View Full Version : Telluride Bluegrass Festival
I'm hoping to talk my wife into going this year. We've been out west several times (from Fla.) and have always had a great time. But she's never been to a Festival (of any kind) How do I persuade her? I know about liquor and flowers already we've been married fifteen years. Thanks
Ken Sager
Jan-22-2006, 7:45pm
Lie. Lie through your teeth. It's the only way.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Thanks Ken, Like I said, fifteen years.
ShaneJ
Jan-22-2006, 8:25pm
You might promise to spend a day or two of the trip in Durango or somewhere, following her around shopping, etc....
I'm afraid we're on the right track here.
mando bandage
Jan-22-2006, 8:55pm
First attraction has to be the music. If she's not a hardcore BG fan, this is the festival for her. #There will be BG, and so much more. #
There's a DVD documentary of the 30th, which our family #attended. #I'd suggest tracking down the DVD and sharing that with her. #You really get the sense from the interviews with the musicians that this festival is special for the "regulars" who perform year after year. #That same sense comes across on stage, particularly when the lines blur between musical acts because everyone is sitting in with each other.
If she doesn't like crowds all that well, I would suggest that this crowd is fairly welcoming. #Our son was 9 yoa at the time, wigged out on the first day to be in a crowd the size of our whole town, and completely comfortable by the afternoon of day 2. #He's a pretty good judge of character.
I would also tell her that it is a unique opportunity to see an amazingly diverse group, socio-economically speaking, enjoying a common experience; that the festival food vendors have a wonderful and diverse selection of ethnic food for good prices; that the local Elks??? club has a nice wine booth; that the kids there (including our son) have a great time, especially if they like to fish in the kids only trout pond out front of the park or participate in the planned activities for children; that there is a good shot at a Sunday morning "service" of Bach on BG instruments; that the local bakery has great fare to take to this "service"; that there is a good shot at seeing most of "Strength in Numbers" reunite on stage; and, as a fellow camper who had been there several times before told us, "it will change your life." #I thought she was FOS at the time, but 4 days later realized that memories like this do, well, change your life.
Someday, we're going back, if we're lucky, more than once, and no, I don't work for the Telluride Chamber of Commerce or Planet Bluegrass, I live in Ohio.
R
PS, get your camping reservations in early, like now, if it's not too late. #You are probably too late to get into the lottery for the town park camping, but I would highly recommend getting on ReserveAmerica's website and check out the Matterhorn campground about 7-10 miles south of town. #You can take a short drive to Mountain Village, take the FREE cable car over the mountain and down into town, and see a spectacular display of the Milky Way from your campground when you return in the wee hours. Not a lot of campfire picking there, but good cheap lodging if you like to camp.
If you need any more help, I'll ask my wife to talk to your wife and see if she can sell her on it, you know, woman to woman.
sunburst
Jan-22-2006, 9:47pm
I went to Telluride once, several years ago.
To be honest, as a Virginia boy used to a lot of "parking lot" pickin', it was a disapointment in that regard.
The token bluegrass band that year was the Osbourne Bros, and they did a great show. I'm not the biggest Osbourne Bros fan, but they were about the only band that didn't take a half hour to set up a set of drums and tons of electronic equipment, and do a sound check for another 15 minutes.
When the MC introduced them, they headed for the mics and played about 7 straight, without speaking a word, while the sound crew raced to catch up. The crowd loved them.
There were other acts that were excellent, and the music was generally very good, but it's a stretch to call it a bluegrass festival.
Anyway, for music, I can stay much closer to home and be more satisfied. I think you need to sell her on the Colorado Rocky Mountain experience.
Someone else already mentioned the milky way. The stars, seen from 9,000 ft. elevation are like nothing you can see in the eastern US. The town of Telluride is a pretty town, and the natural beauty of the festival setting is hard to top, and If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes.
I was there the year of the double rainbows.
