On Wednesday we went to see Dr Mackay at Texas Orthopedics for a follow-up and xrays. wrist is healing well and now it is just a matter if time ... I may not get back to perfect, but other than some possible nerve damage, everything should continue to improve. After the appointment we decided to eat at the Grove which is a great pizza/italian restaurant with a great view over Texas hill country. We met a couple of nice women on the next table who chatted with us about life in the area.
Thursday we spent packing up the rig ready to take it to New Braunfels to get new tires and radio/cd/dvd player installed tomorrow. We hooked up the truck to the rig before heading to bed, to make the morning easier to deal with.
Friday -- We headed out to Camping World and had hoped to do some shopping afterwards at the outlet malls in San Marcos.. but it didn't quite unfold that way. While the rig was in getting new tires and radio installed, we wandered around the store. It took a few hours so we decided to get an oil change on the truck ready for the trip home. Went to a dealership in San Marcos and spent a few hours there, also getting tires rotated, purged and re-filled with nitrogen. Back to Camping World, the work was done and the 'condo' was moved to an overnight spot in their parking lot (has electric hook-up). We got changed and headed to Gruene to see Leon Russell perform at the oldest music hall in Texas.
At about 6 they empty the whole place, including the outside beer garden area and those with tickets for the show line up again to get in. At 7 they opened the doors. We had lined up early so managed to get in and get a bench area at the edge of the hall so we could stand on it and see clearly. Derek went out and got us a Reuben sandwich at a local restaurant ... humungous!!! We could only eat one between us.. so the other one will be lunch tomorrow. Then the music started... WHAT A NIGHT. An up close and intimate performance. The opening act was ho-hum, but when Leon walked through the front door and wandered through the crowd to the stage, a transformation took place... He is quite a unique and fascinating performer, backed by a fabulous band. The music was tight and he rocked the place with his own music and a few other oldies, but goodies. The hall itself had been emptied of chairs and the crowd just stood and watched and jiggled away, cheering and singing. It was a magical night we will not soon forget. So often, some of the old guard rockers don't know when to quit, and their live performance are almost embarrassing, but not this guy. Leon is 71 and still puts on a great show. His voice is strong and his musicianship is awesome. He looked a little frail walking from his scooter outside to the stage inside, but when his fingers hit that keyboard, he was Leon Russell, strong and confident. He has a grueling performance schedule in March.
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| Leon's Piano waiting |
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| Gruene Hall Waiting for Leon |
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| Opening singer Eric Himan |
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| He has the words on a monitor, memory needs a jog! |
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| And here he comes! |
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| He shook Derek's hand! Blurred photo great memory |
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| Let the show begin!!! |
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| AWESOME!!! |
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| A Western Santa!! |
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| Great back up musicians |
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| Telling stories |
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