As I write this I am listening to the cd Bridging the Gap by Bill, Sam and Ian. What a great time I had, seeing Bill again and meeting Sam and Ian. What wonderful, talented young men. As others have said I felt like I already knew both Sam and Ian having read posts by them and having seen their pictures on Mudcat. They were playing on Anna's deck out back as I arrived Saturday afternoon - a very nice welcome. I am truly in awe of the talent these young men so flawlessly display.

I very much enjoyed seeing Anna and Glenn (though only briefly as he spends 12 hours a day at their video store), Max and his delightful daughter, Bert, bbc and duane. Got a chance to chat a bit with Max which is always enjoyable. Bert fixed the winch that lowers Anna and Glenn's kyacks into the water, for which Anna was very grateful. Speaking of water, their house is right on the Shrewsbury River, a really beautiful location. I could get used to it real quickly. Also, speaking of kyacks, most of Saturday afternoon Ian begged to go kyacking to no avail. Finally Sunday morning Glenn took him out and he said he really enjoyed it. Sam had gone on Saturday morning.

Bill and Sam hope to get back over for the Getaway and I sure hope that happens. Ian won't be able to make it because he will be starting college and majoring in a new folk music degree. He said he'll be the 3rd student ever. How exciting for him. He will no doubt do extremely. This kid is so talented at 19 that it is scary to think what his future holds. The same goes for Sam who's 21. I have never been a fan of the accordian, until now. Boy can Sam play that thing, amazing.

The concert they did at the Attic Lounge in Sea Bright was really nice. I was able to tape it and it came out fairly well. Don't know if it's of the quality for Max to play on the radio show but when I get a chance I'll make a copy and send it on to him.

I finally had to leave late Sunday morning and as I was about to leave Anna wanted to show me something. They have a really nice telescope set up in the living room looking out at the river. Directly in front of the house about halfway out in the river there is a post with a platform on it. On the platform is an osprey's nest. When I looked through the telescope there was a mother osprey and a fairly good sized baby. Anna said that the mother was cleaning out the nest for the baby. What a neat sight.

Well, Bridging the Gap is over and I've now put in Bill's cd re-mastered and re-released from 1970. It's called Before the Beard Turned Grey. The cover photo was taken by Alice Flynn, one of Mudcat's own. So far I'm really enjoying it.

One last note, Gill and Mrs. Stephenson if you read this, please know that Sam and Ian are wonderful young men. They'd make anyone proud to have them for their sons. They are both well and having a wonderful time. We all wish that we could keep them here for a lot longer than two weeks.

I had a great time and those that didn't make it missed a fine time. Thanks Anna and Glenn. Can't wait for the next gathering.

k