#60 Little Red Lion on 5-26-11

Before leaving Redding, Michael and I went walking around and we happened upon a train bridge. We went up the hill and Michael went walking on it and made jokes about Stand By Me. I was a bit nervous, but he said, "They wouldn't make the bridge just wide enough for the train!" I took his word for it. We went  far out to the middle of the tracks to take pictures of the amazing river below. We were out there for 10 minutes or so when Michael said, "Oh fuck, train!" Sure enough here came the train. I began running immediately at top speed, but quickly realized that Michael was shorter and wouldn't be able to run as far. I looked back and the train was almost to him, and he had crouched down and clutched the side rails of the bridge. I saw him not get crushed, so I too braced myself against the side. The train blew its horn a couple times, and came by with a huge gust of wind. I held on tight, and managed to keep my composure enough to snap some self portraits. Afterwards I felt SO alive and happy. 

We then took one of the more beautiful drives I've ever done in my life, through amazing mountains, next to rivers, etc. The air was incredible, and the weather was overcast and perfect.

We hit Eureka, and went to a pub where there were lots and lots of college kids, and hoped that it would also be the case at the venue. Ummm, no. Little Red Lion was a decent bar with a couple pool tables, and a stage, but the sign outside was dark and it seemed to be a bit isolated, though it was surrounded by other businesses. We had no other bands playing, but we did have a sweet guy named Jason who had a keyboard and did a unique DJ/keyboard/storytelling/beat poetry kind of act. It was strangely fitting as an opening act. No sound guy, so I did the sound AGAIN. Michael and I by this time had the duo set locked in, and the performance was almost too easy. There were not a lot of people at the show, but the bartender was kind to us and kicked us some travel money, drinks, etc.

We drove for a bit and opted for another van sleep night.