I had a great time, met some great people, and saw some beautiful country, but I decided I didn't need to go back, when the musical experiences close to home are the quality that they are.
mandomiss
Jan-22-2006, 10:13pm
Just explain to her that this is one of the most amazing musical experiences that you could ever hope to have. And beg. Beg shamelessly.
Fretbear
Jan-22-2006, 10:46pm
The town and state is paradise, the festival is not really bluegrass; maybe you can use some of that...
Thanks Folks, My wife is a huge Bonnie Raitt fan who will be appearing this year, so that's a plus. It looks like the camping is sold out. Can anyone reccomend lodging close by in town? I have a map of Telluride but not sure where the festival is. Thanks again. I think she's getting interested if I throw in touring around the area some which is fine.
Jaco,
Telluride is a really small place. You can park your car and walk the entire time you are there. #My family and I make an annual pilgrimage there and have stayed in many different places including privately owned townhouses. #The Mountainside Inn is a decent place with reasonable prices. If you stay in one of the hotels in Mountain Village, you can ride the gondola into town for free, which is great fun. Telluride is a slice of heaven. There are few places on the planet that I find more desirable. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
stevem
Jan-23-2006, 10:24am
Show her some pics.
On the way...
stevem
Jan-23-2006, 10:25am
Overlooking the Telluride valley...
stevem
Jan-23-2006, 10:29am
Tell her you'll buy her this house...
JD Cowles
Jan-23-2006, 10:35am
Not a purists' bluegrass fest, but I cannot remember a finer more beautiful venue in all my travels. Those pics that stevem posted aughta do it for ya. Your wife will not be disappointed in Telluride. Take some extra time. The drive there from Denver is spectacular. I've lived in CO for 13 years and am continually amazed by that region of the state.
Have a great time (and bring your flyrod).
Jeff
J. Mark Lane
Jan-23-2006, 10:36am
This is pathetic. Invite the woman (even that's a stretch), and if she says no, THEN LEAVE HER AT HOME.
PaulD
Jan-23-2006, 10:53am
This is pathetic. Invite the woman (even that's a stretch), and if she says no, THEN LEAVE HER AT HOME.
To each his or her own... it all depends on your relationship. Frankly, I would enjoy it more if I were making memories with my wife... and it doesn't have to be Telluride. There are other great BG & Folks festivals out this way.
Telluride is one of the most beautiful places you'll find, but frankly the festival has gotten too big and too expensive for my tastes (I was last there in '86). If you haven't been, though, the lineup will be spectacular and the onstage jammming will be great. I'm sure you'll both get the chance there to see Bonnie Raitt with some of the other BG & NewGrass greats sitting in.
Oh... and show here SteveM's pics... beautiful! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Paul Doubek http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
oldwave maker
Jan-23-2006, 10:55am
I go tuesday, jam in the town park tues and wed night when you dont need a campground wristband to access it, catch the thursday show, head home with a big bag of baked-in-telluride bagels after good elks park free performances friday.
saw a real 'Goldrush' on the way back to Dolores last year, complete with reranch LP goldtop lacquer:
JD Cowles
Jan-23-2006, 10:57am
That was pretty freakin funny counselor...I never really considered the fact that T-ride should sell itself.
The pics are awesome. Hey Mark, do you divorce work too? (By the way she's a County Court Judge). Driving from Denver sounds like the way to go. What 4-5 hours I would guess. The pickin in the park prefestival sounds like a good tip as well Bill. Thanks again guys and gals.
JD Cowles
Jan-23-2006, 11:07am
Hey Jaco-
I'd count on more like 5-6 hours from DIA. Mainly because you'll be gawking at the scenery the whole time. If you get plans made, feel free to PM me for directions/ideas for the trip.
Jeff
Dfyngravity
Jan-23-2006, 11:24am
I am thinking about going this year too. But I am going to go with one of my friends who goes to BYU so we would be going out to Utah and doing some rock climbing in Moab and then driving down and camping out there.
