Concert of the year: Fleetwood Mac at Tacoma Dome

After the exhilarating Barcelona show, I had only 24 hours to catch a breath and a few winks before my next big...and I would have to say BIGGEST...concert of the year.  I had the good fortune of grabbing tickets for the November 20th Fleetwood Mac concert at Tacoma Dome.  I was going with my friend Art, who would be doing the driving for the two hour trip to Tacoma.  We left Bellingham in the early afternoon to take into account potential traffic tie-ups.  And, it was a good thing we did.  It was bumper to bumper from Seattle all the way south to our destination.  Still, we got there plenty early, the plan being to park in one of the Dome lots, and walk a short distance to grab a bite for dinner.

Not soon after unbuckling my seat belt did our plan come to a grinding halt.  As a security precaution, Art applied a lock to his brake pedal, then realized belatedly that he didn't have the key for it!  In his haste to get out of the house to rendezvous with me in Bellingham, he grabbed the wrong set of keys.  After unsuccessfully searching through the vehicle's storage compartments, it was apparent we were stuck.  My first thought was to try calling AAA, but the only thing they could offer was a tow to a locksmith.  We had better luck with the second option.  Art called his insurance company, since he had road assistance as part of his coverage.  The nice lady he spoke to was able to find a locksmith close to our location, who in turn dispatched someone to help us.  Long story short, the competent young man used his impressive skills to pick the lock and save the day.  The only downside was that it cost a pretty penny to the tune of $185 for the call and the labor.  The upside is I just got word from Art that his insurance will cover $100 of that.  Needless to say, my friend will be much, much more careful in the future should he decide to use that lock again!

With our meal plan blown, we made our way into the Tacoma Dome along with a lot of other people who by then had arrived for the concert.  After perusing the food offerings, I settled on chicken nachos for dinner and we ate at our seats while watching the venue slowly filling up. 

It was a full house when Fleetwood Mac took the stage to a roaring welcome from the audience.  Their current tour was the first time since 2007 when Christine McVie left the group that the gang was all present and accounted for.  I had never been to a Fleetwood Mac concert, and it was thrilling to see and hear them. 

With Christine McVie on keyboards and vocals, Lindsay Buckingham playing guitar and also on vocals, John McVie on bass, Mick Fleetwood at the drums and Stevie Nicks singing her heart out, it was an amazing evening of timeless music.

The group played many of their biggest hits, including my favorite song, Christine McVie's Say That You Love Me.  After 40 years, Fleetwood Mac hasn't lost anything...they still rock!  Here's their set list for the night:

The Chain
You Make Lovin' Fun
Dreams
Second Hand News
Rhiannon
Everywhere
I Know I'm Not Wrong
Tusk
Sisters Of The Moon
Say That You Love Me
Seven Wonders
Big Love
Landslide
Never Going Back Again
Over My Head
Gypsy
Little Lies
Gold Dust Woman
I'm So Afraid
Go Your Own Way

Encore:
World Turning
Don't Stop
Silver Springs

Second Encore:
Songbird

Fleetwood Mac played for 2 1/2 glorious hours and it was almost sad that it had to end.  It was truly a celebration on the longevity of one of greatest rock bands in history.  I mean, how many bands are still around that have all their original members from the height of their popularity?  I'm thankful that I finally got a chance to see these amazing musical artists.  Next month, I'll be going to another concert long overdue.  Stay tuned...

Hometown heroes: Barcelona at The Crocodile

So, the last time I saw my favorite band Barcelona was waaaay back, last June at their Marymoor Park concert.  I know, that's not THAT long ago, but it sure felt like it.  When I heard they would be playing the legendary Crocodile in Seattle on November 19th, I was very excited.  As usual, I took advantage of my guest list privileges to get in.  Try as I must, I couldn't find anyone to accompany me, but I wasn't alone.  I met up with a friend I had attended a Barcelona show with last spring.  It's always more fun to attend a concert with someone.  And, it's also nice to follow a band who will do local shows fairly frequently.

I left home early enough to miss rush hour traffic and had a Happy Hour dinner at The Crocodile's Back Bar.  I asked a security guy about the guest list, and he told me to check in at the box office when it opened.  But, when I tried to do that, I was told Barcelona hadn't submitted their guest list yet.  So, I had to wait for them to finish their soundcheck.  I was standing near the entrance to venue's music hall when who should walk in the door but Barcelona front man, Brian Fennell.  He greeted me with a hug, and I introduced him to my friend, Robin.  I told Brian about the missing guest list, and before he could act on that, the friendly security guy...who overheard the conversation...immediately gave me the required hand stamp.  Shortly after that, Branden Cate...who does keyboards and backup vocals for the band...entered and enthusiastically greeted me.

When doors opened, Robin and I grabbed a good vantage point in front of the stage.  The first opening act was Water Monster from Spokane, WA, who is really just a solo artist, Max Harnishfeger.  His electronic sounds were catchy, and a good way to start the evening.

