Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Lightning!


This is the season for beautiful and frightening lightning!  Lightning has fascinated me since I was a child.  I've been so close to countless strikes, from house hits to nearby trees.  I remember when I was a kid in Nebraska watching lightning hit the back fence and arc over the gate.  Then it hit a truck and welded the hood shut outside where I was eating at the Philmont dining hall when I was in high school.  It took out a bunch of appliances and one whole circuit of our rental when Jen and I were first together.  I've seen a giant tree just seconds after a big strike that was splintered into thousands of little match-stick-sized bits of wood with the smell of electricity and ozone (I'm guessing) in the air.  I have a photographer friend now who delights in sharing wonderful lightning shots he takes all over the country.

But the most amazing and terrifying experience I had with lightning was when I was working at Philmont as a ranger in the summer of 1979 after graduating from high school.  I was responsible for a crew of 14 (or so) Boy Scouts for their hiking trek of a week and a half.  We had several memorable experiences, but the most memorable for me was about half way through the trek.  Our itinerary that day took us over Mt. Phillips, a reasonably tough climb with great views and an extended ridge trail leading down to Sawmill camp that night.  I had arranged to pick up several treats for my guys that day (watermelon, Doritos, and soda) that I could hike up to the mountain ahead of them and surprise them with.  These kind of things taste so good after you've eaten dehydrated food for a week, and there was enough snow still on the summit that I could have the soda and watermelon chilled for the guys.  The scouts really enjoyed and appreciated them when they got to the top, and we had a good time taking photos and eating lunch at the summit.  Then we began the ridge trail, and I'm sure you can guess what happened next.  Even though I had seen the approaching thunderstorm, I figured we would have enough time to get off the ridge and into the uniform trees down the other side before we had any lightning striking around us.  We did, but this was a particularly intense storm with a lot of dry lightning, and the least fit kid in the group began to exhibit signs of hypothermia.  (If you don't have experience with hypothermia, the body core temperature drops to a dangerous level that can kill if you don't get dry clothes, warm fluids and at last resort, external heating to the sufferer - at that time the recommendation was getting into a sleeping bag with the sufferer and wrapping your body around them to warm them.)  I knew he had gotten sweaty and chilled and needed to be changed into dry clothes at least on his upper half ASAP!  I had spaced the crew out so we wouldn't attract lightning as a group, but now we had to gather around the suffering boy and hold a tarp or poncho over him while we changed him into dry clothes.  The lightning struck very, very close to us, and I was just sure that the Albuquerque Journal would have a headline stating that several Boy Scouts had been struck by lightning due to the ineptitude of their ranger and leader, Tom Munch.  We got him changed and moving at last.  Luckily we weren't struck by lightning and the boy recovered fairly quickly as we dispersed again and rushed down the mountain.  I swear I felt the hair on my neck stand at least once as the static electricity built up, but the bolt never came.  As a side note, the kid who got hypothermia was profoundly affected by the experience of the trek, and he was definitely a changed and more mature young adult when we parted ways.  As another one of the trek members stated, "Some saw the mountains, some REALLY saw the mountains."  He REALLY saw the mountains.

So that's a few lightning stories from me.  Be safe in the electricity-filled wilds as you enjoy one more month of summer!

So what does this week bring me for gigs?

Thursday I'm at the Yellow Pine for the barbecue 6:30-8:30.  We had a great group again last week, and even a nice little rain shower in the middle of the evening.  I so much enjoyed the folks who came!  I encourage you to come out for the evening sometime before we're done on August 15th.  The number to call to make a reservation is 719-742-3528.

Friday I'm back at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  I can't say enough about how beautiful the evenings are on the patio at the Inn.  There have been many special nights this summer already, and we have several more to enjoy.  I'd love to share it with you if you'd like to come.

Sunday I'm back at Shadow Hills for brunch 10-1.  I'm going to every other week at Shadow HIlls for the next couple months.  I just have a lot of gigs this summer, and they wanted to try a different schedule to see how it went.  Come on out for brunch if you can.

