Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Passing through South Dakota for the first time... and then back to Colorado!

Well it's been grand to be back in Colorado again is all I can say.  The past week has been a much needed breath of fresh air.

I did what I needed to do in South Dakota, including turning in my Ohio license and getting a new one.  Kinda weird but yes it does seem I am a SD resident... but still I'm gonna just say I am traveling through no matter where I may be at the time.  It's better that way.

I drove through the Black Hills and that was without question the highlight of the SD visit.  Pretty hills and not too much of a grade anywhere, so I can see why the scenic byway is popular with bikers.  I stopped at Deadwood, bought a shirt and the most sparkly belt I've ever had.  

It happened to be their Octoberfest celebration, though there weren't too many tourists out drinking so it took me a while to actually pay attention to this.  I suppose if you like to drink and gamble, SD and little historic towns like this might really do it for ya.  I'm neither of those things, so I was just biding time.  

I tried to visit Mount Rushmore but the fog was too thick to see anything more than a faint ghostly image even from the pathway, up as close as allowable.   
Mount Rushmore through the cloud cover


With my BMV tasks completed, I headed SW quickly and arrived in Fort Collins, CO the next day.  It was funny to be a stop at all, because years ago I'd lived there briefly and hated it absolutely.  There were no dispensaries back then, and it had never been a friendly town in my experiences.  It was nice to be able to hit n run it for supplies and food.  

Then I headed up the hill, into those beckoning mountains, towards Hot Sulfur Springs Resort & Spa.  I didn't really think about it, but let the navigator take me via the most direct route... which happened to be through the Rocky Mountain National Park!  It had been the mid to late 90s since I'd been through the park, so I went ahead and got a 7 day pass (I COULD still go back tomorrow if I wanted but will refrain for gas costs!).  The RV wasn't too terribly happy with me for pushing us on through the park as fast as I did.  I should have taken more breaks for all the grades and hard work the engine had to do.  I did stop at the highest point to take a pic of the sunset and the Continental Divide on the horizon.  Very pretty!
at the highest point in the drive thru Rocky Mountain National Park


I'd been to Hot Sulfur Springs once before last year and it was a great stay of more than 3 days.  I didn't realize it before, but there is a public park/campground (no hookups) right on the other side of the train tracks from the resort.  That was brilliant as all I had to do was walk a few paces and go soak or come back home in a flash.  I bought a 2 day pass so I could relax properly.  And by the way, I like the train though most folks complain about it cause they don't know of it in advance.  It comes along often and sometimes it takes quite a long time to pass by (3.5 minutes on one count!).  

While there, I worked on a few costume pieces for others but mostly tried to get my foot to heal... the poison oak I'd gotten 2 days prior to leaving my Mom's was a terrible companion to bring along!  It was a lovely visit and would have been improved upon only by taking a 2 hour trek further NW into the mountains to Strawberry Park in Steamboat Springs... but I could not justify the extra expense so instead headed back towards the front range.  

if you look closely you can see the rainbow that happened at dusk


I passed through Central City, Blackhawk and Idaho Springs on my way to Nederland and then to Boulder.  All of these are places I like to pass through and this trip was no exception as the day was clear, sunny and warm.  There was a Stain Wise dispensary in Idaho Springs that I happened to drive by, so I stopped and looked them up and walked back to it.  

Stain Wise Site:
 http://strainwise.com/

Nice place, but almost out of flower save some high CBD stuff which I had never tried before - it's specifically for pain relief, not a head high.  My neck, head and back thanked me very much for trying it out!  I'll be sure to always have at least a little CBD strain around from now on.

I stopped at Silver Stem Fine Cannabis in Nederland and finally found a product I'd been wanting to try for a long time but had never had access to before called Foria. 2 ingredients: coconut and cannabis.  I bought the bigger bottle cause who knows when I might run into it again but I wasn't taking chances.  Anyhow, great product - does exactly what it claims to do.

Foria Site:
 http://www.foria.com/
Foria Facebook page:
 https://www.facebook.com/foria

Silver Stem is a wonderful little dispensary right by a coffee shop with a great patio to sit and take in the day.  And I believe their special was the best deal I've gotten so far this trip, and excellent product as well.
Silver Stem in Nederland Site:
 http://www.silverstemcannabis.com/


Of course, I'm always littering my business cards at dispensaries and offering my services as a PR person or someone to make appearances for them at festivals and places where they'd have a booth or want to flag down people.  Ya never know.... I could come up with some fun gigs later from it, as most shops are happy to get the card.  

