Patchouli just kicked off July 2010 in high speed.
July 1st thru July 11th, we played 11shows in 11 days ending on the 11th of July and it’s our 11thyear of touring as Patchouli. Now going with the old adage “what doesn’t killya makes ya stronger” we have reached the other side of the 11 in 11and almosthalf the month of July thru andfeeling very thankful for our health and safety on the road as well as thankfulfor all the support and love we were given along the way. Each day was a fullas we could each possibly fill it, yet we both felt energized and ready for thenext show. There were so many highlights it’s almost hard to distill it down.Even each challenge, like the thermostat on the Scion going out, provided anopportunity to do something unplanned, unexpected, and continuing to live inthe improvisational style is what feeds our creativity.
So looking back quickly:
DAY 1- on the road to So Dak. Had to drive last 100miles to show with heat on and windows down at 90 degrees and 25 mph winds. Forsure thought I’d lose my voice before we even got there. Arrived and played in Renner and enjoyed a windy yet picturesque evening amongthe vines.
DAY 2 – Sioux Falls, Old Courthouse Museum noon show, great people, great show. Keep seeingpeople who first heard us on our Florida tour this winter.
- 2ndhalf - drove with heat on, intothe wind again to Milwaukee, stopping frequently, including Worthington, MN toretake TV interview with Marchetta, Austin, MN to let car cool off and lay undera pine and oak tree and enjoy a restful moment and then removed a uselessappendage from the Scion ( see facebook page for more details and song ideas)
DAY 3 – Milwaukee loved being back in East town and Cathedral Park, it’s a blast to playthere, funny (in retrospect of course) in the middle of our song “Shell IslandDisaster” some guy started jack hammering right next to the stage area.Afterwards we grabbed some lunch in the 3rd Ward – love walkingaround there.
- 2ndhalf Key Nosha, northern most Key –surrounded by palm trees and BBQ, we didn’t have any expectations of The CoffeePot, and they were trying something new too, so we all jumped off the edgetogether and had a wonderful night and drove away with fireworks in therearview mirror.
DAY 4 – Illinois 4th of July
turned out to be the most Idyllic beautiful day, 3 hours ofplaying didn’t even phase us, it rained for 2 songs and we just covered thegear and kept playing and everyone danced in the rain, also best night of sleepof the tour in the cave.
DAY 5 – Illinois
Scion went in to get thermostat fixed in the morning whilewe got a great bike ride in. Inspired as usual at this time of year by the TourDe France, we knew if they could fall and keep going we could keep up our tourpace, cobblestones, rain mountain climbs and all. Played Hfest and just lovethe neighborhood so much!
DAY 6 – no show day, great bike ride, French lessonsand crepes for lunch, more Tour de France, laundry, drove only 2 hours andsleep and saw a matinee of “Eclipse” (still on team Edward)
DAY 7 -Fond Du Lac – lunch concert,had a great afternoon at the Windhover then headed North to GB. Enjoyed a lateride on the Fox Trail and catching up with The Hollands while it poured rainoutside. Janamama made us delicious gluten free dinner and breakfast & weplayed the new Martin addition to their family band.
DAY 8 – Green Bay– Summer Lunch Concert weather turned out to be perfect, great audienceand lovely little afternoon.Explored a bit of Broadway area of GB whilepostering for Botanical Garden show a few weeks away. Drove back to the “westcoast” of Wisconsin, stopping in Shawano at Beans & Books, made some dinnerin the dark on the grill, did laundry and fell asleep with frog songs in ourheads.
DAY 9 – La Crosse – headed downriver with a stop in the 3rd St Deli for lunch(visited with Billy and Vodvarka bros.) pulled into LAX Cameron Park. This iswhen we are aware summer is here and the city is grasping how satisfying it isto eat fresh, home grown food from the Cameron Market. It was a gorgeousafternoon and Stella got her Green belt! Hii Yah!
DAY 10 – Blackhawk Folk Festival
Never been to Mt Morris, WI before but when we pulled in to the bucolic splendor, webreathed easy in the clean green air. The Park was a perfect setting for a folkfestival. Under the trees looking at the lake and the hills behind, it was likewatching the song “the Woods” happen. Our set went awesome and the response wasreally overwhelming from the audience, so many people we had a chance toconnect with. One thing we both took notice of was A LOT of people we met (whomwe shook hands with) had finger injuries, it sort of “errked” us as we by nomeans wanted to “catch” the proclivity for finger injuries, it was ironic yet,just something we both said like immediately upon getting in the car to driveto Madsion, having had separate encounters with folks throughout the day. Wejust hoped all were on their way to healing quickly.
DAY 11 – Madison was magic
What a day we made it 11the show in 11 days and it was justfantastic!
Of the set I would say “Teenage” was my favorite song. Imean singing it and looking at the State Capital building I literally hadchills running up my arms and legs while singing, it was like electric.Afterwards Ron said “Julie it was like you were going to explode with Joy!” and something no one could have anticipated was TheLimke family won the top sales team awardfor the tour! We spent the laterafternoon celebrating Betty’s birthday and then headed back to “The Rock” andgot there @ the stroke of midnight and these 2 pumpkins fell into bed.