tag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:/blogs/blog?p=2Blog2023-08-10T14:25:05-04:00Megan Beefalsetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/72552272023-08-10T14:25:05-04:002023-10-16T10:55:15-04:00Postcards from the Road<p>Just finished up three weeks on the road. I collaged these postcards. Surely not a full documentation of my trip. Just little glimpses from my heart to yours…<br> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/02e03fccd14cfe0c4e443bc5a4a924ba28eab015/original/6.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“My first gigs of the tour were in Iowa. This one was a fun scene playing from the open window at the back of the stage facing the folks sitting in the street. I stayed with my friend Pearl here on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.”<br> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/4f8e2ce674dbea76c02089810a5b452699b54f8f/original/7.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“Chicago! Music by night and bicycle by day! So easy to get around by bike here. I stayed with my friend Josh who I've known since first grade.”<br> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/37512109699c155390021fb6d7b0932948dffe39/original/9.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“On to Minneapolis. Surprisingly this was the only swimming I did this tour! Lots of lakes here. I got to share the stage with Mother Banjo. I stayed with my friends Justin and Emily. Justin and I used to be camp counselors together at Camp Oty' Okwa!”<br> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/5bdacce248a0f5064b6348381713f3930b60d767/original/8.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“Flew from MN to OH for NMF! So worth the trip! Lucinda Williams, Margo Price, Sierra Ferrell! What a line up. I got to play the dreamy creekside stage back in the woods. They filmed all of those sets, so stay tuned for the video some time this fall.”<br><br> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/0756c3befe8d1c2aa725778bcf85e34617c0d669/original/postcard.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“Back on the road to South Dakota! This festival is in a small town just outside of Sioux Falls and put on by songwriter Matt Fockler. No main stage, no schedule. Just lots of songwriters, songs, and sharing. There were in-the-round sets going on all day in the cafe and song circles til late at night in the campground.”<br> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/adf915c94f90eaafeefe996113f26f3470433d75/original/5.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“Bike riding. The sky so big it could swallow you.”<br> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/2c48d81ffd158b9008c7e51f7e29109c935fbdb8/original/2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“Stopped at the World's Only Corn Palace on my way out of Montrose! My dad wanted to stop here on a family vacation when I was a kid, and it was fun to see it again twenty-five years later. The building is covered in murals of corn inside and out!”<br> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/94fcf15e8af6dcf3785159bef91e5f04283dd9db/original/11.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“Another roadside attraction! I was driving the backroads of Nebraska when all of a sudden.. Carhenge!”<br> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/bf8bac49694a7a499452dbd708402cabd4f20c3a/original/10.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“I took very few pictures in Colorado. Got to reconnect with my songwriting friend Alex Rhodes at the Avogadro's gig. Was hosted by my songwriting friend Missy in Fort Collins. We hit up some other jams, wrote songs, and had our own little music camp in between gigs.”<br> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/bc2889dab37bbfd557045cdc8b918a9587bd3e40/original/4.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">“Picked up my friend Steve in Colorado Springs and he helped my drive home. One notable stop on the drive was to climb Monks Mound at Cahokia. There are over 100 mounds in this ancient village. There were likely 20,000 residents around the year 1000. You can see St. Louis if you look close on the left pic.”<br> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/b35882d22b893d7304f022100f253cd2dfe8c446/original/1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" />“My mighty minivan made it through another trip with only minor maintenence. (Glueing LEM back to the dashboard and replacing a headlight.) Met my new friend Deblyn who drives the same year and model as me! I'm back in Ohio now! Hope to see you around!”<br> </p>Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/71532482023-02-13T19:16:01-05:002023-08-10T14:21:24-04:00California Work and Writing Retreat<p>I have one last day here in California before I fly back home to Ohio. I flew out for a show at the end of January and ended up staying for almost three more weeks. I've been feeling very grateful to escape part of the Ohio winter in exchange for the sunny (and only occasionally rainy) habitat of northern California. </p><p>A lot of my work as an independent artist who does all of my own booking, planning, paperwork, taxes, and promo involves computer work. It has been nice to be able to do the business end remotely from this little haven. I've also been writing, connecting with my west coast loved ones, and visiting some beautiful places. </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/f885c98e24beb037b23e26687b50b340a238e090/original/cottage.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p>My sister has this little cottage on her property in Oakland. The timing worked amazingly so that it was between renters when I came out. This little sanctuary made me want to nestle in and write songs.</p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/de7791770172a4e0939a5c878c00a392ebd7481e/original/img-20230207-103820193.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">Poppies and Ice Plant on morning walks in Emeryville…</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/d533f645e1ff8dc3f02d9d604749c388caaa4e5d/original/ice-plant.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p>I caught a ride up to Sonoma County for a few days to visit the farm I used to work on in my early twenties. I had been traveling all over the country back then and volunteering on organic farms (WOOFing) before I picked up my first guitar. This region has such a forgiving climate with a long growing season. Even after music started becoming more of my focus I continued to visit this place and the people that I love here. There were a few times in my life I thought I might actually move here full time. Southern Ohio won me over in the long run, but there is still a little spark in the old flame I hold for Sonoma County.</p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/078055cad800e3de4fec3fbd80d51e736a2b8448/original/img-20230204-085050559.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>This region comes with the closeness of Redwoods and the Pacific Ocean. It is so hard to capture the bigness of them both through photos.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/1966d1922647b246d8e73cf4d9d744cb675e7c12/original/img-20230203-165204700.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve - Guerneville, CA</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/b3858346a2be58ff07c6ef6623ed48a5eb03fd19/original/original-134c5504-2826-4451-81db-f012de47b1cd-img-20230205-123423206-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">Goat Rock - Jenner, CA</p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p>Now that I am getting ready to board a plane back to Ohio I am filled with a bittersweetness. There is a charm and wonder around the ocean, trees, people, climate, culture, and art of this place. I will miss my friends and family here, and I am excited and longing for my home and habitat back in Ohio. </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/d01d3ca6d6b3b4a197068a6ad0f8ac261f6cff0d/original/img-20230131-164307651-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">The Albany Bulb - Albany, CA</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/eed84afa3932078a06ac6d3572c535f385c6715c/original/img-20230208-155152035-hdr-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">Point Reyes National Seashore</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/396550/72c6f147b5e20cf96c522a2841c412954db5326a/original/plane.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">That mix of water, city, and industry…</p><p>Thank you to my family and friends who hosted me while I was here. Thank you to the sunshine and the flowers for lifting my spirits. Thank you to the Redwoods and the ocean for reminding my how young and small I am. </p><p>I'll see you next time.</p>Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/70494172022-08-31T21:22:20-04:002023-12-10T12:01:54-05:00This summer I went swimming...<p>This summer I did a 24 day tour of the Northeast. I'm home now and hit the ground running, but I wanted to take some time to reflect on the lovely time on the road. From wineries, house concerts, art collectives, pubs, breweries, a farmers market, and a sweet little blueberry festival, concerts were fun, intimate, and joyous. </p>
<p>My first day on the road I jumped into Lake Erie. Refreshed by the cold and pounding waves, I decided to set a goal to swim every day.</p>
<p>At all of my shows I told my audience about my goal and sang a cover of Loudon Wainwright III <a contents="Swimming Song" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOyFbtf-Uhc">Swimming Song</a>. After shows people would tell me about places to swim in their area, and some even offered to go swimming with me. Here is my story in pictures of 24 swims in 24 days...<br> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/62af2c6e8287d2a0d48a6824ee00e15bded6307a/original/img-20220728-185054548.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 1: Lake Erie (Erie, PA)</h3>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1754b03a02b6574e77657a80ae2021c652014eaf/original/22669.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 2: Barb and Dan's Pool (Geneva, NY)</h3>
<p>I almost didn't get a swim on the second day. It had been a long day of driving and I hadn't prioritized finding a swimming spot. That evening I announced my intended swimming goal at Billsboro Winery but admitted that I might not get to swim that day. Afterwards Barb and Dan who were at the winery invited me to their house for an after party featuring this lovely backyard pool where I swam a few laps amidst the candles and conversations. Later Barb sent me this daytime photo of her pool. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d5d5e1099e392e9467c5911030651bab14b8ba09/original/img-20220730-123639854-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 3: Seneca Lake (Geneva, NY)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">This was a private club my cousins belong to. Good swimming off the dock and a great day for clouds.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/37c465eed016412c35118d5c8edd004549abd68e/original/img-20220731-184635788-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 4: Sacandaga Lake (Speculator, NY)</h3>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/56acb243c97e26f13ae6a19d241d7746231e4637/original/img-20220801-170325870.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 5: Lake Champlain (Burlington, VT)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">The beach near where I was staying was closed due to high blue green algae levels that day so I rode my bike south a few miles to Oakledge Park where the water was safe.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5482d6d8c9301ef1d24bcbdd8c502eb7f883890a/original/img-20220803-071730689-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 6: Lake Champlain (Burlington, VT)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">The next day North Beach had safe algae levels after a big night of rain.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/106b66f1ac9ce36ad4d76670d2a7704861638c6a/original/img-20220803-160635910.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 7: Sterling Pond (Stowe, VT)</h3>
<p>I connected with a fellow musician, David Karl Roberts, at Radio Bean, and he offered to take me to Sterling Pond the next afternoon. A mile hike up a steep mountain path lead us to this chilly mountain pond. Refreshing!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d0e8d28ce9396ffaab86529338951e37eab6b221/original/img-20220805-141202978.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 8 & 9: Eastman Pond (Grantham, NH)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">I was hosted by my friends Laura and James while playing a local farmer's market and a house concert in NH. They live just up the hill from this beach where I got two days of consecutive swimming.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3d3cae362881599ea72c6feff6cca18b474a6b42/original/img-20220806-144417295-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Day 10: Angevine Park (Bethel, ME)</strong></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">I stopped for a quick dip and a clean up on my way to the Pete's Blueberry Fest.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c985e4e9692c62fb6d44f83ceb926c6b7b96a742/original/img-20220807-120848511-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 11: Ellis River (Rumford, ME)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">Blueberry pickers and guitar pickers relaxing on the beach.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/afdb973346f1af4622156d9b330074e33ba5b395/original/img-20220809-125827829-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 12: Hot Tub (Rumford, ME)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">I went on a rainy hike up White Cap Mountain on this Monday. When I got down the mountain slightly chilled, I luxuriated in a little hot tub soak. (I also swam in the river this day so the hot tub was a bonus body of water)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/51d297e2fc0539bb0bab692a0797728c19005ae5/original/img-20220807-120901137-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 13: Ellis River (Rumford, ME)</h3>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/069efb7612d36131cd90f5639f71abd7f2b84f13/original/img-20220810-143703684.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/17f3a1312add91d501068db0018d44ce4b5323e7/original/img-20220810-143654582.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 14: Devils Den (Roxbury, ME)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">This was a great swimming hole off a forest road. There's a nice hike in along a rushing creek that terraced down in waterfalls to this cold pool. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b0f5feb83d7f1205dd79c95ebe3ebb2d166a835e/original/img-20220811-173221375.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6d2f2209d2f07a9c5e29ce72d43c62271c23879a/original/img-20220811-173147324.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 15: Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester, ME)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">Swimming at my friend Pete's camp. A quiet night swimming with the Loons before heading into Portland. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_small"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a3f38b63d64d03995f14327607443f931237d7fa/original/22482.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpeg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 16: Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester, ME)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">A morning paddle across the lake to this swimming beach.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/cde958a4bd20bc75d20499779b5776ffc7463a27/original/img-20220813-100413147.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5e106072e6fb820e26b6a1a0296c9e570a104bf4/original/img-20220813-104313565.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 17: Atlantic Ocean (Portland, ME)</h3>
<p>Crescent Beach. This was a cold early morning swim because I had to drive a ways to the next show that day. I saw the shark sign at the entrance and asked the ranger if I could swim. He said, "If you're brave you can swim!" Then he kind of laughed and admired my minivan camping set up. I did get in and swim briefly due to the cold water and the intimidating shark signs! Everyone else at the beach was staying on the very edge of the water dipping their toes in and building sand castles. I didn't see any sharks, though there were some seals a little farther out.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1c08f5b21dfb1f97b18f41aa767518e775e42446/original/img-20220814-093040066.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 18: Rob's Pool (Portland, CT)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">My gracious host the night of the Buttonwood Tree show had a great pool for a morning swim.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ff9b7cf936978c2de4fee2a7095929324ecab342/original/img-20220815-141259431.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/0502e17a7c21013ab620c9b09b7626fbb4f7f27e/original/img-20220815-141710964-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 19: Connecticut River (Greenfield, MA)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">This was one of my favorite days! It was a Monday, and I had the whole day off. I had just played a house concert the night before, and my hosts Jim and Kate invited me to stay an extra day. I caught up on laundry, and while my clothes were drying on the line, Kate (pictured above) guided me on a wild river adventure that involved navigating an island on pool floaties. We hiked from her house down the half mile trail through the woods to the river. We floated shallow rapids bumping into rounded rocks and laughing all the way. The river was low due to a severe drought in the region. When we reached the end of the island we turned around and headed back upstream on the far side of the river. Part of the time we had to walk our floaties through the shallows until we reached Rock Dam which we portaged around. Above the dam the water was deep and wide. We swam upstream against the current until we cleared the other end of the island. The whole trip took about two and a half hours. We hiked our trusty rafts back up the hill, ate some take out Indian food, and called it a night early feeling satisfied and quite tired.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/eb3374785525034bc7e48f885ed4deb2270fa8ae/original/img-20220816-175415890.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 20: Shawnee Lake (Schellsburg, PA)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">I google mapped myself a beach along my driving route. It had just stormed before I got there, and everyone else had left. The skies cleared, and I had the water all to myself.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1af5ffa4d9a005d6f85938ca41148d5d4b7224b2/original/img-20220817-143451188.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 21: Deep Creek Lake (McHenry, MD)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">Found a lake close to my gig at Vagabond Brewing. This beach had a shower which was nice! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d16ff46fe198c49d822bd56c77cf793cc3f30b97/original/img-20220818-140855449-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 22: Blackwater River (Davis, WV)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">A swimming hole deep enough for full body immersion, but too fast and rocky for much actual swimming. The sunny rock was lovely to bask on.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9e89beb76102fa8185332d6e9f0c4f54078b6132/original/img-20220819-090430503-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 23: North Fork Blackwater River Reservoir (Thomas, WV)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">A quick morning dip before hitting the road. There were people fishing at the dock so I hiked the trail down to where I could slip through the rhododendrons to my own swim spot. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/12088ed3411f5d838583df4bd162d1b2af4911ef/original/img-20220820-110615966-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4e18310a938b083ebb1f4a04d14074ec59b3602f/original/img-20220820-112416994-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Day 24: Potomac River (Brookmont, MD)</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">I couldn't have asked for a better way to end my swimming adventure. I met Sherry at my concert the night before in Takoma Park, MD. She offered to take me to a private club on the Potomac. Her texted directions the next day lead me to a parking lot with a trail that went downhill over two bridges and to the tow path where I found her locking up her bike. Down another trail we reached the shore of the river where there was a rope and a cable across the channel to an island. Sherry pulled the rope to ring a bell. A man from the club house came out and ferried us across (pictured above). Sherry showed me an aerial photo that showed how we were just across from the CIA headquarters. We were also within the DC beltway, but felt very secluded and rural. We swam about a mile from the dock, to the raft, to the rocks, upstream, and back down stream. Afterwards, Sherry pulled out fresh tomatoes and we ate tomato sandwiches at the picnic table while talking about the state of the world. Then the ferry bell rang, we hugged goodbye, I caught a ride back to shore, and I headed for home.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>Swimming every day of tour added another dimension to my experience. I got to connect with my audience in a fun way. People were so encouraging of my swim goal, open for sharing their favorite spots, and sometimes open enough to take me there. </p>
<p>It was also a great way to connect more deeply with the earth. From the cold shark infested ocean waters to the shallow drought season rivers, it helped build awareness of the environment around me that is bigger than my show schedule and driving duties while on tour.</p>
<p>I hope you can make time for whatever brings you joy, hope, and connection this month. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="WOyFbtf-Uhc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/WOyFbtf-Uhc/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WOyFbtf-Uhc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p> </p>Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/64955032020-12-09T15:24:54-05:002023-12-10T11:31:50-05:00Interviews...<p>I had the pleasure of doing a couple interviews when my album Waiting came out this summer.</p>
<p> Here's the link for The Dirt Poor Podcast with Ben Davis Jr.:</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/4M022eUY933XROUclFxKFX?si=QmeO6tjPRSqFL9yphGA7BQ&fbclid=IwAR1H3V8q33Z2MmVbKn_ERWPriCAI70vwi5-ADbLggmbfZQIkweWp8_iI5iQ"><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8c2041b1784fcc550e07b11aa63e58762da66aac/original/screen-shot-2020-12-09-at-3-21-39-pm.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></a></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And on WOUB with Emily Votaw:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://woub.org/2020/08/05/megan-bees-waiting-emanates-warmth-melancholy-and-tenderness/"><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c132122b2254a1dd4957004481ee3a0acdac4b6f/original/screen-shot-2020-08-31-at-11-45-14-am.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">Enjoy!</span></p>Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/63923672020-07-29T12:46:40-04:002022-02-01T01:49:28-05:00Me, Rivers, Wildflowers, and Foxes <p><strong>Me</strong></p>
<p>I was talking to a friend recently about writing. He asked if reading my blog would help people get to know me better. I had never thought about this question before. How personal is my blog? How personal do I want it to be? How do you really <em>know</em> someone anyways? </p>
<p>I <em>have</em> been thinking about my neglected blog lately though. Normally my blog has been stories and photos of travelling. My travel life has slowed down a little in the past year due to my own desires and in turn, my blog postings have slowed down too. I just moved in with my partner this year, and I'm trying to find a healthy balance between travel and home. Then the pandemic hit, and now everyone's travel plans are tenuous. </p>
<p>So I'm wondering what my blog page will become if I'm not constantly on the move. I spent a solid month chipping away three layers of old wallpaper off my bedroom walls this year, and I found so many thoughts, ideas, and metaphors in those eccentrically floral layers that I almost wrote a blogpost about wallpaper. But I second guessed myself, because that subject is a little out of the norm for my usual blog. </p>
<p>But perhaps I will write more about the things around me. I love to write, and my brain is always searching for lessons and metaphors wherever I am. You can tell me what you think. Do you know me any better? Do you want to hear about my wallpaper? </p>
<p>I will slip in one travel photo though. On July 4th and 5th I played patio shows at The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV. Afterwards, my partner and I slipped off into the Monongahela National Forest for a few days of camping. This overlook took my breath away. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8ecf5b674c6e33b5e61c0e5ff63506c1523cae8a/original/116345286-345212776880143-4113500710829727054-n.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>Rivers</strong></p>
<p>I've been swimming at the river this summer. I've realized that swimming has slipped away from me the past few years. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I really craved and enjoyed swimming like I have been this summer. Sure, I've paddled a boat, walked ankle deep creek beds with fifth graders at camp, strolled the shores of Lake Erie, and soaked my body in hot springs under the stars. I'm no stranger to water. But, swimming? Ah, swimming. I have realized how much I missed those long arm strokes, the breath, the kicks, the bouyancy, the entire body working together. Alive. Light. Floating. Flowing. Full body immersion.</p>
<p>The river is alive and moving. It is not a swimming pool. It is murky in places, silty in others. Swift in the current and calm in the eddies. Shallow over the rocky riffles and deep in the sandy middle. I love to find those deep spots where the current is moving and then swim upstream. Like an endless pool, I can swim upstream for as long as I like and never go anywhere. I backstroke and stare up at the canopy of trees alive with King Fishers and Cedar Waxwings. My ears under water can hear the soft clicking and I imagine freshwater mussels lodged in the rocks and soft sand down there. </p>
<p>And just like that the water flows by. Just like thoughts. Just like the news. Just like the ebb and flow of emotion. I'm suspended in the rushing water. I'm breathing. I'm moving. I'm not going anywhere. But I'm not getting swept downstream either.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8bdb07d3631f2bfcd1126b00869de0f11f61b41f/original/116426673-729098390992120-9009728907717319097-n.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>Wildflowers</strong></p>
<p>There is a quiet surprise and gentleness in a spring wildflower. Cut-leaved Toothwort, Spring Beauties, Dutchman's Breeches pop their dainty heads up early while the forest canopy is still open. They are such a welcome sight after the dark days of winter. If you don't take time to notice them they'll be gone again. They get their work done in that short window of forest floor sunshine and they don't make a big deal out of it. Once the trees leaf in the eastern deciduous forest they'll be shaded out, and you'll have to wait until next spring.</p>
<p>The summer wildflowers are in no such hurry. They seem to have all of the time in the world. They stand tall in the open fields and roadsides in the long days of sunshine. They can spend their energy getting tall, big, beautiful, full. They are not shy and dainty. They are not hard to miss. They shout at you from the sun soaked world all day. They are the deep dark purple of the Ironweed, the bold red intricacies of Cardinal Flower on it's erect raceme, and the ever wandering rhizomes of the spreading Yarrow as it stretches out like a lazy hound dog on a hot summer day taking up the entire walkway.</p>