So that's it for me this week.  I forgot to mention that I spent a couple days with family in the mountains over the weekend, and I also got to hear and sit in with Don Richmond and the Rifters in Red River, NM.  I was a thrill!

See you soon!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, August 1, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, August 2, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, August 4, 10 am-1 pm

Monday, July 22, 2013

Seeing Family


I don't know how your summers usually go, but this is the time of the year that my family converges on the mountains, and I try to steal a few days out of my schedule to cram in a quick visit.  I always wish I had more time, but that's never how it turns out for me since the summer is my busiest time.  Still, I love to see how much the kids have grown (they're all mostly adults now) and find out how everyone's year is going.  They usually go on great hikes and day trips that I miss out on, but I get to sing a few songs with them and reminisce a bit over a day or two that I cherish and look forward to.  I'm sure some of you do similar things in the summer.

Last week's concert at Philmont was a wonderful time full of old friends and new faces and shared memories.  I was lucky to get to see so many friendly faces.  And later in the week I got a surprise from an old friend from Georgia who shocked me with a visit and also with attending my gig in La Veta and the dance with the band on Saturday night in Westcliffe.  On top of that I got to have a good visit with Texas songwriter Vince Bell whose music I love.  You may have heard a few tunes of his that Lyle Lovett recorded a couple albums back.  What a week!

And this upcoming week will have some great surprises as well!

Thursday I'm at the Yellow Pine for the barbecue 6:30-8:30.  Last week we were finally able to have an outdoor fire where the guests could roast marshmallows and make s'mores, so I made a s'more for the first time in many, many years.  It was fun and tasted pretty good!  If you'd like to come to the barbecue, call 719-742-3528 by Wednesday to make a reservation.  It's always a good time in the old barn.

Friday we're doing the Song of Pueblo oratorio at El Pueblo History Museum starting at 7:00.  I always look forward to doing this show and reconnecting with the local history in such a meaningful way.  If you've never seen it or want to see the changes we've made for this year, please come out.  I'd suggest getting tickets or at least reserving them at El Pueblo in case it's sold out - 719-583-0453 / 301 N. Union, Pueblo.

Saturday I'm back at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  Last week we got rained out on the patio after an hour, but we had a marvelous time sharing songs and watching the rain out the window in the rustic restaurant.  I even had my friend from Georgia (Rick Jordan) do a couple numbers that knocked the socks off everybody.  Come on out if you're in the area.

So y'all have a good week, and I hope to see you soon!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 25, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch with Johnny Watson, David Enke, & Linda Amman
What:  playing, singing, & telling the history of Pueblo at the Song of Pueblo oratorio
Where:  El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union, Pueblo.  719-583-0453
When:  Friday, July 26, 7:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Saturday, July 27, 6-9 pm

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Blessed Rain!


As I'm writing this it is raining all around - not here yet, but soon - I can FEEL it!  I love the rain!  I have so many great memories of being holed up somewhere with the rain coming down outside - from high in the mountains in a cabin to sitting on a big porch in college or sleeping in a tent.  The smell and the chill and the rebirth that rain represents is a blessed event.  It is literally new life falling from the heavens.  Of course it brings misery sometimes in the form of flooding and muddy muck that's hard to drive or even walk in.  I can remember walking in the darkness down a muddy road at night with the trebled weight of the earth clinging to the soles of my boots.  But it is nothing but a godsend to the dry land around these parts, and I welcome it tonight.  One of my favorite memories is playing cards in a cabin with the rain falling on the tin roof drumming a soothing and mesmerizing rhythm that lulled me and made everything seem right with the world.  Ahhhh…I do LOVE the rain!

So what's up this week?

Monday I'm heading down to New Mexico to play a concert at Philmont Scout Ranch.  I wrote about this last week as well, and now that I have put together my setlists and made my preparations I am even more excited.  I have put together a list of songs and stories that just thrill me to be able to play!  I just know it will go by too fast, and I want to savor every moment.  If you're around Philmont tomorrow night I'll be in the Staff Activities Center (SAC) Baldy Pavilion at Camping Headquarters from 8-10.  If it rains I'm sure we'll be indoors nearby, so just look for the activity and listen for the music and come join us!

