Beyer's Byways is a blog for travelers and curiosity seekers desiring to see and know about the world. John R. Beyer, award-winning columnist with the USA Today Gannett Network, shares insights from his travel column with a broad audience.
From our own backyard to destinations far and wide, we seek to research, explore, and share the discoveries we make. Whether it's about people or places, near or remote, we hope you find something of interest to you here.
When J was asked if he would be interested in attending a 'Rockabilly' evening at Riley's Farms in Oak Glen, he just stared straight ahead.
"A rockabilly thingie? Hmmm, Okay."
In a past blog, J and L wrote about taking middle school students to Riley's Farms for a historical perspective on the Civil War. A great learning experience was had by all - both students, staff, and parental chaperones.
But now a 'Rockabilly' event?
No, it was not another school field trip but simply an event of great music from the 1950's performed by a very talented band, awesome food and dancing for hours by the patrons. J and L, along with two of their daughters (Erica and Jessica) and their husbands (Brandon and Justin) would be the total for this family field trip.
Laureen, Erica and Jessica ready to Rockabilly
A little research showed that the Rockabilly is one of the earliest forms of rock and roll in the United States. It started in the South with the mixed sounds of country and rhythm and blues - this is, of course, the beginning of all rock and roll. The mention of 'billy' comes from the combination of 'hillbilly' music which forms many of the unique sounds of this forties and fifties invention into the music world.
This is where the legends of Johnny Cash, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others were made. A fast paced and electrifying sound that is as much appreciated today as it was in it's infancy.
That was apparent as those who gathered for this Rockabilly event were all festooned in their time period getup's - girls in crinolined skirts and the guys with jeans with curled up pant legs. We had transported sixty years into the past for the evening and forget in which century we belonged for a few hours.
The family posing with their good friend Andrew
Erica and Brandon doing their Rockabilly thing
Rockabilly has its fans but most don't know the intensity it has with some musicians.
As Brian Setzer of 'Stray Cats' once said; "McCartney! Haven't met him and haven't played with him. I would love to. He needs to make a kick-ass rockabilly record."
This sound moves every inch of fiber in a person's body. "It's electrifying," as John Travolta exclaimed in the 1978 film 'Grease.' Now he might of been describing love but we like to think he was talking about the music of the time.
J and L enjoying a respite from the fast dances
J and L thought it would be fun for just the six of us - but we were wrong. In reality, J and L met up with two old friends, Andrew Lizotte and David Page, who had taken the short ride to Riley's Farms and the duo made many more friends on the dance floor.
The Rockabilly fans with their friend David
For a very reasonable expense the evening started at 6 p.m. and flowed into the hours nearing 10 p.m. After a very tasty dinner, featuring menu items named 'The Big Bopper,' the 'Elvis Special' and other delights, most of the guests were quite satisfied they had gotten their money's worth. Dancing to this music is not for the faint of heart - actually, one could lose a heartbeat or two jumping and jiving like the crowd did on this particular night.
There was more than one end of a fast-paced song and dance that, yes, even youngsters in their twenties went huffing and puffing to find a chair being glad the band had struck the final note. People made their way back to the tables for a lung full of breath, a napkin to wipe the perspiration off the forehead, and perhaps a sip of a cool libation.
J dancing with daughter, Jessica - or at least trying to
Fitbits were screaming with results of steps. It was a night of continual movement and excitement.
The band, Craic House, seemed not to take a break and played on and on to the delight of the patrons.
This band was great! They had originally formed under the drummer, Danny Oberbeck, and have been around over fourteen years playing what they refer to as 'Shamrockabilly'. Their special type of sound has been performed at over 2,000 concerts and in the summer of 2017 they toured Europe.
The Craic Haus at Riley's Farms
Craic Haus means 'Funhouse' not like a Crack House
As said, a good time was had by all.
There isn't much to say except when a chance comes to shake the dust off of one's feet - always take it. Blood pumping through the veins with raucous music and crazily moving feet can do more for a person than sitting on the sofa wondering why there are three hundred channels available but nothing to watch.
So, when exploring one's own backyard for things to do realize there is so much that there is not enough time in one's life.
And who knows? There may be a hot rod to pose by
Check newspapers, Facebook, etc to find events happening near you and go out find them. And if a dance or concert you are going to, don't worry how you look on the dance floor. There are plenty of others much worse on their feet.
Move, dance. smile, and be glad to be alive in the moment because it is only the moment's that make up the path of a full life.