<p>I am trying to learn from them. There is no hurry. Be big, be bold. Take your time. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/049ec0d45e64a94e7e7711a812fc2643eda9db99/original/116171791-289836162289274-6376451653089094210-n.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>Foxes</strong></p>
<p>A few nights ago we drove to a open area and hiked up a hill to try to see the comet. The sunset burned a striking deep pink into a horizon full of clouds, but the clouds did not lift in the west. We counted stars as they appeared. We found the Big Dipper just peaking above the clouds. I pointed out Antares, that red supergiant star in the constellation of Scorpio. We listened to the hum of mosquitos in our ears as we lay in the grass. We hiked out in the dark through a warm summer night air. We drove home comet-less yet content. </p>
<p>We live next to a park on the edge of town, and when we pulled in our headlights scanned across parking area where there are a few picnic tables and a trailhead. Slinking around the tables were two grey foxes. Darting, sniffing, moving swiftly in the night. They scouted the perimeter. Noses following the ground then pointing out. Fluffly tails almost as long as the rest of their body held out parallel with their smooth backs. They stand together looking east. They split off again and scour the perimeter. We open a car door. They meet back together and disappear into the woods. </p>
<p>The unseen, the seldom-seen. The ghosts in the night. We had originally ventured out in search of a rare thing, a distant comet passing through our solar system. In the end the journey led us back to our own yard for a rare sighting of a visitor that is almost certainly always near, skirting the edges in the night just several meters from where I sleep. I look out at those picnic tables in the daylight now and watch family gatherings, dog walkers, hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers pass by. Etched in my mind in black and white, in greyscale, in graphite simplicity is the wildness of the foxes in the night slipping in and out in the quiet hours. There is always more present than meets the eye. </p>Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/62674202020-03-31T13:30:33-04:002022-05-11T01:03:14-04:00Thoughts from Stay-At-Home...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9d474f9e4905f7cd30755a002aa7db094f4e5b84/original/0226201534a-2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Dear friends, fans, family, </p>
<p>In February I was in the Redwoods (pictured above) with my sister. I flew home three weeks ago, and since then things have been changing rapidly. </p>
<p>Ohio has now joined the Stay-At-Home Orders. I have lots of time on my hands since all of my gigs in the near future have been cancelled. Being in a creative career has always involves having to bend and flow with situations. I am missing my live performances, and I am trying to find creative space. </p>
<p>Before things shut down I got some guest musicians into the studio to add their talents to my new album. Now it's in the mixing phase, and I'm looking forward to updating you as it progresses. I'm thankful that the rest of the process can be done remotely! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/43ced85f840a31142d731083732deb0424f85fb3/original/0309201219a.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I finally found some time to go through some old videos. I just posted a lovely house concert in Maine two years ago. Perhaps I'll have a live concert from my living room or backyard one of these days. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="uQUp1PFhjCg" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/uQUp1PFhjCg/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uQUp1PFhjCg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Set 1</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="91ThvmbrS34" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/91ThvmbrS34/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/91ThvmbrS34?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Set 2</p>
<p>Amidst the gloom of the news comes the bloom of spring. (thank goodness!) The eastern deciduous forest out my back door is alive with newness. I've been finding Red-backed Salamanders under rocks and Spring Beauties blooming along the trails. At home I've had plenty of time to plant a spring garden with radishes, kale, greens, and broccoli. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/234955ab7dc4d8db4f31bc6f9628d1bb708bcca6/original/0320201432a-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Talking to my friends and family, I'm hearing and feeling so many emotions around the current state of affairs. When I come into fear and frustration I try to focus back on being thankful. If we didn't care about something we wouldn't fear losing it. I care a whole lot about people and the planet. </p>
<p>I'm thankful to have loving people to share a house with, a state park outside of my backdoor to ramble in, a healthy body to run and bike, the season turning to spring, seeds planted in my garden, telephones and internet to keep us connected. </p>
<p>Thank you for staying connected and reading the blog. I'm missing connecting with more people in person, and it helps to know we are still connected somehow. Feel free to respond, let me know how you're doing, or share some of what you're doing to keep yourself healthy and creative in these circumstances. </p>
<p>Peace, Love, and Music <br>Megan Bee</p>
<p> </p>Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517352019-09-24T20:00:00-04:002021-12-19T08:24:47-05:00Looking Back on Summer
<p><em>“To say it was a beautiful day would not begin to explain it. It was that day when the end of summer intersects perfectly with the start of fall.” – Ann Patchett<br><br></em>It's officially fall. As summer came in I felt this strong urge to grasp it and make it last as long as possible. At points it seemed to be just slipping through my fingers like trying to hold onto a handful of sand. Now, looking back I see that it was full and deep. There were many shows, new songs written, gardens tended, and some lovely time with family and friends.<br><br>I kicked it off with children's workshops at <a href="http://nelsonvillefest.org" data-imported="1">Nelsonville Music Festival</a> and at the local libraries. I continue to cherish these opportunities to share music with kids in unique settings...<br><br></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/286fad38ed37c31e86f1c30a9e1939da0014e297/original/62261343-2427316053986330-4413327420627615744-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/04269259ff501feb802420de90b0de3f9bbae61c/original/65100225-2453265651391370-6490174640613228544-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then there were a string of regional Ohio shows including a highlight at the Port Clinton Listening Room opening for <a href="https://www.vancegilbert.com" data-imported="1">Vance Gilbert</a>...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2a44d2edaef67ed69456e073717ee3cc486c7274/original/67162636-2503074633077138-1330941864596996096-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/7abdee73a0ca80166ab4af37c0f1aaef6db0efcd/original/62610375-2436203746430894-1542927242575740928-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f59c87a09c1f3b9b149a76fc962a45c2c870dbf2/original/64689918-2434499979934604-3317234745733021696-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">In between some family visited, I got on a few bodies of water, and spent some nights sleeping outside...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a7a7138f1d88597e6e315418e9f96a182f83069d/original/65058486-2454741914577077-9027046135407050752-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">In August my pal <a href="http://www.adventuresinnourishment.com" data-imported="1">Molly Jo</a> came out for the Windswept Women Tour from Ohio to Colorado. It was so fun to collaborate and travel together. What started as a joke became a tradition for every show of the tour as we sang "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Croft and Molly Jo performed the solo riff on kazoo... <br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d88bf3362fd9b67038ae791451c5448b6e45e35d/original/67819791-2511489922235609-3066679126917120000-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMxMSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="311" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2c0a794c05a5ed1b63395199bd3489626a2df670/original/67352338-2513228808728387-6211839959305814016-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">A stop at the Yellow Springs before leaving Ohio... <br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/505967cd203e82eb17946451dba4dd332302a6f4/original/69586506-453048788628047-839238800071720960-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We stopped at <a href="https://cahokiamounds.org" data-imported="1">Cahokia State Historic Site</a> in Illinois. This is the largest historic settlement of the Mississippian Culture. There are over 100 mounds in the area and the largest mound is over 100 feet high. From the top you can see the Saint Louis skyline...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6c98eccf5e8d56dc1708c29dbd381fab7740630d/original/69481095-454674241926976-2568317677672071168-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c15a3aec93b9114740f716bf133328e79f6cd91c/original/67422544-2515475305170404-6635396895164334080-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/bc6537e06b0815fd18e17a7f751eee6cb63144c7/original/69638274-2469275550060766-964237608404123648-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Our tour was a lovely mix of breweries, coffeeshops, and house concerts. Below we are in Missouri playing indoors after getting rained out of our outdoor location. The evening turned into a very intimate and memorable concert as all of the rain soaked folks crammed into the cozy living room. Also, that sheet behind us is covering up a birdcage of a pet cockatiel who was very excited and loving trying to sing along...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5e741ca23f31cd3e8953d92da2af8e748bfa0d70/original/67563796-2519000091484592-537346687002214400-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDkxeDQ5MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="491" width="491" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">After our run of shows Molly Jo flew home to California and I spent a few days off in Colorado visiting friends and resting. I got to spend time with my friend Missy who just moved from Ohio to Fort Collins, CO to start a hemp farm with her family...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8f189bbf233f28b2b41c4233501f6c285f990124/original/69556396-2516505105249684-5664936441789022208-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDM3MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="371" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then I headed to Lyons, CO where I attended <a href="https://bluegrass.com/song-school" data-imported="1">Rocky Mountain Song School</a> for my fourth year. The whole experience is deep, overwhelming, enriching, and beautiful. Camping with 200 songwriters along the shores of the Saint Vrain River along the back drop of red sandstone cliffs we dive deep into all aspects of songwriting. This year I took classes like writing from a title with Pat Pattison, character writing with Patty Larkin, writing from trauma with Mia Bloomfield, and a ton of other courses... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/68b67be1230a42650358694ad6caa272dfd439c0/original/70014252-694246847755990-8914070491019345920-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3b48ea96784395e006b3f37c376cd1f80886a3fb/original/70221404-393063621409577-5105775396847091712-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/13745b1fd4081ca3f3627fab36d595de7b222cdf/original/70583781-2231295713659393-8483675821196705792-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">My last concert in Colorado was in Fort Collins at <a href="http://www.pathsofheart.org" data-imported="1">Paths of Heart</a>, a unique house concert venue. I had the privilage of sharing the evening with Our Mothers' Daughters, a female a cappella group from the 80s that was having a reunion. It was so fun to collaborate with them on a couple tunes... <br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b18c18cfe53e8e320ca9963269e9cff8085444d6/original/69644383-389096015134747-1452930386186207232-n.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM1NSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="355" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Back home my vegetable garden was overflowing and my pollinator garden was full of monarch caterpillars...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/7ca2c8fd7f8444a9a8e5560a51bb1247d1346eba/original/69455466-383788952558834-4152352430194950144-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Once I got back to Ohio I turned right around and took off on the Ohio Guys Tour with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQDeJcuvWusrxDdtmjlGMKw" data-imported="1">Bruce</a> and Gay Dalzell. Here is a picture of a rare moment when I got to ride in the backseat while someone else was driving... (thank goodness!)<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/42ab588bed34fc27df34cbdb81a208192ae38175/original/69673503-493342544834563-5939799552570687488-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Here's the Dalzell family at a sweet backyard concert in Fredericksburg, VA...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/76616a8e730e0dc9dac1cd31a099406e8a92abd7/original/69680248-655136861639801-8674342888483586048-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Now my schedule is settling down for the season. I've got some local shows coming up in Ohio and am just beginning to plan for next years adventures. I'll leave you with two videos I recorded this summer before my gig in Bellefontaine, OH and one photo from the first foggy days of fall here in southeast Ohio...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5JfsC-5ndcM" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
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<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_X7gb_89pAs" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/0cbec678014f2514386153ed2c45f2d3c091fa97/original/69945753-2867613479920204-6200113839594274816-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="412" width="550" /> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517342019-03-13T20:00:00-04:002022-06-01T00:29:05-04:00California in 3 Parts
<p>I spent this past month touring through California. Originally the trip was planned as a full tour with another songwriter, but they dropped off due to personal issues. I was disappointed, concerned, and left with a big change in logistics of going it alone. But, I had a plane ticket, a couple of booked shows, and many loving friends in the west. The trip was a process of letting go of expectations and opening myself up to what might come from the beauty of the unknown and the unplanned. Here is an overview in 3 parts...<br><br></p>
<h1>Part 1: The Ranch</h1>
<p><br>I flew into LA on February 12th. I continue to find a home and landing place at The Ranch in Lancaster, CA. My friend Timbo owns this special place up in the Antelope Valley. He sells firewood...<br><br></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/bc511f5b9db352a14b6c64d09e9c43d8e0cbf91c/original/53641361-1037979856411263-3376432181189541888-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/118b7b734d908de05e57c6887748afd565b46b2d/original/53563423-696122297469291-81503227849211904-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /><br><br>There is a revolving cast of characters who come through The Ranch for a day, a week, or a couple of months. We all pitch in to help sell, stack, and throw the firewood. There is a quiet camaraderie when a wood truck arrives at 7AM. We're in the kitchen sipping tea and coffee as the sun is rising and the semi can be heard coming down 20th avenue. We climb up on top of the truck where we can watch the sunrise, look out at the sepia toned chalky greens of the desert, and see how far the snow has come down the mountains overnight. Then we begin to throw all of the wood off of the truck with the rhythmic sound of wood hitting wood. It's pretty meditative... <br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2dfd8b648d1ef102dd82c1abfe3de39d6db98349/original/53832765-2266238553615188-8273079379806912512-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDQ2OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="468" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/11522a5d556e732665de8e12d2d3ddf910c6de24/original/53761833-310241636344024-4203260398381563904-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /><br><br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The tag line of The Ranch is "Wood with Personality". The outhouse is just one example of the unique "personality" of this place...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c33eafcdbffcee463ecd12e434878693780a10c1/original/54225095-282104149351600-2858018946978676736-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM5NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="397" width="500" /><br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">At an elevation of around 2,350 feet above sea level, the Antelope Valley is considered high desert. The landscape is dominated by Joshua Trees, Creosote Bushes, and Rabbitbrush. Ravens and Jackrabbits have a run of the place...<br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/874c778cc2de6457681eb9b5553958a46fc927d5/original/54524760-396559997841230-6198568016439934976-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDQ4MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="481" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b5b7e542ec9499d89e3a5fdf61f35a41b776d155/original/54256859-465582543980875-1754637360395452416-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I spent the first part of my time here nursing a head cold. Sometimes your body just tells you when you need to slow down. I'd throw some wood, hike in the desert, cook up lavish dinners with other ranch-hands, and nestle in by the wood stove. I felt more relaxed then I had in a while. I had to skip out on original plans to do some wilderness camping. Again, letting go of expectations. I was thankful for the coziness this place...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2b941aedd92c8af9747af47796a08afd90852e02/original/53602058-399541514190087-6571555715297574912-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I did recover from my cold and squeezed in a few local shows. The highlight was a house concert at Nay and Julie's. They are both artists and their house is a living museum of their evolving creativity. The evening was a beautiful celebration of friends, food, art, and music... <br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d0975a02af1f696741beda1f275a571af85bae8f/original/54525352-1324559501020439-2142338191280046080-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/02aa15d91afd83e23083ddcfcc61261c4112bc2d/original/54211621-417302635695519-2811676713711304704-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e19ef271c34c7a9c0f58c2a2ff4d34a05a125b89/original/53823453-575554152958953-5759302963545767936-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br>The Antelope Valley is famous for it's poppy preserve. Before I left the poppies were just beginning to show themselves...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/fcc0cb917f1475728af3dc4e980d4d81fefa656f/original/53761308-2174101222685199-679670087736623104-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">Part 2: The Lincoln Town Car Sessions</h1>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/dfed5a9ae1ab152acb90711d85de3ded0bfdd845/original/54462923-2196210913964794-7984400269767081984-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /><br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">With deep gratitude to my friend Timbo, I borrowed his 1995 Lincoln Town Car to execute the second part of my tour. I put some firewood in the trunk and headed down south to the stark region of the Salton Sea where I landed in Slab City for 5 days. There are a plethora of opinions and experiences to be had in Slab City. My experience has always been of a community that has time and space to make art, music, and conversation. <br> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">They call it "The Last Free Place." It's an old abandoned army base squatted by a myriad of artists, snowbirds, homeless, and travellers. There are no grid-services and the summers get brutally hot. It's rough, real, and beautiful in an edgy kind of way. This year my friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/xvonjon/" data-imported="1">John</a> loaded his truck with all of his art supplies (blacksmith forge, pottery wheel and kiln, drill press, painting easel, etc.) and built an art camp. I parked the Lincoln and set up a tent in the corner...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/19a4628480dd10cee389598c3c74e13e4b8598ac/original/53658713-2665733933453782-8154632445300310016-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ae9fc8e6534dae2246169cd99493ff7d0fe5e9e7/original/53502794-363896257795194-5617864055491395584-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM2NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="364" width="500" /><br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">John was doing some sign painting and also teaching a knife-making workshop while I was there. In the background here there is a mural he painted a few years ago on the side of our friend David's trailer...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/xvonjon/" data-imported="1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/499269cf585e526dc4209793a6f36d425b1cea8f/original/54463233-335955730372639-7521413987943055360-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></a><br><br><br>I played music every day in Slab City from breakfast at Bubba's, the VIPer Lounge, the Oasis Club, and some sweet campfires in John's art camp...<br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/99b743798eeb8c2c563dd2ddbcccd7c67bd4ce2b/original/53736334-633857927065532-4249976465602379776-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at Bubba's</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6330649e34aba0de55dfaf524aa34ed855720a0b/original/54525640-589892961490929-2400793457544134656-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQzNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="434" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">VIPer Lounge</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ee9c245fcf09d23d36fa0aadac03874b5309ac5b/original/53423731-403639660206483-104413897666068480-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /><br>Campfire at Art Camp</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><br><br>The low desert was really blooming this year. Walking the back trails and washes of Slab City left your shoes speckled with yellow pollen. Here's a unique view of Slab City's most popular art instillation Salvation Mountain as seen on a wildflower walk...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3ed815117190de003a8f13d206cc2acee643e98b/original/53910522-318086039063531-1311968674768224256-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br>This visit to Slab City was marked with reconnecting with old friends, making some new friends, slowing down to smell the wildflowers and have long roving converstions, and playing music in that raw spontaneous space around a campfire. From Slab City I headed through the south entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. The area south of the park was full of purple lupine...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/fd95689c2a52211c000bcc891e8be733b2972f75/original/53709922-2302949693296821-2261776236734840832-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Lupine<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/29ed8c63e9bfb466e94815020de267373ca42258/original/53745070-2269637763273443-6502393040886300672-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Joshua Trees</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6f5a4125d3712660d67f8745752fc87581611dac/original/54526123-376613662920073-795634604160581632-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Classic Joshua Tree Rocks</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br>In the town of Joshua Tree I played a show to a packed saloon. The place was so packed that I invited people who didn't have a seat to sit on the stage. The whole evening had a very summer camp vibe of excitement and a little rambunctiousness. I had all of my new stage friends get up and sing the last song with me. Fun...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4adc7e23e6cf2193c0f12b8d65e5df4aea6d4e05/original/53789533-554619068358408-2453623290451722240-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTI1eDUyNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="525" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/627a278420ab0b021f84b0aa70da11aa14571dc1/original/53918323-341327466726100-3561335552689045504-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDc1eDM1NiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="356" width="475" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Desert Friends at Joshua Tree Saloon</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/95f6ad3e0214c0a7df19d673f160dbaf42f866c2/original/53636636-342227273067492-4983159938881683456-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /><br>My gracious and beautiful host Bead Louise with me and Margarita Nancy in Pioneertown, CA.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><br><br>The low desert region of California is famous for their date production. About 13 years ago when I was first traveling and working on organic farms I volunteered with <a href="http://www.datepeople.net" data-imported="1">The Date People </a>in Niland, CA. We continue to stay connected and have an ongoing trade of music for dates. They continue to grow the best I've ever had...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/845becd507d826bf5129320c85954de265766242/original/53881566-402018293896198-8638398427442446336-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM2MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="363" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br> </p>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">Part 3: The Bay<br>
</h1>