I mean it Telluride, CO...who doesn't want to spend a week there camping, hiking, bike riding, and white water rafting. Show her some pictures and do some activities other than music.
sunburst
Jan-23-2006, 11:46am
When I went, Denver had the new airport with the bag eating luggage machine, so we flew into Albuquerque and drove from there. The distance is about the same, and the scenery changes along the way, from hot desert to high mountains with frost in the morning.
The drive out of Denver is spectacular, no doubt, but the change along the way from Albuquerque is pretty interesting too.
It rained on us most of the way back to Albuquerque. How ironic in that? You leave Virginia in June to go drive through the rain in New Mexico! Go figure...
sunburst
Jan-23-2006, 11:52am
Oh, and the house on the cliff. We hiked up there too. I have some pictures somewhere, looking up that waterfall, but I don't have a scanner.
You have to be in pretty good shape to hikr up there, there's not much air, compared to Florida.
PaulD
Jan-23-2006, 12:27pm
You have to be in pretty good shape to hikr up there, there's not much air, compared to Florida.
John's right about the elevation... quite a change from FL. We drove up to Imogen Pass between Telluride and Ouray and hiked to an old National Guard or militia fort on the 12,000+ foot ridgeline. The view is spectacular!!! Kind of a scary old mine road though, unless they've improved it in the last 20 years. There were old timbers with water running over them that were just wide enough for the little Datsun truck we were in.
If I were flying, I would be tempted to drive north out of Albuquerque as John did. I've only been there once, but the mountains north of Albuque. are gorgeous too.
And certainly bring raingear. On my two visits to the festival it got toasty hot and then dumped, then cleared up for sunset and rainbows almost every day... it's great!
Last time I went we attended a Grisman/Bush mando workshop... I wish my skill level had been better 20 yrs ago to really take it in. Sam Bush jams with about every band, so he was still onstage when we left for the workshop. Grisman was acting pretty annoyed. Bush finally came running in, out of breath, and said that he thought it was a good opportunity to pitch his album "Late As Usual". http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
pd
david blair
Jan-23-2006, 12:58pm
Howdy, I think as of today there are still tickets available for Warner Field camping. This is right next to the gate, and very central to town and town park camping. Kind of nice to camping on the lawn of the ballfield. Bring your own shade/rain shelter. If you're planning to come weds. I would fly right into Telluride or Montrose and catch a shuttle. You won't need or be allowed to use your car anyway. The weather at Telluride has been really nice the last few years, but camping at 9000 ft. is always a risk, and it's always close to freezing at night. A small coleman heater for inside your tent would be nice for her. If she's not a camper, and doesn't like having to get up in the night for the outhouse I would encourage her to stay home!
sunburst
Jan-23-2006, 1:29pm
Those little trips out of the tent at night are when the stars really show up.
stevem
Jan-23-2006, 2:46pm
What are stars?
-California Steve
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Here's what you do, DITCH YOUR WIFE. Go w/ a buddy that would be more into the whole experience. If your pretty sure she wont divorce you, then it may be worth it... Hee Hee Hee
SternART
Jan-23-2006, 3:27pm
I think it was Grand junction I flew into........about a 2 hour drive, through incredible country.
It was hot in the day.......then rain.......then rainbows.......but it got darn cold by the time
Strength in Numbers came on to close the show. Bring layers and even gloves & hat. You might want
a cosy hotel room or condo, rather than camping......to keep the wife happy. I had two incredible
Telluride experiences.....recommended!
TeleMark
Jan-23-2006, 4:48pm
I had to buy a new car... When I was looking at the Honda Element (with seats that fold flat to beds) my wife said: "If you get that, I'll go to Telluride with you," Needless to say, I'm driving an Element now! I was going to buy it anyway; it was just a fringe benefit.
We're driving from Prescott, AZ. It'll probably take 8+ hours. It'll be our first time, and we're psyched!
J. Mark Lane
Jan-23-2006, 7:36pm
...Hey Mark, do you divorce work too? (By the way she's a County Court Judge). ...
Hey Mike -- no, I don't do divorce work. But my wife is a divorce lawyer (ironic, eh?). If she ever becomes a judge, I'm outa here. Being married to a lawyer is bad enough. I can't even imagine.... "Get me another beer, Your Honor!" Sheesh.
