From Drums & Space to the Atlantic: Four Corners to the Algarve
There’s something magical about good music, wide open roads, and sharing it all with someone you love. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to spend time: epic setlists, belly laughs, and a journey that’s just as good as the destination.
Taken in 2015, at the Fare Thee Well Tour
Photo shot in Santa Clara, CA
You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment — Henry David Thoreau
What a wild few days. It’s definitely been a “Desert to Ocean” kind of trip. Paul and I love a good adventure, and this one was all about music, friends, and fun.
Las Vegas:
Every year, we meet up with our crew to see Dead & Company, and for the second year in a row, we headed to Las Vegas to catch them at the Sphere. Three incredible nights of music, poolside hangs, and good vibes.
Night One was my favorite. Help on the Way, Slipknot, Franklin’s Tower, Sugar Magnolia, and China Cat into I Know You Rider. John Mayer was absolutely on fire.
Night Two brought the magic with The Harder They Come (a Jerry classic), Althea, Mississippi Half-Step, and a stunning Eyes of the World.
Night Three wrapped it all up perfectly with Lay Down Sally (a new addition), Scarlet Begonias into Fire on the Mountain, and Brokedown Palace. Pure soul, pure joy.
So grateful for these moments and this amazing group of people. Here's to next year.
Road Trip:
As far as getting to the shows, Paul and I hit the road and cruised across the Great American Desert. From our home base in Cortez, through Flagstaff on the way out, and past the stunning Lake Powell on the way back. Classic road trip vibes, windows down, music loud.
Even with all the division in the country right now, those three days were nothing short of incredible. There’s something magical about good music, wide open roads, and sharing it all with someone you love. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to spend time: epic setlists, belly laughs, and a journey that’s just as good as the destination.
From Colorado to Portugal: We made a quick stop at home, and then I was off to Portugal. I needed sleep, and I’m still trying to catch up. A few days of recovery followed, filled with long mornings and coffee. I caught a ride with Paul on his way to work and spent some time at Durango Coffee Company with an oat milk latte and a gluten-free pumpkin muffin. Yes, I’m that person. I can’t seem to eat American wheat anymore.
Eventually, I grabbed an Uber to the Durango Airport. This was my first time flying out of there, and I have to say, I love small international airports. So easy, and people are extra friendly.
From there, it was on to Dallas, then Dublin. I found more lattes and a vegetarian falafel wrap, stomach ache free!. A true sign I had made it to Europe. The food here just feels different. Finally, I landed in Faro, walked across a few parking lots, and was soon picked up by a van that took me to the rental car. All in all, a pretty easy trip.
Of course, I managed to catch a cold along the way. Navigating a Portuguese pharmacy with a scratchy throat and no voice was a challenge. Still, I managed to leave with a box of cough lozenges and a bottle of paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen).
Let’s rewind a bit to that wild weekend in Vegas, the road trip madness, and now fast-forward to me landing in Portugal. What a ride.
Paul and I have totally fallen for this country. There’s something truly magical about it: the kind people, the laid-back vibe, the sheer ease of living. It’s hard to explain, but it feels like the whole country took a deep breath and just relaxed.
One thing I’ve been eager to leave behind is hustle culture. That nonstop, go-go-go pace we wear like a badge of honor. I took a page from Rick Steves and decided to slow things way down. His best advice was to give yourself enough time and not rush your layovers. No more sprinting through airports with a flapping backpack. I built in plenty of space between flights. Sure, it stretches out the travel days, but I’m here for three weeks. What’s the rush?
The funny thing is, even without a reason to hurry, I still caught myself doing it. Power-walking through the airport like I was late for a meeting I didn’t have. I actually had to say it out loud to myself: “Slow down.”
Turns out, when you’re raised to move at the speed of light, it’s hard to find the off switch. But I’m working on it. And Portugal is the perfect place to practice.
I'm spending two days in a hostel in Faro and have started getting to know the area. I love how Faro is just a bunch of smaller neighborhoods. I found my first favorite coffee shop, complete with pastel de nata and a delicious oat milk latte. Now this party is getting started!