<p><br>I returned the Lincoln to it's home and hopped a train to Emeryville, CA. I believe the train is still a romantic way to travel. While the airport makes you strip down and sit down, the train station encourages relaxation and leg stretching. On a plane folks are putting on their headphones or pulling out their laptops. On the train folks are still talking to each other. They are sharing tables in the dining car and playing card games with strangers. The inflight movie is to watch the scenery passing out the window. I went right up the middle of the state on the San Joaquins train through vineyards, orchards, and Central Valley towns...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/62a97032d266a658e028d18c29af3db1ee17e53d/original/53764615-253045442310598-5569926787334406144-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b4da5ec5f7e5d6e00bcaf739378f094e1735b094/original/53333235-1982336415406602-68300768964247552-n.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDMzNyJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="337" width="600" /><br><br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">From the train my friend whisked me away to an Ecstatic Dance in Oakland, CA on a Wednesday evening. The crowded busyness of cities is always a little uncomfortable for me. People I love live there though so I'm compelled to go. So while I'm there I try to appreciate the unique opportunities and environment. We don't have big dances like this in rural Ohio on a Wednesday night...</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/48c0b3c4e46caf3741c02424df25506819165f0d/original/54524019-313607699342935-7141123727990718464-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">My friend Emma runs an outdoor preschool in the east bay. I went in one day while they were at the Berkeley Marina and played music with the kids. All of the kids had great suggestions for what to sing about and how to change the words...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f823c0499fcdeb5e54b9b78a5652669f48ff49e9/original/53305566-2277778902273380-5598018042408730624-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.emergingsprouts.org" data-imported="1">Emerging Sprouts Forest School</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/103eee1944fbac065cddac65bd399039c7dd52bf/original/53684157-266611394230384-6727496438692970496-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTI1eDM5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="525" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Berkeley Marina</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I have cousins that live on the south end of San Fransisco so I took public transportation down to see them one day. Every time I travel through the city I get just a little more comfortable and familiar with the transit system... <br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8543f00638c3a95afcfa4dbaf9a9c0b5a20ab72b/original/53900758-591360324661310-4411719960397611008-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f1ad8d84333c068e4c90d141c8daa7a65c4d4b46/original/53683225-801871346859609-4575941531063549952-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Towards the end of my stay my friends hosted a lovely intimate house concert complete with a big potluck dinner and some silly songs afterwards... </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/eef50ee0c1387511896b909cd09bcc69ce814160/original/54521350-323048338349572-1703707097033605120-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTI1eDM5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="525" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/58986b4809e83ccfa973ae7200ea9bfee2dba4b2/original/54437205-566988680472496-6554795026331729920-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQ4OSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="489" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> <br>On my last day my friend Steve took me for a picnic up at Mount Diablo State Park where you can see the Sierras and the bay far away and below you...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/03d84181bc5807a5f074bd2eb7bd77a228949000/original/53794469-2053439051443735-5135046539567169536-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/74c155d5a576560c663c9c1fca8e3cc2c812849a/original/53761943-298624930814756-5925781032719613952-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDU1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="550" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1c365e0d06b0738a3df4c58a30298486da83c014/original/54267995-2278276369076403-2703006907181826048-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">As the sun rose on March 12th I said goodbye to my bay friends and took off from the Oakland Airport...<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/28443a72f9de1686d8eb75b1ac224f143c59876c/original/54049563-388852485229791-4111872097142177792-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3e183ee73c4a46cca5c1c1052d9f03771298a0ff/original/53681348-1024438331076725-1240186615767236608-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1dc0cf06201fce060e5d3881f056730b0db67739/original/54257217-391130331439740-2329788289407516672-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Thank you to all of the folks along my journey who hosted me, fed me, shared time and conversation, booked me, listened, and welcomed me. To fall into the unknown is a trust of faith. A friend of mine likes to say, "Jump and the net will appear." I trust you all. Thanks for being my net, for affirming my creativity, and encouraging my journey. Now I'm back in Ohio refreshed and inspired. The spring peepers are beginning their chorus and we are just starting to pull on the edge of a new season of growth.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517332019-01-14T19:00:00-05:002022-05-11T01:19:02-04:00On Writing
<h6 dir="ltr">At the end of a <a href="http://www.wxtq.com/groovy-soup/" data-imported="1">recent interview</a> on our local Athens station I was asked what my future hope was for my music. The interviewer mentioned that I have had some success with touring and recording, and he asked if this was the big goal.</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">I said, "I just want to keep writing, I want to be a better writer, I love writing.”</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">In an interview things just come out when you don't have time to think about what you're going to say. Afterwards it got me thinking about all the things I could have said such as I want to collaborate more, lead more songwriting workshops with kids, play music in the other 31 states I didn’t play last year, record a new album...</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">But really, at the heart of it all, I want to write.</h6>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/12e65c9b640dba2ed232c60650f0dedf354deb66/original/0112191350a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM2OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="368" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">I was 7 when I got my first journal, and I have kept a journal ever since. There is this box of about 60 journals that my parents kindly allow me to store in the corner of their garage. Everything else I own fits in my van, but I have hung on to these books.</h6>
<h6 dir="ltr"> </h6>
<h6 dir="ltr">My friend Joe recently asked me if I'm always writing. We were out on a hike when he asked me this and I compared my writing process to hiking.</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">Sometimes you hike a new trail and there are surprises around every corner. The sun is perfectly reflecting on a rushing waterfall sending those shadows of light dancing on the sandstone overhang. You see your first Spring Beauties of the year. A Hooded Warbler lands on a branch just feet away from you. A Fence Lizard is laying eggs in the middle of the trail. You are full of life and wonder for days after your hike. Everything seems alive and possible.</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">Then sometimes it's raining and cold. Sometimes you don't want to hike at all. But just maybe you go anyways. You see one lone Crow ducking away in a Spuce tree. Your shoes get soaked to the sock while crossing a creek.</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">Sometimes the hike is hard going. The trail is steep and muddy. Sometimes it's too easy and there is no challenge.</h6>
<h6 dir="ltr"> </h6>
<h6 dir="ltr">Sometimes you get to the top of a hill and can see for miles and miles. Sometimes you get to the top of a hill and can't see anything except a thick overgrowth of underbrush.</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">If you love to hike then none of the outcome matters. You cherish your time outside. You know that you'll be better off for going hiking than staying on the couch all day. You may not see a new bird or take in a heart-racing view, but you will feel calmer. You'll feel fulfilled. You'll be thankful for the peaks of excitement, and you won't be regretful for the hike that was just a simple hike. In fact you'll learn something from every hike.</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">That's how I feel about writing. I write every day. Sometimes I just can't seem to stop writing. Sometimes I can't seem to start, but I'll try to write something down. Sometimes it's a quote, a song, a detailed description of some daily observation, or a rant to help me let go of something . Sometimes ideas strike me when I'm out and I scribble in my pocket journal or in the notes section of my phone. Sometimes I write long letters to friends in other states. Sometimes I write lists of what I'm thankful for. Sometimes I write a blog.</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">I love to write and the outcome is not as important as the process. Just going to the page is a reward in itself. I always learn something.</h6>
<p> </p>
<h6 dir="ltr">So go ahead. Go for a hike, write in your journal, or do whatever it is you love. Don't put pressure on yourself to make it perfect. Just go. Some days it will rain, snow, sleet, hail, or spill over with sunshine. There may be something beautiful just outside that door. You won't know until you go look.</h6>
<h6 dir="ltr"> </h6>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517322018-11-16T19:00:00-05:002019-01-15T11:39:08-05:00From Ohio to Iowa
<p>This month I took a tour with my pal Joe Stevens. He flew to Ohio from California and we did a run of 9 shows from Ohio to Iowa. In Iowa we met up with the amazing River Glen Trio and Jes & Jakob. I began the tour with laryngitis and could barely even talk for one show. It tested my patience. I did recover, but the process was slow. Thanks to the amazing outpouring of support from friends and fans and especially Joe who had to carry the show on when I was down. I leave you all with this video montage... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RwCHHvQnjZI" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517312018-08-22T20:00:00-04:002022-05-21T10:17:19-04:00The Great Northeast
<p>My journey through New England was part family vacation, part farm work, part music tour, part hiking trip, part... well there were lots of parts to it. I got to see some family and friends I hadn't seen in a while, camp in some picturesque places, and eat more fresh picked fruit then I had all year. </p>
<p>The trip started with a gig at Billsboro Winery in Geneva, NY...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/018ccd6b850882159298138742c878b14dda0f57/original/37902942-1956475364403737-5205775867724169216-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQwMSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="401" width="500" /> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Finger Lakes Region is stunning. My parents came on the first leg of the trip to visit with my cousin Betsy and her family there. Her and her husband both work for Cornell University. They took us through the lab and fields where they study different fruit varieties. We ate so many raspberries and cherries that day..</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b12afa6f42928938ebb6c3ae148706846f2bf22f/original/0727181608g.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5ec5603f9a46540c2a8db253568da2bf0184650f/original/0727181608.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/625e39a0eda25972587df43e0128fbddbaa2392c/original/0727181542.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Geneva, NY . Seneca Lake...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e1bb323ccdc190d8165705ff4a69452fda255224/original/0727182016b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then my parents and I caravanned down to Binghamton, NY to visit more family. On the way we stopped at Taughannock Falls State Park...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4928591a3a1ad90ce123f7c0c37be94b13e53f10/original/0728181120b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then I went to visit my friend Jeremy who use to work at Camp Oty' Okwa. Him and his dog live on a farm in West Winfield, NY... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a74721832d7ec3ef12083069a515dcef86e377fd/original/0729181733.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">One day I was sitting in their yard playing guitar. The neighbor's cows came across the field and up to the fence when they heard me playing. I turned around at one point and there were four of them at the fence just staring at me...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4ee3d258e2162976a593ec2e1dd67c1e14f6c98f/original/0729181827c.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">My friend Bruce Dalzell says "They know things." Look into those eyes. There's a lot going in a cow. What gentle and sweet creatures... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/264b2580f7e81145ca2ba443ebbd44f3d490f148/original/0729181828e.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Jeremy's aunt had just bought an island up there. Yes, there are so many lakes and ponds in the northeast that if you look around enough you could buy yourself an island. We took the row boat over with a guitar and some provisions and had ourselves a campout...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1a7225caf386bb24b9949cdb87143e354dccfcd9/original/0730182002d.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDUxOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="519" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c040a4dea299808fb25c3ff897ad9a4ca1266bf6/original/0730182002e.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then I headed out to the Adirondack Mountains for a couple nights. This is one of the mountains I hiked. When I got up here that rock was just humming with life and radiating soaked up sun. There was definitely a sense of calm in this region... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e029a98a72b174a55f79ade83a3629c60b0e8486/original/0731181736.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTI1eDM5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="525" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then over in Burlington, VT I played a little venue uptown called Radio Bean. Earlier that day I was looking at the map and discovered the <a href="https://birdsofvermont.org" data-imported="1">Birds of Vermont Museum.</a> It tickled my curiosity so I had to go. Wood carver and bird-lover Bob Spear (1920-2014) spent a lifetime carving the birds of Vermont. His goal was to carve every bird that had ever been spotted in the state. There are over 500 bird carvings in this museum. The displays show male and female specimens in handcrafted habitats. What a legacy. I was really inspired by his love of nature and art and his commitment to his work... </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1b720a787f32cef28e2218c115b2d333a18dfd7c/original/0802181213a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6e6f9813bc00fc336f11dc1087600f8a0dbc2dfa/original/0802181215.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/db8f7ba848159b7a8f26d1cb2082a234b330c2a3/original/0802181218.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">After a few nights of solo camping I was excited to pull into Rumford, ME where there were familiar faces and other musicians waiting. My friend Pete hosts a big blueberry gathering every year called "Pete's Picking and Picking Party." I had a shady camp spot behind the bus where acoustic jamming occurred when it was too rainy to jam around the fire... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e9ededf5484f488dd01bc41f9d8bdebdf81592a9/original/0803181737.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There was much picking and picking. All the campers lended their hand at helping pick this year's crop of blueberries. At night bands would entertain folks with their picking. And later at night many guitars would appear around the campfire as the picking became more organic, spontaneous, and intimate...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8aa3dfa2efab4acb51f558788505fb62e5cb56e4/original/0804182007b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a297b4e2f454f0c52e95f5113e9359649850c2d5/original/0804182129a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/df356aa1b62985b106d5fd628e3f1d7aa676969c/original/0804182128.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">From Rumford, ME you don't have to go far to find a mountain to climb, trail to hike, or lake to jump in... </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/149edffb75ab68410e578f1723a5cad75664b1e2/original/0806181400c.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3c60b4bef834244f7aec7a075e3c72464066b836/original/0806181422a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Here's the peak of White Cap Mountain just a couple miles from Pete's house. It's a lovely hike with the reward of a great view and wild blueberries if you make it to the top...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/08f793dcd2dfb2099bc5d3761a3eef371139c4b8/original/0807181910f.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDM2OSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="369" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c314cc8b67f44d07a8716eb7f4a04693007710a0/original/0807181913.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM0NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="344" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">From Maine I took a side trip down to New Hampshire. I stopped at <a href="http://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/franconia-notch-state-park.aspx?gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_TbBRDsARIsAALJSOYNN2BYdo9jkoZywhs8y2F_P3MmKa2uAmr_bbOOkBcw_wP2-7twqYUaArprEALw_wcB" data-imported="1">Franconia Notch State Park</a>. This is where the Old Man of the Mountain was. This rock face silhouette is a famous New Hampshire icon. It made me think about how we as humans try to personify things like mountains or animals. We see faces in things. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">People have been trying to hold the face together for decades with chains, steel rods, and cement against the elements of weathering. Despite their efforts, the face crumbled off in 2003. Geology just seems to have a way of letting go and giving in to gravity with time. We as humans seem to have a hard time letting go of things and moving on. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There was a big push to recreate the face of the old man with some kind of replica. Instead the Friends of the Old Man of the Mountain created this Profile Park where these small faces can be lined up with the sheer cliff and you can see the Old Man once again...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/883a92ef4b61ced85b1f13a6794222ffdca31a12/original/0808181520a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/698274d41cf5f2c04d317d67011a8e2a22c1ffa1/original/0808181520b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTI1eDcwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="700" width="525" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Water and wind and freezing will just keep changing the environment. In less than one hundred years there will be no one left living who ever saw the real rock face silhouette. It made me think about letting go... just flowing with it... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e1afefdfb88d7e003f62b3f2d10694e36396b7ce/original/0808181605a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Down in Claremont, NH I played a gig at The Taverne on the Square... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/06632be6016ab28b6bd8604e0895a28ba1c93cfc/original/unadjustednonraw-thumb-1218.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I stayed with some friends from Athens, OH that live there now. Their daughters helped me uncover some dinosaurs at the <a href="https://vinsweb.org" data-imported="1">Vermont Institute of Natural Science...</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://vinsweb.org" data-imported="1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3346b06924bd7313c10f2bd93b9706463f33ed85/original/0810181616.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then I made it back to Maine in time for this sunset...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/759e737a542a71fad544a524741e7a08f0d12524/original/0811181956c.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Back in Rumford, ME my friends hosted a lovely house concert in their living room. These are one of my favorite places to play...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ab35103f59c99a1486c67a70202991a3ccc3ed68/original/screen-shot-2018-08-13-at-10-23-19-am.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQ3MiJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="472" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">How can you not have fun looking at this crowd!?! I told them I was going to put this picture in the blog. You're in! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/12a020a69280af3923cb33a78e52dfbdeb2e553c/original/0812181958a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then it was a whirlwind of travel. My last gig of the tour was in Old Lyme, CT where Roger Tory Peterson of naturalist fame is from. I spent time before my gig out bird watching in this wildlife area. There were more osprey nesting platforms there then anywhere I'd ever been...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a9486af0b7fb62291270cf9f6977505fba7c465b/original/0815181519.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTI1eDM5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" style="text-align: center;" width="525" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">That was it! It was lots of driving, lots of blueberries, lots of music. Occasional moments of homesickness were contrasted with the pure beauty of mountains, clean lakes, and the welcome love of friends. Thanks to everyone along the way! Thanks for reading the blog and staying connected. Until next time... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6327007a0e26594f18b7e331b68ad45673d6daa8/original/0817181341l.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQ5MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="492" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517302018-07-01T20:00:00-04:002022-05-20T02:27:09-04:00Beautiful Ohio
<p style="text-align: center;">Sometimes when I'm traveling people ask where I'm from. When I tell them Ohio I get a variety of reactions. My least favorite is "Oh, I'm sorry" to which I respond "Don't be, I love it." Then there is the, "Oh, I think I drove thru there once" or "That's all flat farmland isn't it?". Sometimes people think they know where Ohio is, but then you realize they're thinking of Idaho or Iowa. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This whole season I've been touring around to some unique and wonderful Ohio towns. I wanted to share some snap shots of small towns, great venues, and nature in our beautiful state. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This season started out with the Nelsonville Music Festival in Nelsonville, OH. What a way to kick it off! There were some amazing acts on the line-up. The organizers are hardworking, dedicated, real folks. It was a blast!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1e8b62b6c7c86e2906bd6b00b8575cbe02d06ed0/original/photobyscottyhall.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQ0MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="442" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit: Scotty Hall</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/705632d86545b2074f9d245301a482ba48cf95d7/original/screen-shot-2018-06-04-at-10-31-47-am.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUxNiJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="516" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit: Scotty Hall</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The first day of Nelsonville was also the last day of Camp Oty' Okwa for the school year. I taught my last geology class and headed right to the festival. The camp is in the Hocking Hills region where sandstone cliffs, recessed caves, and waterfalls paint landscape. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/dab32bd437ed09ce0bdb9d3cf55a76d420e2df8d/original/0515181459f.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Also in that region is Logan, OH. There is a great place to walk near the Hocking River behind the Old Dutch Restaurant. It's a little hidden, but if you walk down to the river then along the tracks you come to a little cut in the trees. If you look just left of center you can see a dark spot in the top of the far tree line. There is a Bald Eagle nest out there I've been visiting for years. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/81f17c018e54155fee43d405aa255aafdf882387/original/0513181448.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This year there were two eaglets. Below is a parent and the immature eagle. I took the photo with my phone thru my binoculars so it's a little blurry.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1fdeb4bc60229451c9a6b874f556df47881d0db8/original/0513181426a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There are many great things to see when you look up in Ohio. This was my view when I played on the patio at The Spot on Main in Jackson, OH. Jackson use to be the apple hotbed of Ohio, and they still host an Apple Festival every year. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3cdf75fd89fc3a834465246fa63135b2e8c65bf4/original/0607181755.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDI5NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="297" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Also, Circleville, OH has a huge Pumpkin Show yearly and their water tower is painted like a pumpkin.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9852096f63490f0ab2dbe0aef6dad81e220bc413/original/6279590599-a5c1f8659e-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I've been driving backroads to gigs whenever I have the time. Of course, you have to watch out for the occasional Snapping Turtle crossing.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a348e56e411d3601c267d14d4ee553ad90dddf0f/original/0622181356b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDM0MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="342" width="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rain has been the creator of other backroad excitement. This is Sunday Creek covering the road in Glouster, OH. I hadn't thought my route through after those big rains and I had to take a couple of detours that day. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/209675407821ce50ed0ad77f40f12f4d6df487b0/original/0622181321.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDI0NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="244" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There are also plenty of roadside attractions to stop and see. This is Big Muskie, a retired drag-line bucket. It was part of the largest single-bucket digging machine ever created. It was used to mine coal from 1969 to 1991. The bucket itself is 220 cubic yards. They say it could hold two greyhound busses side by side. The machine that ran it was 150 feet wide, which is equivalent to an 8-lane highway. Coal still has a big impact and presence in southern Ohio.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/eb91289f92dd2879cc6ea6d788040a494f654859/original/0623180751a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTI1eDM5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="525" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I just have to pull over and enjoy the view. Those hills just roll out forever like the ocean. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/7b7874881cea8009d4c05ad844f26a2ac72e33c6/original/0623180824.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Here are a few examples of venues I've played this month:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Local Breweries such as Birdfish Brewing in Columbiana, OH... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a7fcbe863c9d7980b6e332ab2c1bca3d8c0d9784/original/0622181858.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDU1NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="555" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">...Wineries such as Georgetown Vineyards in Cambridge, OH with it's incredible view...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/09f31ed0a930b1454c219c40d9e194879ebf0859/original/0616181705a-film1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDI4MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="281" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">... some one-of-a-kind spots like Plain Folk Cafe in Pleasant Plain, OH just outside of Cincinnati. This two-room school house built in 1913 is now a music venue and restaurant...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/029d21b58cc725a7dbe475bf05748f638f1d74ff/original/0629182048b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3OSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="379" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">...and outdoor community events like Boogie on the Bricks in Athens, OH this past weekend. I played with my local friends Chris Biester and Molly Jo. It was great to be in the middle of Court Street looking out at all of the wonderful people who make up this community. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/79eb5e881df3423ba5eb1eb0082096239adead2c/original/20180630-205010-0570.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="334" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit: @klj_francis</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6be314b106f8ed81bc7f89ea0e5398824bd842d3/original/20180630-212244-0599.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit: @klj_francis</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thanks so much for reading the blog, checking out the photos, and staying connected. Feel free to comment and share what you love about Ohio! I know this was just a brief smattering of photos. If you've never been to Ohio, I hope you got a little taste of the small, humble beauty here. Sometimes the little things are the big things...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/21fe072f5def8c7445e4496f2daf01bebf4184eb/original/0518182145a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Peace, Love, Music... </p>
