A Weekend of Blues, Friends, and Family at the King Biscuit Blues Festival

The King Biscuit Blues Festival (KBBF) took place October 10 - 12 in Helena, AR and we had beautiful weather with great friends and family. I did not take a lot of pictures, but I did capture some which I will share from my experience. I work the main stage of the KBBF which I have been working since around 2004. This is only a guess as to when I started going to KBBF. Someone asked me during the festival and I was guessing around 2004 because festival started in 1986, Carrie and I were married in 2001, and I started going a year or two after we were married. So, I estimated that I began attending the festival in 2003 or 2004. 

We arrive on Wednesday for the festival and then we return home on Sunday. Through the years the amount of work we do at the festival seems to have decreased as I recall carrying on a lot of equipment (amps, guitars, drums, etc.), but the last few years, we have not really had to carry on, or off, a lot of items. Most bands use the equipment on stage or they carry their own equipment on or off even though we offer. Still, it is a lot of work and exhausting as we head back to Topeka each Sunday.

Eddie Stone and me at the KBBF

It is fun to see friends I do not get to see very often which includes Eddie Stone (pictured to the right). He has been coming for the past few years and we have a good time working and playing on the main stage. The past two years we have stayed at a house out by the lake which has been fun as it has allowed us to spend more time together. Telling stories, a few drinks, and having a good time throughout the weekend while we are working.

Aunt Carol, Eddie, and Me at KBBF

Aunt Carol came in on Friday to be with us and then she headed out on Saturday. She always makes brownies which are so good and they go fast. Aunt Carol is the mom of Eddie Stone. It so happened that Eddie turns 50 on October 18 (a week later), so we were able to celebrate his birthday while at the festival this year enjoying brownies to celebrate his birthday along with Amy Rose who was also turning 50.

Group at KBBF

Picture of where we hang out while acts are playing sometimes during KBBF which is off of the stage. Although we sometimes also hang out on the stage which is where the picture of Eddie Stone and I are located in the picture above and to the right. I usually take some comfortable chairs for tailgating with us so we have a good spot to hang out if needed. The past few years the festival has set up a tent for us to use which is nice as it can get really hot on the son facing side of the stage.

Selfie at KBBF

Saturday night I tried to take a selfie with Eddie Shirron (Dad Shirron), Tbo (Tommy Galloway), and Eddie Stone [left to right]. Picture did not come out great as I took it at night and it was a selfie, but I wanted to capture the night and end of the festival. We had a great time and listened to some fun acts. Saturday during the day is always a sad day as it starts to sink in that the festival is coming to an end and everyone will be leaving. 

I did not take a lot of pictures during the festival, but I would like to share the whole album which you can flip through below. Click the picture below to go to the full album of the 2024 festival.

Another King Biscuit Blues Festival in the books. It probably took me until Tuesday to feel like I had caught up on my sleep. I was so tired after Eddie Shirron and I returned back to Topeka. Although Mom Shirron fixed us a pot roast meal and Carrie joined us which was much appreciated. When we got home, I was in bed by 9 that Sunday night. Good memories and a lot of blues music. Grateful for the great weather we encountered while we were at KBBF. I am hopeful that next year Carrie, Corrie, and Javier will join us as well as others that have not been in a few years.

Until next time, have a great week and I will talk to you later.

Meatballs, Enchiladas, and Football: A Missouri Camping Trip

Tents at HipCamp Site

We went on our third camping trip of the year with this one in Missouri at a HipCamp called Hickory Forest TV Camp Site and we had a great time. We left on Thursday, September 26 and stayed through Sunday, September 29. We went with Erin and Greg. No dogs on this trip although dogs are allowed, but we planned to attend the Washburn game on Saturday, so we left our dogs at home.

We arrived late afternoon to our camp site. Unpacked our cars and got our tents set up. Then it was time to get the stovetop going so we could eat dinner. We would be cooking two meals while camping which would be Thursday and Friday nights. We planned to eat out Saturday night after the football game.

Meatball Sandwiches on Stovetop

Our plan for Thursday night meal was simple with meatball sandwiches. Carrie warmed the meatballs in the crockpot and then finished everything put together in the stovetop. Our site had power which is something new for us when camping, but it was nice to be able to warm the meat in the crockpot before assembling and putting cheese on the sandwiches. They were perfect and just what we needed for the first night.

