pensive pirate

pensive pirate, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

We are still cleaning the Patrick County dust out of our tents and camping equipment, but our four days under the trees was a welcome respite from our usual routine. John and Ella camped for the first two nights and then went home to Granny. John wanted to spend most of his time in the Children's Universe, and Ella enjoyed getting her hair braided and her face painted. She did a yoga class and a hooping workshop and is contemplating wearing a bindi on her forehead every day of the third grade. The kids have a tendency to forget that this is a music festival, so I drove them home so that John and I could get out to some shows. Ruby loved Old Crow Medicine Show and finally feel asleep during Levon Helm on Saturday night. I didn't get enough time on the Porch this year but did catch Tift Merritt there and a few minutes of Martha Spencer's impromptu flat footing workshop.

We did catch the Wiyos and the Hackensaw Boys, old favorites, as well as Appalachia Rising and Cristabel and the Jons. John discovered even more Swedish bluegrass, but I'm yet to be convinced. We saw Kat Mills, a mama from our library story hour, open for Levon. Big time stuff there.

We returned home and bought tickets for Bristol Rhythm and Roots,and we are contemplating Shakori Hills. School starts four weeks from yesterday, but I keep reminding myself that summer seems to last well into November here.
We loved fire breathing dragons, fire dancing, and the ever nourishing Veggie Thing.