Phoenix

Mama Java's had a sparce, but quality crowd. However, they don't stop their expresso machine during songs, like the Bazaar Cafe does. They did send us off with loads of Bagels and pastries though. After Phoenix, we drove to Tucson to pick up Trevor Smith's ( of Green Mountain Grass ) bicycle. Trevor's mom had potato salad and muffins waiting for us, which we gobbled down. We figured out that we would have to drive through the night in order to make it to the house concert in San Antonio on time. We drove as far as possible before resting inside a roadside teepee for several hours. We were woken by a cop, who was just making sure that we weren't "illegals". He apologized and told us to watch out for rattle snakes and "illegals". We trekked on. Along the way, in the van, I won the Joanna Newsom sound-alike contest. "Oh, my Love...Oh it was a funny little thing."

Death valley

We trekked through Death Valley to get to Phoenix. We managed to choose the hottest time of day to drive through Death Valley. It was 121 degrees at peak heat. No AC ! It was actually cooler when we closed the windows, b/c it stopped the hot wind from searing our skin. Raina had an idea for each of us to hold a bag of ice, hoping that it would cool down the car, but we didn't end up testing that theory. Needless to say, when we arrived in phoenix for the show, we were all a little wilted.

L.A.

After a fine evening at the Bazaar Cafe in San Francisco, we headed down to L.A. where Hunter and Raina played a short set opening for John Elliot at the Hotel Cafe, which is neither a Hotel or a Cafe. Many thanks to Tiger Moon and Miric, who put us up in a Beverly Hills mansion for the night ( no joke ).

Arcata, San Francisco

We played in Arcata last night at Muddy Waters. It was a great evening and the crowd was very attentive. I am still not drinking coffee ( it's been almost a month ), so I am drinking Chai Lattes instead. Raina has offered her support by not drinking coffee either during this tour. After Arcata, we decided to take 101 through the Redwoods instead of I-5ing it. It was a good decision. It was also a beautiful foggy drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. Tonight we played at the Bazaar Cafe in San Francisco. It was a great evening with a full house that was a combination of friends in the area and passer bys who came inside off the street to escape the chilly August night.

Lincoln City

The tour kicked off nicely, with Raina and friends ( Johann Wagner and John Elliot ) performing at the Laurelthurst Pub in SE Portland. The Blue Hit ( from Austin ) followed. We left Portland this morning with rideshare guest Inessa ( from Russia ) and arrived in Lincoln City, where Raina will be attending a wedding at her old summer camp. Hunter managed to break two strings while changing out his old ones. Snap !

Alberta St.

Thanks to those who came out to the Alberta Street Pub in Portland. It was a beautiful evening. Thanks also to guest performers Alan Kanning, Justin Power, Lindsey Verrill, Hunter Paye, John Elliot, and Raina Rose for playing.