It’s been a whirlwind few days and I’m really glad to be back, but I enjoyed the weekend immensely.
Beachfoot 2009 was a weekend-long get together and a veritable who’s-who of Bigfootery. It was also a chance to laugh, shoot the breeze and hug old friends I hadn’t seen in ages or knew only through many years of cyberspace correspondence. I met so many new, wonderful people as well.
It was also a little overwhelming, and after getting very little sleep Friday night (I didn’t have the forethought to pitch my tent AWAY from the campfire circle and a few, young, hardier folks stayed up past 2 a.m. partying), I was exhausted Saturday and couldn’t find the energy to make it through ’til Sunday. So I left around noon on Saturday to find a quiet place in the woods and recover. I think being a single mom now and perpetually burning the candle at both ends caught up with me and I simply needed to spend some of my away time in silence.
Here’s the funny thing. I didn’t take a SINGLE photo while at Beachfoot. For some reason, running around with a camera when I just wanted to enjoy everyone wasn’t foremost in my mind. Luckily, there were lots of people taking photos and Yams was kind enough to allow me to post a few of his here.
Autumn Williams, Ron Morehead, Steve Innes and Paul Graves
It’s been too long since I’ve had a chance to kick back a microbrew and partake in an impromptu campfire jam session!
Photo by Tom Yamarone
Taking a turn with Paul’s guitar :)
Photo by Tom Yamarone
Bob Gimlin and Ron Morehead – The blue-eyed bandits!
Photo by Tom Yamarone
Distinguished Gentlemen: Paul Graves, Robert Pyle, Bob Gimlin, Peter Byrne, Ron Morehead, Tom Yamarone and Cliff Barackman
Photo by Tom Yamarone
With Sharon Lumurno, fading quickly on Saturday afternoon.
Note: If anyone has any additional photos from Beachfoot that you’d like to share with me, please feel free to email me!
I wanted to take this opportunity to send a shout-out to some of those folks I was blessed to visit with this weekend, in no particular order…
Todd Neiss and family – Thank you for all that you’ve done for all of us. Your time, energy and attention to detail is so greatly appreciated.
Hal and Lupe – THANK YOU for sharing your story and your space! :)
Craig Woolheater - My favorite Texan. It was so wonderful to see you after all these years and I appreciate your friendship more than you know.
Bob Gimlin – We’ve shared a deep bond of affection since the day we met and you mean so very much to me. I simply love you, my friend.
Ron Morehead – I have always had faith in you and enjoyed your company… even more so while sharing music with you this time around. Please don’t ever give up the fight… I truly feel that you’re on the right track with this and greatly respect the work you’re doing.
Sharon Lomurno – It was SO terrific meeting you, hon. Can’t tell you how much I enjoyed all the laughs and temperature drops. Hee!
Tom Yamarone and Paul Graves – Thank you so much for just being you – both of you. You are a light in this world and you shined on me over the weekend.
Tom Steenburg – Friend, although we don’t always see eye-to-eye, I have always felt a fondness for you that transcends logic. *grin*
Cliff Barackman – I can’t thank you enough for the gift. It will hold a special place in my heart, and on my wall, forever. :)
Diane Stocking – So wonderful for us gals to finally meet face-to-face. You rock.
Robert Pyle – The conversation I had with you Saturday morning was one of the most enlightening I’ve ever had… you possess a unique blend of science, reason, passion for the natural world and a complete absence of bullsh*t… I just plain adore and admire you.
Jason Moore – What can I say? How often do you find such a kindred spirit hiding in plain sight? You have surrounded yourself with such a perfectly balanced group of individuals and I’m thrilled to have the three of you on board. Stay true to what you know.
Joe Beelart – Always a breath of fresh air and so good to see you again after so very long. I’ve missed you.
Orey and Steve Innes- Thank you, both, for sharing with us. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to sit down longer, but I will be in touch!
Oliver Kirk – I promise that one of these days we’ll have a face-to-face encounter. :)
Peter Byrne – I’m sorry that we keep ending up as strangers in the night. *grin*
Rhonda O’Connell – You’ve got the right stuff. Period. Tell dad I said to listen. Ha!
If I neglected anyone here, my deepest apologies. It’s late and I’m recovering from my first day back at motherhood. (Rowan is TALKING now… she was on the verge of it last Wednesday and now she’s chattering away!)
I know that I probably missed out on quite a bit during the second half of the weekend. All I can say is, I’m sorry I bailed on you guys, but it was my first “vacation” in two and a half years and I desperately needed some quiet time to recoup. Catching up with everyone was hard work! :)
Thanks to all of you who offered to feed my skinny butt. I love you all.
The blog should be back up and running daily now – or nearly so. If Rowan lets me. *grin*
Autumn