Thursday I'm back at the Yellow Pine for the barbecue 6:30-8:30.  Last week we had to cancel due to a mixup with the guests at the ranch, but this week will hopefully go off without a hitch.  My apologies if you had booked last week and then had it cancelled.  Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation by Tuesday night if you want to come.

Hey - I can hear the rain coming down outside now!

Friday I'm at the La Veta Inn 6-9ish.  We had another great outing last week with some fine folks and good friends at the Inn.  Wow! Just wow!

Saturday night I'm playing with the Atomic Fireballs under the name "Midnight Rain" for the Westcliffe Stampede rodeo dance 9-1.  We chose this name years ago to play under at this event, and it has stuck all these years.  The rodeo dance has to be experienced to be believed.  All the unused energy from the rodeo gets poured out on the dance floor in a flurry of dancing and frivolity that is just a gas.  We give it a shove and start the pandemonium and then ride the wave for the rest of the night.  It's a heckuva time!  Come on out if you can.

That's it for this week.  Well, I have most of my regular Alzheimer's and nursing gigs as well as another show for the rafting scouts on Sunday, but that's another story.  I hope to see you soon!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing a singing a concert for staff and alumni
Where:  Staff Activities Center, Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico
When:  Monday, July 15, 8-10 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 18, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, July 19, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch & the Atomic Fireballs
What:  playing for the Westcliffe Stampede rodeo dance
Where:  Westcliffe Rodeo Grounds (north of town)
When:  Saturday, July 20, 9 pm - 1 am

Monday, July 8, 2013

Yearning for the Mountains


It's that time of year when I really yearn for the mountains.  It has been a blessing and (I suppose) a curse ever since I was a very young boy.  I inherited my love of mountains from my grandfather and my mother for sure.  They spent summers starting in 1930 working in the mountains of New Mexico - seeking the cooler temperatures and scarcity of mosquitoes and snakes - unlike their home in Oklahoma.  My mom even used to guide horse trips way up into the mountain lakes around Mt. Wheeler.  When I was young we spent quite a bit of time in these mountains either hiking or exploring in my granddad's Jeep or my dad's Bronco.  (We even drove over a lot of old Colorado passes in my folks' 1960 Ford station wagon when I was an infant.)  I can tell you stories of sleeping in tube-tents at timberline at Bull-of-the-Woods or even climbing to the top of Baldy Mountain when I was but 6 or 7 years old.  The smell of the trees, the sound of the marmots or the wind in the aspen leaves, and the feel of the breeze on a mountaintop thus became part of my soul early on in ways that I cannot explain or understand.  When I reached my teens I got to work in the mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch - teaching backpacking and hiking in many breathtaking places.  As a young man in Colorado I explored many places west of Pueblo.  When Jen and I were first together we always had some sort of four-wheel-drive vehicle we could get into the high country in, and we hiked a lot of passes and beautiful spots.  But we have let go of the four-wheeling for practicality's sake mostly in recent years - it's expensive to either have a third vehicle for four-wheeling or to have one of our two main vehicles be a rugged, gas-eating machine.  That said, our feet and legs still work just fine for hiking, so we make time to get out and enjoy the wild lands - not as much as we might like, but we still know the value of the spirit of the mountains and their rejuvenating elixir.

So how about you?  Do you yearn for the mountains and the wild places?

And where does this week take me for gigs?

Wednesday I'll be sharing history and songs for a Boy Scout group from Pennsylvania after they raft the Royal Gorge at Echo Canyon Rafting at 5:30.  This is a private gig, but if you happen to be at Echo Canyon you can listen in from the porch in the front.

