We certainly have enjoyed our sojourn here in the Islands… What a grand time! Yesterday we drove across the Big Island from Kona. I’ve never done this before and the lava flows were equaled by the wildlife. This is indeed a wondrous state.

Down in Hilo, we set up at the Palace Theater and walked over to Pesto for dinner. Great food… I recommend it highly next time you’re here. After a nice cup of coffee we walked back to the Palace, down the little alley and up to the backstage door.

The was the last show for Chris Smither and myself on this little run. We’ve had a great time and we can’t wait to do it again! Here is my set list:

Jorma Kaukonen Solo 3, 2012
Palace Theater
Hilo, Hawaii
Sunday, January 29, 2012

1. Search My Heart
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Second Chances
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Come Back Baby
6. River Of Time
7. Let Us Get Together
8. Things That Might Have Been
9. Living In The Moment
10. Full Go Round
11. Uncle Sam Blues
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore with Chris Smither: Statesboro Blues

This is as accurate as I can remember, which is not saying much, but so be it.

This whole trip has been so delightful on every level… I can hardly wait for the next time over here.

It certainly is a different lifestyle, but even in the midst of paradise, I sometimes miss my muddy driveway at home. I’m not seeing much wintry mix here.

After the show, we went to Ken’s House Of Pancakes all night diner. I just couldn’t resist one last loco moco. Good times. Well, back here at the hotel, it’s time to get ready to finish packing. It’s a bone early fight tomorrow.

Aloha!

Well, last night Chris Smither and I played at the Royal Kona Resort here on the Big Island. I mean look… how good does it have to get. Here’s the view from our back stage:

OK… here is my set list:

Jorma Kaukonen Solo 2, 2012
Royal Kona Resort
Kona, Hawaii
January 28, 2012

1. True Religion
2. I See the Light
3. Trouble In Mind
4. How Long Blues
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Second Chances
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. Come Back Baby
9. Full Go Round
10. River Of Time
11. 99 Year Blues
12. I Am The Light Of This World
13. Barbeque King
14. Parchman Farm
15. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
16. Encore with Chris Smither: Statesboro Blues

A beautiful evening… and done in time for me to do my laundry. Now that’s paradise!

Just a quick entry as I get ready to head to the airport en route to Kona. Chris Smither and I played the Iao Theater last night and it was a wonderful way to start our little two island run…

Here, as best I could recollect is my set list:

Jorma Kaukonen Solo 1, 2012
Iao Theater
Wailuku, Maui
Hawaii
Friday, January 27, 2012

1. Been So Long
2. Search My Heart
3. Second Chances
4. I See The Light
5. Full Go Round
6. Sea Child
7. Hesitation Blues
8. Barbeque King
9. Things That Might Have Been
10. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
11. Uncle Sam Blues
12. 99 Year Blues
13. I Am the Light Of This World
14. I Know You Rider
15. Encore with Chris Smither: Statesboro Blues
16. Encore 2: Genesis

I think that’s it… pretty much. Now we’re off to the Royal Kona Resort for tonight’s show.

Aloha!

Monday, the kids and I drove up from Lahaina to the top of Haleakala. If you’re ever lucky enough to come to Maui, this is a trip you must take. Sunny at sea level… through the clouds and up to the top of the volcano.

It’s better up here than I imagine a moonscape would be. Millions of years of history unfold before you in layers of color.

We spent some great time up there with Norm and Mary and then we headed home via the Paia Fish Market in Paia. Now, I’m not much for crowds, but I’ll wait in line for this food. After the fish a quick stop at the Ono Gelato Shop. Well, I really did it for the kids, but I figured since I was there anyway, I might as well have some.

After a great trip with the gang, we headed back to Lahaina to get ready for this week’s Fur Peace Ranch Maui session. Back at the hotel, we were greeted seaside by one of the transient residents who wave cheerily at us.

Well… it’s time for breakfast. Onward!

Well, Brett Thompson back at the the Fur Peace Ranch sent me this shot and I thought, what an affable looking bunch of old pickers. That was a good start to the day. Later that day, I was walking to class and Vanessa caught me thus:

What a place to be after what coninues to be a long, strange, trip. Well, the trip headed for the deep blue out of Lahaina Harbor yesterday as we boarded to Jayhawk for a day trip of deep sea fishing.

