I wrote this song when I was 16 because I wanted to hitch hike across Mexico - like all parents hope their kids do.

Today was perhaps the nicest day in Seattle of the year. Temperature was in the 80's, there was a slight breeze all day, a crystal blue sky with no clouds in sight, and as the day before the solstice it was one of the longest days of the year.

I can't imagine a better day to see a Jewel concert on the lawn at a winery amphitheater. It was amazing. She was just up there by herself with an acoustic guitar singing away. She had a great mix of music, with lots of her older stuff and a few new songs. She mentioned that she's recording all the concerts with hopes of putting some live tracks on her next album (releases early next year.) This makes me happy since it implies that for her next album she'll revert back to more of her softer acoustic roots. I thought her last album was passable - but the electronic sound doesn't work well with her lyrics and voice. They're much better in the purity of an unaccompanied acoustic performance.

They were also recording the show for another purpose. A new company called Instant Live Music has worked a way to record concerts and speed burn them on to CD's so you leave that night with a recording of the concert you saw in your hands. I decided what the hell and bought one - and I'm very impressed. The sound quality is excellent, and the track breaks are in all the right places. I consider it to be an excellent music purchase, and if you see them at a concert you should strongly consider buying a CD from them (assuming you liked the concert!)

Thanks, Jewel, for coming to town and performing. Tonight was her 10th night of performing in a row, and I'm always impressed that artists go through the rigors of touring life to bring their music to their fans. I'm especially appreciative when they interact with the crowd and clearly enjoy what they're doing. Jewel did that tonight and it made a great show.

If all this wasn't enough, around dusk while Jewel was belting away a pair of bald eagles came across the valley and flew directly over the audience - unbelievable.

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