We were caravaning to San Simeon. The whole lot of us in a formation driving down the 1. Billy led the way in his car and behind him there was Ed in his rental, Bobby and I, Matt, and Jeff in Jeff's car, Stevie behind them and Tom in his car. Al and Maryann bringing up the rear - way back. It was a very beautiful drive I have to say having now seen it in the daylight. Very wind-ee tho. We stopped as we got into San Simeon at the beach with the Elephant Seals on them. These are ginormous animals and all they do is lay in the sun, throw sand on themselves or play in the surf. It was fun to see. We were all out of our cars watching them. I even had a big fat squirrel come up and beg for food. I had never seen that before. Obviously they get so many people there that he's used to being fed when there is.
Once we were done observing we got back in to the cars and pulled up to Hearst Castle. Actually the Dairy Barn. Its not really a dairy barn though. Its a barn converted to a party venue that was quite stunning in all its wood richness and decor. It was so far away from the Castle you couldn't even see it from where we were. The Hearst family did own 40,000 acres so its not surprising. The barn was also quite hot and humid and while they all unloaded the boys were sweating away. There to greet us was Dewey Bunnell from the band America. I'm sure I met Dewey before but its been a number of years. He had his wife Penny with him and her friend Kelly. They were super cool ladies! I could tell I'd have fun with them later on at the party! Dewey was a super sweetie too. He was so happy to see everyone he hadn't seen in years. He and Bobby were sharing memories left and right. Dewey was going to sit in with Al on a number of the new songs plus he was going to perform a couple of America hits.
It was another long soundcheck afternoon and I took some photos but also helped Maryann put some special stickers on the cd's they were putting on the tables for the very high society guests. This event we were attending was for the Preservation of Hearst Castle society. Very high and mighty with some celebrity clientele.
Once soundcheck was over, we jumped on a shuttle bus and got to be taken on a short but VIP tour of Hearst Castle. I had never been there so I was excited to finally get there and see a few things. Especially the Neptune Pool. Everyone wanted a chance to dip in it, but we just wouldn't have had the time. The tour was very stunning. A lot of old artifacts and stunning views but we had only hit a scratch of what was all there. I got a great shot of some of the boys posing with the statue of David in the indoor pool gallery. Marnie had been wearing her bathing suit under her clothes and was determined if she got one chance she was going in that pool. She did get her chance and she was in and out in 5 minutes! Billy told her as long as she made it quick he would let her go. We had some snacks and drinks and then had to get a move on to our hotel which we all had yet to check into.
It was a Best Western hotel but sitting right on the edge of the ocean and we were all privelaged to have these spectacular ocean views with the sunset. Also sitting on our tables in our rooms was a nice bag of swag from the presentation people. Fun stuff inside especially for the girls. The guys wee all moaning later at the gig that it was mostly for the girls. (true, perfume, makeup, pretty stuff..we all were happy!) We all carpooled back to the gig that night where we were to eat supper and then the band played. Well we were there for nearly an hour before supper was served and this bunch of guys were starving. I've never seen men jump on h'orderves (sp?) like they all did, but I also had to remember that they hadn't eaten since we had breakfast in Big Sur that morning. Meanwhile I was feeling nice and toasty with my two glasses of wine. On a empty stomach. Wow was I having fun then! The food was really great and the spirits flowed freely that night. Penny Bunnell and her friend Kelly were feeling as good as I was. By the time the boys breached the stage I was a very happy person. I danced while they played, and I NEVER do that. (too embarassed) but Penny pulled me up and we bopped around. The band sounded wonderful and most of the crowd was up dancing around including actress Fran Drescher who was the host that evening.
We left about midnight or so. Bobby and I rode with Marnie and Adam and they were next door to us at the hotel. The four of us decided to go out to the firepit on the beach and drink some more wine and tell stories. We were eventually joined by Matt and Jared who was feeling so good he dropped both his cell phone and his camera in the fire pit. No word yet on if he ruined them..lol.