The end of a perfect evening or perhaps the beginning of one
All photos were shot in black and white for effect by Justin Barr - https://www.justinbarrphotography.com/
The late lead singer, Freddie Mercury of Queen enthralled fans with the first line of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' from the bands 1975 album, 'A Night at the Opera'.
That's Freddie Fender hiding behind the boa
"Is this the real life, is this just fantasy?"
That's how J and L felt as we stood looking over the quaint centuries old city streets of a village somewhere in Europe. The weather was rather chilly for almost summer with clouds threatening sprinkles at any moment.
But this wasn't Europe.
Could be snow, if not rain very soon.
We were at Universal Studios Hollywood and marveling at what we were staring out in every direction. It really, really looked perfectly authentic down to the cobblestone streets of a village we have seen in our actual travels in Europe. But, NO, this was Southern California in May.
The day and evening were spent with two of our four daughters (Erica and Jessica) and their husbands (Brandon and Justin) as we meandered around the nearly 420 acres of Universal Studios Hollywood - not to be mistaken by Universal Studios Orlando.
The crew excited to explore
Thanks to the brilliance and creativity of writer J. K. Rowling we were standing on a street corner in Diagon Alley - a place where Harry, Hermione, and Ron spent many hours looking through fabulous stores full of imagination, sorcery and magic. They learned many lessons here that were used for the multitude of adventures they were involved in during their education at Hogwarts.
Kudos to Ms. Rowling - due to her, we believe, were created a generation of readers. Our own four daughters among that generation.
Back to Queen and the idea of mistaking reality for fantasy is not as far a leap as one would think while looking down the many streets of the mock village down from the mountaintop home of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Hogwarts in the rear and Jessica photo bombing
A different view of Hogwarts at night - simply magical - oh, it was wasn't it?
The talent of architecture at Universal was plain to see while visiting such shops as Ollivanders the makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, or Honeydukes while sampling some of the most 'scrumptious sweets and beguiling delights', or downing a pint of ale at Hog's Head (also, some of the best Butter Beer around), and of course having dinner at the Three Broomsticks.
The Wand will choose you...
Erica was chosen by the wand - magical it was.
I command you to work - and it did - a light went on or something like that.
Every building was created with the illusion of being built many many centuries ago when handicraft meant everything, and appeared to be made by hand. Brick facades, actually carefully formed foam resembling actual brick exteriors, which gave that ancient look all the way around including to tilted - sometimes crazily tilted - chimneys.
Those are some 'crazeeee' chimneys - wonder if they are up to SOCAL code?
Of course, there was more than just Harry Potter Land (J's name for it) as Universal has created the famed city of Springfield where the animated family Simpsons reside, and a plethora of other attractions to keep the entire family entertained.
Yes, they even sell Duff beer - which made Brandon, J and Justin happy.
But be careful to not have too many - the cops will be looking for you!
A must is the 'The world-famous studio tour' which is actually quite fun and educational as a hour ride takes guests through the back lots of Universal. It gives the visitor a chance to see locations of where some very famous films were made as well as two great '3D-HD' attractions including the 'Fast and Furious' and 'King Kong' as well a street scene used in Tom Cruise's film, 'War of the Worlds'.
Looks like Santa had a bad day during the filming of War of the Worlds
Every detail at Universal Studios is created to represent reality or is it fantasy representing reality? A little confusing here and to prove it there are full New York City streets which are nothing more than plywood facades reaching for the sky. Blue screens behind a large empty pool which in a few minutes of movie magic can be turned into an ocean with a poor bloke being chased by 'smokers' as he bravely tries to outrun them to the sanctuary of the floating city. Scene out of 'Water World' starring Kevin Kostner - J wasn't in the film or was he?
Keep gunning it brave soul - you will outrun the smokers - maybe not though
Universal has a twenty minute heart pounding adventure with people on fire, taking high dives of collapsing structures, shooting at each other, jokes, and just all around fun. A time to sit back and watch some amazing talented actors showing what the earth would be like without land.
When the 'Deacon' takes over the Sanctuary, there is heck to pay.
The Deacon even loses his only chance of escape - too sad, too bad.
Of course the house and motel from 'Psycho' are also in the back lot and as the guest tram drives by the scene, a sedan is seen with it's trunk open and suddenly from the hotel marches Norman Bates carrying a female body which he unceremoniously dumps into the open trunk. Not much into chivalry, but what serial killer is?
Norman, that is not the way for a positive cash flow!
As the tram slowly, very slowly moves on Norman withdraws a huge butcher knife and chases after the tram with people screaming and taking photos of the crazed madman.
