Tues. Sept. 12
It wasn't until I pulled off the road west bound and turned in the opposite direction did I come face to face with a perfect full moon rising. I had spent the last hour and a half driving into a setting sun on the Indiana toll road and now it was dark and my stomach was reminding me it was empty, and that I needed a plan for the night.

I had never taken this exit before and I wasn't sure where to go or what to expect, but it didn't really matter because the radio was good. The "Crossings" show on WGCS out of Goshen College was playing a great blend of Donna The Buffalo, new Greg Brown, and old Jim Croce. Even though my bladder was full I seemed to be looking for an excuse to keep driving.

After driving into downtown South Bend and finding no sign of civilization I turned around and headed back out into the strip where all the ubiquitous establishments await the modern traveler. I settled on a Wendy's where I can expect fresh and cheap greens, and enough French fries to feel grounded. There I came to the realization that I needed to get back on the toll road and drive west to the next travel stop to park for the night.

I had just passed this way only a week ago on a round trip from Massachusetts out to the Fox Valley Festival in Geneva, IL (near Chicago) with Lui Collins. 32 hours of driving for 12 hours of festival, but it really was worth it. The festival itself is held in a park on an island in the middle of the Fox River. What made this festival unique to me is that it was an ideal mix of contemporary songwriters and old-time music. There was jamming going on in every nook and cranny. There seemed to be a lot of duos at this festival as well. Lui and I shared various stages with Peter & Lou Berryman (first time I'd ever seen them - just hilarious!) Small Potatoes, and Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen whom I adore.

Tonight, the tractor-trailer parking lot looked almost peaceful as I found my own berth. The snoring giants slept in the golden wash of the flood lamps; a campground in disguise. I retired early into my own tent on wheels. Years ago I set a tent to camp within 10 feet of Dillon Falls on the Deschutes River in Central Oregon. The roar of white water entered my dreams and vanished there while I slept.

Here in Indiana, in my makeshift bed, I open a book of Gary Snyder. The white noise of traffic on the toll road grew more distant as I merged into the wilderness of Snyder's world. My gear all around me: head next to speakers, amp at my elbow, guitar at my knees, snug but not cramped, I am comfortable. Most of all I realize I am free in this wilderness, and what my survival depends on is how fruitful the harvest of the next concert will be.

Mon. Sept 18th
Here and now in California life shifts another notch. Two days ago I received an e-mail from the agent in England that is booking my UK tour next spring. She informed me that the Shetland Folk Festival is interested in hiring me. I am thrilled. This morning I awake from a dream of boarding a ship in Aberdeen, Scotland to sail to the Shetland Islands. I see life a bit differently now that I am aware of this new destination. Today I drive through Bay Area traffic, south to Monterey to go on KKUP to promote a show tomorrow night. I drive past artichoke fields between Hwy. 1 and the Pacific Ocean and realize I am a half a world and a half a year away from Aberdeen.

That's it for now. Thank you for your interest in these words. I appreciate your comments. You can leave them in my guestbook. I look forward to hearing from you.

'Till next time.
All the best, Dana