Fire pit, Chairs, and Perfection

Following dinner, we spent the evening around the fire pit listening to baseball and music. Prior to our trip, Carrie had everyone provide 5 - 10 songs that were five minutes or longer and she created a playlist. Part of the listening of the playlist was to guess who of the four of us submitted the song. Usually when we camp, we do some type of game around songs and playlists so we have something new for us to listen to while we camp. 

View from Lookout Tower at Weston State Park

Saturday morning we all slept a little late before getting up and going for the day. I think we were all up and going by 9 am. We started the day with cereal and then relaxing around the camp site. A few of us read, relaxed in the hammock, or just sat and chilled. Eventually, we decided to venture out to check out some new sites in the area. We made it over to Weston State Park to check out camp sites although we were not impressed with what was available. We did have a picnic while we were there which was nice. We stopped by a store on the side of the road and picked up some cider, snacks, and other knick-knacks. 

Dutch Oven for Cooking

Friday night was layered enchiladas using the Dutch Oven. It took about thirty minutes to cook with goals on the bottom and top of the Dutch Oven. Worked great! The bottom the enchiladas got a little crunchy, but it was very good. As is usually the case, Carrie finds things to adjust the next time we do these when camping, but overall, everyone ate them up and we all had full bellies. 

Food is Ready

I realized that I did not get a picture of the food plated, but the picture to the right is the food ready to start dishing out. It looks a little soupy in the picture, but it was really good. Nice job, Carrie!

Saturday morning we started the day with Carrie making us pancakes on the stovetop. We were not sure if Erin and Greg would like them as they are made with yogurt, but everyone enjoyed the pancakes and we at all of the double recipe. Again, I did not get any pictures, but Carrie has used this recipe twice that we got from the cookbook of a couple we follow on YouTube that have been camping for a long time. The cookbook is titled Gourmet in the Forest by Kellie Oden. We have used a few of the recipes from the cookbook. The pancakes are one of my favorites.

Missouri Western State University

Part of the reason we picked the Hickory Forest TV Camp Site where we camped was because of the location to where Washburn was playing on Saturday, September 28. We were set to play Missouri Western State University at 2 pm. It was our first time at this stadium. We won the game 24 - 16. 

Selfie at Football Game in Missouri

We started the game on the visitors side, but it was so hot and no wind, we moved over the home side where there was shade and a nice breeze. The fourth quarter took a long time, but we won the game. Following the football game, we had already decided we would eat in St. Joseph at Boudreaux's Louisiana Seafood and Steaks. Carrie and I had been there years before Brenda and her family, but first time for Erin and Greg. Other than it taking a very long time to get our food, it was a good meal. 

Sunset at Camp Site

We enjoyed our time camping in Missouri. The Hickory Forest TV Camp Site was beautiful and well cared for by the owner that we spoke to a few different times during our stay. We would go back to stay there again. Good location and layout of the camp site. We were in heavy wooded areas and I got a lot of bug bites. We are not sure what was getting me, but bug spray did not help. I had bites all over my arms, legs, back, and even the palms of my hands as well as fingertips. Very odd!

I was hoping to get a few more times in camping this year, but it did not work out where we could do more than the three we did this year. We got started early in February with a trip to Texas for camping and then two other new spots for us to close out the camping season. We enjoy the slow lifestyle of camping where we read, enjoy nature, and maybe go on a hike. 

Until next time, have a great week and I will talk to you later.

Home Sweet Home: Oliver's Adventures While We Camped

I hope you had a good weekend. It was beautiful outside the whole weekend, so I hope you were able to get out and enjoy. Carrie and I were out camping and I will have pictures and update of our trip next week. Today is somewhat of a short post as we are both exhausted after being gone since Thursday. 

While we were away, we had Oliver staying with Joan and Eddie. We always love to get pictures of Oliver while we are away so we can see what he is doing. The first one to the left is of him in the bathroom sitting on a mat. Who knows what he is doing or maybe he wanted to find a quiet spot to wonder why we left him.