<p>Megan Bee</p>
<p> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517292018-04-03T20:00:00-04:002022-04-15T02:16:03-04:0012 Photos
<p>At the end of this southern tour I found myself with hundreds of photos. I decided to narrow it down to 12 for the blog so it didn't feel like an old family vacation slide shows that your uncle use to make you sit through. </p>
<p>I chose 12 from off the beaten path, backstage, and behind the scenes...</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3429eef7498fa77b9ec26a26daea40aacb2e9db8/original/0303181500d.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">1. Abandoned Gas Station</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">This station is on the east side of the Salton Sea. I never ran out of gas on this tour, but there were some nervous moments when the distance between gas stations was farther than estimated. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<h2> </h2>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c2c1a937e3905687c1e330dba0adea7dde08fc48/original/0118181330c.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">2. Peeping in Salvation Mountain</h2>
<p>There are tons of images of Salvation Mountain in Slab City, CA on the internet. I was walking through one day when this couple was shooting wedding photos. I was inside the adobe cave looking out. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f89e094b22cfacebb696601988be3bf0237ea952/original/0123182149a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">3. Around the Campfire</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">My favorite venue. Campfires. Music gets made around the campfire that might never happen anywhere else. There's a raw, spontaneous, community that emerges from the flames. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/05f2b3d0a6238c071b35b327d502368d5194a157/original/0222181340b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">4. The Racetrack </h2>
<p>In Death Valley National Park, at 3714 feet above sea level, there is a dry lake bed full of rocks. The rocks move around with the freezing and thawing of thin ice and leave tracks behind them. It takes a high clearance 4WD vehicle to get up there, and this year I finally caught a ride up to see it. I have to say, I thought the rocks would be bigger. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6c6a904d76225fee1c8364a47c9c0102b17dd01a/original/0222181251.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">5. The Journey</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">It's more about the journey than the destination. The drive up to The Racetrack... Phew!</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"> </h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"> </h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/005f58148c5434579f2ce7619b0cf2b27cd6d587/original/0311181821.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">6. The Roadrunner</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">My muse. This Roadrunner is perched at a rest stop looking over Las Cruces, NM. She's 20 feet high, 40 feet long, and made from refuse sourced in a local dump. She's a combination of old tire tread, shoes, and computer parts.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/242fcd12b98a58522efd4ae65faa4912fb4856aa/original/received-1775462352505040.jpeg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTAwMHgyMjkiXQ%3D%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="229" width="1000" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"> 7. The View</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">I love to find myself in the vastness of the desert. This was on a day hike with a couple friends.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.barebackpacking.com" data-imported="1">Bobby Burgess</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5701ba3d1f77cc700840f9d9153b692cb11f3c08/original/0323181504g.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="505" width="500" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">8. Texas Wildflowers</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">The entire drive across Texas was full of wildflowers. The west desert flowers gave way to the east Texas Bluebonnets.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/577f7663e530de165b88adbb3317455a66eb4d7b/original/0324181857c.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">9. The Green Room</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">I've played in lots of funky venues along the way. The Old Quarter is a sweet listening room in Galveston, TX. Here in the back room there are old show fliers from some amazing artists who have played here. The original owner was a close friend of Townes Van Zandt.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/90e5aa32d5e25d05ee8aee96843be14cd1a40a2c/original/0326181511e.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">10. Street Music</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">On Jackson Square in New Orleans, LA on a Monday afternoon there is music everywhere. Every corner is full of music. New Orleans is like no other city I know.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/72ac73d429e816be306765717d5dcf80da9df44c/original/0329181150.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">11. Trees</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">I was couchsurfing in Tallahassee, FL and my host tipped me off to this Live Oak on a preserved spot of land called <a href="http://www.lichgateonhighroad.org" data-imported="1">Lichgate</a>. The tree is over 300 years old. Before my gig I spent part of the afternoon writing in my journal while lounging under these branches.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/29253d26aba096e33454413e3b9ded13d0cb3269/original/0331180946a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQ2MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="462" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">12. Wake Up Calls</h2>
<p>I know this picture is a little blurry, but I just had to add it to the list. This was waking up in Savannah, GA after my last night of the tour. I have spent so many nights camping, couchsurfing, and staying in guest rooms. Everyday is different and new. Sometimes I wake up in the van to some incredible view. Sometimes I wake up wondering where I am. Sometimes I wake up to my friends rustling around in the kitchen and their sweet animals coming in to greet the visitor. I am so grateful to all of the friends new and old who open their houses to me. It would be awful lonely and not worth the trip if I didn't get to see some beautiful people along the way. I am grateful to live the life I live, to travel with music, and to know so many loving people. Thank you!</p>
<p>And thank YOU for reading the blog! </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517282017-12-27T19:00:00-05:002022-05-31T03:31:56-04:00Ravens, Redwoods, and Wildfire
<p>The new year is creeping right up on us! Since my last blog I've made a loop around California and then flew back to Ohio. Here's a look at the last month starting with another campfire jam in the desert with my friend Roger. Photo credit: Michelle Hamilton</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f952214e07e12444c83798f858cf1b2a2197b795/original/25035335-10215119339084806-912754239-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Around Thanksgiving I took a drive up to the lovely redwoods in the Bay Area...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/da456295a7317078da3bd77d67aad2a13bf32687/original/1124171609b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ae8dc26b8634f056e88e3b0a55c41a9b9a1b27e0/original/1125171530c.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I got to spend Thanksgiving day with my cousins up in Burlingame, CA. Seeing these two cuties was refreshing. Their mom, Meghan, is an amazing fabric artist, crafter, preschool teacher, and entrepreneur. Check out her blog at <a href="https://meghanmakesdo.com" data-imported="1">https://meghanmakesdo.com</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/661622ff70e4202ebbbaf49045ac19c918b209cb/original/1123171327.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I also had a visit with my friends up in Sonoma County. They were close to the big fires up there, but thankfully none were in the direct path. Traveling through the area was pretty shocking. The massive amount land burned and people affected is hard to take in. This is a vineyard in Sebastopol that was untouched by the fire.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/cd47342a08fdd8f75dd82ed69d1adf9c32d95f79/original/1127171635a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Out on the Sonoma Coast we caught one of those sunsets that just wouldn't stop. I'll go back to this evening on the beach in my mind when I need a little inspiration sometime. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/35925ded85a0a1283422e3c7995f8c2c8b2f39ed/original/1128171629b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/033e3e763b418ce947d6f0bd06bcd0c128fbeb72/original/1128171650.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b21e330c91691609b4980dd24d09c4713cd5487f/original/1128171706e.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQyNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="424" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Here's a view from a farm I use to WWOOF on years ago.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/96af88e0ea1874b6b9470fc5f8b095d5e98c18d2/original/1129170851a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I headed back to The Ranch where there was plenty of wood to stack and restack. Being on The Ranch was a nice balance of catching up on next year's booking, doing some physical labor, and visiting with the revolving cast of characters that populate the unique place. Timbo found this chair on the side of the road and told me it could be my queen's chair. I asked him to put it on top of this years wood pile.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/7bfc9e2d5370c5af0b6f0e47b64e33e69e889b02/original/25627433-1707919872592622-699317003-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Inside the house, since there is no shortage of wood to burn, we burn it. I spent plenty of time here staring at the flames. I highly recommend this meditative activity.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9dd4ec4abf9cc6d98cdba047c4a4c3e9eb3a5ed7/original/1205171810.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Lancaster, CA is a high desert climate in the Antelope Valley. I loved daily hikes around the area. I'd see coyotes, ravens, Joshua Trees, and always Tumbleweeds. "See them them tumbling down, pledging their love to the ground..."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4d79eb44c081b3b630c82ec81fdb7f7f1fac555c/original/1210171334b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUyOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="528" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This Creosote Bush is over 800 years old. There's my friend Bird Bob for scale...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/088492b3dd7a71b2988e17213cdffadcb4fe1b69/original/1208171428a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzNiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="336" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">From here we could see the smoke from the L.A. fires on the horizon. The closest one was about 30 miles away and we watched the news daily to see the developments. It's a strange feeling to be so close to something to powerfully destructive and know that people there are having their lives threatened just over the mountain while you are cozy by a wood stove. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5c5fe5e09fcc0d651336bbc27ac30aa18c4b4e11/original/1210171400.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="337" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">All of the particles in the air often made for some shockingly colorful sunsets.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9a2d5079aa4fcd2a8c198d22173450ecf71918b4/original/1210171652.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDM5MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="392" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/faaf17ce08dede8c1354fc5fbd24771af7a95f64/original/1210171659d.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDI4NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="284" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The ravens in the west are so vocal and social. They rattle, call, and make percussive songs in the trees. Sometimes on a Sunday afternoon they gather their closest 50 friends together and just ride the thermals up to the atmosphere. Here's a little series of ravens in black and white...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/758ff2dda877f3cf6f131fca3ac8d622f96c6c0d/original/1208171404e.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5547b9a21db34355a87af8fa698457ef302c5404/original/1210171339a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDM5OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="398" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/92c48d2b1072eb04fa95abf526a135c56e3f8b26/original/1210171338e.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2e257054829cc132ac28e22a5394d9c1e081afbf/original/1210171342e.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/37d19287c7de48b08635371e24dd4b97539740fb/original/1203171448d.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Then I rode some of my own thermals from L.A. to Detroit. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9926d02bd5ad67d5f310f9225711644bee272d7b/original/1212171848.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDM5NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="397" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I had a visit with my family and we explored the land of ice and snow along the shores of Lake Erie.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/26f198c6d4155fd235edf8805bbcb2a69ed28f1d/original/1213171214a.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Then I headed to Athens, Ohio to play some gigs, see some friends, visit Blue Eagle Music, and housesit for the holidays.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4ae1b499d8de6d6d4508a25a957b1165496c0f9d/original/1226171703b.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Concert at Casa Nueva with my friend Chris Biester. Photo credit: Phil Lanning</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c6d595846aa8855d7d7b7cea1fb9086eabcb37b2/original/26060162-10210366498454264-1137027179724777817-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="334" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/88c1e4b77c19529e311ff5fee0692b2146325db1/original/26173026-10210366465133431-5482031926078457427-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDI2OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="268" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Happy new year to everyone! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517272017-11-18T19:00:00-05:002019-12-30T14:00:15-05:00Canyon Music
<p> </p>
<p></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZUmkfXZwLIk" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p>Above is a video featuring some clips from places I've hiked and camped in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Below are some photos of the past month. I spent about 3 weeks straight living in my tent out in the desert. I wrote, played my guitar, looked at the stars, hiked up canyons, and spit a little sand. It was truly rewarding and refreshing. This year has been so busy, and I finally allowed myself to soak it all in. And even though I didn't have too many "real" gigs this month, I have played more than ever at parties, jams, and around campfires...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/efe1ef4be808c4b7d56f493ed5b1c2916f003b56/original/23798308-1676628492388427-1095057515-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">My tent is in the lower left of this panorama shot... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8cffc21208b53f820aa21d7043f56c4b568598e6/original/23769957-1676628229055120-571843719-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzAweDEyNiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="126" width="700" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Grinding stones from tribal peoples...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a096642069cfb4559b7fd3830f8546e99d7f3586/original/23798261-1676620992389177-1018399264-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Petroglyphs...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e1236709653d7e14fc4fe59a25c35fa4fc718eb8/original/23770389-1676621699055773-596480032-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c4b781c26dd0ddeb2002347510782736ba80ea2d/original/23770058-1676622922388984-832488751-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ef2cefb0f82a6a55a9883f794de3206029b45332/original/23770118-1676623695722240-1591921965-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Canyon walls... </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1bcc24bc397b31170af4cc32483ce2806b564831/original/23770277-1676624245722185-353038900-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/fdd4b71fc68dcfc67589b3da1227063c0c3f9cff/original/23768719-1676626402388636-37125081-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/87a4fc7c01ae271bed0f2c463aa37890b795cbbc/original/23760426-1676626952388581-1319341305-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A most excellent campsite...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/166d617be95d8d520244cfdf2390303a16eb462b/original/23770317-1676625705722039-1724712811-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Ravens' nests on the cliffs...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a8f8a2c2d560b7a814d48005eb2c29975ab0226e/original/23770052-1676647752386501-1517494053-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A closer look at the ravens' nests...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/225c6f3b651957452526e989ca5535fddb0947f8/original/23770129-1676648492386427-1168472593-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDU3NiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="576" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Dragonfly... </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1d3ff3a6c33a98d366b30f477ece48c56518c5ac/original/23760413-1676649072386369-1647123945-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Burros...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d586d2d3c6f317caafaa076e213d03ec4847e14a/original/23760279-1676620509055892-164884127-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>And then I took a trip to a friend's farm in Southern California. There were lots of fruit trees in fruit. Avacados, Persimmons, Kumquats, Cherimoya, Oranges, Jelly Palm, Guavas, Pomegranates... </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/77dd1b4bb940f4419aadaab11b8bfc3d38094e70/original/23770112-1676650105719599-78595194-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/83f31957e4a4bf03bdf7296f7422a716470d1d8f/original/23768743-1676650499052893-833318626-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUxOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="518" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The fertile orchards are such a stark contrast to the desert...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/92daed791a09df8f67a9d3d593c78e8c89bd4428/original/23768930-1676652289052714-1589295710-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Sunrise...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/7d8dc8b7e2c859319941eb90751e2f11a2246eb1/original/20171116-053908.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQwOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="408" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I like to climb up on my minivan...<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3b7c0156c2c7c528b5ade360d6d7c810b2d4a0cc/original/23770164-1676651215719488-2036858363-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Now I'm back at The Ranch playing catch up with emails and booking in-between stacking firewood...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1793693365c86f9385d99d867eb375281665e055/original/23768908-1676667242384552-111506154-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">My friend Timbo took this photo at The Ranch in the morning light...<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f472129d09a9d1ade3a5e987428a38602e0f5f92/original/23768849-1676666222384654-1559188588-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDY2NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="667" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Happy Thanksgiving to everyone this week. I hope you are all finding some gratitude in your life! I am thankful everyday to be here on this earth; writing songs, stacking firewood, sleeping in a van, meeting new people, sharing food, breathing, walking, singing... on and on.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thank you for reading the blog.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517262017-10-04T20:00:00-04:002022-01-31T01:09:27-05:003000 miles out
<p>Greetings from the Canyon Tour!</p>
<p>Saturday I'll be doing a live-stream radio interview on <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/john-darlington" data-imported="1">John Talk Radio </a>at 6PM eastern time AND Tuesday I'll be playing in Newport Beach at The Blue Beet at 6PM western time. Tonight I'll be playing around a campfire with my friends at The Ranch Party.</p>
<p>17 days and 3000 miles on the road and all is well. I've had some time to reconnect with some friends across the country and play some shows ranging from intimate house concerts to crowded breweries to quiet campfires. It all started in Chicago...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b04ab5790461a843047516991f5ebf97c99a1cc3/original/oct8.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQwNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="407" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p>Playing this funky little venue with Joe Stevens...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LhuDCEZrZcQ" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then there was Colorado to New Mexico where it rained fairly steady for a week. In between shows I was checking out rocks, mountains, and canyons...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5718fd6aceabbf4084088aa4fd8527109103e883/original/oct6.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDI5MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="292" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Camel Rock</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/163b6cf446c2874261e2b0cc5b4ef5b2b5bc25cb/original/oct4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDgwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Rio Grande. I walked down to the river to Manby Hot Spring where part of Easy Rider was filmed. I spent part of the time soaking and part of the time wondering if my van would make it back up the muddy road I drove in on! (I made it)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f0069928f6ec3017db5cd444417810876db662d5/original/oct7.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDI5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="294" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hot pools on the river.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/336330e655818be056b4a8af9ab5de306b601d98/original/oct10.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Bridge over Rio Grande. Taos, NM</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2e3936527d9840953b8cf9b768f2242865e3a994/original/oct9.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQ3OSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="479" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Big Horn Sheep.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ab62bd6dae11c6eadcdf0ef79e6bbec7f0b7e1f7/original/oct11.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="407" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Red Door Brewing in Albuquerque, NM</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b30377d50a5efec3170ecf532602b689d4c38006/original/oct1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rainy day sunrise in New Mexico.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/349fb2e68fc7ddf4683c437cbec88f306ec36eb9/original/oct3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Ship Rock coming right out of the ground.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c88b51b6ed15739e9847be5dc0c3768de5b17dfc/original/oct2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Grand Canyon.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/03d0440f29e2055082fcb03daf3e6a2e82e641d4/original/oct44.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDY2NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="667" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It's hard to take in the vastness of the Grand Canyon. I camped here for a couple nights. I hiked about 8 miles along the rim and 2 miles down into the canyon, which is barely skimming the surface of this place. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3cf8d1aa90d5f1b316cf6dbdc6e97d83b3800c30/original/oct55.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzUweDE5MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="193" width="750" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8f53552008d42d2a805036b9ee7555f79ac7bc82/original/oct66.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Camping on public land in the Mojave. There are so many wide open free public spaces in the west to camp.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Now I'm in California at The Ranch Party with lots of friends, musicians, and new people to meet. It's nice to be parked for the weekend. I hope you are all doing well out there!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Peace, Love, & Canyons.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Megan Bee </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517252017-09-17T20:00:00-04:002022-05-21T10:59:37-04:00Getting ready to go...