The second opener was the band Arkomo, led by lead singer Sam Anderson.  The incorporation of a cello in his electronic-experimental style of music was refreshing, but it didn't take long for me to start yearning for the headliner.

Barcelona took the stage to an enthusiastic hometown welcome.  Brian wasted no time getting the party started with one of my fave songs, Paper Lion.  His great guitar vibes, drummer Rhett Stonelake's dependable beats and Branden's awesome keyboard work set the tone for the night.

I really appreciated the fact that Barcelona played most of the songs off their new album, The Melodrama.  I know fans like to hear the old stuff, and many artists give in to that desire.  But, true fans should listen to the newer material and embrace what they hear.  I, for one, love Barcelona's new songs, even though some of it might be a departure from their earlier roots.  Here is the night's setlist:

Paper Lion
Sick
Diamond and Silver
It's About Time
Drop Everything
Fall In Love
Lose Control
On/Off
Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper cover)
Come Back When You Can
Strange Way
Cure
Background

Encore:
I Choose You
Please Don't Go

As I exited The Crocodile after the show, rain was lightly falling.  I didn't find it depressing...I was still pumped up from a thoroughly fantastic night of music, courtesy of Barcelona.  Not wanting that feeling to end, I made the 1 1/2 hour drive back to Bellingham playing their tunes on the car stereo.  Needless to say, I can't wait till the next Barcelona concert.  See you in 2015! 

The long and winding road

After leaving Winnemucca, NV this morning, I knew it was going to be a long day.  Driving, that is.  As I experienced on a previous road trip and mentioned in a previous blog, driving the highways of Oregon can be frustratingly long.  Crossing the border from Nevada to Oregon on US Hwy 95, the speed limit went from 65 to 55.  Let's be honest...it's really hard to stick to 55 mph when you're traveling miles and miles of straight roads.  I admit, I exceeded that speed limit by a few mph, but other motorists were passing me going 10-15 mph over.  That became the trend of the day as I drove west through the state.  Even pickup trucks towing trailers were going around me!  And, I didn't see one state patrol car the whole day!  No wonder people speed!

I got to my pit stop early, so I indulged in a much needed car wash for my Outback.  Plus, I didn't mind checking into my hotel early to watch the second half of the Seahawks-Cowboys football game.  I was thinking I wouldn't have any photos for today's blog entry, but as I looked out my hotel window this evening, I saw this.

It's a fitting ending as my road trip draws to a close, and I'm driving into the sunset, so to speak.  I'll be making the long trip to home, sweet home tomorrow, and getting a good night's sleep tonight.  Kind of like this Amur Tiger at the Denver Zoo.  Sweet dreams!

The way west

I had an excellent overnight stay in Provo, UT.  I stayed in a suite at an extended stay hotel for a very reasonable price and it had everything I needed to be comfortable.  I slept like a log and made good use of the extra hour, since I would be traveling from Mountain time back to Pacific time.  Heading west on I-80, I stopped at a rest area to check out the Bonneville Salt Flats.  This place is famous as a site for racers wanting to break world speed records.  There was too much water near the shoreline so I wasn't able to actually walk on it.  It was still cool, though.

After three hours of driving, I stopped in Elko, NV for lunch and a visit to the Northeastern Nevada Museum.  This museum had a mix of history, art and some guy's stuffed animal collection.  That would be his animal trophies.  Personally, I prefer my animals alive.  I DID get a photo of someone's horsehair coat, and a very pretty chamberpot!

When I exited the museum, my eyes were immediately drawn to bushes with purple flowers...and monarch butterflies!  I don't see these butterflies where I live, and definitely not so close up.  Photo op!

Just south of Elko is the California Trail Interpretive Center.  This museum has exhibits that promote the emigrant experience back in the mid-1800s when wagon trains traveled the various trails going west.  I enjoy exhibits that are a little different like this representation of a typical meal.  That would be bacon, biscuits and beans.  I also thought the display of a coyote digging a grave was pretty funny.

Well, tomorrow is the last full day of my road trip, then the final push home.  It's time...life on the road is wearing on me.  Not that I haven't been having fun! 

Return to Delicate Arch

I woke up a little earlier this morning because I wanted to get a jump on the mass of people that were sure to show up at Arches National Park...the Delicate Arch trail in particular.  After grabbing breakfast AND lunch at Subway, I headed out to the park.  I made it to the Delicate Arch trail head just after 8:00 am, then started out on the 1.5 mile hike to the famous arch.  Leaving the parking lot, I was greeted by a pretty scrub jay.  As I looked to the south, I could see the Windows Section of arches, with the South Window clearly visible.

 

The hike to Delicate Arch is considered strenuous, mainly because of the long, steep slickrock that greets you after the first half mile.  I had to stop several times to rest, but you get a feeling of accomplishment when you make it to the top. Yes, those tiny specks in the distance are people!