About an hour after that Maryann, Al, Drew and Robbie all joined us too and I poured Maryann and Al a glass of wine from the bottle I seemed to be carrying around with me. Feeling no pain and talking way too much,as I do at times - Bobby made me go to bed. Probably a good thing because the next morning I was in a lot of pain. Breakfast sounded absolutely awful but we had to check out anyways. We ran into Dewey and Penny in the parking lot packing up and gave them goodbyes and promises to keep in touch. Also Marnie and Adam who were hanging out a bit longer and Al and Maryanne who asked us to come to their room to pick up some goodies. Al was cleaning out the barn and gave us some old Family and Friends t-shirts and a couple copies of Postcards cd's and some real postcards for the release. (mail them out to everyone!)
All in all it was a super spectacular trip. I hope they do make it an annual event like them mentioned up in Big Sur. I would do it again every year. I sure love these guys!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Big Sur Part 2
We arrived at Henry Miller Library at 2pm all fighting for a good parking spot as spots were at a minimum. The place is compacted against the redwood forest and about a handful of parking was available in front of the venue. Bobby refuses to walk far (Lordy) and we got the last spot on the end. Adam and Marnie ended up parking behind us using what was left of the dirt spot to get their car in there.
The setting was beautiful. Think of an expanded front room out in the woods - I think it was the best setting I've ever seen. My favorite venue Al's played in. Marnie and I sat on the wooden deck across from the stage while the band got their equipment set up. Adam was on the phone making sure his boat was ok. Seems they had a mishap a week ago with the propeller and he was worrying about his baby. Adam LOVES his boat. Marnie and I were joined by my friend LuCindi who was sneaking in to see soundcheck and the venu patrons were going to ask her to leave. Marnie and I talked her into staying and she sat with us to watch what would become a 3 hour soundcheck. Al was determined to get it right. This show was really important to him since he was debuting live a lot of the new songs and he was in his hometown. Most of the new stuff was covered in soundcheck several times over. It was due to the multiple plays of San Simeon and Lookin Down the Coast that I became very fond of these songs. Al wanted them done perfect. Stevie Kalinich came and sat with Marnie, Lu, and I for awhile and he chatted about all the fun he had at Adam and Marnie's wedding in Italy a few years before. Stevie doesn't get on well with over the counter drugs and had a cold while there and got a major buzz on the cold medication.
The people at the Library are super nice - and a bit stuck in hippiedom. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'd just never seen anything like it before.
It was after 5pm when the band got off stage and everyone was ravenous, and starting to get a little cranky because of it. We had to be back at the venue at 7:30 so there was no time to go up to Nepenthe like we had planned and we drove back to the lodge to have dinner there. It wasn't too bad and Tom Jacob joined us as he was just checking in having just driven up from LA prior to soundcheck. So now we had Tom, Billy, Adam and Marnie who were checking in after the show, and us now at the lodge. We were all scattered too. Bobby and I were at the far end of the grounds - Billy and Tom were in the same complex and Marnie and Adam were down the road from us a little ways.
We were all rushed to get to the show, and again get some parking. Bobby and I rode with Billy that night as we were all trying to do as much carpooling as we could. We squeezed the car up as close as we could to the stage and managed to get two more cars in there. Al's car was already in there from soundcheck earlier as he had ridden home with sons Robbie and Drew. The backstage was the deck behind the actual library and it was decked out with all kinds of yummy lager, some very bold wines and lots of snacks. The only drawback the long lines to the restroom back there. All but Billy and Bobby were dressed for the show so all the guys were using it to get changed in.
Loads of photos were taken and then we made our way to the stage. Stevie was the opening act doing some reciting to the music of the cello. I didn't get to see much of it as we were walking through the crowd at the time and there were loads of people there that night. The place was overflowing with happy locals and Beach Boys fans anticipating this intimate setting. Some were even laying out on a lawn rug placed in front of the stage. LuCindi met me by the side of the stage and we pretty much stayed there throughout the show. I was able to video some of the show - mostly the new stuff, Sail on Sailor and Runaway. And I'm not the best videographer as I tend to focus mostly on Bobby..biased maybe? Lol.
