Cameron Wilson, violin, Allan Stiles, piano, Charles Inkman, cello

Following an introduction by Seacoast Entertainment Association’s concert producers, Pat McArdel and Steve Dennis, three gentlemen dressed in concert black took to the stage at the Florence Events Center on Saturday, January 21. Cameron Wilson, violinist, Charles Inkman, cellist, and Allen Stiles, pianist, began what was to be a unique, eclectic and very humorous evening of music.

The fun began with the familiar “Sweet Georgia Brown,” written by Casey Pinkard. The arrangement by Wilson was, indeed, sweet with rhythm variations that must be precise and together because otherwise a real train wreck could ensue. There was no train wreck. As one audience member noted, they were in perfect sync with each other. The audience loved it but that could be said about each and every piece played.

The Joe Trio was formed in 1989 by Inkman and Wilson with Stiles being a more recent addition. However, they have all known each other since their music education/training days at the University of British Columbia in Canada. All are classically trained and play in other groups/symphonies and teach. Wilson’s background is a bit different in that he grew up fiddling with his father playing by ear. They are all very encouraging of young people who want to become musicians and Wilson’s six year old son now plays his dad’s original violin.

The name Joe Trio was inspired by the Peanuts Snoopy character, Joe Cool. It is a salute to the average “Joe.” Although, there is nothing average about these excellent musicians who continue learning new music venues, the latest of which is jazz. They are working toward play-by-ear improvisation.

The trio performed so much great music that it is impossible to describe it all. From Brian Wilson’s Beach Boys hits to Joseph Haydn’s after dinner selection from one of his many quartet trios. Neither is easy to play. The Haydn Quartets are intricate and difficult. Wilson’s music is smoother but no less complex. And beautiful. Whoever thought Beach Boy’s music could be beautiful?

An audience test began the second half. Several 1970’s television show theme songs were played in the style of…..The audience was tasked to guess the right show and the right classical composer’s style. The audience received a passing grade and lots of mint pattys. It was all done with great humor.

Cellist Inkman has a varied career in music with symphony participation, teaching, recording for movies and television and playing in Broadway musicals. It appears, though, when watching him play with the trio that he thoroughly enjoys every minute. His face beams as he plays with superior precision drawing out elegant tones from his instrument, a feat not so easy to accomplish.

The piano in a trio is the main accompanying instrument. Stiles did his job more than well. If the strings do not have that superior piano anchor, it is also potential for a train wreck. There were no blips or mistakes. Stiles shone when needed and was the background music when required. A piano can easily drown out two string instruments but that never happened. His crescendos and decrescendos were right on.

Wilson is a fiddler gone classical rogue. His skill is obvious, as is his enjoyment in playing the music. One audience member noted that these three musicians clearly enjoy each other and playing together. Wilson’s joy was written all over his face. This was a very demanding program for the violin and Wilson never faltered or showed signs of fatigue. Harmonic technique on the violin can be ear-splitting. Often during the evening, Wilson displayed the perfection of his harmonic technique as it lay softly on the ear.

The second half of the evening began with Felix Mendelssohn’s “Trio in C minor Op. 66” which takes 30 minutes to perform. It seemed like less. The only thing that can be said about this performance is “flawlessly divine.”

One highlight of the second half was their exquisite rendition of “Da Slockit Light” written by Tom Anderson and arranged by Wilson. The Moorhens of Berlin Heights, Ohio, would have loved hearing/watching this. It is one of their favorites. It is heavenly:

High up at the top of the trees on a hiking trail with no companions except the birds, the most awesome feeling surrounds you. The ground is soft, the air is quiet, though occasionally you can hear the song of a bird. This is where peace lives. It seems as though you are at the top of the world.

You are not at the top of the world, but you are near the tops of some very tall California Redwoods in the Prairie Creek Redwoods National and State Park. Located remotely in Northern California not far from the Oregon border, this “home of giants” is just off of the Coast Highway 101 a ways. The road cuts off of 101 between Trinidad and Orick and travels toward the ocean. It is about 42 miles north of Arcata but expect travel time to be longer than usual. This is a beautiful, scenic drive with winding roads that follow the ocean shoreline. Slow down and enjoy the scenery.

The upper trail eventually winds down to the Prairie Creek Trail at highway level. For those that don’t want to do a lot of climbing or are in a hurry, this trail is a good choice. You can hike a short distance or a longer one on mostly level ground.

The visitor’s center is a very helpful place to start your journey. You can tour the informative display room and visit with a ranger. They have maps of the trails well worth the price if you are going to hike. There are trails that will take you to the ocean as well as the hikes mentioned. Do stop in at the center before you venture out.

There is also a campground but check to see if you need a reservation. It’s a very popular place.

There are sights to see on the Prairie Creek Trail like Big Tree on the Big Tree Loop Trail that is part of the Prairie Creek Trail as it wanders back and forth across the road. There are trees that are open at the bottom and are similar to a cave. During the Great Depression, whole families lived inside these tree caves.

Oxalis abounds in the forest here along with forest ferns. The small flower of the Oxalis can be several different colors with white and pink being the most prevalent.

 Seasonally there are Trillium and other wildflowers. Look for colorful mushrooms.

The fallen trees are full of life with plants and tiny critters. Larger critters often shelter in the hollowed out ones.

The creek is visible most of the trek on the ocean side of the highway.