Thursday I'm back at the Yellow Pine in Cuchara for the barbecue at 6:30 after a week off for Independence Day.  I so enjoy these weekly barbecues and the fine folks who come out to the old barn for a night of barbecue and music.  It's a great time which you can be part of if you'd like.  Just call 719-742-3528 by Monday night on the week you'd like to attend to make reservations.  (I realize this is a little late for this week, but Jo Anne might still take your reservation if you call now!)

Friday I'm back at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  We've lucked out and been able to be on the patio almost every week, and it has been spectacular!  If you're in the area I'd love to have you there!

Saturday I have another session with a rafting group at Echo Canyon.

Sunday I'm back at brunch at Shadow Hills 10-1.  We had another great group of folks last week, and I even had a friend I hadn't seen in 30 years from college stop in to say "Hi!"  What a treat!

Sunday I also have a group of rafting scouts in the evening at Echo Canyon.

Monday (a week early, I know, but this is important) I have a special concert at Philmont Scout Ranch in the Staff Activities Center (SAC) at Camping Headquarters at 8:00.  I really enjoy getting to play for the staff at Philmont and share old memories, and this year will be doubly special because it's during the annual reunion week for alumni staffers as well, and there are several folks coming who are dear friends and musicians to boot!  It will surely be a night to celebrate and remember!

So it's quite a full week ahead, and I'm looking forward to it!  Be well, and I hope to see you somewhere down the road.  Life is good!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 11, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, July 12, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, July 14, 10 am-1 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing a singing a concert for staff and alumni
Where:  Staff Activities Center, Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico
When:  Monday, July 15, 8-10 pm

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Independence Day Memories


I can't believe it's July already.  And it's much cooler this week which is a wonderful change.  And I've been singing patriotic songs and thinking about fun things we did on Independence Day in the past.  When we were kids we didn't need an excuse to blow things up, but firecrackers were great for planting in ant hills and taking apart old toys.  The family firework lighting in the evening was always great fun too.  We usually lit them at a lake where we could watch the folks on the other side of the lake fire theirs off and reflect in the water towards us while we did the same for them.  Of course the fireworks seemed to be pretty simple (fountains, Roman candles, and bottle rockets) compared to the elaborate displays you can see nowadays.  They were still pretty and fun to light off!  One of my favorite memories was the year we came back from a trip along the interstate in Nebraska.  All the little towns along the Platte river and the I80 were north of the highway just far enough that you could see them from the interstate easily, and each town's firework display was like a moving light show as we drove along the interstate.  It was really special!  Then when I married Jen we started going to our local town's display where we had some memorable nights watching the beautiful colors dance in the sky as we shared our new life's beginning.  Today we have pups that are very frightened of the sound and fury, so we mostly stay at home with fans running to mask the sound of any fireworks in the neighborhood.  The displays on TV are fun to watch though, so we appease our pyromaniac tendencies and love of the colors that way - we just keep the sound down so the pups don't get shaky.  So I hope you have a lovely Independence Day, and I'll be out playing all around the holiday.

So where am I playing this week?

Wednesday and Friday I'll be at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  I'll tell you again, I've had some really great folks down there with some beautiful nights on the patio.  I really get a chance to be "in the moment" in this space and time, and it's a great place to be of an evening.  Come on down if you can!

Thursday the Yellow Pine is taking the week off from the barbecue since there's so much going on in town, so I'm thinking of going to the rodeo in Cimarron, New Mexico during the day.  A lot of old Philmont friends still go down every year, and I'm looking forward to seeing them and catching up and maybe picking a few tunes too.

Friday I'm at the La Veta Inn 6-9 like I mentioned on Wednesday above.

Sunday I'm back at Shadow Hills for brunch 10-1.  We had a spectacular time last week with old friends and very yummy food!  This week should be just as good, so come out for brunch if you're in the area.

I have some private gigs in the cracks like playing for the rafting Boy Scout groups like I do ever summer, so I'm plenty busy.

That's it for this week.  Have a great Independence Day, and Happy 237th Birthday to our great nation!

Tom

Details:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Wednesday, July 3, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, July 5, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, July 7, 10 am-1 pm