Once the show was done, and to a roaring applause and standing ovation we were all going to head over to Fernwood for the after party that Magnus set up. It was pretty much a bar placed in a motel but it was definitely the place the locals went to hang out. The place was packed and the bartender was actually not very happy about it at all. He was quite rude to the band when they ordered drinks and even denied Jared what he was asking for. We did manage to have some fun though. Bobby and I were still riding with Billy so we got to have a few drinks and not worry about the drive home as Billy doesn't drink. Al and Stevie even had a pint with us and Billy was out on the dance floor with a pretty lady doing some line dancing type moves.
We left when Hinsche left and come to find out later that the bartended got so fed up with all the people there he closed the place down at 11:30pm and made everyone leave! Adam and Marnie with their two friends and neighbors came down to our cabin about midnight and stayed til about 2am while we drank and laughed much to the annoyance of our neighbors I'm quite sure. We were quite loud. Good thing we didn't have anyone else next to us on the other side.
I behaved that night. I let Bobby have all the fun but boy was he going to pay for it the next day with an aching head. We had to drive from Big Sur to San Simeon that morning for the next gig and he was probably in no shape to do it, but he was a trooper and was going to make the effort since I was still too traumatized from the drive up. (at least he got to do it in the daytime!) We were all going to try and meet for breakfast first. We wanted to attempt to eat at Deetjens again but they had already told us the big room was occupied ( I think they just didn't want our noisy party there..lol) so we stopped at the Loma Vista Bakery. Insane prices, but the food was actually fantastic. Jeff Peters had the biggest pancake I had ever seen in my life. Bobby and I had a most awesome omlette with a breakfast salad, which I've never had before. Everyone including Al and MaryAnn joined us that day although they had already eaten. Adam and Marnie were the only ones who missed out and I think it was because they had stopped at Deetjen's. Al when he came out to see us all sitting at a picnic table made the remark "Looks like the last supper here with the Endless Summer Band".
End of Part 2....part 3 next...
The setting was beautiful. Think of an expanded front room out in the woods - I think it was the best setting I've ever seen. My favorite venue Al's played in. Marnie and I sat on the wooden deck across from the stage while the band got their equipment set up. Adam was on the phone making sure his boat was ok. Seems they had a mishap a week ago with the propeller and he was worrying about his baby. Adam LOVES his boat. Marnie and I were joined by my friend LuCindi who was sneaking in to see soundcheck and the venu patrons were going to ask her to leave. Marnie and I talked her into staying and she sat with us to watch what would become a 3 hour soundcheck. Al was determined to get it right. This show was really important to him since he was debuting live a lot of the new songs and he was in his hometown. Most of the new stuff was covered in soundcheck several times over. It was due to the multiple plays of San Simeon and Lookin Down the Coast that I became very fond of these songs. Al wanted them done perfect. Stevie Kalinich came and sat with Marnie, Lu, and I for awhile and he chatted about all the fun he had at Adam and Marnie's wedding in Italy a few years before. Stevie doesn't get on well with over the counter drugs and had a cold while there and got a major buzz on the cold medication.
The people at the Library are super nice - and a bit stuck in hippiedom. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'd just never seen anything like it before.
It was after 5pm when the band got off stage and everyone was ravenous, and starting to get a little cranky because of it. We had to be back at the venue at 7:30 so there was no time to go up to Nepenthe like we had planned and we drove back to the lodge to have dinner there. It wasn't too bad and Tom Jacob joined us as he was just checking in having just driven up from LA prior to soundcheck. So now we had Tom, Billy, Adam and Marnie who were checking in after the show, and us now at the lodge. We were all scattered too. Bobby and I were at the far end of the grounds - Billy and Tom were in the same complex and Marnie and Adam were down the road from us a little ways.
We were all rushed to get to the show, and again get some parking. Bobby and I rode with Billy that night as we were all trying to do as much carpooling as we could. We squeezed the car up as close as we could to the stage and managed to get two more cars in there. Al's car was already in there from soundcheck earlier as he had ridden home with sons Robbie and Drew. The backstage was the deck behind the actual library and it was decked out with all kinds of yummy lager, some very bold wines and lots of snacks. The only drawback the long lines to the restroom back there. All but Billy and Bobby were dressed for the show so all the guys were using it to get changed in.