The last few days, I've spent in and around Boulder.  One of my favorite local spots up the hill has been a home site for me of late, though I've been a prudent girl and not tried to press my luck and stay after dusk (though in prior years, without an RV, I was able to sleep here all night several times).  It's a special spot, though right off highway 119 and heavily traveled by tourists, fisherman and rock climbers.  It was peaceful enough for me to finish the sewing I had to do and enjoy the mountain.  At night, I found a spot to park in town that is right by most everything I need... who knew it could be so easy!?!?  

I am in Colorado Springs again and am happy to see my Zodiac extended family!


Thursday, October 1, 2015

Philly, Burlesque & Beyond, Godflesh & Eagles of Death Metal

There is much to write about regarding the trip to Philadelphia a few weeks ago. Thankfully, I left just before the Pope arrived and was not there while he was in town, though preparations were already slowing up traffic in town. 

For Monday night, I had bought tickets to see Eagles of Death Metal with the intent of meeting Matt McJunkins and Jeff Friedl - also members of the Puscifer clan and several other projects.  I'm happy to say, my goal was accomplished!  

with Jeff Friedl, Matt McJunkins and Beth Kellner of The Roddenberries
Eagles of Death Metal FB page:
 https://www.facebook.com/eaglesofdeathmetal?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

Puscifer:
www.puscifer.com  


I was also booked to perform with the Drunken Piano Band at the after party, one of many events in the Fringe Festival.  I was basically gogo dancing to a live improv band.  
 
gogo dancing with The Drunken Piano band

It was complete fun, if not a bit chaotic and a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of a night.  

Both Jeff and Matt were completely down to earth and a joy to chill with during down time.  They stayed to sit and see a bit of what we all did with the Drunken Piano group.  It was so wonderful to meet those guys in person finally!  They were given biz cards of course, and I once again offered my services up.  I told Jeff I'd see him in Denver soon when Puscifer plays there.  I look forward to sharing more of my road adventures and treats next time we meet.


    But I digress.... back to the Burlesque & Beyond portion of the adventure!!


Wednesday night I was again a gogo dancer for the band The DEAD SEXY SUPREMES.  I'd not gotten to my storage in Columbus in time, so I left without many things I wanted to bring, more costumes being on that list.  So I quickly whipped up an outfit from a remnant I bought just because about a week before. 

make shift costume for gogo dancing with The Dead Sexy Supremes


Another huge treat for me Wednesday was getting to see Godflesh perform live - a first for me!  It gave me chills, it was so intense and grand.  I was super happy to run into the 2 men after their set, give them cards and tell them what an honor it was to finally see them perform.  I love this venue for run ins like this!! 

the view from between dressing rooms at Underground Arts... and GODFLESH playing!!!
 Godflesh Site:
http://www.godflesh.com/




Friday  I got to perform 2 numbers, the FOX and my Weed #. 




Then the Roddenberries played and were AMAZING! It was my first time seeing them play live and they did not disappoint!  Check this out:
 https://youtu.be/6E6afT-bfbg
Facebook Page:
 https://www.facebook.com/TheRoddenberries?fref=ts



Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights I was an honored spectator, delighting in the various acts and entertainment offered.  

I got to see my good friend John Fahres, who set up the GoFundMe campaign to help me after the RV fire.  Thank you John for coming out Monday and Friday!  Always lovely to see you and happy you got to see the Fox finally.

Saturday I hung out with an old, dear friend from Columbus who lives in the outskirts of town.  Thanks Jeffrey for spending time with me and going out to your first burlesque show with me!  Peekaboo Revue is an excellent way to get introduced to the art form!
Peek-A-Boo Revue:
https://www.facebook.com/ThePeekABooRevue?fref=ts

I also saw my weed advocate and comedian friend Nikki Allen Poe and his lovely lady Kitty... it'd been too long for sure!
https://www.facebook.com/nikkiallanpoe?fref=ts

I always have fun with this group of folks in Philly and this trip was no exception.  A big huge thank you to Late Nite Cabaret & Scott Johnson who invited me back for this week long end to the Fringe Festival. I was grateful to be able to attend, watch and join in the fun!  I was asked to return next year to which I had to reply, "Of course!"

Thank you Scott for keeping Burlesque & Beyond going!  It's the ONLY FREE festival of it's kind, so please attend next year if you can and show them some love!

Late Nite Cabaret:
https://www.facebook.com/latenitecabaret?fref=ts


And thank you to the venue for hosting such amazing talent on both stages!
Underground Arts:
 https://www.facebook.com/UndergroundArtsPhilly?fref=ts