BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA

Subject: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 06:57 PM

Well the tickets are paid and the hire car costs. We'll be there on April Fools day. Hurray!!! From LA to New Mexico as fast as possible, then on to a birthday party in Indiana. Back to New Mexico via Art Theime. Hildebrand and Art haven't seen each other for 40 years.
We'll visit Hildebrand's old home town in Iowa and I want to walk around in the Colorado/New Mexican grasslands.
We'll take short trips around in the desert and maybe get to Big Bend in Texas.
We have accomodation all worked out, but I'd really like to meet a few of my Mudcat friends along the way. We've been invited to lunch with Big Jim on our way through his neck of the woods. Our way back to LA will give us a bit more time in Arizona and California.
What fun!! Happy days!! Here we come - soon. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 07:14 PM

Coming near Wyoming at all?

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: artbrooks
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 07:43 PM

I'm in Albuquerque. Overnighting? Need a place? Lunch and a beer? PM me!

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 08:33 PM

J & G,

It will be a "joy" to meet you and to see your "Greg-arious" companion after all these years. Lots o' water through the lock gates since those other days. Come ahead!!

Arthur

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 08:34 PM

Sorcha, Oh! I wish. I loved Wyoming and would very much like to visit again but Hildebrand has old friends in the Midwest and the South-West. He may never be able to see them again and our time is limited.
Art, Thank you. We will be passing through Albuquerque. Lunch or something sounds great. PM sent.

Can't believe we're actually getting to do this. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 08:46 PM

Thanks Arthur. Both Arthurs. Somehow Arthurs and Arts sound like completely different types. Arthurs as English butlers and Arts as American urban dwellers. Must be the movies.
Anyway we should be able to meet two Arts and a Big Jim so far, all being well. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Amos
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 10:39 PM

Joybell:

Come back to California via the southern route, if you like: running down to Interstate 8 from Phoenix and across from Gila Bend to Yuma and thence to San Diego.

We can give you a night's lodging and a visit and you can be in LA the following morning!


Amos

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 09:28 AM

Joy Bell, as you know, I'm in Indianapolis. If you're coming to Indiana, (depending on where in Indiana your birthday party is to be, and how much slack may be in your timing) is there any potentiality at all of making connections? It would be fun to meet my farthest-flung CD customer!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 03:22 PM

Well it's only a couple of mountain passes (be sure to click on "next" to get the full panorama) from NM to the Banana Belt of CO; but, of course that early in the year, it could be a hair-raising drive!**bg** (I know it's too far outta yer way, this time, but you KNOW you are welcome, anytime!) Please give Art and Carol a big HUG from me!

Have fun and take pictures!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 04:43 PM

Joy Bell, if your route and your time makes it possible to do it, drop in at our house and we'll guarantee to feed you a wonderful dinner. My wife is one of the world's great cooks, and I don't do so badly myself!

Alternatively, maybe at a restaurant at some point that's convenient, or whatever. If there's any possibility, PM me, please!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 06:03 PM

Uncle Dave, How wonderful. We'd love to meet you. We'll be right nearby in Bloomington. Also I once saw your bear fountain in the middle of Indianapolis. I really like it a lot. Your wife's cooking, your singing and the bears. Yes! That would be great.

Amos, Thank you so much. Your singing and a meeting with you would be great too. The way back sounds like a good time.

Kat, We'd so love to meet you, but it's a bit far from our route. We'll ring you from the other side of the Rockies and wave from the highest point. Maybe yodel loud. Hildebrand can manage that. Never could yodel myself.
                            Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 07:18 PM

I await your passing through my area with the keenest anticipation! I envy your appointment with Art. He's one of my favorite performers and has graced me with some of his unreleased material which I have used on my radio show in times past (and times to come!). I met him briefly several years back.
For those 'Caters reading this thread, Joybell and Hildebrand have a new CD that they sent me recently, and it is quite good. I've got some of it scheduled to play on the show as well. It is fun to listen to some folksongs (many are American, or at least have American versions) that have been filtered through the Australian folk process.
See you soon.          Big Jim Hickam

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: karen k
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 07:28 PM

Have a great time! Next time I hope you make the east coast part of your trip. New England is beautiful in the fall. I'd love to meet my 2003 secret santa.

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 08:01 PM

Thank you Karen. I'd love to meet you too. We'd really like to include New England as we visit. Maybe one day.

Big Jim, We're looking forward to lunch with you too.