Loads of photos were taken and then we made our way to the stage. Stevie was the opening act doing some reciting to the music of the cello. I didn't get to see much of it as we were walking through the crowd at the time and there were loads of people there that night. The place was overflowing with happy locals and Beach Boys fans anticipating this intimate setting. Some were even laying out on a lawn rug placed in front of the stage. LuCindi met me by the side of the stage and we pretty much stayed there throughout the show. I was able to video some of the show - mostly the new stuff, Sail on Sailor and Runaway. And I'm not the best videographer as I tend to focus mostly on Bobby..biased maybe? Lol.
Once the show was done, and to a roaring applause and standing ovation we were all going to head over to Fernwood for the after party that Magnus set up. It was pretty much a bar placed in a motel but it was definitely the place the locals went to hang out. The place was packed and the bartender was actually not very happy about it at all. He was quite rude to the band when they ordered drinks and even denied Jared what he was asking for. We did manage to have some fun though. Bobby and I were still riding with Billy so we got to have a few drinks and not worry about the drive home as Billy doesn't drink. Al and Stevie even had a pint with us and Billy was out on the dance floor with a pretty lady doing some line dancing type moves.
We left when Hinsche left and come to find out later that the bartended got so fed up with all the people there he closed the place down at 11:30pm and made everyone leave! Adam and Marnie with their two friends and neighbors came down to our cabin about midnight and stayed til about 2am while we drank and laughed much to the annoyance of our neighbors I'm quite sure. We were quite loud. Good thing we didn't have anyone else next to us on the other side.
I behaved that night. I let Bobby have all the fun but boy was he going to pay for it the next day with an aching head. We had to drive from Big Sur to San Simeon that morning for the next gig and he was probably in no shape to do it, but he was a trooper and was going to make the effort since I was still too traumatized from the drive up. (at least he got to do it in the daytime!) We were all going to try and meet for breakfast first. We wanted to attempt to eat at Deetjens again but they had already told us the big room was occupied ( I think they just didn't want our noisy party there..lol) so we stopped at the Loma Vista Bakery. Insane prices, but the food was actually fantastic. Jeff Peters had the biggest pancake I had ever seen in my life. Bobby and I had a most awesome omlette with a breakfast salad, which I've never had before. Everyone including Al and MaryAnn joined us that day although they had already eaten. Adam and Marnie were the only ones who missed out and I think it was because they had stopped at Deetjen's. Al when he came out to see us all sitting at a picnic table made the remark "Looks like the last supper here with the Endless Summer Band".
End of Part 2....part 3 next...
In Big Sur with the Endless Summer Band
Its been a week so I better get this all written out or it will fade away in my head and never be remembered again! This is why I keep a journal of things because getting old you remember things a whole lot differently than you did at the time of it happening.
I had an early start to head up north. I was told it would be about a 5 1/2 hour drive so I figured I had plenty of time. I got on the 5 freeway and drove stopping at a couple stores on the way and then had some dinner before I got off the main road on the 46. BIG MISTAKE. Had I known how my drive was going to be in the blackness of a northern California evening on HWY 1 I would have left at 6am to get there instead of when I did. Let me explain it to you in detail. Just me, little ole 5 foot nothing me in my little Jeep Compass, on a 60 mile stretch of two lane road that winds in and out of these large mountains jutting up from the sea. Yes I'm sure if I could see in daylight I would see plenty of sea beyond my tires because in a lot of areas it went straight down. Now its pitch black and your rolling down a hill at times getting up to about 45 or 50 and eeek, last second you have another curve to go around that says 25 miles an hour and they aren't kidding cause if you don't, you will either hit the person coming around the other side of you or into the nice black ocean below. You can't see far enough ahead to know where you are and there are no lights from nearby homes until you get to Big Sur. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a light twinkling in a window before in my life!
