Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven 3rd Annual Camp-Out

Hi everyone,

What a great weekend to add to the memory bank! We just got back a few days ago from the Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven 3rd Annual Camp-Out. It was amazing!

John, Missy & I got there on Thursday afternoon and set up our tents by Lee’s. After, joined some great people in conversation, had a few swigs of moonshine, had dinner at Pappy & Harriett’s, then checked in for the event. We watched some great bands play, I took some pix, and then we passed out in our tents under the stars.

Woke up early on Friday to head to Joshua Tree, but John got a call to come back to LA for an audition. I lent him my car, and Missy & I went to Wal-Mart to buy some supplies for the tent. We also joined Denny, Lee, & Glenn for some poker (I watched). John made it back just as we were seated for dinner. I had some of Father Dan’s loopy banana bread and decided that I’d rather listen to the bands from tent city than be around lots of people. There was a new moon and the stars were incredible! I listened to the bands, stared and the stars and had a wonderful night!

On Saturday, we woke up, got outdoor showers (Thank you Pioneertown Motel) and then headed to Joshua Tree for a bit. We drove around, but it was way too hot to get out and hike. We visited a used bookstore in Twentynine Palms on the way back to Pi-Town, then went to the Cracker Camper signing. I had bought a black shirt, so I had them sign my weekend pass instead.

John, Missy & I hung out with Teresa, Hans, April, Melanie & Edgar for a bit, then John & I took a walk down Mane Street before returning to dinner. We were all eating outside, and it was nice out!

The bands started and we all went to the outdoor stage. We got there early so we ended up in the front. Missy found a great spot on the edge of the stage to sit. I was taking pix from the center. John joined me for most of the bands. Next to Cracker, my favorite band was the Hackensaw Boys! They were some fiddlin’ playing, accordion dancing, metal suit swooshin’ madmen! I loved em! I really want to see them play again sometime!

After Cracker, we said our good-nights and headed to the tent. We were all zonked. I wanted to stay up for the after parties, but there was just no way I could do it. We slept pretty well that night. I didn’t want to leave the desert stars, but it was certainly time for dreamland.

In the morning, we packed our things and said good-bye to our Camp-Out friends at the Pi-Town Motel. John & I had breakfast at John’s Cafe and then drove home. What a fun weekend… so many great memories! I hope to have photos up soon!!!