Luckily, to the date of our visit, Norman hasn't caught up to any of the trams and we hope that it continues that way in the foreseeable future. Of course, depends on who may be on that tram - hmmm. A little gallows humor there.
Of course, there are also rides where blockbusters are featured. Jurassic Park, Despicable Me, Transformers, Kung Fu Panda, Revenge of the Mummy, and much more. There is so much to do that one day may not be enough. Though a day is a pretty long time walking, talking, laughing, and screaming. By night - we all were tired but thrilled to have spent a day together really enjoying the magic of Hollywood.
Welcome, but no feeding the Raptors
Again, in the world of J and L we encourage everyone to go out and research and explore at every opportunity. We traveled a short hour to explore an amusement park with our adult children and did the research to make it more of a learning experience for ourselves than just a day on rides. But that's okay too - just get out and explore. And be a grown-up child every now and then.
We like it that way and hope everyone feels the same.
And Freddie - we loved Bohemian Rhapsody and we're pretty sure J. K. Rowlings does, too, with this quotation from her 2007 novel, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows': "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"
L leaving a bistro in Paris - or is she?
We especially wish to thank Justin Barr for the photographs in this blog. At least ninety-nine percent of the pictures for the day were taken by his expert photographer hands. One or two were probably mistakenly placed here by J from his smartphone. We apologize!
We will leave you with this, as we share our magical memories of a Mother's Day/Father's Day and the power of imagination:
There are few things as quintessentially American as baseball. You know the saying, "As American as baseball and apple pie." Well, as spring winds to a close, and the weather warms as summer approaches, you can begin to smell the fragrant green grass, popcorn, hot dogs and barbecue, oh, and yeah, you can even smell the beer.
Warming up
Catcher and Author
Not a huge fan of watching sports (we'd rather be active ourselves), we still find ourselves being drawn into the game every season. From book signings, ceremonial first pitches, western acting, to watching our daughter and son-in-law sing the national anthem, we have been taken out to the ball game. Oh, yes, there was also a minor league game or two thrown into this glorious summer mix. And these minor league players have heart -- they don't make the big bucks of the major league -- so they play with heart and soul, for the love of the game, and their loyal fans.
Love is in the air
It wouldn't be American without Cowboys
So get off your couch this summer and get out there with friends and family. Watch the game, play the game, just get in the game!
With the release of John's latest novel, 'Soft Target', just around the corner (May 17th) the idea of a trailer seemed appropriate. After all, the filming of 'Hunted' was not only fun but sent a quick message to viewers of what the book was all about. So on Saturday the 19th of April, a trailer for 'Soft Target' was shot on location at a nearby middle school in the Victor Valley of Southern California.
The photographer and the mayhem
Director at work
A group of Islamic Terrorists endeavor to repeat the school takeover their counterparts conducted in the small Russian village of Beslan in 2004 where hundreds of innocent youngsters and adults were murdered. This time their target is an American middle school to spread terror and mayhem from misguided beliefs and point out to the citizens of the United States that no one, is safe from the perverted homicidal thoughts they harbor in their black hearts. But they did not count on Yuri Sharikov, an ex-special purposes commander who was there in Beslan and saw the slaughter first hand. It's the one man they wanted to taunt but not face.
Sounds exciting - well, back to the trailer.
A simple task this filming business?
Not so much.
This is how you hold the hostage
Twenty middle school students and numerous adults as extras, two video photographers, a 'behind the scenes' photography professional (Justin Barr), and the students parents. Not at all intimidating for John's first role as 'Director'.
Make-up, director, and more
Acting lessons from a pro
Wrong - very stressful for the author to direct an advertisement for his new novel. Thankfully he had on hand two extremely accomplished and experienced people to guide him through the process. Old friend Terry Kurtz (who had shot the trailer for 'Hunted' back in 2013) and James Fuentez who can read a script and pinpoint where the camera needs to be at every shot with the precision of a drone strike. The novelist breathed easier with these two guys by his side.
Three opinions -- one great shoot!
Fun was had by all with the director yelling directions (that's what they do) and children running in fear for their lives from would-be terrorists.
Running, screaming, more running, more screaming, terrorists barking orders while waving guns (not loaded and triple checked) more terrorists barking orders and more yelling by the director.
It was a blast!
Parents smiling, students believing they are now worthy of a star in Hollywood (not mentioning some of the adults who took part), and finally those wonderful words; "It's a wrap - let's go home."
The trailer's a wrap!
Will the trailer be successful? That's a question only the sales of the novel will answer but from an inside point of view it was certainly a success for all those who participated on that warm and sunny day.