<p>The summer is wrapping up in Ohio. The bittersweet pull of the road is tugging on my tires. I have a brand new album, a brand new old van, and a list of places to go.</p>
<p>I released my new album this week with a heartwarming show in Athens at Casa Nueva. It sure makes it harder to leave when there are so many lovely people there...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/13f242fbe28c692a01516b89a523ce7c0d367b82/original/screen-shot-2017-09-18-at-4-29-56-pm.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwOSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="309" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Playing with Chris Biester. photo credit Shei Sanchez</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And then it was off to Yellow Springs, OH for a lovely backyard concert...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b513a6b69e0d8100cdfd1e20a08d93994bcf00f6/original/screenshot-2017-09-18-13-35-22.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDc1eDQ5NyJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="497" width="475" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit Summer Bair</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">When "Like a Canyon" arrived, my living room turned into a shipping office as I sent CDs off to all of the Kickstarter supporters who funded it. As I went down the list I was reminded of all of the people who made this album happen. I am blessed...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6034bfdd3cad669202388ebbfbac32410871ba42/original/20170910-135152.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It's available digitally <a href="https://meganbeemusic.bandcamp.com/album/like-a-canyon" data-imported="1">HERE!</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://meganbeemusic.bandcamp.com/album/like-a-canyon" data-imported="1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/43ad66a96e8920720e3640756341946f6d7471c5/original/screen-shot-2017-08-30-at-12-47-00-pm.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDMxNCJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="314" width="300" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The album was recorded at Peachfork Studios in Pomeroy, OH and mastered at Empty Sea Studios in Seattle, WA. It was produced by Bernie Nau and myself. It features guest musicians from the Mountain Stage Band: Ryan Kennedy, Ammed Solomon, and Steve Hill. Plus Joe Stevens, Bernie Nau, and John Borchard. I'm really happy with it, and I think you're going to enjoy it.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Besides finishing the album, I spent much of my summer shopping for a new old van. My '99 Caravan that I took across country twice last year was starting to become unreliable. One of the issues was a lack of AC and a driver's side window that wouldn't roll down. That made for some really sweaty drives. So after test driving and kicking tires all summer, I finally pulled the trigger. Here is my 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f1e2193a99cab12966a708f976933765c2799afb/original/20170915-141749.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'm just starting to settle into it. My brother is helping me modify my old bed to fit into the new van. I'll share some more pictures when I'm fully moved in...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/75f9158619794efe1f5b31d044f44b3ffd673343/original/20170917-184836.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I've got lots of packing to do today and then it's off to Chicago for a show. Then on westward from there.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> Before I left Athens, a photo student from Ohio University named Matt Starkey asked to do a photo story on me for a school project. He came to a couple of my shows and visited me at Blue Eagle Music. <span style="text-align:left">The following pictures are all from Matt...</span> </p>
<p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/690420d17ee8590448f572910c2fb5d3399e79b3/original/starkey1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/232fdb5a906e34cb8ad0ebb84dfe70301d11b4db/original/starkey2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6229a164701f43306bd163815fec7416001fdd95/original/starkey3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2ebbb658de8022efa6e5f98fdd4b1cfe73393354/original/starkey4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e6db28dc079892290fe8cafa0457d06bbd60b8da/original/starkey5.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/38c69ec7adfc5f53a61cdc1cd148c87cef1c2af4/original/starkey7.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ebe1f39c53a7b9199b14a5fdccdafa9d5c1d4a3d/original/starkey6.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'll see you all out there!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">-Megan</p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517242017-07-26T20:00:00-04:002017-08-30T06:06:04-04:00Co-writing with Kids!
<p>Another summer has come and brought opportunities to co-write with kids at local libraries and camps. Most of these songs have come from less than 2 hours of being together. In that time we have a crash course in melody, creative writing, song parts, and teamwork.</p>
<p>I ask all of the participants to sign a contract to</p>
<ol>
<li>Be Positive</li>
<li>Be Creative</li>
<li>Have Fun</li>
</ol>
<p>Then off we go throwing thoughts down on paper together. We brainstorm and vote on ideas. We dive in and try to find great details and sensory images. I just stand back and try to keep everyone engaged and creating. </p>
<p>It fills my heart with so much joy to share my love of songwriting. There is this excitement that comes with turning that blank piece of paper into something full of life. Here are some of the songs from this summer. Enjoy!</p>
<p></p>
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<p></p>
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<p></p>
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<p></p>
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<p></p>
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Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517232017-05-27T20:00:00-04:002019-12-30T13:59:57-05:00Support
<p>I've been using the word <strong>"support"</strong> so much lately. Once I launched the Kickstarter campaign I had to start asking folks for their support. It's big and scary to set a goal, make it public, and ask for help. Everyone is watching and there are so many stigmas about asking for help, especially when you're asking for money. </p>
<p>The whole process has opened up more than a few conversations about support. I am honored that some of you have trusted me in asking for my support in return. So many people are worried about their jobs, houses, finances, families, and relationships. No one is alone on this journey.</p>
<p>Really, we all need support. We all need each other. </p>
<p>I want you to know that I'm open to giving and receiving support. If you are financially able to back my new album (and really there is no amount too small) I invite you to at: <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/meganbee/like-a-canyon-a-new-album-by-megan-bee" data-imported="1">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/meganbee/like-a-canyon-a-new-album-by-megan-bee</a></p>
<p>If you have any words of encouragement I am definitely open to those too!</p>
<p><em>And</em> if you need some feedback, some encouragement, or someone to listen, I'm here. If I can't help maybe I know someone who can.</p>
<p><strong>Meanwhile, here are 3 places I have been finding inspiration lately...</strong></p>
<p><strong>1.)</strong> Wow! As of this moment there are 62 people who have boldly backed my new album. That's amazing! I am so blessed to have people in my life that believe in my music and are willing and able to put money behind it. It takes a community. Thanks for being here. <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/meganbee/like-a-canyon-a-new-album-by-megan-bee" data-imported="1">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/meganbee/like-a-canyon-a-new-album-by-megan-bee </a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/meganbee/like-a-canyon-a-new-album-by-megan-bee" data-imported="1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b46d284af1c53f1d97f12b82884cf2e36397070c/original/screen-shot-2017-05-10-at-8-24-19-pm.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDM5OSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="399" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></a></p>
<p><strong>2.)</strong> I've been reading Carole King's memoir "Natural Woman." I'm enchanted. Her amazing catalog of songs is immense. Even bigger is her courage in telling her story. She puts it out there. Reading this has been so encouraging. Thanks Carole. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8b59ea706dfe5e47670c8c0bb184496c7f31252f/original/18789148-1503648113019800-301363793-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>3.)</strong> Some of you know that I teach environmental education in the spring and the fall. This week wraps up an amazing spring season. The kids, teachers, staff, birds, trees, and landscape have been a constant inspiration of how connected we all are. I'll leave you with some photos from Camp Oty' Okwa...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d8f19dfc28def0d8632aa6f3d89508b9e8ccd31c/original/18765099-1503525873032024-1537231212-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">geology in sandstone caves</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/48a8b415ae626ab1c4c403c95008efb34f68001c/original/18765509-1503524616365483-1040823743-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ba279471661440e8070fec842eeaf5f257e2c4f5/original/frog2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">love is in the air... er, I mean in the water (green frogs)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e49e263fe9aa2098b6cabcd7eeda7df0a45f13ed/original/frog1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">tree frog eyes</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and some sandstone abstracts...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5543562c867a401386c2a27ca6228f292b5b8eaf/original/18765317-1503525546365390-90666749-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/785ca577d8a27e2c2559a8137720d075a1730abb/original/18817390-1503524803032131-741350193-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/fc55dcca274d6c1b0d6a1eff050de7c8c0add26e/original/18742473-1501676636550281-1094275284-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b1dcc9da3c5c30f24b4e12aec3d080c69223d589/original/18767164-1503524333032178-447563668-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Peace, Love, Music, and Support.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">-Megan</p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517222017-03-08T19:00:00-05:002021-12-23T09:10:57-05:00Patience...
<p>For the past few months I've been writing, working on guitars, and resting up a bit. I've been recovering from a case of tendinitis in my wrists since November. I've sought advice from massage therapists, osteopaths, and patient house plants.</p>
<p>I've been learning about healing from this ZZ plant that was living at <a href="http://blueeaglemusic.com" data-imported="1">Blue Eagle Music</a>. After some over-watering and root disturbance that left it bare back in November I took it home to recoup. For over two months nothing happened and then...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/7d7eee6edad5a259073b0b6556e8b4073b0e1c3b/original/q8.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>...there was just this little sign of hope. There was some life left down under the soil after all. Watching it grow a little everyday has been a great inspiration. Just look at that little shoot now! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/02dad0fe9aff712ff7e84848cd4cd7ba28ee08cb/original/q7.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>That's kind of how I've been feeling lately. Sometimes life is like a light switch flipping on, and sometimes it's just like a dimmer switch slowly getting brighter. Just keep moving forward.</p>
<p>So I scheduled some days in Peachfork Studio, looked some vocal mics in the eye, and sang them some new songs. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ca1d8d1ba8403050c9da03fc6038bdeb4c1dd32e/original/q17.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>I asked some members of the Mountain Stage band to come play with me. <a href="http://mountainstage.org" data-imported="1">Mountain Stage</a> is a live weekly radio show out of West Virginia that I love. It never hurts to ask. I ended up hiring Ammed, Ryan, and Steve (drums, guitar, and bass) to come play on a few songs. What fun!! I can't wait for ya'll to hear what we've been working on. These guys are stellar musicians and wonderful people.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/20378c58110729f9cb0b8fbfb5e89278bb3ff22f/original/q1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDI1eDQyNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="425" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></p>
<p>I have a few more days in the studio over the next few weeks. It's all coming together step by step. </p>
<p>In other news, I recently had a phone call with my friend Piano Dan (who you might know from previous blogs or stories at shows). He asked if I was going to come out to California for the annual President's Day softball game. I wasn't sure. Then he said, "Life's too short not to do some of the big important things."</p>
<p>So I flew to Las Vegas and caught a ride on a road that isn't really a road...</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6f44b0820d2a740106557bb83ab8d939d3bab1b5/original/q10.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>...to a place where you can see for miles...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/290827ca6c72b9d60600db4afc1fcf3271505226/original/q13.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDI1eDMxOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="319" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></p>
<p>... just in time for the most scenic softball game ever. This annual tradition is part family reunion, part music festival, part sporting event, and part wilderness camping trip. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6fc3c3259c65d16a5d40010317be596a8c886d6a/original/q6.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDY0MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="643" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>The Misfits won this year, but the Skins dominated in the cheerleader department with their Village People...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/00eb82caf673a6ba5e93eb156b762919aa1deefb/original/q4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQ0NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="447" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>A friend was asking me how my trip was. I told her it was life distilled to it's pure elements -</p>
<p>Music</p>
<p>Friends</p>
<p>and Being Outside.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/064322c894cccb18689d21025726f424da1ac991/original/q16.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Music. (joe stevens showed up!)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f788033554a6c37e3083cc51ac15b9f031643546/original/q5.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDI1eDMxOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="319" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Friends (this was a really windy day. we're all ducking away in the van)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6bc3efc20f54ef835970308982c8b186a63fab8c/original/q9.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and Being Outside. (this canyon... wow)</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It rained for two days in a row out there, a rarity for the Death Valley region. There was snow on the passes and mud in the valley. When we drove out we found this "lake" where there is usually a dried salt bed in the Panamint Valley. Sometimes there is water in the desert!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b8676b363633f70885eec259a2bc9d26ecb03305/original/q.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMxNiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="316" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">So don't forget to reconnect with whatever raw elements make your life what is.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And if there's an obstacle in your way...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4db0dbefb3a7649cab3d0c9199521e40da168a35/original/q19.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">... keep moving forward.</p>
<p>Wishing you all healing, patience, creativity, and love.</p>
<p>-Megan</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c88d3923a6f6d168c4db419e0c5d12d66f729ac4/original/q15.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517212016-12-11T19:00:00-05:002017-08-30T06:09:18-04:00Is it ever enough?