The CD is a sort of his and hers one with Hildebrand singing American traditional songs in his American way and me singing (mostly) American parlour songs in my Australian way. Makes for a strange mix when we sing together. The Aussie filter actually only affects the songs I sing and then it's mainly just the accent. The American songs I sing came here in the 19th century and didn't change much. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 01:26 AM

J. and G.,

Just a reminder. We'll be gone the first few days of April for Carol's parents 60th anniversary.

Art

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Mudlark
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 02:29 AM

If you're going to be in California, I'm halfway between LA and SF, only 10 mi. from major N-S freeway, in beautiful country, and would love to have you visit. I may be in Canada the last half of April...if you think you might be able to make it, let me know an about date. Sounds like you've got a great trip planned already! Have fun, and hope to see you.

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 07:05 AM

new CD, Joy? A companion to 'Still a Mem'ry living' I want it!

I assume you won't be at the National if you're gadding overseas soon after, so tell me the cost & I'll send a chq.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: pdq
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 04:29 PM

This has been an exceptional year for rain in the Southwest desert areas. Record wildflower displays are expected:

       Desert Wildflower Info.

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 06:02 PM

No worries, Art. I think it might be the 11th of April if that suits you. We'll keep in touch as we go anyway.

Mudlark, thank you we'd love to see you but I think by the time we are on our way back, early May, you will be in Canada. I'll post here when I can as we go, though.

Sandra, We sent "Just a Mem'ry Living" to Big Jim. It's possible that Hildebrand's accent has become less American - to Americans, hence Jim's comment about the "Australian folk filter". That will all change as soon as he sets foot on his home soil. Iowa small-town boy isn't far below the surface.
Did I give you "Joy"(just me) and "Together Again Again" (Hildebrand and O'Leary)? Also we've just got hold of some early Hildebrand. Live recordings from Loas and then Melbourne. A bit raw but with great energy and a feel you can't get in a studio. I'll PM you about those.

pdq, thank you. I'm having a great time at that site. I've never seen the desert (or anywhere else in America for that matter) in the Spring. I'm drawn to wild places and wildflowers.

Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 06:42 PM

It seems it will be a special year for wildflowers in the South West. Packed the magnifying glass and the binoculars, pouring over the bird book and the plant pictures. Hoping to get in a bit of walking around in the grasslands and the desert, while I'm still able.
(##%***# Curse the strange autoimmune syndrome my ancestors have bequeathed me.)
Anyway! Of that we'll have none!!
We're nearly on our way! Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:02 AM

Joy - send me a postcard & don't forget to post if you can while you are travelling.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 09:40 PM

Yes Sandra, we'd love to. Where does your fancy lie? California? Arizona? New Mexico? Colorado (South-East corner)? Hildebrand's old home town in Iowa? A mixture? Joshua trees? Funny animals? Desert? Cowboys? Aliens at Roswell?
We'll take lots of photos too.
We'll visit Big Jim of Jackson, Uncle-DaveO, Art Theime, artbrooks and Amos. Hurray!!
And yes I'll keep posting as we go.
We land in Sydney on the way but we stay on the plane it seems. I'll wave as we take off over you.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 07:58 AM

yes, please!! as I type this, I'm facing a wall decorated by a few lovely postcards sent by Mary in Kentucky & have space for a few more.

if you are returning via Sydney & stopping for a while, I could probably come out to the airport

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 05:46 PM

Sandra, Thank you. I don't know how the return trip goes. Last time, 10 years ago, we stopped over in Auckland in the middle of the night. It was pretty wierd. Everything was closed up and we seemed to be the only living beings there. I don't know where all the flight crew were. Maybe there was a VIP area or something and we didn't belong. Eventually a plane arrived, and we were invited on. Sort of like catching a bus.
I'll try to find out about the return trip in time to let you know. Hurray! Hurray! Off soon. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: GUEST,sandra in sydney walking thru the backdoor
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 08:05 AM

I think Mudcat just went down - I tried to post this & Mudcat was not found, same happened when I refreshed. As it was taking forever to load & I did not want to lose this masterpiece I copied it!!

.........

sounds like the last person to leave NZ really did turn out the lights

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: JennyO
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 08:06 AM

Have fun, you lucky-ducks! I'd love to do a trip like that, one day. We'll be following your movements with interest.

Well, at least some of us homebound Ozcats have the National to look forward to.

