" blog snap!

After the show we hang out and socialize a bit. It's been another wonderful house concert event. Lots of new friends, and I can't help but think how lucky we are to be here, and to live this life.

Good- night!! This picture closes the kitchen, and it's time to catch some well deserved rest.

Courtenay and Cumberland, BC

Breakfast at Pioneer House and then we're out of Duncan. Layover due to a house concert cancelling. Hey, stuff happens in this world. It was nobody's fault, and we did get an extra day to visit pawn shops, thrift stores, and work in the virtual office. It's kinda grey today, and a little cooler.

I'm the wheelman, while Big Dave mans the mike and keeps the whole thing bouncing. We blast out of town with Albert King playing, but shut down quickly enough to save our energy for Courtenay and Cumberland, our two destinations for the day.

Trees and rocks. We take the coastal highway, but end up paying $1.39 a litre for gas. Others on this road are as low as $1.18! The Lincoln sucks back close to $100, and we keep rolling.

After a couple of hours of cruising Courtenay and Cumberland- announcing the evening's show, and distributing handbills- we roll into one of Long and McQuade's newest locations, Courtenay, BC.

Of course we do come in with the Lincoln cranked up! Lee and his staff quickly make us feel at home in this pocket sized, but full service location. We're not going to require a PA for todays appearance.

As expected, a nice selection of guitars in this store. There is also a steady flow of kids dealing with their band instruments, and the music ed centre seems to be busy.

Dave and I do a little run down of how to play in open tunings. It's a small crowd in a small store. We answer a few questions, talk about the history of resophonic guitars, play a few songs. Before you know it we are done and on our way. A quick stop at our hotel before heading over to Cumberland to set up for tonight's show.

The Cumberland Hotel is a very funky little place. Dave and I like it from the moment we walk in the door. The sound tech has us up and running in no time. It sounds great on and off the stage. Gonna be a fun night!

You never know who is going to show up, or what they may have. Here's a cigar-box guitar maker from Quadra Island with two of his cool creations! Tracy Tomlinson runs a little shop called "Hard Times" and builds these crazy things!

There have been quite a few advance tickets sold, so the room starts to fill an hour or so before showtime. Our host, bar owner-operator Cresslynn, and her staff take great care of us. Tonight's show is presented by the Vancouver Island Music Festival, and they've done a great job. We've got a good crowd of music folks here tonight.

Here's our jacket winner!! Dave and I enjoy the show. When the sound is so clear, and the audience is with you it's a beautiful thing. We both hope to visit again soon! I remind the reader that I won't review our own shows here on the Blog. If you'd like to post your comments on the people, places, things, or shows, please do!