two weeks on the road and I'm gonna make it home next week (end), probably

Where startest me on this description? Perchance the start? You think?

First off, to list what we missed...a party thrown in my honor by the 2 Debbies, a Bernie Pearl annual blues bash on July 24, a doo wop society do with the Chantels, Studio Z concert via Dino Dupre, a Riverside soul concert via Rubin Molina, a Carpenter Center concert via Jay Beeler.

Getting the idea it's freeload time?

So, on Sunday, July 23, off we go on a grinding drive to beautiful ... Redding, CA. Stayed at the Hilltop Motel. Had I locked the back door. Called home, sp0ke with Brian who was eating my cheese!!! said everything was a-okay.

Next day, arrived at the Pecks in Ashland, next day. Did some hot and heavy swapping with Lloyd Davis, two sessions...saw a buyer in from Seal Beach...Jim who was buying what made sense to him.

Next night, went to dinner at Steve Roberts remote mansion in Gold Hill, did some record stuff, at great meal, left in rush as I was intimidated about the drive back in the woods, late at night, few beers, you know the drill. Drive back was limited by road construction.

Next day, Seattle...wow...what a drive...after negotiating a Renton traffic nightmare, got to the Silver Cloud, in which I slept like one. Great motel.

Just before midnight, got a wake up call from Anders...they're stranded in Chicago...we got there early for no reason. Turned out that we saw them a 3 that p.m., not 10 a.m. as we had hoped, not much of a problem.

Found out the way to get from east to west...520 bridge, then north into Univ. Dist., pretty nice drive.

Met Camilla for the first time, Torben for about the 4th or 5th, both really sweethearts. Seattle was hot and Heather doesn't like air conditioning, so we tolerated their in-room sweat box, but it was worth it to hand with them.

In Renton, we junk shopped, antiqued, Sylv found a great paint by numbers painting that she had a hard time protecting while Heather & I pulled out, stuffed in the heavy stroller to take Camilla around. Very happy infant. We went to a burger place the first nite, then to Safeway where we got some pop left in the parking lot, unpickedup, which we had to deal with too.

Anders couldn't have any interruptions, especially when he found out his talk was moved from Friday to Thursday, so we at out often, but only 2wice with Anders, at a Paki/Indian restaurant, also at a Vietnamese, went motel hopping, various parks.

First full day with Heather, Torbin & Camilla wasn't exactly well planned. We had been sold a load of goods that Pike Place was the place to be, so there we drove. Not only is it a crowded tourist destination, it's in a valley where it's impossible to get to, and once you do...well, why? I spent a good hour after dropping off my women (& Torben) looking for a parking place, and once I did, couldn't conquer the weird system of payment...credit cards get stuck, not authorized, so I walked down there, got them out of the restuaurant, walked back up the hill to the car, got them, crunched the tire of the rental against the curb that it makes a noise when I back up...hoping against hope they don't connect the dots...but why should they?

Moved out o' the Silver Cloud to a place called the Red Lion in Bellvue, not as nice as the Cloud, more 'spensive and less offered. Friday, we ate at the fast food sushi, prepackaged place up on 45th, then swam in the pool.

On Sat., we drove out to the country, and hung out at a paragliding site, which Torben was fascinated with, talked with some guys, shared some beers, had a good ol' country drinking time, and Heather walked a few yards into the wilderness on her quest for a "hike" with the family.

On Sunday, visited a lovely yet not touristy fishing pier in Ballard...ate at a fast food fish lunch nearby. Very relaxing p.m., then we checked into the University Inn, more expensive, less satisfcatory, but since I'd been drinking their coffee, using their internet, eating their mid p.m. snacks, parking in their garage and swimming in their pool, one night seemed reasonable.

On Monday, I visited the EMP near the Space Needle...review follows later. Saw all I needed to see in an hour and a half.

Tuesday, culled out all the viable 45s (a dozen) at Golden Oldies, spent but $36...best record? stereo version of Johnny Otis's "Castin' My Spell".

Final two nights were at the Econolodge in Kirkland, by far the best place, woodsy, quiet, sociable. I went to a 5:00 reception there, free wine, regaled some Japanese h.s. teachers about Yokahama low riders. I think I'd been under the spell of the wine. Great fun.

Next, leaving Seattle. Onward toward Ashland...about 9 hours away, in a day.