Fiddlin' and Purplin'

Left the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville behind this morning. But not before Andrew and Robbie valiantly rescued a bag of new Rooster t-shirs from a dumpster where they had been inadvertently tossed (should probably wash those things). The air cooled and we settled in for the trip as we entered the calm and verdant Washington National Forest. The the Bluebird panting, engine screaming, 10 cars patiently following our 20 mph bus-imposed speed limit as we struggled up another pass, switchbacks, 9% grade. And whoosh, back down the other side. Thank God for air brakes! This happened a few times but 4 hours and 161 miles later we find ourselves in Thomas, WV at the Purple Fiddle. This place is cool. Mountain arts cool. And the lemonade/iced tea is to die for! Unfortunately we cannot take part too much in the excellent beer selection ("Dead Man's Ale, "Chipotle Brew") as we intend to take off after the show tonight and push through to Atlanta for tomorrow's musical escapade (14 hour drive, more mountains).

Andy testing out the upright pianny:

We are intensely looking forward to playing tonight and, though we do not have a fiddle, we intend to bring some Purple. Thanks for checking in blogmonauts...