So, i heard there is such a thing as the Niwot Curse, here in the mountains of Colorado. A week ago i made it to Boulder, after hitchin a ride on craigslist with Scotty J. (a sound engineer in Flagstaff). We drove north through Moab, which is absolutely gorgeous! Once in Boulder, we went out on the town with Scotty's friends and danced to tequila all night long. The next morning i walked down Pearl Street and played my mandolin for awhile. Later in the afternoon, we drove up through the mountains to Nederland, where Frozen Dead Guy Days was wrapping up. We caught the tail end of the music for the festival and then spent the evening running around with the locals and hearing amazing music. I met some awesome locals who invited me to stay the night. A week later, i am still here (in Nederland). Ned is beautiful. You drive up from Boulder about 15 miles through the canyon and passed waterfalls and huge boulders hugging the roadside. At the end of the corridor, it opens up into this breathtaking site of a lake that rests at the base of a circle of mountains. The lake is still frozen over, despite a pretty sunny week here. Yes! It is mountain town, full of hippies and musicians and oddballs from all over the place. Sustainable living, solar energy, and permaculture projects are infinite here. It's a little haven outside the valley of Boulder. People are super friendly, extremely interesting, and really into music in Nederland. I went on a drive with one of the locals into the mountains the other day. It was beautiful! We drove all the way up to Estes Park and back again. There is something magical in these mountains! The locals call it a curse. Most people who come here, never leave! I have been warned already!
So, i am gonna stay for a bit and take advantage of the hikes, the rocks, the music scene here! There are a couple songs i would like to record before heading elsewhere--and my new friend Greg and i are speaking of building a solar/wind powered outdoor fountain out of bicycles! It's something i have been dreaming about for a couple years now, and Greg knows how to make it happen. He is also in the process of building a straw bail house, which i agreed to help with if i am here long enough! His wife Maggie and i have become good friends. She is a very gifted photographer and has been doing a pinhole project with me, which is super cool! I feel healing coming on!
So, anyway...i think i am skipping SXSW this year! I'm not ready to go further east or south at this moment in time--and Nederland hasn't released me from it's clutches just yet!
i miss all of you!