Tunes for the Tour

   Making music is good for my soul.  I use to play the guitar -- self-taught , folksy, simple chording.  It was a wonderful way to end a long day around the campfire.  I'd love to take my guitar on this trip, but it'd take up too much room. Instead, I'm going to learn the harmonica ... I've practiced a bit already and think it will fit the bill.

   In my guitar playing days, I wrote a few songs.  Here are the words to a couple of them that seem especially appropriate for this journey.

Rock-A-By Theme (c) 1988

(A little lullaby written around a dying campfire,

High Country Outfitters / Camp Yahoo.)

And the trees gently sway

In the wind's lilting tune

In the stars' steady gaze

In the light of the moon

 And the earth lifts her voice

 In a rock-a-by theme

 In her just for now way

 At the gate of a dream

Women in the Wilderness (c) 1995

(Written as a theme song for the Women in the Wilderness Camp and Workshops, Washington Outfitters and Guides Association.)

Pull up your boots

   Strap on your chaps

Throw on your slicker

   And pull down your hat

'Cuz we're ...

(Chorus)

Women in the wilderness

   In days of olde we came out west

Now we do our dog gone best

   To be women in the wilderness

1. The legacy of those before

   Bring us home to back country's door

Walkin' through will make us more

   Women in the wilderness

2. Ridin' heard and cookin' grub

   Packin' mules and givin' love

Beddin' with the stars above

   Women in the wilderness

3. Packin' in is goin' home

   Trees and hill beckon 'till we roam

Rain and wind and sun the poem

   Women in the the wilderness

4. Listen daughters now take heed

   Mountain, meadow, streams we need

Entrust to you this precious seed

   Of women in the wilderness

   It's hard for me to believe so much time has passed since I've been to the base camp where these songs were written.  It's where I fell in love again with being in the back country (volunteering as a trail cook).

Pictures from High Country Outfitters / Camp Wahoo and Washington Outfitters and Guides Association websites.