Songs & Strings Tour Journal Autumn 2002, West Coast Michael DeLalla & Andrew McKnight October 16, 2002: At Home in Virginia, Packing

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The day before a flying tour is always a drag. Packing, tending to all of the stuff that won't get done while I'm away, worrying about anything that pops up, none of that stuff is a ton of fun. Relaxation starts when the guitar and I are safely on the plane and the pilot takes over. There's so much great stuff that happens on tours; sometimes it's more than I can keep up with writing! I look forward to this tour in particular for the fact that I am travelling with my dear old pal Michael, that there are two of us to write these journals, and the fact that Falling Mountain is promoting this tour so nicely and that part of the deal is that we share the trip with you. So over the next three weeks, I hope you enjoy stopping by here for a read and check out some photos (Michael's wife and kids got him a digital camera for his birthday, expect to be the second week before we have it figured out how to take a decent picture and transfer it here for you to see!). We'll probably post some set lists here too, a little highlight reel from each of the 12 shows. So for now, I sign off - time to finish packing!! Wish us luck conquering the technical hurdles of posting these daily journals from another time zone!

The nor'easter weather behind us, bags packed and ready, and United Airlines still solvent for the moment (and surprisingly even still serving lunch), we left all the stress of packing and the constant media frenzy over the sniper attacks near home. The flight passed far more quickly than I expected despite the incredibly non-ergonomic design of seats on an Airbus 320. Good conversation with a doctor from Fredericksburg and a smooth flight with fabulous views of the rugged mountains of central Washington and the spectacular summits of the Cascade volcanoes (Rainier up close, Mts. Hood and St. Helens clear in the distance) set a great tone. The ride out to Leavenworth WA from Seattle-Tacoma airport was well lit by a beautiful pinkish harvest moonrise all the way. We arrived in the dark but happy, whole and fired up to finally start playing some music together again after a challenging summer. All the good omens were in place!

Andrew