I found the lodge actually pretty easy and having found the cabin Bobby and I were assigned all the way in the back of the compound next to a large bunch of redwoods I literally fell out of my car and jumped for joy. Bobby having no Television or radio to keep him occupied (this place had no modern conveniences for entertainment. Au Naturel baby) he was looking out the window constantly for my arrival. We unloaded the car and Billy Hinsche drove up from his ride into town. (Not really a town, but the local where he could get wifi) and gave us the lowdown on what he called the massacre of the Big Sur Lodge. We were all supposed to stay at the Lodge but in the last hours it was only Billy, Bobby and myself who were there. Al put up Matt, Jeff Peters and Stevie Kalinich at his house. Magnus, the gentleman who was running the Henry Miller Library was putting up Ed Carter and Jared Dalley at his home. We dubbed them the odd couple Ed and Jared. An unusual pairing to put up together. Adam stayed home.
I could NOT wait to pry open a bottle of wine and pour out my nerves in a couple glasses (more like half a bottle) and relax. We had a wonderful wood burning fireplace in our room and Bobby lit a fire that we kept stoked most of the night to keep it warm and night lighted.
Bobby and I entertained each other by laughing and telling stories we've probably rehashed over the years many times but after a few glasses of vino were funny again.
On Friday morning Billy told us the band was getting together for breakfast down at Deetjens Big Sur Inn. I had passed it the night before and it was one of those places I was happy to see some lights at. It has the tiniest parking lot ever, and Bobby and I were the first there. A very charming little eatery greeted us with all kinds of antiques and woodsy decor. Although the woman who seated us was a bit overbearing she relented finally to give us the main dining room as we were a bit louder and more obnoxious than everyone else in the place. After everyone arrived they even shut the doors on us to keep the volume down. Billy, Jared, Jeff, Stevie, Matt, Ed, Bobby and myself. Matt asked us at breakfast if we wanted to go down to the beach and do a bit of sightseeing. Always up for some sightseeing we all agreed. The only one who passed was Billy as he had some calls to make down at Fernwood or Nepenthe. (Only places anyone could get a signal.) We caravaned over to Al's house and parked at the barn where for the first time I was taken into this reallly fabulous place. It was hard for me to not stare at the walls at all the things Al has accumulated over the years with the Beach Boys. I was the last one to drag myself into the recording studio where Al was sitting strumming his guitar getting ready for the night's show. He told me how happy he was that I finally made it up to Big Sur and that he would love for me to take a walk around and take all the photos I wanted. Well, no need to tell me the photo queen to take photos more than once. I had a field day in there snapping away. We all drifted around for about an hour or two before Matt offered to take us all on a field trip down to the beach. We stretched our legs and got moving down the long driveway and down the 20 minute walk to the beach. Ed and I chatting about health issues and vitamins and such. Ed always has such a beautiful outlook on life and what things are important. Maryann Jardine joined us on our walk and gave us the story of the land on the walk down and some local gossip and such. We stayed down at the beach for about another hour or so playing with the washed up sea kelp and watching Matt and Jared climb the hills so they could get cell reception. We found out later that Jared found out the sex of his baby that is on the way while he was up there on the phone.
We walked back up to the Ranch where we were taken into the vast garden by Maryann and encouraged to pick some goodies. Bobby and I loaded up the car with apples, pears, cilantro, lemon and strawberries from Maryann's garden. There was a sign to look out for Pot Bellied pigs, but I didn't see any but little porkchop, Al and Maryann's dog that looked like a little pot belly..he was adorable.
We visited with Al back in the studio before packing up all the cars to head over to Henry Miller Library for soundcheck...
end of part 1..
I had an early start to head up north. I was told it would be about a 5 1/2 hour drive so I figured I had plenty of time. I got on the 5 freeway and drove stopping at a couple stores on the way and then had some dinner before I got off the main road on the 46. BIG MISTAKE. Had I known how my drive was going to be in the blackness of a northern California evening on HWY 1 I would have left at 6am to get there instead of when I did. Let me explain it to you in detail. Just me, little ole 5 foot nothing me in my little Jeep Compass, on a 60 mile stretch of two lane road that winds in and out of these large mountains jutting up from the sea. Yes I'm sure if I could see in daylight I would see plenty of sea beyond my tires because in a lot of areas it went straight down. Now its pitch black and your rolling down a hill at times getting up to about 45 or 50 and eeek, last second you have another curve to go around that says 25 miles an hour and they aren't kidding cause if you don't, you will either hit the person coming around the other side of you or into the nice black ocean below. You can't see far enough ahead to know where you are and there are no lights from nearby homes until you get to Big Sur. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a light twinkling in a window before in my life!