The next one is a video of Oliver barking at Lucky Dog. Granted, he barks at anything that looks like a dog on the TV which could include but is not limited to dogs, cats, and horses. Funny when he does it when not trying to nap, but he will startle you if trying to sleep and he starts barking at something on the television. Still, it is funny and he has done this since he was a little puppy.

We would have taken Oliver on our camping trip, but we attended the Washburn game at Missouri Western State University and it was best to leave him back in Topeka. More on our camping trip next week.

Like I said, it was going to be a short update for this week. About our dog Oliver and a hint of what we did this weekend that I will post an update for next week.

Until next week, have a great week!

Celebrating Love and Football: Our Anniversary Tailgate

Family Day at Washburn University

Saturday, September 21 was Family Day at Washburn University. This day also happened to be the 22 wedding anniversary for Carrie and me. We talked about staying in Lawrence, or Kansas City, for our anniversary, but made the decision we would attend the tailgate and game instead.

It was a hot day, but we had a good time. The game was exciting and it is always good to see friends at the tailgate. We had our spot set up with some new items which included a box fan to give some air movement in our tent, a new rug that we received as a gift for our anniversary, and then many pictures of us throughout the years that Erin did for us. We had a fun time and our corner spot was full with friends and family throughout the afternoon. It was perfect!

Box Fan for Cooling

The box fan for cooling our tent worked well. I am not sure we could have stayed throughout the afternoon if not for the box fan. Erin had seen pictures from people using this method for tent camping and we thought we would try it for tailgating. Game changer! It worked great with our chairs below and kept the air circulating through the tent. Carrie and I bought a larger tent which barely fit in our spot by the flagpole, but it worked out well. 

Beverage Station

We had a beverage station going that started our day. We got out to our spot about 9 am and while we did not have breakfast prepared, we did have the beverage station along with donuts. Carrie said at the next home game she will make us breakfast, so that is always a good way to start the day.

We lost 39 - 31 to Pittsburg State. Once again we were in this game throughout and had a chance to win, but a few stumbles and we lose again. It was a fun game with a lot of scoring, but could have used the win. We are now 0 - 3 on the season and playing at Missouri Western State University next weekend. 

Pictures of us to celebrate Anniversary

Selfie on 22 Wedding Anniversary

Brenda Joined our Tailgate

We had a fun time even with us losing. Joan and Eddie came out to join us for the tailgate and game. After returning home, unpacking the Pilot and putting things away, I took a nice long nap. I then went to bed early as it was a long day but so well worth it.

Happy anniversary, Carrie. I love you so much! Thank you for wanting to tailgate and watch football on our wedding anniversary. 

The Thrill of the Chase: A Washburn Football Thriller

Washburn University Marching Band

This past Saturday marked the first home game of the season for the Washburn University Ichabods. We faced the School of Mines out of Golden, CO. We started our season away two weeks prior at Emporia State and really did not play wall on the road for our first game of the season, so I was not expecting much from the first home game against the School of Mines who are ranked number five in the country. We used to play the School of Mines of every year to start the season out in Golden, CO, but this would be our first time to play them at Yager Stadium. 

The day started off cool and overcast but by game time, the clouds cleared and the sun was out. It got hot watching the game through the afternoon. We had a good crowd for the game and good amount of visitors to our tailgate spot. We did put up the canopy to help protect against the sun but it was still very warm.

Ichabods Ready to Take the Field

I love how prior to game time the band marches through the tailgate area and then a little bit later the team goes through the area too. They start at the top of the hill on the north end and then stream down the hill to the field to get started.

The Ichabods hung right in this game throughout to the end. We had a chance to win the game and then another chance to tie the game, but ended up losing 31-28. Facing the #5 team in the country, I did not think we were going to score let alone be close in the contest. However, we hung right with them and give me hope for the remaining games.

Ichabods on the Field

We were down three at the half and ended the game down three following both teams scoring a touchdown. We could not make up that last three points to win. Still, it was a fun day and it was great to be out at Yager Stadium to see our friends who were already tailgating when we arrived. 

Looking forward to the next home game on Saturday, September 21. This date also happens to be Carrie and my twenty-second wedding anniversary. Carrie is planning to decorate our area for our anniversary. I believe we are going to have some different food but we are still working through exactly what we will have on our special day. We play Pitt State on Saturday at 1 pm.