Stay safe, Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: JennyO
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 08:10 AM

Funny thing that, Sandra. I just had a post all ready to go too, when it went down, so I came in the back door and copy/pasted. I was just about to post as a guest, when I thought - I'll try it again, just in case - and lo and behold, it was back. I'm not holding my breath tho - might be gone again soon. I wonder how the people in chat are doing, with those revolving doors?

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 10:51 PM

Thanks for the well-wishes JennyO. Have a lovely time at the National. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: pdq
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 12:19 PM

Is there any news about Joybell and her great adventure?

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 06:19 PM

No not quite yet. 5 more sleeps to go!!!! Then it's into the stomach of the big metal bird. I think I'd be less frightened if they flapped their wings a bit. Seems so unnatural to fly without doing that.
We're packing and unpacking our bags. Just taking carry-on ones. I've got maps and info about things to see on the way and of course directions to several Mudcatter's places.
Just found the prairie dog town in Kansas on the road we're taking. I really like prairie dogs. And chipmonks, squirrels and marmots - all the rodent types really. AND the singing of coyotes. One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. I hope I'll hear that again.
I'm so excited. As soon as we start our adventure I'll post a new thread for the road. It will be such fun to share it all with my friends. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Celtaddict
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 08:38 AM

Have a fantastic trip, and do give good thought to hitting New England next time. (And karen k is right, October is heaven here.)

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 09:19 AM

How did I miss this thread? I'm sure I posted to it, but I don't see that post. Must have vanished in the ether in one of Mudcat's down times.

Joybell, I'm in the large urban area in North Texas (not to be confused with the Texas Panhandle) of Fort Worth, to the left of Dallas by about 45 miles. If you're passing through Texas and happen to find yourself in this part of the state and needing a place to stay, please get in touch. I'll send my information PM.

There's a lot going on in Dallas and Fort Worth, though I'm mostly a homebody and don't get out to do it much (I'm remodeling my house still. . . that's the moneypit we live with). However, we make exceptions for company (I think that is a time honored tradition around the world--you only get out to see the local attractions when you have out of town visitors!) If you can overlook the incompletely tiled floors, we do have a guest room and you're more than welcome to stop by. We have some favorite little day-trips for visitors to see the area around here.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Alba
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 09:32 AM

I'm sure you and True-Love will have a marvelous time Joybell.
I'm with Celtaddict though, swing by New England in the Fall next time......You can hear the Coyotes singing all night at my place:>)
Let the SW adventure begin......
Have a safe and pleasant Flight both of You and look forward to reading your Mudcat Travel Journal
Blessings
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 07:26 PM

I feel rather overwhelmed by the thoughts from my friends here. Thank you so much.
Stilly River Sage, It just might work out. Thank you. I'll keep in touch. We are homebodies too. Can't believe we are actually doing this.
Jude, So you have Coyotes up there? Enough for a chorus. That's great. Fall in New England sounds so lovely and there are so many of you around there. True-Love spent 4 years there, working Summers out West. He's told me about it. I'd love to visit. Didn't think we'd ever be able to get the money together this time, and we did, so maybe one day.

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 07:27 PM

Forgot to sign off. To excited to think straight. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 07:35 PM

We have coyotes and foxes here as well, though their habitat is impacted by growing housing areas around us. If you do your coyote singing along with star-gazing, best do it in other parts of the U.S. if you want to get a look at the sky from the Northern Hemisphere. Too much light pollution here.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 11:03 PM

Joybell, when in California, any plans to go up the coast to the San Francisco bay area? just let us know, and we'll have a session/singaround/dinner/see the sites.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 26 Mar 05 - 08:27 AM

Joybell, I PMed you our Cellphone number for when you are in and around Southern California.

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 26 Mar 05 - 09:51 PM

Chanteyranger, I do wish we could come up further North, but we can't this time. Thank you so much for the invitation. It would have been such fun.
Dave's Wife, Thank you. I've PMed you back. That might just work out for the last day of our adventure. Our flight back home is late at night.
Stilly River Sage, We'll be on the high desert in New Mexico for a bit and the city lights haven't reached there yet. We are willing to brave the big cities on our way if it means meeting Mudcat friends, though. I've been studying those web-sites you gave me a while back - about grasslands and wildflowers. They were really helpful. Thank you.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 02:28 AM

Another time, then. Have a great time while out west!

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: Joybell & True-Love to visit SW USA
From: Joybell
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 06:06 PM

Thanks, Chanteyranger. It's nearly time for the adventure to begin. Cheers, Joy