ShaneJ
Jan-23-2006, 7:49pm
What are stars?
-California Steve
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
California Steve, you, of all people, should know that....
They're those freaky, self-absorbed body augmentation addicts you live next to. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
ShaneJ
Jan-23-2006, 7:57pm
jaco, another unrelated attraction is the Narrow Gauge Railroad - a steam engine drawn passenger train running through the valleys from Durango to Silverton. BEAUTIFUL, but may be hard to get tickets at this point.
You could also take her flyfishing (what I'd try - unsuccessfully probably). The Dolores, the Gunnison, the Animas, Taylor, the headwaters of the Rio Grande and many other BEAUTIFUL rivers and streams run through that part of the state. You just can't go to the mountains without feeling the river rush by your knees.
sunburst
Jan-23-2006, 8:03pm
Yep, did the train ride too. It was no problem getting on then, I don't know about now.
And yes, the trout fishing in the Rockeys is fabulous.
luckylarue
Jan-23-2006, 8:09pm
Don't forget to include a soak in the hot springs, either at nearby Orvis or in Ouray.
Strange1
Jan-23-2006, 9:18pm
I live in Colorado but really have nothing else to add. It has all been said eloquently. As much as I love BG,there are many other reasons to visit the area. The area of Telluride/Durango and surroundings are sometimes referred to as the little Alps. It is a great place to spend some time. Some national flights go into Colorado Springs and a rental car is the way to finish the trip. Take Rt 24 to 285 and then to Rt 160 and enjoy things like Wolfcreek pass and the Million Dollar highway. Just remember that even in the middle of summer in the Rocky Mts, it dets dang chilly at nite. Don't forget your coat and boots and gloves. Enjoy and come back.
Jack
mandorado
Jan-24-2006, 6:14am
Bill [Bussmann} ... what a great plan. I'm still not sure if I'm going this year, but if I do, I'm going to take your advice. Maybe I'll see you in the park.
Cheers!
Well guys and gals looks like it's a done deal. Thanks to all the great info, pics, humor, etc. from all you great folks a dream comes true; I'M GOIN TO TELLURIDE!!!! YEEHAW!!! Seriously want to thank everyone for the help (sounds like I'm gettin an Oscar or somthin) J.Mark if you get in trouble in Orlando, look me up, my wife's lookin for you on the dockett. I booked a hotel someone here recommended, and will be wearing a cafe shirt if anyone wants to hookup. Thanks all. Mike
P.S. I'm bringin the flyrod.
jim simpson
Jan-24-2006, 7:06pm
"When I was looking at the Honda Element (with seats that fold flat to beds) my wife said: "If you get that, I'll go to Telluride with you," Needless to say, I'm driving an Element now!" - TeleMark
I have used my Element (purchased last spring) for camping at several festivals. I fold my back seats flat then up against the wall w/the built in carabiner hooks. I then lay my inflatable bed on the floor - perfect! I bought one of those canopies that folks use at flea markets/concessions for $69.00. I am actually able to drive under or through it. It really defines your camping space plus provides shade. I'm now loving roughing it!
ShaneJ
Jan-24-2006, 7:08pm
Too cool, jaco! Here's some hatch info.... (http://www.coloradofishing.net/hatch.htm)
J. Mark Lane
Jan-24-2006, 7:15pm
...my wife's lookin for you on the dockett.
Her and about 100 other judges....
Why, I was in court just the other day. The judge looks down at me and says, "Son, you've been brought here for drinking!"
So I look up at him and say, "Great, judge! Let's get started!"
SJ that's a great link! I'm thinking five weight with some Adams and Elkhairs to start. Mark, we've got to go drinking and picking sometime. I've got your get out of jail card. But check this out, when we book the room the guy says"where did you hear about us"?" We reply, THE MANDOLIN CAFE!!!!. We need to organize some trips, I think we could get a discount. What do you think Scott? Thanks guys