It's not Dripping Springs, Texas, but it was a little wet.
I didn't think it could get any better, but today proved me wrong. First, we let the spitter, spatter of rain pass, and then we had a real ride we'll call the Grape Town Loop. We rode for just over two and a half hours for a total of 35 miles. On the way we passed the old Luchenbach School House, which was a log cabin when it was first built in 1855. They remodeled it into sandstone in 1905, and the school was its own entity until consolidation in 1964. Today, its a proud member of the Texas historical register. For an interlude, we took Fric to the car wash and gave him a bath. That, of course, necessitated a visit to the "Evil Empire" (Walmart) for some rags, which then turned into ninety dollars worth of other stuff. We unloaded the groceries and made our way out to Luchenbach for the pickin circle. I must tell you: WOW! OOH! AHH! SHAZAM! By the time we left, ten musicians were in the circle, including a guy named John who could not only play any instrument he picked up (banjo, accordion, guitar and bass,) but he could also fill in the spaces in every song, on time, quietly, and with a soulful richness that had me weeping. Somewhere in the night, a grammy nominated song writer named David Lee played a song. The circle invited him (Which makes him a big deal), and he played a new song he's written that he just pitched to Willie Nelson. I just can't explain how soul filling Luchenbach, Texas is. Even the chickens cluck in tune. In addition to those I've mentioned, there were four other players in the circle, including a young woman named Sam Watson whose voice was dreamland melodic. You never know what you'll get at the pickin circle. Tonight, we had local celebrities, big stars, and young dreamers. It was beyond nurturing. The really good news is that we'll be here all week. By then, we'll be shilling for the Luchenbach Chamber of Commerce, except that there isn't one. The magic of the place just carries itself on the wind. Suffice it to say, that a seat under the oak trees in the warm gentle breeze listening to a couple of hours of heartfelt melodies provided us with an unearned blessing. Come here if you can because this is a place where life is good, especially today.
Luchenbach School House.
My biker babe is our official sign reader.
Great bike loop. No dogs, a few hills, and the weather turned sunny.
Art shot of the day: Just a humble country spread.
Fric, shiny, if not brand new.
Stephen K.Morris, a talented performer, led the circle tonight. He was inclusive, made sure to introduce everyone, and also kept the crowd engaged.
Pete Torrey singing the kind of song he likes: the kind that make you cry.
Ted Flanagan on bass.
Roosters taking their turn.
The quiet woman in the hat is Pat; next to her is John Reed, the guy who played all the instruments.
Poet Walt Perriman made another appearance. We heard three old poems and a couple of new ones.
John Reed taking a turn on the accordian.
David Lee, clearly in a class by himself. It looks as though he wasn't too happy with me taking his picture.
Bass player, Ted Flanagan, did a rousing version of Sleep at the Wheel's "Miles and Miles of Texas".
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