Today is Sunday while I write and I am looking forward to two events today. The Kansas City Royals play at 12:35 and the Kansas City Chiefs play at 3:25. It is going to be a good Sunday. I hope you enjoy your Sunday and have a fantastic week.

A Weekend Escape: From Kansas City Adventures to Backyard Grilling Bliss

Here I sit writing about the weekend on a Sunday morning. Last week was a short work week but as is usually the case it seemed like a very long week. It was very busy at work, but it was a productive work week. 

I was glad when Friday arrive as we had plans to travel to Legends in Kansas City to go to Yard House to celebrate Greg's birthday from a few weeks prior. Always a good spot and this time did not disappoint. From the beers and appetizers to diner, everything was delicious. Would you believe I did not get any pictures from the Friday trip? I need to do better at taking pictures to help liven up my weekly posts but that is for another day.

Saturday morning was low key with a trip to Higher Grounds for breakfast, coffee, and a little reading. This was our second visit to Higher Grounds and it continues to be a consistent spot with good food. We discussed while we were there that we want to go back sometime to have lunch. We were able to sit on the patio and the fire was going on the patio as it was a little chilly out Saturday morning here in Topeka.

Following Higher Grounds we went to pick up groceries at Aldi's for the weekend and week. We had plans to grill Saturday night and again on Sunday. We picked up some salmon which along with a salad Carrie was going to make would be our dinner for Saturday night. What a great meal for a beautiful Saturday night.

Salmon Meater Cook

I enjoy using Meater to say when it is time to remove from the grill. Grilling on the Big Green Egg that I have had for a few years I got the Meater a few years ago and I have used it for doing everything from salmon to steaks, turkey, and pork. It works great and would recommend one if you are in the need for a meat thermometer. Works not only on the grill but also in the oven and the newer models will even go into liquids to provide readings. I have the older model, so it can only go up to around 600 degrees and cannot go into anything liquid. Still, it has worked great for me. 

Sunday should be relaxing for us with a lot of NFL games on today which I am looking forward to watching. I have NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV which is my second. year to have and I enjoy the ability to watch any games on Sundays. It helps me to track my fantasy football players and watch them instead of relying on stats to update. It makes it fun to watch them when they are playing and also the ability to switch over to a game if I get a notice they are about to score. I thought about getting NFL RedZone, but decided not to add it this year.

A short meandering Sunday morning post. Now it is time to get ready to watch some football. Have a great day and I will talk with you next week.

A Dog's Love for Heat, a Fan's Hope for Victory, and a Delicious Feast: A Summer Weekend to Remember

100 out... Oliver Loves it!

Last week was another hot week with temperatures closed to 100 degrees the first part of the week. It found Oliver out enjoying the warmth of the sun in our back yard. Yes, he goes out and sits in the sun to warm up from being inside our house with air conditioning. He will sit out there until he starts panting and then head back to the door to go back inside. What a knucklehead. The picture to the right is from late in the week and as of Sunday temperatures have dropped to acceptable temperatures.

The weekend has been beautiful since Thursday with weather in the seventies or eighties. I am sure Oliver is not liking that as he wants more heat when he is outside. Looking at the forecast for the next week and the trend is supposed to continue. No complaints from me.

Shrimp, Crab, etc., Boil

Carrie and I had a treat planned for Friday night dinner. Our friends, Laura and Jason, invited us over for a shrimp boil. Ok, that was an easy answer. The dinner was tagged as shrimp boil and while it did have shrimp it also included crab legs. What a night! It was so good! Poured it right out on the kitchen table and grabbed whatever we wanted to eat for dinner. The potatoes were excellent along with all the other fixings. Following dinner, we went outside to hang out at the fire pit which was a lot of fun. A perfect way to kick off the holiday weekend!

Hoping the Royals can turn around the losing streak we have been on since Wednesday. A four-game losing streak going into the game this afternoon. We need to turn it around and snap this bad skid. It started late in the week when two players got hurt and we have not been able to turn it around since then. I will be wearing all of my lucky Royals gear today to try and push us in the direction of a win and point us in a new direction.

Have a great rest of your Sunday and Labor Day.