A White Christmas!

Black Betty and Wyatt with Snowman.

We actually had a real white Christmas this year. I guess we had about 6 inches of snow or so fall on the Hometown Homestead on Christmas day.
It'll be one that we remember for a long time. It was lots of fun with the grandsons Wyatt and Jack!

Wyatt enjoying the moment.

Little Jack with Wyatt's headlamp.

Larry Keel "We Wish You A Larry Christmas"

Nobody can play play it like Larry Keel. Merry Christmas from your Hometown Hiker!

Your Hometown Hiker's Camping Stats 2010

 Gnometown at Buffalo Bill State Park, Cody, WY.

Black Betty and I got in plenty of "bag-nights" camping in our little Gnometown camper this year.
We did our first big trip to the Western States along with our Granddaughters, Aijia and Scout. It was a trip that we'll always cherish, being able to spend quality time with our two delightful girls and exploring the natural wonders of the Black Hills, Badlands, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons.
This road trip ended up at 26 days and 5600 miles. We camped at 5 State Parks, 2 National Parks, and 1 State Recreation Area.

    Hobo Camp at Delfest 2010, Cumberland, MD.

We also were fortunate enough to attend 6 music festivals in 2010 for 15 days and nights of  the best live music played anywhere, anytime. I can't forget  to mention the joy of hanging with all of our Festivarian friends from around the country.
This year we went to Suwannee Springfest near Live Oak, FL, The Keel Family Function in  Lafayette, GA, DelFest in Cumberland MD, Music on the Mountain Top in Boone NC,
DelFest Carolina in Black Mountain, NC, and MagnoliaFest at Live Oak, FL.

   My brother, Matt and I in the Florida Panhandle.

I also managed to pull off 2 bicycle trips this year. In April, I rode with my brother Matt and another friend, Phil Potter for over 400 miles visiting State Parks in Florida. In late September I was able to complete my 5th Cycle North Carolina ride. This year we rode from Asheville to Ocean Isle, North Carolina for another 433 miles or so.

                     With Aijia, Scout, and Black Betty in The Grand Tetons, Wyoming. 


All in all, 2010 turned out to be a great camping year for your Hometown Hiker. With all the numbers totaled I had 41 nights in the little Gnometown pop-up and another 13 tent camping for a total of 54 bag night!
Not bad.....

Your Hometown Hiker's Live Band List 2010

2010 proved to be another great year for live music. Black Betty and I were fortunate enough to see many of these groups numerous times each. There were so many incredible shows, so much inspiring music!

We love each and every musician who poured it on and ripped it unselfishly in order to aid us in our never ending quest for spiritual growth through boogie woogie enlightenment and rock n roll endarkenment!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

When they come to take you down

When they bring that wagon round

When they come to call on you

and drag your poor body down

Just one thing I ask of you

Just one thing for me

Please forget you knew my name

My darlin Sugaree

Shake it, shake it Sugaree

Just don't tell them that you know me

You thought you was the cool fool

Never could do no wrong

Had everything sewed up tight

How come you lay awake all night long?

Just one thing I ask of you

Just one thing for me

Please forget you knew my name

My darlin Sugaree

Shake it, shake it Sugaree

Just don't tell them that you know me

You know in spite of all you gained

you still have to stand out in the pouring rain

One last voice is calling you

and I guess it's time you go

Just one thing I ask of you

Just one thing for me

Please forget you knew my name

My darlin Sugaree

Shake it, shake it Sugaree

Just don't tell them that you know me

Shake it up now, Sugaree

I'll meet you at the Jubilee

If that Jubilee don't come

Maybe I'll meet you on the run

One thing I ask of you

Just one thing for me

Please forget you knew my name

my darling Sugaree

Shake it, shake it Sugaree

but don't tell them that you know me

Shake it, shake it Sugaree

Just don't tell 'em that you know me

-Garcia/Hunter

The Best of 2010: Ray Wylie Hubbard Live at The Grey Eagle

Your Hometown Hiker: Ray Wylie Hubbard Live at The Grey Eagle: "I've never found that the Texas troubadours have really ever had a big following in Asheville. Sure Willie Nelson and Robert Earl Keen may d..."

The Best Of 2010: The Keel Family Function

Your Hometown Hiker: The Keel Family Function 2010: "Black Betty and I are back from an absolute gem of a little music festival, which was held at the beautiful and idyllic Chero..."

The best of 2010 - Suwannee Springfest

Your Hometown Hiker: Suwannee Springfest 2010 Report: "We are back home from a 798 mile round trip to a scaled-back and down-sized Suwannee Springfest. Black Betty and I arrived Thursday afterno..."

The Best of 2010 - Woody Wood at The Grey Eagle

Your Hometown Hiker: Woody Wood / I'm Gonna Miss You (Like The Devil): "Those who know us, will attest that Black Betty and I thoroughly love rockin' it at the Grey Eagle with Woody Wood! Friday night I had an..."

The Best of 2010 - Donna The Buffalo and The Believers at The Orange Peel

Your Hometown Hiker: Donna the Buffalo and The Believers at The Orange ...: "Black Betty and I headed to Asheville after work on Thursday to see Donna the Buffalo at the Orange Peel. It's tough to make the call to g..."