I found the lodge actually pretty easy and having found the cabin Bobby and I were assigned all the way in the back of the compound next to a large bunch of redwoods I literally fell out of my car and jumped for joy. Bobby having no Television or radio to keep him occupied (this place had no modern conveniences for entertainment. Au Naturel baby) he was looking out the window constantly for my arrival. We unloaded the car and Billy Hinsche drove up from his ride into town. (Not really a town, but the local where he could get wifi) and gave us the lowdown on what he called the massacre of the Big Sur Lodge. We were all supposed to stay at the Lodge but in the last hours it was only Billy, Bobby and myself who were there. Al put up Matt, Jeff Peters and Stevie Kalinich at his house. Magnus, the gentleman who was running the Henry Miller Library was putting up Ed Carter and Jared Dalley at his home. We dubbed them the odd couple Ed and Jared. An unusual pairing to put up together. Adam stayed home.
I could NOT wait to pry open a bottle of wine and pour out my nerves in a couple glasses (more like half a bottle) and relax. We had a wonderful wood burning fireplace in our room and Bobby lit a fire that we kept stoked most of the night to keep it warm and night lighted.
Bobby and I entertained each other by laughing and telling stories we've probably rehashed over the years many times but after a few glasses of vino were funny again.
On Friday morning Billy told us the band was getting together for breakfast down at Deetjens Big Sur Inn. I had passed it the night before and it was one of those places I was happy to see some lights at. It has the tiniest parking lot ever, and Bobby and I were the first there. A very charming little eatery greeted us with all kinds of antiques and woodsy decor. Although the woman who seated us was a bit overbearing she relented finally to give us the main dining room as we were a bit louder and more obnoxious than everyone else in the place. After everyone arrived they even shut the doors on us to keep the volume down. Billy, Jared, Jeff, Stevie, Matt, Ed, Bobby and myself. Matt asked us at breakfast if we wanted to go down to the beach and do a bit of sightseeing. Always up for some sightseeing we all agreed. The only one who passed was Billy as he had some calls to make down at Fernwood or Nepenthe. (Only places anyone could get a signal.) We caravaned over to Al's house and parked at the barn where for the first time I was taken into this reallly fabulous place. It was hard for me to not stare at the walls at all the things Al has accumulated over the years with the Beach Boys. I was the last one to drag myself into the recording studio where Al was sitting strumming his guitar getting ready for the night's show. He told me how happy he was that I finally made it up to Big Sur and that he would love for me to take a walk around and take all the photos I wanted. Well, no need to tell me the photo queen to take photos more than once. I had a field day in there snapping away. We all drifted around for about an hour or two before Matt offered to take us all on a field trip down to the beach. We stretched our legs and got moving down the long driveway and down the 20 minute walk to the beach. Ed and I chatting about health issues and vitamins and such. Ed always has such a beautiful outlook on life and what things are important. Maryann Jardine joined us on our walk and gave us the story of the land on the walk down and some local gossip and such. We stayed down at the beach for about another hour or so playing with the washed up sea kelp and watching Matt and Jared climb the hills so they could get cell reception. We found out later that Jared found out the sex of his baby that is on the way while he was up there on the phone.
We walked back up to the Ranch where we were taken into the vast garden by Maryann and encouraged to pick some goodies. Bobby and I loaded up the car with apples, pears, cilantro, lemon and strawberries from Maryann's garden. There was a sign to look out for Pot Bellied pigs, but I didn't see any but little porkchop, Al and Maryann's dog that looked like a little pot belly..he was adorable.
We visited with Al back in the studio before packing up all the cars to head over to Henry Miller Library for soundcheck...
end of part 1..
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