<p>Happy December everyone! I'm nesting in Ohio for most of the winter. I've done so much traveling this year that staying in one spot feels like a great new adventure. </p>
<p>There's a new album in the works, and for now I offer up this single. "That's Enough"...</p>
<p><a href="https://meganbeemusic.bandcamp.com/releases" data-imported="1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/16285a43bb835e025b69efa104b524f66f5b745b/original/dec5.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">(photo credit to Amy Bihn. she took this while we were on a walk. these are the tracks near my childhood home)</p>
<p>Last year my songwriters circle challenged me to write a holiday song. I was thinking about how sometimes I feel like I live on the edge, and somehow I always have enough. What if my karma is that I'll always have enough? Never an excess and never nothing. Just enough? </p>
<p>Enough is great! Enough is satisfying. How do we know when we have had enough? How do we let ourselves know that we are enough? And in this holiday season when we buy, eat, drink, spend, and try to please in excess?</p>
<p>So that phrase was ringing in my head. I hope you enjoy the song. You can find a free download at <a href="https://meganbeemusic.bandcamp.com/releases" data-imported="1">meganbeemusic.bandcamp.com</a>. Just click "buy now" and enter zero OR any price if you're feeling moved in this season of giving. Please share it with anyone you think might enjoy it. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARAxQgIrn8A" data-imported="1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1d051d2990c044fb2e0c469a585c4e9edd2e2cb5/original/dec1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMxNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="314" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></a></p>
<p>If that's not enough, don't worry, there's more! Last Saturday I sat in as the musical guest on the local WOUB AM show "Roots and Branches." You can hear the entire conversation and music here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARAxQgIrn8A" data-imported="1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARAxQgIrn8A</a></p>
<p>November brought a regional tour of coffee shops, breweries, taverns, and house shows with my brother from another mother, <a href="http://www.josiahwhitley.com/" data-imported="1">Josiah Whitley</a>. It was quite a trip. We were both so excited and then oh so challenged by seasonal colds, sinuses, and epic hoarse voices. Crowds were seduced by my sexy raspy voice for a night, but then I had to rest for a while. It's scary when your voice is struggling. We had to cancel one show at the end of the tour. I promise myself I'll take better care of my voice.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8ba72d88c34a3401b6a1e2f9078c02e10e40188d/original/dec10.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTM1eDQwNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="404" width="535" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">picture by summer bair</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We still did have so much fun despite the struggle. How could you not have fun when this is your view!?! I took this picture at a great house concert in Dayton.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f31e264fe9ae724c49cce417692a039e49f75c6b/original/dec4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If you still haven't had enough, then let me tell you about my past week in Virginia. I went to work with a kid's music program called <a href="http://www.kidpanalley.org/" data-imported="1">Kid Pan Alley.</a> It's a non-profit that goes into schools and writes songs with classrooms. Kid's learn about valuing everyone's ideas through the songwriting process. The class goes from blank page to performing their song within just a few class periods. It's pretty amazing. We worked with 3rd grade classrooms in Warrenton, VA. I learned so much and I'm excited to continue working with kids music in my home town. You can check out their program at <a href="http://www.kidpanalley.org/" data-imported="1">http://www.kidpanalley.org/</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Enough yet?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Well how about these puppets!?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8a70c06c8deda543320d2b8975f89c7b36bb9769/original/dec12.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMwNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="307" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p>What an honor to get to carry this beautiful puppet in the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HoneyfortheHeart/" data-imported="1"> Honey for the Heart</a> parade this year! It was a great time to be back in Athens. These community art spectacles are just another reason I love this town.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a57f293f47c02d64ba8905cb94f48fb1674a2eb4/original/dec14.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Ok. That's enough. Until next time, thanks so much for reading the blog.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I hope your holidays are simple and beautiful.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">-Megan Bee</p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517202016-10-18T20:00:00-04:002020-12-04T18:42:34-05:00The Long Road Home
<p>After many miles, I am happy to report that I have played some great shows, driven some long hours, seen some beautiful places, and safely landed back in Ohio...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/51d4edfdfc555dc1c18307b00b6de1aa37fad7a1/original/octohio.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Check out my schedule of upcoming Ohio shows <a href="http://meganbeemusic.com/gig/" data-imported="1">HERE.</a> About a month ago I was in the bay area where the land meets the sea...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8cba5c58b07ff8c18842b28db3b36635ca82b443/original/octbeach.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDIweDMxNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="315" width="420" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I use to work on a farm in Sonoma County and it was a great time of year to swing by. Having a cooler full of fresh veggies in the van was the best. There were 28 different crops in harvest...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/7a16e9d0db99d45954775076fc1a68ad3e8e39d3/original/octfarm-copy.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I also stopped by my friend's flower farm, <a href="http://www.b-sidefarm.com/" data-imported="1">B-Side Farm</a>...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a8988dc9e43a87cccdc68052a39e9e78f792fc62/original/octflower.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDIwOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="209" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Having some flowers to spruce up the van was also lovely...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4df587e76b9a754a0b1cd8f1268ab160645c9919/original/octvan.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Besides going to the coast to visit farms and play concerts, I was there to officiate my friends' wedding. I was so honored that they had asked me to be part of this day. I use to work with Justin at Camp Oty' Okwa in Ohio. We spent many days leading kids on adventurous hikes together. Now he's off on his next big adventure with his wonderful wife Emily...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4d0d5f3043372b57e2cb6ed490bd5e14e7285b93/original/octwed.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The San Francisco area is bustling and busy. I'm not a city person, but I go to see the people I love. I got to visit with my cousin's family, my sister, and other friends. My friend Steve has this great condo where you can see the city from a safe distance. You can drink coffee, listen to the coast guard radio, and watch the boats come in and out of the bay...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/79b5d804e44a30481dfb91de62ab913769b8bc97/original/octsf.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then I left the city life behind and headed west. I stopped at one of my favorite hot springs on the Kern River. A far cry from the hurried city...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/866fd6efc71088ebb667de44fec8b237cb721815/original/octhotspring.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTEweDM4MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="383" width="510" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then through Death Valley. A far cry from the ocean...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/232889c83e4eb7225a63249a8df6f489d6020102/original/octview.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p>Where wild horses roam...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/692fdd95c004592523d1e81ad33e92462e0ee8a8/original/octhorse.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDkweDQ5MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="490" width="490" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Now I'm back in Ohio and vacuuming the desert, dried flower petals, and fallen road snack crumbs out of my van. It was another great trip. Thanks to everyone who hosted me, fed me, booked me, laughed, shared stories, encouraged me, and connected. Life is sweet. I am thankful...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f1e6ac9498b38df20cae6c1ce38d2a6d1725c674/original/megan-bee-3-of-23.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517192016-09-13T20:00:00-04:002017-08-30T06:22:15-04:00From the Tallest Dunes to the Oldest Trees
<p>Beautiful places, spontaneous events, and lovely people... I spent the last few weeks touring through the rest of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and now California. People at my shows have been so generous in sharing their own stories of travel, love for their hometowns, challenges they're facing, and secret camping spots. It's a great exchange of music, stories, and connection.</p>
<p>Between gigs I've been to some great spots. I had a free day on my way to Pagosa Springs, CO and several friends recommended the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It's the biggest sand dune on the continent...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/67c107b17cee6f67dd1165c4aee9f82e5b29b2fc/original/z18.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">with elk in the grasslands...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3dd9ca89a679e1322356d529023d4173403f95e2/original/z17.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzAweDgyIl0%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="82" width="700" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and an amazing sunset.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/cf5a6dff4d07a3e734c419877fe849887b61bbfe/original/z16.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">In the morning I followed those serpentine ridges up and up...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/22494fceec33d9dc8ca963ffe80e3f31e7161099/original/z15.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">... to find more and more sand.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I had a free Sunday night just into New Mexico. I decided to go see a friend of a friend perform at <a href="http://www.winesofthesanjuan.com/" data-imported="1">Wines of San Juan. </a> I had never met them, and I didn't know anyone there. It was another case of driving alone down a nowhere country road with no cell service to a place I'd never been. Luckily, that recipe has always ended well for me. The winery was set way back, the band was playing in a gazebo, and there were peacocks roaming around. I made a friend in the parking lot who invited me to join them, then I met the band, and then I met these other touring musicians, <a href="http://www.ordinaryelephant.net/" data-imported="1">Ordinary Elephant</a>. If you like my music I think you'll love them! They are a nomadic duo. They invited me to camp with them at the winery that night and we shared songs until the wee hours.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a9ae15edac0d7af13dc4441e7e69bdbde94e6443/original/z13.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">That's my van and their RV nestled in at the winery.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Folks call New Mexico "The Land of Enchantment". It really is quite an enchanting place. I got to my gig in Santa Fe early enough to visit the <a href="https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/" data-imported="1">Georgia O'Keeffe museum</a>. Amazing. Her art and her story grabbed me. She really had a way of seeing the world...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/66a7a235566c3cb0c8e16796ae4471a3f44ea4bf/original/z20.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDQwMSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="401" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Georgia O'Keeffe : Pedernal</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f4f097801d751de53554ac6cb3b4ab7da7b53d30/original/z12.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Land of Enchantment...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d56423f2cce8b4df0d4ab7d7d1c33d2106b4411e/original/z10.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDIxNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="215" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">...with lots of free public land for primitive camping.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">When I got to Tucson I stayed with some of my favorite hippie friends. Their rigs are parked for the moment, but these folks know the road well... and in style...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/efd41dcfa1b6127b202ea870cc60ac524f6048e3/original/z21.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjUweDY1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="650" width="650" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I made some stops to see family, friends, and then Joshua Tree Saloon. That whole region is rich with character. Got to jam with my buddy Dave (aka DER)...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4c9be34f7c2337ccfe2c4020109a1ec7454c6f5b/original/z9.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then I made my way up Hwy 395 to complete a life goal of mine and visit the Ancient Bristle Cone Pine Forest. I picked up my friend Piano Dan and we drove up the mountain where the pines grow at over 10,000 foot elevation clinging to dolomite cliffs through wind, snow, and rain. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a287c464b26ca53dc079a472d353f1472dfb21e8/original/z4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">They thrive on the harshness. The ones that grow in sheltered areas grow fast and their soft wood is susceptible to insects. But, the ones who grow on the rugged exposed edges grow slow. Their wood gets hard and gnarly. They live for thousands of years. The oldest known one is about 4,800 years old.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/58033432a89f958ce045790e6a8d774ff0d59813/original/z7.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There are so many lessons to be learned from these ancient trees. Sometimes living a sheltered life seems safe and easy, but the real old wise ones are living on the edge and enduring the elements. I want to cling to the dolomite and live forever.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9b58c9ef5896fc371f7be01e59ecf9282cc57996/original/z6.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Here's a little video clip from a morning of camping and caravanning with Piano Dan (Dan also enjoys clinging to the edges of the world)...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><video width="320" height="240" preload="auto" controls="controls" src="//s3.amazonaws.com/content.sitezoogle.com/u/396550/0913ead64cc2283577c0b6814ea1cefc05306697/original/20160910-082804.mp4?0" data-imported="1"><object width="320" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="src" value="http://www.meganbeemusic.com/dashboard/js/tiny_mce-3.5.8/plugins/media/moxieplayer.swf">
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<embed width="320" height="240" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.meganbeemusic.com/dashboard/js/tiny_mce-3.5.8/plugins/media/moxieplayer.swf" flashvars="url=http%3A//meganbeemusic.com/files/20160910_082804.mp4&poster=/dashboard/pages/blog/post/" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="true"></embed></object><img src="http://meganbeemusic.com/dashboard/js/tiny_mce-3.5.8/themes/advanced/img/trans.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="240" width="320" /></video></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I had a lovely show at Mountain Rambler Brewing in Bishop, CA then drove down to The Ranch in Lancaster, CA. I caught a couple days of blissful jamming with new and old friends. Now I'm blowing the dust off, changing my oil, and getting ready to head up to the San Fransisco area.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/90daf4d665037140d04d4a6eca94c37aafbf8b20/original/z.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDc1eDMxNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="315" width="475" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit Don McClinton</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Thanks for reading and browsing the photos! See you out there on the exposed edges and in the elements...</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">-Megan</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/99bdd4458975fde77234098e507beb2fc6e803f1/original/z1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDYwNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="604" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> photo credit Don McClinton</p>
<p> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517182016-08-22T20:00:00-04:002017-08-30T06:23:16-04:00Things I've learned...
<p>What a journey! Here I am in Fort Collins, Colorado after a cross-country drive, a week at Rocky Mountain Song School, and a string of shows. The trip has been full of lessons learned...</p>
<p>First of all I had my first blow out on the highway! I had just crossed into Colorado near Sterling on a 95 degree day. I had been feeling a little rumble in my van and was checking the tires along the way. Then all of a sudden, like popping a birthday balloon - pow! - there was black stuff flying off in my rear-view mirror...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/26e35ea5f966a5219c983fe4d85a1ca8481f8746/original/aug7.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It was a good chance to practice my roadside skills. I could think of worse places to blow a tire. The town was only a few miles up and after I got the spare on it was nice to sit in an air-conditioned tire store and cool off for a while.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then it was on to Fort Collins and welcomed in to my friend's Terry and Skip's beautiful space. I'm so lucky to have such loving friends with open arms and amazing backyards!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9ab9b6d66f1ecd2b7f91311550003375b908302e/original/augg.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I played there, down in Denver, and then headed off to song school...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/eb009372aa658d4d0ca9c2fa4689f77e7990d6c5/original/aug6.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDMweDMyMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="323" width="430" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This was my 3rd year attending song school which is an intense week of studying all things songwriting. Besides amazing classes, it is a chance to connect with other writers around the country in a beautiful place.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/db611200276726c6030870a6f22977818caf719e/original/aug4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Here I am performing for the nightly open mic with Ingrid Elizabeth and JJ Jones. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/684f53f090a6ab9c0aca173c9d93d3bbba0a35ea/original/aug5.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDMweDQzMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="430" width="430" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Among the teachers this year was Grammy-winning singer, Kathy Mattea. What an honor to get to hang out and hear her stories. She said one of the first times she fell in love with singing was at Girl Scout Camp. She helped remind us all of the simple power of singing music together. As a past camp counselor I loved hearing this story.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Just like any summer camp, I left with this mix of feelings. I was sad to leave behind my new and old friends, but so inspired to move forward into this world.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Colorado is beautiful. My friend Terry and I took a trip up Poudre Canyon this weekend. This is where the mountains and plains collide, two huge forces constantly pushing up against each other. I was thinking that the mountains were the big force, but she reminded me what a dynamic energy the vast plains are. Plain open space is as powerful as a mountain range... think about that! And this isn't an event that happened in history. The pushing, eroding, and colliding are all happening right now.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/15dcb0e78852e26a053b1c3a03acf15dc0140014/original/aug3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Mishawaka up Poudre Canyon</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Just yesterday I took a hike with my artist friend John. I originally met John on the road in Slab City, we've traveled together to Saline, and he is also the artist behind my last CD and t-shirt. We went up to Horsetooth Reservoir and took a hike on one of the windiest days. I could feel the mountains and plains colliding...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/0995b5f2ef8b55ace0fb14f7c074bb60c4187c55/original/aug1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And if you haven't seen John's housetruck here it is...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/83bd5a9019d7476ba82da93dba762075ccadd824/original/14060355-1222207381163876-888434809-o.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Now my van is almost packed up. I'm headed south through New Mexico and on to Arizona with two new back tires and a heart full of inspiration. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Don't forget to check your tires out there! And don't forget to notice what forces of nature are happening right now around you...</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Until next time - Peace, Love, and Music.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">-Megan</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/99dbd40640b1a8f3848c0dfcd50fca257b5dcbc8/original/aug8.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMyMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="320" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Brew on Broadway. Photo Credit Patrick Cross</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517172016-07-10T20:00:00-04:002021-11-25T03:05:45-05:00Songwriting with Kids!
<p>This month I wanted to share a few projects from my recent Songwriting Workshops for kids. These workshops are a haphazard dive into the creative process. I meet with 8-15 kids, we come to some consensus of what to write about, we do creative writing exercises, and ultimately write a song. We share ideas, cross out words, move them, work on rhythm, feeling, melody, and record our creation. All of this happens in 2-3 hours depending on the workshop format.</p>
<p>If you have a group you'd like me to come work with give me a holler! Libraries, camps, school groups, etc...</p>
<p>Athens Public Library wrote a great silly song with lesson...</p>
<p></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uf91HhRhqAc" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p>Nelsonville Public Library wrote about their library...</p>
<p></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XquNFXP4dNI" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p>Science Camp at Camp Oty' Okwa got eerie with this Sci-Fi look at their favorite hiking place...</p>
<p></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o2LBnJ1Fqck" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p> </p>
<p>This week I'm working with <a href="http://athensrockcampforgirls.com/" data-imported="1">Athens Rock Camp for Girls</a>. The campers have a week to learn an instrument, write a song, and perform with their band this coming weekend. Some of them have never played before. We'll see what magic happens!</p>
<p>Then I have one more local songwriting workshop at <a href="https://www.myacpl.org/events/songwriting-workshop-with-megan-bee-2/" data-imported="1">Chauncey Public Library 3PM July 26 & 27 </a>.</p>
<p>I hope you are getting creative in whatever way moves you.</p>
<p>Cheers. Megan</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517162016-06-08T20:00:00-04:002022-04-30T12:56:24-04:00Land of the 17-year Cicada
<p>Southern Ohio is vibrating with 17-year cicadas. I couldn't be more delighted. I've always enjoyed their drone, buzz, and siren-like eeeeerrr. They are everywhere. Here's a little story of one...</p>
<p>For the past few weeks I was teaching environmental education up at Camp Oty' Okwa. My co-worker, Shep, and I were sitting on a log when we saw something coming out of the ground. This little wingless pupa was crawling around looking for something to climb up. It tried climbing a log we set out for it, but fell down during a few tries. At one point we stopped paying attention and noticed again only as it was climbing Shep's leg...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f984d3f6d0d7f4c0dbeca2bdfa8f640c0caaae95/original/cicada8.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e46a4b0fd1529c67f0b04a119337cd8b17b6990b/original/cicada7.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>We relocated it back to the grass where it went up a dandelion to shed it's shell. A couple hours after sunset it was finally pulling itself out.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/49a4bca7f5838329073bbc4c3096f3ead12007cc/original/cicada6.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDMwOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="308" width="600" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Then one big sit up...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f6a452740690e5f443f6c7b55c1fce9382834cc1/original/cicada5.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQ0OSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="449" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/65f54a62793e7953cd5d12d1abfa73abd2f18217/original/cicada4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQyMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="420" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Then it sat drying it's wings for another hour or so...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/856bc80a3a7e9adf16159cf12053f5bc887a750f/original/cicada3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQyNiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="426" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">By then I went to bed. I checked in the morning and all that was left was the empty shell. I imagine our little friend is one of these guys...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/db7f2e180995fa2566e972eb8df62ae7128c9dc5/original/cicada1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjIweDQ2NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="465" width="620" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Their music is so powerful and energetic. It was a great addition to this years Nelsonville Music Festival last weekend. This year the annual fest went all out to honor the critters. I got to be part of a community balloon art project where we made these...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6b8d65dd57f7d473b3b9ee6fc7288e17a9bfdcd7/original/cicadaa.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Now I can add balloon twisting to my eclectic resume of random skills. We had the designer leading a small group of ignorant volunteers, and we managed to work together and whip up about 150 of these guys during the first full day of the festival.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/25d3394d50d3808e35505bf3eb2b908112feda7c/original/cicadab.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDU1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="550" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We were making them in a building separate from the main area so most people didn't know what was coming until a parade swarmed the festival. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/bdbfd0fded2975e0aa6b20ec58e872559151d6f0/original/cicadac.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTYweDQyMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="420" width="560" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It was a great way to start this busy month of music gatherings. I played lots of music and spontaneous silly songs in the campground with old and new friends. I was in the front row Saturday night to watch <a href="http://www.gillianwelch.com/" data-imported="1">Gillian Welch</a> perform, a goal of mine for years. She was great!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Here's where I'll be performing this month...</p>
<pre style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #333333;"><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong>June 11th @ 2Pm-dark<br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/217430235299081/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#ffffff">Appalachia Rising Festival</span></a> - Solid Ground Farm</strong></span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">(I'm performing at 6PM)</span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">music - food - obstacle courses - community</span><br><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong>Friday June 17th</strong> <strong>@ 8PM</strong> </span><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><a href="http://cincymusic.com/shows/2016/06/megan-bee" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong>City Nights Live!</strong></span></a> - Covington, KY on TBNK 21/821</span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">(filming starts 8:30PM)</span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">come out for an intimate live studio show! </span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">it will air live on TV and later stream from Youtube...</span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">please come if you're around -</span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">I need someone to cheer when they flash the "applause" sign!</span><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong><br>June 20-21 @ 2PM-3PM<br><a href="https://www.myacpl.org/events/songwriting-workshop-with-megan-bee-4/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#ffffff">Songwriting Workshop of Kids! </span></a> - Athens Public Library<br></strong>excited to write with some local kids! </span><br><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong>June 22 @ 7PM </strong>&<strong> June 24 @ 6PM</strong></span><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong><a href="https://www.wisteria.org/events/summer-solstice/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#ffffff">Summer Solstice Festival </span></a> - Wisteria</strong></span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">celebration - dancing - music - family - all week long!</span><br><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong>June 25 @ 1:45PM</strong></span><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong><a href="http://boogieonthebricks.com/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#ffffff">Boogie on the Bricks</span></a><em> - Athens, OH</em></strong></span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">free community street fest! I'll bee on the acoustic stage.</span><br><br><span style="color:#ffffff">and later that day...</span><br><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong>June 25 @ 6PM</strong></span><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1709241392672776/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#ffffff">Opening for Irene Kelley</span></a> at Henderson Hall - Williamstown, WV</strong></span><br><span style="color:#ffffff">woohoo!</span><br><br><span style="color:#ffffff"><strong>June 27-28 @ 5:30PM - 6:30PM<br><a href="https://www.myacpl.org/events/songwriting-workshop-with-megan-bee-6/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#ffffff">Songwriting Workshop of Kids!</span></a> - Nelsonville Public Library<br></strong>excited to write with some more local kids! </span><br><br><span style="color:#ffff00">So break out of your little cicada shell and come see me!</span><br><span style="color:#ffff00">In between all of those gigs I'll be working at Blue Eagle Music. Stop by sometime!</span></pre>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a04400abd9fea93ce6f6985abd8cd2da0f7301ce/original/blue.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></p>
<p>-Megan Bee</p>
<pre style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #333333;"><br><br></pre>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517152016-04-30T20:00:00-04:002017-08-30T06:26:40-04:00Back to Ohio...