There is a lot more to the Redwoods both north and south of Prairie Creek and we have enjoyed the Avenue of the Giants several times. There are 3 drive through trees. Sadly, one caved and fell during the massive California rain storms early in January. This one is actually owned by an individual and there is a small fee to visit it. We weren’t able to drive through this one at the time but you can now. It’s worth the fee. This is the only one created by nature.

Leaving Prairie Creek going north is a spectacular drive through this unique state and national forest. It’s slow go for me so I can enjoy the beauty, peace and serenity of the tall trees. You will never regret a visit here.

When you are in Northern Ohio along the Shores of Lake Erie and you say you are from Oregon, Ohioans think you live “next door.” Because….there is an Oregon, Ohio just east of Toledo. With all of the wintry Oregon Coast pictures out there recently, we thought this one at Oregon, Ohio, would be of interest. Ohio has had a somewhat mild winter so far, but it has been very cold at times. Ice forms and creates swirls of color from the reflections of the sky in this beautiful photo by Instagramer@amyonthebay. I was fascinated by the colors. Enjoy!

I try annually to visit family in Northern California and when I am able to do that, the return trip is up the coast from Arcata, CA back to Scottsburg and Umpqua River Haven (www.umpquahaven.com).  The Southern Oregon Coast holds many scenic turnouts that are all part of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

This 12 mile, scenic corridor was named after the first Oregon Parks Supervisor, Samuel H. Boardman. He and his contemporaries had the good sense to see the need to preserve this unique and beautiful stretch of the Oregon Coast. There are also 27 miles of Oregon Coast Trail that meanders through the park including beach, dunes and 300-year-old Sitka spruce trees.

I’m never in a hurry and allow myself plenty of time. I often set out just to drive and not stop but I know I will. There are just too many beautiful turnouts along this route. The scenic sites start a short ways north of Brookings, Oregon. There are 14 scenic places to visit. Some you can see from the turnouts and some are a short hike to the view point. They include places like Whaleshead Beach where you can watch for water spouts from Whaleshead Rock off shore. Oregon’s tallest bridge is also along this route, the Thomas Creek Bridge, which is 345 feet up in the air. The bridge is part of the scenic Highway 101. Another turn off is Arch Rock which is a favorite stop. It is the northern most scenic turnout. You can get out and walk around without really hiking. There are three sides to this park area with awesome ocean sights on all three sides.

I will leave you here to explore some of my favorite shots along this scenic route. Do come stay with us and travel it for yourself.

Arch Rock

North Side at Arch Rock Scenic Overlook

We visited several neighborhoods in the Phoenix area this holiday season, including our own. At night. To see the lights! We want to share them with you.  This is the neighborhood known as Moon Valley in North Phoenix. The original neighborhood was built in the 60s around the golf course. Mostly one story, ranch style homes. The area has expanded adding newer, bigger homes to the mix. A very nice neighborhood and a fun one to explore at night discovering all the lights. It was probably our favorite ‘hood for lights.

Every holiday season Moon Valley has a holiday lighting contest among the houses. You can recognize the several winners by the signs in the yard, and, of course, the beautifully lighted houses and yards. Enjoy the lights! 

Someone must have used one of those bucket lifts to get the lights strung up so high on this palm tree!

We weren’t sure if the covered bushes were due to a possibility of frost or if they were designed to look like snow. Because they did look like snow.

Some were just desert elegance like this all white ice cycles and spotlights house.

We loved the owl in the Saguaro below. There were more owls but it was hard to catch everything.

In Native and Mexican cultures, it is traditional to put out Luminarias on Christmas Eve to light the way to the Manger. Traditional Luminarias are brown bags filled part way with sand and then a candle inserted into the sand inside the bag. When the candles are lighted, they glow through the bags lining the path. We’ve done these in the past and it’s fun to do, if time-consuming. In modern times the bags are often plastic with electric lights inside as these are. Easier but still very pretty and meaningful.

More palm tree lighting. Each one is unique wherever you go.
This is a lighted Ocotillo. They grow to be quite beautiful but are very delicate and often just fall over at the base. They produce pretty, small red flowers all up and down their branches in the spring.

More high lighting in palm trees. This one has a star suspended between the trees.

The lighted green tree in the next few was spectacular. It was hard to capture that sight. The entire house/yard was rather spectacular.

There were many creative displays and the face on this palm tree was one of the better ones. He (or she) is quite the character.

The desert has been blessed with, what for it is much rain this holiday season. The rain greatly enhanced many of the light displays with reflections in the water.

We have enjoyed cruising Phoenix for holiday lights this year and will have one more, brief holiday lights post to come.

We visited several neighborhoods in the Phoenix area this holiday season, including our own. At night. To see the lights! We want to share them with you. Here is the second neighborhood we visited. It’s way north and a development unto itself out in the desert. Enjoy the lights!

The flower of the Saguaro Cactus is the State flower of Arizona. It is illegal to take one from the desert but you can purchase them from greenhouses to plant in your yard. Many Arizonians have them and at this time of year, some are very brightly lit up with spotlights like this one.

Some residents wrap their Saguaros with holiday lights. Everyone is unique.

It was impossible to get this house in one shot or even the two you will see here.

This buckboard was unique. But it might have been the brainchild of a holiday light designer. I didn’t realize that many people hire designers to create light displays in their yards for the holidays.

Palm trees are also prevalent on the desert and are often lit up or wrapped in lights. This one has a moving lazer light beamed on it. It’s a bit difficult to see but if you look closely you will see the small, pinpoints of lights up in the tree.

This is the final one and I thought it just about perfect. Keep watching for more holiday lights to come! Have a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!