The notion that it would be fun to take the time to go training came to me when our local blues band, The Wired! Band, won a spot representing the Washington State Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, yes, the one in Tennessee. 

It’s the second year in a row that the Snohomish, Washington, three member band will be playing in completion in a Beale Street venue — this year it’s on Wednesday and Thursday, February 1 & 2. I will be there and hope to be the first to report their success — along with exclusive HD video shot with my handy iPad.

Perhaps this is first reason why you will want to tumble along with these posts.

Another might be to follow my visit to the first Mardi Gras Parade, called Krewe du Vieux  and Krewe Delusion both in the French Quarter on February 4th, one after the other beginning at 6:30p.

Then follow my progress west on the Sunset Limited toward Los Angeles, interrupted with a two night stay in Marfa, Texas, a favorite location for Hollywood, beginning with “Giant” in 1956, and contemporary art installations begun by Donald Judd when he moved to Mara in 1979 — the reason I am making the stop.

From Los Angeles, it’s a short, scenic shot down the coast to San Diego aboard the Pacific Surfliner where I will rendezvous with Karen and her family — then home together by plane.

Why get on the train? Because I have not visited Memphis, New Orleans, certainly not Marfa, even though I grew up with Elvis, the blues and making art. I am turning 70 this year and believe it’s time to take time to go training.