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2746895e199125a572ec559928bb3d212de7a760/original/bluelight.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">songwriter night in lubbock, tx</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I'm back in Ohio after a smooth roll eastward across the southern part of the country... through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas... then up through Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and into "OH-IO!" </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I met some lovely people out there, swapped CDs with lots of other talented songwriters, and played to some appreciative audiences. Thanks to all of the folks who hosted me on my eastward tour: Timbo at the Ranch, Bead Louise & Stephan in Pioneertown, Uncle Jim & Aunt Jean in Phoenix, the O'Briens in Hobbs, Sean O'Connell in La Porte, and Gervais Wright in Houston...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5ea6030b1bd017f7b1ef6936a28edce268b63696/original/sisters.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">gervais, me, & michelle at visionary heights in houston</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Between my generous hosts, my favorite public lands, and some new spots I discovered on <a href="http://www.freecampsites.net" data-imported="1">www.freecampsites.net,</a> I didn't have to pay for lodging once. For those of you wondering how a musician can afford to travel... well it helps to live in a van and not spend much!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/573f0944d2bf210a2bcd63dc0db85960dfe78bea/original/van1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="340" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Now I'm back in Ohio just in time for the spring bird migration. I spent this week visiting my family in Ottawa county (self-proclaimed warbler capitol of the world!). Now I'm headed to spend some time teaching outdoors at Camp Oty' Okwa.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This coming weekend I have a run of shows with singer-songwriter Josiah Whitley!</p>
<address style="text-align: left;"><strong>Port City Pub - Portsmouth, OH</strong></address>
<address style="text-align: left;"><strong>Thurs. May 5th at 7PM</strong></address>
<address style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></address>
<address style="text-align: left;"><strong>Spirited Goat Coffeehouse - Yellow Springs, OH</strong></address>
<address style="text-align: left;"><strong>Fri. May 6th at 7PM</strong></address>
<address style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></address>
<address style="text-align: left;"><strong>The Listing Loon - Cincinnati, OH</strong></address>
<address style="text-align: left;"><strong>Sat. May 7th at 9PM</strong></address>
<address style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></address>
<p style="text-align: left;">Please bring your 10 closest friends and c'mon out!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">And don't forget to get outside and see who's flying around your neighborhood these days!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Enjoy!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b268ab6ae4fa497cc00e484e24b3dcdf8b453050/original/redhead.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">red-headed woodpecker at oak openings metropark</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517142016-04-04T20:00:00-04:002019-12-30T13:59:35-05:00Into the Desert...
<p>The last month was full of desert adventure...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/fef5931f0b4e97f3be3796b5dbe5ee02fc78bb70/original/a1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Zabriskie Point</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I headed out to Death Valley with my friend and fellow vagabond, Piano Dan. He tunes pianos for a living and often travels with an upright in the back of his pickup so he can serenade folks in the most unlikely places. We took my van and unfortunately had no room for the piano. Although we did find a few along the way.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/606ebe2542f9c609b72d8f8a83fb6916e3ef5615/original/a3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Piano in a bus. Keeler, CA</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b275745ed37674f441cc1a49f5aa266609d675da/original/a2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Me and the piano man.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2987cf95e5ae7869ad260221655f2575aa92207b/original/a4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="438" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/79462de5faae895ca6d6f81c16948889a147c650/original/a5.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Darwin, CA</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">As you can see, we stayed in all of the highest-end one-star hotels we could find. I got to see some new places in Death Valley I'd never been to before and then headed out to my favorite hot springs.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/83c75d9fe9b9dd2edf7b245e593dbc28e9d2f113/original/a19.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTE4OHgxMzgiXQ%3D%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="138" width="1188" /><br> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I love the vastness of the open desert. Nine years ago I rolled down into this valley with two friends on a road trip. When they left, I threw my belongings in a backpack and stayed for a month. I fell in love with this place and with people playing music around the campfire at night. Soon after I picked up my first guitar. I continue to play around campfires and shady spots out here in this big place.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/c30bfa43654fe287b929852949294027b9c9f943/original/a17.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Looking out my backdoor.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Most nights were mild enough to sleep with the back hatch and side doors open. There was one night there were 50mph gusts and I kept the hatches battened. After a week of playing music, soaking, hiking, and reconnecting with some wonderful friends, we caravanned out with our friend Steve.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a244f0bba8e3213752664927605a1c61d92eb5ef/original/falls.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDI5MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="292" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d57a184c1802b95db50629eb6d2aba2d1c4a50de/original/a8.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDI1eDMxOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="319" width="425" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Fossil Falls</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then I said good-bye to my friends and rolled on down to Slab City for the prom! Every Saturday you can find live music at sundown on The Range, but once a year they hold "Prom under the Stars." Folks dress up from formal to normal to outrageous costumes. There is a picture booth, and they even crown a king and queen. For me this was my last evening to spend time with my Slab family before it gets too hot.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/07d8a52f87347cac9f1e9e15a0afe2ecda474b19/original/range.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="450" /> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Last night at The Range for a while. photo credit lynne bright</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then on Easter Sunday, in long standing Slab City tradition, we all loaded up for the annual Egg Shoot Out. There is a backdrop with 3 raw festively decorated eggs. Everyone gets 3 shots with a pellet gun. When an egg gets hit it makes a little yolky explosion met by cheers from the crowd. If you get any eggs you move to the next round and the firing line gets progressively further away from the target. I made it all the way to the final round, shot 3 eggs with my 3 shots, and won this year's event! I think folks were surprised that a peace-loving gal like me won it. My dad taught me how to shoot when I was just a kid and it's finally paying off. Ha! What a hoot!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5bacaef13b1517a2f65c4560494ea7829793b560/original/egg.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit lynne bright</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> Then it was up to Pioneertown to play at Pappy and Harriet's, one of my favorite desert venues. Pioneertown was originally founded as a Roy Roger's movie set. Now it's a little mecca of great music.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/57523c6c87bbc1d3313e5b70bfda23fe940b1fc6/original/a10.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b5a91f49b7ef61c7fcdb910cb7ae0a4b155869a3/original/a12.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDc1eCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="475" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">jamming with leslie, lucky, and lance</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6ea0bdb5907d52ccd71ac90d8878fbce41870824/original/a11.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDE1eCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="415" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Then I caught a ride back to the hot springs. I left my van parked at The Ranch and just took a few things. I slept on a cot out under the stars for 4 nights. We took a great hike up Yellow Canyon one day to search for petroglyphs. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/21bfed22c58c420c25e13c9a35bf8f7d0d6ba157/original/timbo.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">crossing the valley</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/dd1e795b59d11705e0158c6b754bcc7150cab60e/original/a22.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzAweCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="700" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">up in the canyon looking back down</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ab5ab6dba64ea766c449baf5a5a0e9aa9b1a81c1/original/a23.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">petroglyphs</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It was a lovely trip with lots of good folks, some fine camp food, music around the fire, and some nice water to soak in...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a664b6cb1bab018b3cbc8ab11dea0f16c00e7f70/original/a24.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">One final soak, and then it's back on the road. I played the open mic at Joshua Tree Saloon last night. Now I'm headed east and reckon I'll keep headed that way to play in Las Cruces, NM on Saturday and in Houston, TX next week. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/05f08f9afda4be837a5b8c22bd2d8d7dd1022c4e/original/jt.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Thank you to all of the fine desert folks who hosted me, hiked with me, gave me a ride, rode with me, played music with me, fed me, and danced with me. Thanks for listening to my songs, buying cds, and encouraging me. As for me, I'm headed east! See you next time...</p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517132016-04-03T20:00:00-04:002023-12-10T11:33:00-05:00Wildflowers
<p>The last few weeks have been jam packed with desert adventures. There's another blog post to come about where I've been and what I've been up to, but for now I'm dedicating this post to all of the wildflowers I've been falling in love with. Scroll along and don't forget to stop and smell the lupine...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4e6835403ad7dd0783c2287be0bdac8de2176ad0/original/a21.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDI0MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="241" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6b56366c995923a45a794adfee6ab47e41d95348/original/a25.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDYweDM1NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="354" width="460" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ffb3115e7c5230dd2923bc51c58450efd96bef8c/original/a13.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDI1eDU2NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="567" width="425" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d7cb073028e8cbac4930c020a6ec11bcce5c405f/original/a15.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/054250bd1783ebac0f2779031e063e3ececd351e/original/a20.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e3c3959ba7b71a3bd8e2a39cb13fb2c4ab6990fe/original/a7.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a1f729ec0db544a57763ca258a0e77ba23707ba4/original/a6.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f7fd667afb7aa3d85b933abd6dd856a050bf85e2/original/flower.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDI1eDU2NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="567" width="425" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f16fa12be4bbfef413999d601c492f2a4d53bf22/original/flower1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDY2NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="667" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d919943824c8327b3556147c76fb797bd510ca63/original/flower3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Have a beautiful day.</p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517122016-03-13T20:00:00-04:002022-05-11T06:00:36-04:00Down by the Bay
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/4738af0446fd99b73232d7d2f1d0830aa87c90bd/original/marin.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQ0OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
<p>I just spent two weeks up in the San Francisco bay area. What a big place! Big cities are not typically a comfortable place for me. I get a little anxious stuck in traffic, looking for a parking spot, or finding a place to pee...</p>
<p>Then I think about all the inner-city youth I’ve taken hiking at camp. Lots of those kids get nervous and unsure about their surroundings out in the woods (especially when finding a place to pee). They probably feel like I feel in the big city. It’s just not what we’re use to.</p>
<p>I encourage those youth to open their eyes to the beauty and to try something different. I believe it’s in those slightly uncomfortable spaces where we can really learn about ourselves and maybe even grow a little. So I try to open my eyes to what I can discover in the big city…</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5331827946f6ec0eccfb09012a3b158c59a9f7ac/original/sweet2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMyNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="327" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit Steven Ballmer</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/81a65b326f9c37aef1a9c31b2bbb6433d13429b9/original/sweet.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDI5eDMwMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="303" width="429" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit Jack... thanks Jack!</p>
<p>One great thing about the city is that there are some lovely venues to play. This was at the Sweetwater Music Hall where I played a Sunday brunch show on the patio. I also played a coffee shop in San Francisco and a house show in Oakland. Thanks to Arnaz, Slam, and Trevitt for helping set up the gigs!</p>
<p>People are what make a city. Some of my favorite people are nestled in the bay region, and every time I go I meet some new favorites to add to the list. Here are a few of my bay friends…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/7e9041b9705a33dddeb9ec597552052e6f619bf7/original/sweetwater.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Friend, Sister, Me, Cousin</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/43459a45b2e995b935d3a4f95ef26e5ddecfe25c/original/tnt.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Toodle & Trevitt</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/fc47f8ac4f17ad89ed9f8a62e4aff0000f431b90/original/kc.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Me & Kasey. He's a music sales rep out here. I use to call in orders to him last year while working at Blue Eagle. At some point on the phone I realized that he lived in Oakland. So we got to meet face to face for a beer and talk music... in our matching tee's!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8f04218d1036c686c6f03fb4f8534b2caaf2a8fc/original/family.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Mzc1eDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="375" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Family tree... In the redwoods with cousin Steven, Meghan, and Emerson</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>Luckily for me this city is located just one big bridge away from public recreation lands and parks. Being so close to these redwoods and beaches is a beautiful thing.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d2d32524e0b2c50ec154cb0ecf11c4b0dcc06289/original/redwoods1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Redwoods</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/3cd9ed77a740b660f6ae875bd9ea7771f423fcf1/original/beachs.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzUweDQ2NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="467" width="350" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rodeo Beach</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8be32447607eea9ef01f53753a5ea63c26764eb1/original/pano.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTE4OHgxNDQiXQ%3D%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="144" width="1188" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A panorama from Bird Island overlook</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who showed me around and made me feel so welcome in this big place. I always gain some insight, empathy, and appreciation. </p>
<p>Now I’m back on The Ranch taking a short break from the road. I just finished my taxes today, painted some truck panels, and helped unload a wood truck...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ac67bcef352a440779f82806cd042e31547aab1a/original/ranchy.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwNiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="406" width="400" /> </p>
<p>What’s next? I hear there are some wild flowers still blooming over in Death Valley. Anyone want to meet me there?</p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517112016-02-22T19:00:00-05:002022-03-17T01:29:54-04:00Slab City and beyond...
<p>Greetings from the road!</p>
<p>I just spent most of the past four weeks out in Slab City, CA. It's one of those places that is hard to explain if you've never been there. A friend of mine recently told someone, "If you're judgmental you won't like it."</p>
<p>It's true. It's a place where everyone is welcome. Lots of people chose to be there because they don't "fit in" to regular society. There is a strangely deep beauty held in the chaos of uncertainty and spontaneity that becomes a daily routine. Everyone slows down and takes time to really be together; cooking meals, writing songs, painting murals, building sculptures, soaking in the hot spring, sharing stories, and dancing together. It reminds me of summer camp... you go in, you see friends from last year, you make new friends, you overcome differences, you create, you sing, you learn, you try new things, and you connect.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9b14166088110c73c10f634d22b78b1b69e487e8/original/camp.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzAweDQ2OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="468" width="700" /> photo credit Anthony Hitchcock</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This is a picture from my camp this year. There were other travelers and visitors that came and went from our slab and we all shared meals, stories, hacky sack games, and support. Here's a panorama from the top of my van during a sunset hacky sack...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/107e4d7de339ab0396d85e74d0a788f8c4305faa/original/panorama.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDk0Il0%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="94" width="800" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I did venture to the other side of the Salton Sea this year to Anza Borrego. I met a few new friends over there for some great hiking up Hellhole Canyon.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/9daaaa36c418641dff1655765b9e1ee3e7d845d8/original/hhcview.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">To see big horn sheep...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/dfe7b2946e5d48800dda34e00e87c122f9e2ce87/original/hhcbighorn.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And an oasis at the top...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/29d4b29a15b7939097006677d4b7a8877c762faa/original/hhcwaterfall.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDUzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="533" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I also took a Sunday cruise on the back of a Harley to do some bird watching at the Salton Sea.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d6658fe39479c38a285ddac6ea1c8eeaad8945b9/original/pelicans.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDQxMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="413" width="550" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A huge flock of pelicans flying in was the highlight. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Here's the main street corner in Niland just 3 miles from Slab City. This is the little grocery store carry out. I love the stark beauty of desert towns...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/59de05a36153c94ec8d7384caf5b201f119836fb/original/niland.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">To try and capture the Slab City experience in photos is beyond me, but there are other people out there doing it. Here are some from a talented photographer, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stefan.lisowski" data-imported="1">Stefan Lisowski</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5bae90885a879472c021f737edab1e74f89b03ac/original/campfire.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDQ5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="494" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit Stefan Lisowski</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Singing around the Wednesday night acoustic jam campfire at the Oasis Club</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/cd487611a9c8636c497c908da14dbaef614cadf4/original/vip.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit Stefan Lisowski</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Singing at the VIPer Lounge</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f2a90bf1a6ae9ad50e305566530eaa9f93787c1b/original/reading.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="332" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">photo credit Stefan Lisowski</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This is from a dramatic reading that was performed last Saturday. I'm the second from the left in the black robes. David, a Slabber and playwright created this piece "Don't Us Forget". It is a moving collection of stories of the Holocaust. I was one of the voices of the dead haunting the survivor with their tale. A flyer had been posted up earlier in the week and about 50 people came out to watch it. It's events like this that really bring home the power of Slab City for me. There just seems to be time and space to create things together. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">You can check out more of Stefan Lisowski's photos on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stefan.lisowski" data-imported="1">Facebook page</a>. I also recommend checking out Bob Zahn's photography at <a href="http://www.bobzahn.com/" data-imported="1">http://www.bobzahn.com/</a> for some really great portraits.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">... as for me, I hit the road Sunday and headed to The Ranch in Lancaster. Though my friend Timbo wasn't home, I was met with a handful of fine folks including my good friend Myron. We spent part of yesterday outside playing instruments and singing together. Myron was the first person to put a guitar in my hands when I hitched a ride up to his old mountain home outside of Ashland, Oregon on my first big road trip nine years ago. He started me off on quite a journey. This morning we started him off on a little journey when we dropped him at LAX to catch his flight to Hawaii...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d5d8e362b3447fe265925777c155ffd9060fad4f/original/myron.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDMzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="450" /> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Happy trails to everyone out there whether you're headed just down the street or across the sea! I'm making my way up to San Francisco tomorrow. Catch a song at... </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Java Beach Cafe 2/27 @7:30PM</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Genoa Castle House Show 2/28 @6PM</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Sweetwater Music Hall 3/6 @11AM</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.meganbeemusic.com/gig/" data-imported="1">http://www.meganbeemusic.com/gig/</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Thanks for reading the blog! Comments and ramblings welcome...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517102016-02-01T19:00:00-05:002022-05-22T18:30:10-04:00California Dreaming
<p>Since the last blog, I've made my way westward...</p>
<p>Though Hobbs, NM where I had a lovely show with great wine and sushi at Pacific Rim...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/d6fd0cd89bcf27241f6c6b7fadf8a06053462db0/original/hobbs.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDQyMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="420" width="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Over mountains in Cloudcroft into White Sands...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/8116298827e630ae699001c92963c9afb8daea73/original/mountains.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">To see friends outside of Tucson in their lovely homes...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2440e78cd814b223100407f12b03fa624987b424/original/sailbus.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Through the southwest Arizona desert...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/50723df66b65f9e178fccf77a330a4e6ad35969d/original/drive.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzYweDI3MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="270" width="360" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">... and now back to Slab City! There are many videos, blogs, and photos of Slab City out in the world. If you've never been here it can be hard to describe. The place is an abandoned WWII military base being squatted on by a menagerie of artists, musicians, snowbirds, dropouts, hippies, punks, and runaways. To me this is a place of community and music. I first hitched a ride in on a whim 9 years ago. I was turned off by the post-apocalyptic mess at first. Then I started meeting people. I had just picked up the guitar for the first time that year and I found a great place to learn and perform without judgement. I had planned to stay a week and stayed 5 months. This year Joe Stevens joined me here for a few days. We got to play together for the Talent Show at The Range. It was a 12 hour party with trade blankets out front, tailgaters in the parking lot, burgers on the grill, and music on the stage. Here's our set...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/56b042de3ad95dae8f569ced6bb8626c9b447e72/original/range1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1958710a6fef58ed3ccb1ba9e863c3d66ee50218/original/range3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/0f3f09f262337d58d43670d4963b13a80cf8ade2/original/range2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The next day and night were full of high wind, dust storms, and even a little rain. At the end of the day we saw this...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/ed8eaaaa13c76131c5c7c71d948902aadf0f1e1c/original/rainbow.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I'll be in Slab City for a couple more weeks playing around the campfires, Saturday nights at The Range, and this Thursday at the VIPer Lounge opening for Jimi James. Stop on out if you're in the area! </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Till next time... </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Enjoy the ride!</p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517092016-01-19T19:00:00-05:002017-08-30T06:32:41-04:00On the road again...
