Rockabilly Night

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/

Band - Craic Haus - https://www.craichaus.com/

Location - Riley's Farms - https://rileysfarm.com/

Three Days and No Agenda

Iconic sight on the boardwalk

The sun rose over the eastern canyons of Laugna Beach with a brightness that promised well needed warmth.

Thank goodness for the rising sun

Warmth requested at a beach community in Southern California even during winter seemed a little farfetched but when J and L left their suite at the Laguna Canyon Resort for a day’s outing recently the thermometer in the car registered a dismal 32 degrees – yes, freezing!

May not look like it but it was cold!!

Uncalled for – undemocratic – unearthly – unwarm – and downright chilly.

The Resort was only a minute from the Coast Highway but in that short drive we gained the sight of the blue ocean and ten degrees. The day was looking promising for wandering the sights of the eclectic world of Laguna Beach with its myriad of enticing shops and delicious restaurants.

Chilly but a sweater did the trick.

What better place to have a breakfast while watching the glint of sun skid across the Pacific toward the outlying island of Catalina only twenty-six miles to the west? We found the Cliff and a marvelous breakfast while watching paddle boarders making their way southward over the clear blue waters.

Yes, the day was going to be fabulous with the clear skies, full stomach and nothing on the agenda – literally nothing.

Laguna Beach - a beautiful place to visit

Normally when on an outing J and L ensure there is no downtime with the belief that life is short and every second of traveling needs to be full of exploration but on this three day holiday to the coast no plans except relaxing and walking the crowded and welcoming streets of this idyllic beach town of nearly 23,000 souls.

Laguna Beach was founded in 1887 even though people had been living in the region far before that; the Native American tribe Tongva lived there centuries before the white settlers ventured down the canyons created millions by the San Diego Creek carving its way through the San Joaquin Hills. Then in 1944, the actual town of Laguna Beach was created and the rest is history.

New Orleans? No, Laguna Beach.

The storybook town has played host to many Hollywood movers and shakers including Betty Gable, Mickey Rooney, Charlie Chaplin and even today people like marine artist Robert Wyland, comedian Rita Rudner, tennis champion Rick Leach and Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker call the small water front community home.

It is a city rich in history and things to do – obviously the clear waters beckon surfers, paddle boarders, kayakers, divers, and just those who want to push bare toes into the white sand looking out over the calming effect of the Pacific Ocean. Just a few miles south of Newport Beach lies this almost villagesque locale which boasts over three million tourists per year making tourism its number one industry.

A view and a cold local brew - Paradise

In the afternoon visitors often grab cocktails or a bite from rooftop restaurants with only the horizon for their view. 

Sunsets are something to behold as the light slowly dissipates into the blue waters just over the curvature of the earth and sometimes – just sometimes that green flash can be seen when the sun says goodnight. J has been fortunate enough to see two of these extremely rare phenomena in Mexico but not on this trip to Laguna Beach though the sunsets were spectacular in themselves.

Unfortunately not our photograph

What exactly is a green flash? Isn't that just a myth? Only to those who never had the chance to see it for themselves. The green flash is a result of refraction most likely seen in clear, stable air when the light from the setting sun can reach the observer without being scattered. You might expect to see a blue flash since we know the sky is blue as blue light is refracted most of all in the spectrum, and thus the last of the light from the sun to reach us before it dips below the horizon. But in a blue sky, the blue is preferentially scattered and that last beam appears green.

Three days, actually two and a half when including drive time, with no plans was a perfect way to settle down after the holidays. Of course, there will be a couple more follow-up blogs about this trip and what was leaned about what is going on in Laguna Beach but for now it was just nice to write about doing nothing but enjoying the time together. Sure, we relaxed but the camera and notes were part of the mini-vacation as always.