Captain Steve and his sidekick Peter, walked us through every step of this grand fishing day (mixing metaphors I know) and what a trip it was.

We set out for what would be over a one hundred mile journey. First we headed out to Kaho`olawe Island… no fish but beautiful weather. Onward we motored, lines trailing. We headed around to the backside of Lanai.

Well, my son Zach, landed a 20 pound Ono… his first deep see fish and I’ll hook onto his coattails… mine too. We’re going to be eating that fish tonight… barbequed ocean side.

That’s what I’m talking about. Off to dinner…

Yep… while I’ve been teaching in a windowless classroom, my son has been having… well, fun! Needless to say, I love what I do but you know, I’m hitting the beach after this Fur Peace Ranch session closes tomorrow.

I hear it’s rally cold back home in Ohio.

Oh well… Oh yeah… Tracks In The Sand indeed…

Well we got to Maui day before yesterday… got a walk on the beach before the sun set and yesterday spent the day on the beach with the whales. Quite a change from the eleven degrees it was at home when we left. The whole family is with me here on this one so it’s some seriously good times.

I mean really… how much better than this does it have to get?

The students came in for dinner and orientation later on in the afternoon and, as always, this promises to be a really good time!

This is our second year of doing the Fur Peace Ranch on the road here in Maui and I can tell you that it never gets old! I’m going to post this and get down to the classroom early so i can start yakking. Like Roy Book Binder says, ‘I can play the guitar and talk about myself all day… I can’t do that at home!’

Good Times!

Getting ready to head out to Hawaii for a Fur Peace Ranch On The Road session… Tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. Pictures will be forthcoming when I get settled.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, prayers and well wished for Jack’s brother… and my old friend Chick Casady. Something must be working… he’s still hanging in their and I’ll tell you, it didn’t look good in the beginning. Keep’em coming… couldn’t hurt, could help.

Gotta finish packing… where is that bathing suit?

I sure like to thank everyone’s thoughts and prayers for Brother Chick. Couldn’t hurt… could help! Life sure is a funny old dog, but I’m not going to go there just now. Yesterday was a long travel day. We drove to the Sacramento Airport after the show in Paradise, slept for a couple of hours and started what became a fourteen hour trip to home. No matter, home is where I am. Here is our set list from Sunday night:

Hot Tuna 3, 2012
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
Paradise Performing Arts Center
Paradise, California
Sunday, January 8, 2012

1. I See The Light
2. Children Of Zion
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Second Chances
5. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
6. Come Back Baby
7. 99 Year Blues
8. River Of Time
9. Good Bye To The Blues
10. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out with David Bromberg
11. Uncle Sam Blues with David Bromberg
12. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
13. Things That Might Have Been
14. Parchman Farm
15. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
16. Encore with David Bromberg: Helpless Blues

You know, playing with David Bromberg is always such a blessing. What a fine man he is!

Well, I’ll admit I was beat when I got home. I’ve been laying around taking time out to do some laundry, some email and walk the dog.

Good times!

In 1955 when my Dad brought us back from his posting in Karachi, Pakistan one of the first people I met when I started at Wilson HS in the 10th grade was Chick Casady… Jack’s older brother. He introduced me to the blues and along the way to his younger brother Jack which worked out pretty well for both of us. Chick worked for us when we were in the Airplane and well… it was always great do have another D.C. boy along for the ride, and what a ride it was.

Anyway, Chick suffered a massive heart attack a couple of days ago and we didn’t know if he was going to make it. He’s survived thus far and is able to communicate although his future as far from certain. I put this out there because a prayer circle wouldn’t hurt and could help. Obviously we are not privy to whatever plans life might have in store for us but most of us would like it to be this side of the grass for as long as possible.

Get better brother Chick!

Sidebar… last night we played the Fillmore for Bill Graham’s B’day bash with David Bromberg and his pals… This gig was for you Chick!

Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 2, 2012
The Electric Quartet
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Barry Mitterhoff & Skoota Warner
The Fillmore
San Francisco, California

1. Hesitation Blues
2. Children of Zion
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. I See The Light
6. Second Chances
7. A Little Faster
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Serpent of Dreams
10. Good Bye To The Blues
11. Rock Me Baby
12. Mourning Interrupted
13. Funky #7
14. Encore: Tongue with David Bromberg

We’re going to Paradise today to the Paradise Performing Arts Center…

Good times!