<p>Greetings from Arlington, Texas!</p>
<p>I've been on the road for 11 days now and all is well. I'm happy to say the van has been running smooth, and the miles have been easy. </p>
<p>I stopped to jam with my friends in Knoxville, spent a night with the folks at the Auburn Guitar Shoppe in Alabama, and cruised on toward Houston. Here's a picture from my show at the Last Concert Cafe...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/b30acb73aeae71fcd71218c5df158c4bb618ffe6/original/lcc.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></p>
<p>While I was in town I got to reconnect with my friend Sean who I met at Song School in Colorado last summer. I stayed at his house in La Porte for a few nights. We worked on some music and even co-wrote a song. This is his backyard...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/6cf3a21a070530cb12b79f021752726bb310985e/original/dock.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>We joined a circle of fine songwriters for a Sunday afternoon at Visionary Heights in Houston. I love when people sit in a circle with guitars...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5a14dc7d890ecec79d8157d5608b5307ff96b955/original/visionaryheights.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>I also stayed with my friend Gervais. I met her through her dad, Bus Mikie in California. Mikie is one of my favorite people in the world. He had been a steady beam of love and light in my life for the last 10 years or so. He tells me he's one of my "groupies". He has lived in this bus for the past 38 years, but recently gave it to his daughter after he was not well enough to take care of it. Gervais drove the bus back to her home in Houston, and I stayed in it for a few nights...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/79b2348310b5c85b1240ea3bb1182a7ec4121fd7/original/bus.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="640" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/2b6d866c25b30f6485db9b6616a0017197d77e04/original/bus2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p>When Gervais realized that I was going to see her dad when I get to California she asked if I could deliver a few things to him. One of these things was his box of 110 cassette tapes! ...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/37fa8e1a574d02599dd347ebe2167380c3738f39/original/tapes.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTUweDU1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="550" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" /></p>
<p>Wow! Precious cargo for sure. I feel like my trip has taken on another level of excitement. I feel like I'm really on a mission now. And in case you were wondering, yes, I do have a tape player in the van.</p>
<p>Well, I'm getting ready to head out to an open mic in Arlington...</p>
<p>May the road roll on...</p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517082016-01-07T19:00:00-05:002021-07-15T14:47:37-04:00On being where I am...
<p>Greetings from northwest Ohio. Here's what's happening... </p>
<p>After a couple lovely gatherings on Christmas eve and day, my grandma died unexpectedly on December 26th. Grandma Bonnie was 82, hadn't been to a doctor in over 30 years, lived on Pepsi and Misty Menthol Cigarettes, and died peacefully in her sleep. She was stubborn, crotchety, and she loved her family. Grandma's home was headquarters for all the holidays and cousin shenanigans of my youth. It was a place you could just show up without calling and go in without knocking. She loved to visit and tell stories. </p>
<p>Grandma has 3 daughters, 6 grandkids, and 7 great grandkids. It is rare that we're all around for a holiday, but this year we were. At the end of the day my brother asked her if this was the best Christmas ever. She said, "Yes, it really was." It’s hard to express how truly thankful and blessed I feel that we all spent her last two days together.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/43cf863256a12dc87c04e857c8d9c9b8d55719a2/original/grandma.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzUweDM1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="350" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" /></p>
<p><strong><br></strong>So I shuffled my plans around to make space for funeral, family, and grieving. I went down to Cincinnati last weekend for a lovely show at the Listing Loon with the duo <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Harlotcincinnati/" data-imported="1">Harlot</a> (two females, sweet vocal harmonies, banjo, guitar.) Check them out, their music is soothing to the soul. Then I canceled my Mississippi show for this weekend so I could spend more time with family. </p>
<p>It's funny how the world tends to just put me where I need to be sometimes. I wouldn't trade those last memories with my grandma for anything. And since I had changed plans, it allowed me to be here this week while my mom had surgery on her heel. She's at home and mending now but has to stay off her foot for at least a month. So I'm here fluffing her pillow, getting the ice, and trying to help her not go stir crazy (she's not one to just sit around!). My mom has taken care of me so many times, it's nice to partly repay the favor.</p>
<p>Then, a few days ago my van started acting up. Ugh. I'm glad to be here instead of halfway to Mississippi like I had planned. My dad has a friend here who has worked on lots of Dodge Caravans and he looked at it yesterday. There's a problem with a fuel injector and it's not running on all cylinders right now. He's going to dig into it today. </p>
<p>So here's hoping for a quick and easy fuel injector fix because this rig is ready to roll! I sewed curtains for my back windows with my friend Dawn on Thanksgiving, and I finally put them up. The back window is a skirt my friend Sarah gave me... "skirtains!" </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/f7843631496c06c66c553c67b50a6494c2748687/original/skirtains.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p>In the mean time, I am being where I am. </p>
<p>The extra time with my family is precious.</p>
<p>I'm getting some good work done on my van here instead of the side of the highway somewhere.</p>
<p>And some of the best bird watching in the world is just ten minutes away...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/02e564670e9510d2e4bd90063d8c56f91d569afc/original/magee.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Magee Marsh - Ottawa County</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/57653af11ecdc92de4cc150be867d6cbf00171ad/original/eagle.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzUweDQ2NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="467" width="350" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/24c2f8accabb6cb0e8e0b60eb47d83d029733581/original/sandhillcranes.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzcweDM3MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="370" width="370" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And get your binoculars out for this one... 13 Sandhill Cranes on this side of the reeds and hundreds of tundra swans in the pond in the back. The tundra swans were making lots of noise! It looked much better thru binoculars! </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Well folks, thanks for staying connected and thanks for reading the blog. I am playing lots of music around my parents' living room for now, but soon I'll be out around a campfire near you. I hope you are finding what you need to heal your soul wherever you are. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Peace, Birds, Music, and Love.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Megan</p>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517072015-11-19T19:00:00-05:002022-04-06T00:10:28-04:00"A Sense of Place"
<p>Well folks the CD finally arrived! I know I've said it before, but this whole process has been such an act of love. The support I received through the Kickstarter campaign, the connections I made in the studio, and the songs themselves are such blessings. Now as I deliver the pre-sold CDs to the early supporters I'm feeling all of that love again. </p>
<p>I've been having fun making packages and mailing them out. I used some old file folders I found at ReUse (one of our local thrift stores) to make envelopes for the single CDs. I've spent a few days getting to know the guys at the post office better, and being thankful for the patience from the folks in line behind me. I love giving and receiving mail! Friends have been posting pictures on facebook when they received their copies and writing me messages back with reviews.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/1b174582f144fae6b931a070c794a4979673edcf/original/third-class.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A photo on Instagram from my friends' band <a href="http://thirdclass.net/" data-imported="1">Third Class</a>, one of the early supporter.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> I also got to hand deliver some of the local CDs. Some CDs just got quietly slipped into mailboxes or hung around door handles. Others got accompanied by a little visit including this morning when I caught my friend Robert at home. Robert is a puppeteer, artist, and a genuinely real person. We had a great talk this morning about what books we were reading, vulnerability, and seeing the beauty in things. He read me this poem by Rumi. Here it is:</p>
<h1>The Guest House</h1>
<div class="poem_body">This being human is a guest house.<br>Every morning a new arrival.<br><br>A joy, a depression, a meanness,<br>some momentary awareness comes<br>As an unexpected visitor.<br><br>Welcome and entertain them all!<br>Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,<br>who violently sweep your house<br>empty of its furniture,<br>still treat each guest honorably.<br>He may be clearing you out<br>for some new delight.<br><br>The dark thought, the shame, the malice,<br>meet them at the door laughing,<br>and invite them in.<br><br>Be grateful for whoever comes,<br>because each has been sent<br>as a guide from beyond.</div>
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<div class="poem_body">-Rumi</div>
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<div class="poem_body">Wishing you all great moments on this lovely morning. I'll be playing at Donkey Coffee tomorrow night for those of you who can join me. For those of you somewhere else in the country know that I am making plans and sticking pins in the map. If you want me to play in your town please get in touch. I'll try my best to set up a gig there or play in your living room!</div>
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<div class="poem_body">Be well.</div>
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<div class="poem_body" style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/a9de894a8aa9097b47e53b6a64d43f639f92fc61/original/cdrelease.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDQwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="400" /></div>
Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517062015-11-04T19:00:00-05:002017-08-30T06:35:48-04:00November News
<p>Well the calendar just flipped again... </p>
<p>The past month has been full! I realized that I've been busy. Maybe too busy. I've been working at Blue Eagle, finishing the album, writing new songs, and booking a release tour. As I was driving out to camp to teach a few environmental education classes two weeks ago I thought, "Why did I say I could work these 2 days? I'm too busy for this." Then, when I got there and hit the trail with a group of curious kids all time slowed down. It was exactly what I needed. The colors here in the Ohio hills are fading from those vibrant reds into that subdued rust. I've been slowing down and spending more time outside. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/84ac5620aec25e18e104a70317321acd9c26cf2e/original/purcell-rd.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I recently spent a few mellow mornings over coffee and egg sandwiches with my friend Charlie Touvell, a fine artist, musician, and graphic designer. Charlie helped me take Gypsy John's original art, some photos, and the album text from paper and imagination to 3D reality. Then last Thursday we submitted the album artwork!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/22a455575b74d8916ed78b7517d9fea49332d203/original/sopcoverart.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDQwNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="405" width="450" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> Here's a link to the 3D mock up! It's pretty fun. <em style="text-align: left;">(it was cool on the computer, but the colors looked strangely blue on my phone screen. don't be alarmed, I just don't think it's formatted for mobile devices.)</em> <a style="text-align: left;" href="https://www.oasiscd.com/AVLFlashViewer/?p=8BVGm2w5xlPLAu0iYDPd1g==#.VjuR5tKrRdh" data-imported="1">CLICK HERE FOR A 3D ADVENTURE!</a></p>
<p>Now the album is in the hands of the fine folks over at <a href="https://www.oasiscd.com/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Oasis Cd</a> in New Jersey. The whole replication happens here in the USA using recycled paper board, eco-friendly inks, and 100% postconsumer recycled plastic bottle trays. I love these guys. I've been watching updates and it's estimated to arrive on November 12th! </p>
<p>If you are in Athens please join me for a release concert at Donkey Coffee on Saturday November 21st. I'd love to see you there! My friend Bruce Dalzell, a crafty songwriter and the organizer for the Athens Songwriters Circle, will be opening up the evening with his fine craftsmanship.</p>
<p>Oh and one more visual:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/015bcde405701877333235e77504b20672f2d9bb/original/stickermb.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDIxNiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="216" width="300" /></p>
<div class="template asset" data-id="4844407">Stickers are here!</div>
<div class="template asset" data-id="4844407">Thanks for staying connected! I can't wait to share all these goodies with you!</div>
<p>-Megan Bee</p>
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Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517052015-10-10T20:00:00-04:002017-08-30T06:36:54-04:00October News
<p>Happy fall ya'll!</p>
<p> First off, if you're around southeast Ohio join me over in Amesville for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Coonskinfriday?fref=ts" data-imported="1">Coonskin Friday</a> this week.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/e6ffc8cbd6c13f4d6d678402f17b5625ea24c8b0/original/coonskinfriday.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDM4OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="388" width="300" /></p>
<p> Thanks for tuning in to these monthly musings! Here's where I am since the last update...</p>
<p> Joe Stevens and River Glen, fellow wandering minstrels, were passing thru town one night only, and I was able to snag them for their harmonious backing vocals and fiddle in the studio. I've shared shows with these guys in the past and often play with Joe when I'm in California. I love these guys!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/21dc1d5f47ae5a261d8803b32dc4bcdcc82b2276/original/joe.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMzNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="337" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Joe Stevens belting it out!</p>
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<div class="template asset" style="text-align: center;" data-id="4662638"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/cc0e242557a530208c780879ad65a4d413e2ae4f/original/river.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" width="400" /></div>
<div class="template asset" style="text-align: center;" data-id="4662638">River Glen</div>
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<div class="template asset" style="text-align: left;" data-id="4662638"> Then I spent many hours in the studio with Bernie mixing, fixing, listening, listening, mixing, remixing, listening... Then I took it home and listened more with friends, at work, in the car, on headphones, in a boat, with a goat... etc. And now (thankfully) its on to being mastered! AND I'm still really excited about it!</div>
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<div class="template asset" style="text-align: left;" data-id="4662638"> I love that this project has been such a group effort. This album has brought such great connections; with all the kickstarter backers, with other musicians, with Bernie in the studio, with the local t-shirt printers, with artists, designers, and photographers, and with everyone who has asked me recently, "Hey, how's the album coming?" Well it's coming right along, and I couldn't be happier. Thanks for your patience and support! </div>
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<div class="template asset" style="text-align: left;" data-id="4662638"> And T-shirts are in! These beauties were designed by my friend <a href="https://instagram.com/xvonjon/" data-imported="1">John Surprenant</a> (Gypsy John to you fellow wanderers) and printed locally at Precision Imprint in Athens. If you would like to order one just get in touch with me.</div>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/30499b46ab9074d676fab7d8bc2e038c34917f4f/original/shirts.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<div class="template asset" style="text-align: center;" data-id="4662743">Heather Green, Sunset, & Light Blue</div>
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<div class="template asset" style="text-align: left;" data-id="4662743"> In other news, I'm selling my Subaru and bought a Dodge Caravan. I'm excited to make this into a livable touring mobile. The van was John Borchards's who plays some leads and an amazing pedal steel on my new album. He has driven it to many gigs and I'm sure that it's full of good music vibes. I'll post some photos when I settle into it a little more. </div>
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<div class="template asset" style="text-align: left;" data-id="4662743"> Until next time, I hope you are finding some time to play outside. The fall colors are just starting to show around here and my not so shy neighbors are roaming about...</div>
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<div class="template asset" style="text-align: center;" data-id="4662743">Thanks for reading, </div>
<div class="template asset" style="text-align: center;" data-id="4662743">Megan</div>
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Megan Beetag:meganbeemusic.com,2005:Post/60517042015-09-02T20:00:00-04:002017-08-30T06:37:53-04:00September News
<p>Hello friends, fans, family, and folkies!<br><br>I hope you are doing great! Late summer cicada serenades and the occasional geese flyover are my favorite tunes this month. They are the perfect background my two upcoming outdoor concerts:<br><br>Fri 9/11: Hurricane Run w/<a href="http://www.graceadelemusic.com/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Grace Adele</a> for all of my Scioto and Adams County folks!<br>Sat 9/12: 1PM at the <a href="http://www.ohiopawpawfest.com/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Pawpaw Festival!</a><br><br>August was a busy month between the studio and an inspiring week at Rocky Mountain Song School in Lyons, CO. I took classes in Directed Writing, Harmony, Melody, Rhythm, and Business with amazing teachers including Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary. There were 180 enthusiastic songwriters all camped out together. The whole place pulsated with love and folky jams.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396550/5051cfb1c3a0a075089e14b8566e533342a4edcd/original/songschool.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="with Joe Stevens onstage at Song School. photo by Jill Brzezicki" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<div align="center">with Joe Stevens onstage at Song School. photo by Jill Brzezicki.</div>
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<p>This past weekend I got a stellar line up of guest musicians to lay down some magic out at Peach Fork Studio. Terry Douds on bass, Bill Rawlins on percussion, and John Borchard on lead guitar and pedal steel. You're gonna love it!</p>
<p>I have one more date next week to record some vocals in the studio then it's on to mixing, mastering, and replication. I'm so thankful to have the funding and support behind this project from all of my <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/meganbee/megan-bee-a-sense-of-place/posts/1342797" data-imported="1">Kickstarter</a> sponsors! </p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Bernie Nau and Bill Rawlins speaking drum language.<br><br>Thanks for staying tuned in.<br>Yours truly, <br>Megan Bee<br><br>PS. Thanks for reading all the way to the end. That's where you'll find the turn off to Peach Fork Studio...</p>
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Megan Bee