Colorado

Listen while you read:  Railroad Earth

On the rise through new elevations
New day's begun
Fuel the ride with anticipation
And sweet summer sun

Down the rocks run the cool rushing waters
Movin' along
Memories of some sweet days
And some new ones comin' on
Colorado
Summertime

Fill the heart with new animation
Be here again
Fill the high with sweet celebration
Rememberin' when

Down the rocks run the cool rushing waters
Singin' a song
Memories of some sweet days
And some new ones comin' on
Colorado
Summertime

Colorado 
Summertime

~  Andy Goessling & Todd Sheaffer (Railroad Earth)

If you're guessing that I am in Colorado, you're right. I flew out this morning to spend a week with my son, his girl, and his dog. And if you watch the video, you'll see where I will be tonight . . . at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, outside of Denver! While I'll be seeing Jason Isbell tonight, not Railroad Earth, the video will give you a sense of this amazing venue if you've never been there. And if you have, you'll remember why you loved it! The video is a mix of three Railroad Earth songs. The first one is "Colorado," the second is the eponymous "Railroad Earth," and the third is "Mighty River." The first two songs appear on Railroad Earth's debut album, The Black Bear Sessions, released in 2001.

Railroad Earth, whose name is borrowed from Jack Kerouac's short story, "October in the Railroad Earth," hails from my neck of the woods. Filled with amazingly talented musicians, the band is labeled as an "Americana-based newgrass jam band," and I think that gets it right. Todd Sheaffer, songwriter and lead singer, still lives in the county; in fact, my daughter used to babysit for his little guy. Sheaffer and other members of the band often appear in various incarnations at local venues. And for years, they performed at the Sherman Theater in nearby Stroudsburg PA over the Thanksgiving weekend, gathering food donations for the needy.

"Colorado" sums up beautifully my expectations of my visit with these people I love. Other than the concert at Red Rocks, I have been promised a canoe trip, a softball game, and at least a couple of hikes. I am ready for some quaking aspens, mountain views, and local craft breweries. And I get to spend the week with a dog! Having been petless for three years, I need a furry fix! In terms of sweet memories, I feel some new ones comin' on.

Colorado. Summertime. Singin' a song.

Sam and me and some quaking aspens, October 2016