Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Fest And Much More 05Aug22-07Aug22

Kala & I called together some good friends in Summit Co for a weekend of fun and frivolity... some even accepted! Scott & Peggy and Jim & Mary stayed at the Nest while the Vosburgh's and the Brown's used their own places but joined us for most outings. Even a rare sighting of Kize & kid was enjoyed while at the great B&B festival. We started in the rain however as we enjoyed the Fri free concert with the very fine Lindsay Lou & band, and the amazing Peter Rowan (now 80!) to start the show. Peter sang NRPS and Dead songs Kala & I were singing along, as he played and wrote with those guys. We all got pretty wet but had position A center stage in front of the mixing panel. Peter gave himself some unrequested encores and pushed Lindsay out at least 30 min so I had to call Bistro North to defer our rez for dinner to 8:45pm. We did score a cool sunset. Some were dismayed at my decision but we did get to hear Lindsay for 4 songs and she was good. She was accompanied by an enthusiastic lead guitarist and a capable percussionist from Nashville while she rolled the bass lines and crushed lead vocals. We were very glad we came but also very glad to leave the wet for the restaurant. We had a very good dinner at Bistro North, accompanied by an unexpectedly fine cab.

We slept well. Dave & Kala made cool breakfast stuff on Sat AM and the Browns were able to join us. Dave's quiche (real men do eat this quiche) and Kala's Rocky Ford cantaloupes with prosciutto were joined by Steve's pastry of cherry strudel from "the country club" in Omaha. It was all awesome. We prepped our "pro beer fest" pretzel necklaces and chose clothing that might work all day in the sun with bluegrass and craft beer. We debated travel alts but ultimately chose the Brown-mobile shuttle - stuffing all 8 into a Yoti 4 Runner. Fast & efficient with the ladies' tiny butts in the far back kid seats... worked great. We arrived Voz-less as they are special and couldn't join for breakfast, and wanted to walk to the festival. This is my fav Summit Co festival with 3 stages always playing music and 40 Colorado brewers serving keen brews. I'm a regular and finally bought the commemorative t-shirt with logo and lineup.

1st up were the awesome Stillhouse Stringband on Montezuma stage. I got the boyz selfie as Voz arrived and we really enjoyed this great five piece from Palisade (all the early acts are CO-based, so favs by default). Great kickoff. Full group togetherness didn't last long as the ladies bolted for some shopping sales.

After we toted the booty to the car we were able to make our way to the Event stage for the 2nd act of the day, Sugar Moon. Mainly a lady band but the bro kept the bluegrass beat on bass. These guys were understated but sweet - especially the two harmonizing lead vocalists on guitar and banjo. Their fiddle friend could shred, make no mistake. Their set was good but folks, 'cept Kala, tired quickly of following me timing the start of each band... we laid a plan to do whatever we wanted and reconvene in a couple hours. So, this was also my first, and probably only, shot at a full turnout selfie (bar Kize, who'll join after Reid wakes up). I also need to say that both Montezuma and Event stage sound systems were dialed in - the engineers were on iPads getting to center stage and wirelessly adjusting as needed. The bands all pick their own mic and instrument jacking setup but the engineer is out there adjusting the mix through the "house" systems, and they were excellent.

For the stragglers who hung briefly with me, we hit the opening salvo from Clare Elich Duo (really a trio this day). Excellent lady lead with a strangely older but excellent harmonizing baritone on guitar. All Front Range kids again, who kicked some tushies. The 3rd stage is somehow less important and almost off property ~ but it never turns out that way - she played there all day; often to her adoring family but they were very worthy of the stage. Fine presence and songs. Yep, it's not yet 1pm so the breweries haven't opened but as I turn around the queues are rapidly building huge, plus Scooter's getting a smidge anxious - such is the early beer fest frenzy - no worries, we have till 5:30 to taste and buzz... yet, 4.5hrs seems to move quickly at the B&B fest.