Arches National Park has at least a couple thousand documented arches, with the most accessible and impressive within view of visitors.  As I neared the end of the trail, there was one small arch right next to the narrow rock shelf I was walking on.  And, there was another one to the north.  I don't know if they had names.

The most impressive arch, of course, is Delicate Arch.  Sitting on top of a rock outcropping, it just doesn't seem possible such an arch could exist.  But, there it is.  The last time I made the hike to Delicate Arch, I didn't get quite as close as I did today.

I only had time to see a couple more arches that I hadn't seen in my previous visit to the park.  I walked a two-mile loop trail to check out Tapestry Arch and Broken Arch.  Broken Arch isn't really broken.  It just has a visible crack at its apex, which might eventually result in its demise. 

As I was nearing the parking lot at the end of the loop trail, two animals popped out at me.  A lizard and a Hopi chipmunk stood still long enough for me to take their pictures.  Thank you. 

After hiking about five miles, I was tired and ready for lunch.  I ate at the Fiery Furnace viewpoint, and took a pic afterwards.

I spent the rest of the day driving to my next nightly pit stop.  Tomorrow, more driving and a couple of museums.  I'm well on my way back in the direction of home.  I wish I could get a car wash, but I'm afraid of making my window crack grow some more. 

Rim Rock views...and bighorns

After a restful stay in the small town of Parachute, UT, I drove west to my destination of the day, Colorado National Monument. I had only driven a short distance from the park entrance when I was greeted by a group of bighorn sheep grazing along the side of the road.  It was only the second time I've ever seen wild bighorn, and the second time on this road trip.  Cool!

 

 It was overcast when I arrived at the park, and I was eager to get in as much walking and photo taking before the rain arrived.  Colorado National Monument is famous for their red rock panoramas, and there was no shortage of that.  There were many interesting rock formations and driving the park's Rim Rock Drive made it easy to see them.

Besides the bighorns, I got a couple other pics of animals.  Here's a dark-eyed junco who I heard before I actually spotted, and a Hopi chipmunk that I was lucky to snap...fast little critter!

 

Tomorrow, I return to Arches National Park!  It's been awhile since I've last visited, and I really miss one of my favorite parks. And, I'm so happy to hear the weather forecast says it will be sunny and 70s!  Perfect!

Huffing and puffing

I wanted to get an early start on my day so I skipped the breakfast omelet bar at my hotel this morning.  As I passed by the dining room, I saw the chef flipping someone's omelet into the air.  I didn't much feel like eggs anyway.  Leaving Lakewood...a suburb of Denver...I drove about an hour west to hike St. Mary's Glacier, located just north of Idaho Springs.  This 3/4 mile trail takes you to the base of the glacier, which is really just a large snowfield.

 

With my trekking pole in one hand and my camera in the other, I headed up the steep rocky trail...and soon realized something wasn't quite right.  I found myself getting quickly and overly tired and out of breath.  I knew immediately I must be at a pretty high elevation to get winded so easily.  

At first, I took things a bit slower, then changed my walking technique.  A long time ago, I was watching a documentary on TV which featured noted photographer Art Wolfe.  I love his wildlife photos!  I remember him sharing this technique for traversing steep trails.  He would step forward with one foot, then bring the other foot up and in line with the first.  Done repetitively, it saves energy and doesn't tire you out so much.  I've used this technique before, and believe me, it works!  And, it worked today, too.  In no time, I reached St. Mary's Lake and was greeted by the glacier and some pretty gorgeous scenery.

I had the place to myself going up, but passed several people as I was going down.  It's always nice to beat the crowds!  As for animals, I saw squirrels and chipmunks running around, but they didn't stay still long enough to get a photo.  Finally, I managed to snap a quick one of a cute chipmunk.

I had lunch in Silverthorne... Chipotle Mexican Grill.  This restaurant is the favorite meal spot of the Seattle band Barcelona...one of my favorite musical artists.  I had never eaten at Chipotle before, and I was curious as to why they like it so much.  I got the burrito bowl with carnitas (pork) and black beans.

Verdict?  Delicious!  I really enjoyed it, and wouldn't mind eating Chipotle again before my road trip is over.  Right outside the restaurant, I admired the view of Red Peak in the distance.

You can see a little of the fall colors in that shot.  I got the opportunity to get a few more photos of the pretty foliage when I was caught in construction traffic on the interstate.  At a standstill, I snapped this pic.

In the afternoon, I visited Rifle Falls State Park near Rifle, CO.  Just a short walk from the parking lot was a trio of water falls.  Nice!

  

The park also had some limestone caves that were not that deep, but interesting.  I walked the Coyote loop trail that gave me a different perspective of the falls from above.  

 

Well, it looks like there might be some rain in the forecast tomorrow.  I'm hoping to visit another park and get some views and a hike or two if the weather cooperates.  Oh, I found out that the elevation at the St. Mary's Glacier trailhead is about 10,400 feet.  Well, that explains my difficulties!  Whew!