What's next? Oh yeah, beer tasting! We make our way through River Run center to grab tastes from all the Summit Co brewers who get center court - Baker's, Breck, Angry James and a stellar showing from "newcomer" Steep... they prepped a festival special coconut porter which was very good; AJ had their known list, of which Tricentric IPA is my favorite ('cause they didn't haul in the citra lager). I completely appreciate that proximity can yield benefits at beer fests but even over distance a brewer should brings cold boxes and kegs IMO, not cans. Just sayin' ~ make an effort for me, I paid extra. After a pass at the breweries we went to Montezuma for THE schtick of the fest - Red Mtn Boys are a Colo Spgs band with dress, jokes, all originals and a vibe, including the gospel. Pretty fun, plenty good with full bluegrass respect and everybody sang the songs they wrote - some were better than others but yeah - share the mic; then they'd jump together for choruses on their one vocal mic. Cool.

At this point we realize we've "all" bought 10 food booth tastes at $5/taste and we should be really begin eating, especially if we are gonna drink so much beer. Too, our 4oz pours became 2oz pours to stay sane on the way to 40 tastes... yeah, that's still a lot. So, the pork BBQ  empenadas were good, whereas the smoked salmon on a chip was lame. Food "in." what's next? More beer of course, this time with Oskar Blues, my fav Great Divide DBL Hazy and Crooked Stave stuff, and Scooter's fav, Elysium. Hey there's a bathroom in the 'hood - use it, then pose with the buffalo and beer. Music on the main stage started to seriously crank with the Chatham Rabbits from North Carolina. Not a classic bluegrass ensemble (w/o bass) but the partner singers accompanied by a pedal steel/dobro guy with the songs turned up were excellent.

Kala & Donna left for totties (as Kala rendered her beer tasting to bro Brown and he was also too cheap to get his bride anything) and Steve & I are thinking, "wasn't that like an hour ago?" Steve was dispatched and found them in Lime, with fine margs and adjusted tenors. Pizza & Kona (beer & leis) were next and heard word of DocScott & kid in the hood... been so long so good. Head For The Hills is on Montezuma stage so I stumble over there. Cool.

Is the fest waning?... f# no, I rallied the tight boys to the far ends we'd not seen/tasted and enjoyed New Terrain and others as well as bad ice cream (tryin' hard to shed food tix). Ultimately we got back to Oakhurst on the main stage. They were great, but cheaters; they had a drummer.

So that's a wrap on the 25th KS B&B. Best festival in Summit Co, no compares. No one wanted to party too hard or hit the spa embarrassingly but we had killer MY deviled eggs and alt culinary tastes via Dave's Sloppy Joe's. Sunday was a rising. We served leftovers all around with MY's P&B blend. We were bound for some hikes so recovered decently from the day prior and set sights on some very modest routes... Old Dillon Rez & Sapphire Pt. We achieved the overlook of lake and Silverthorne then assembled at Snarf's for picnic choices (K&D brought evil chips, cherries & dessert blobs). Sapphire Pt was hosting a wedding but we all finagled parking despite the challenge, and hiked the modest loop to a keen Dillon Rez overlook for lunch. Yep, Peregrine Dads were up to the challenge of AM beers at the picnic table but S&D thought my choices too tame and friendly so hiked up Gore Ck.

The PM availed us constant winds without harsh weather and  therefore a chance to sail. This was my chance to school a rocket scientist on laminar flow. The Brantleys and Voz (for the 1st time ever!) joined as we set sail on Mon Ami with a sketchy engine sound and no real power. I recall saying we'll get back somehow - no worries - "we have wind." It was a blast and the smart crew instantly understood roles. Returning to party with spouses became and issue though as my engine failed completely and Voz and I needed to "paddle" home some 300yds or so. We did it with breath left but yeah - I have work to do with the Dillon Marina shop.

We don't drink on the boat - 'cause yeah, it's technical and risky no matter conditions. Good thing 'cause paddling for 3/4 mile sucked rocks. Sorry team - I thought Dillon Marina was on my side completely - nonetheless, we were out and we got you back. We dined at Browns with prelims on their new deck but M&J returned to the Front Range not knowing if I'd sell the Concert Boyz tix for Mon night ('cause the material and artists changed) or not.

We all did separate stuff Monday. That's not the point - we are here together - these are my friends and I want to be with them. Because, you know, they are my friends; I am lucky ~ yeah, I'm good, but I'm lucky.