Four Headlamps at Camp Connell this weekend

CAMP CONNELL, Calaveras County, Calif., USA - Most of the celebrated jumping frogs of this county have gone into hibernation (if they are smart) as the weather forecast is calling for very cold nights - and maybe even a little snow.

Four Headlamps lead guitarist Sanders Lamont a few days ago wrote on Facebook:

"Weather turning colder. In the 30s at night,

but nice cool days. Fall almost done. We're waiting on snow."

Frogs making snow angels

But despite the cold forecast - and the countdown to Mexico underway for Captain Michael and Admiral Sylvia - The Four Headlamps are planning a jam session this week at Camp Connell
Studios.

Some partying at either the Lube Room or the Camp Connell Store is also planned. Wait, perhaps there will be partying at both.

Adm. Fox flirted with the idea of taking up the ukulele - going so far as to purchase a small Kala travel unit - but on reflection, she decided to wait until she gets to Mexico where an extra uke is waiting.

This is likely to be the last practice session before Michael and Sylvia head south to Mexico, where they will take up residence first in La Mazanilla for a couple of weeks, then Arroyo Seco.

But this weekend, it's guitar, violin, ukulele and hammer dulcimer. All in tune, even.

Maybe.

The Four Headlamps squeeze in a practice session

CAMP CONNELL, California, USA - The Four Headlamps, plus Dan and Lorraine Olsen of the sailing vessel Zephyrus, had a music-filled evening Saturday at Sanders and Pat Lamont's house (Elevation 5,500 feet). The weather was almost perfect, with the exception that the true flat-landers in the group (Admiral Fox and Michael) were not used to the pine pollen and immediately got allergic reactions.

As in incredibly stuffed sinuses...

But after a great dinner, including a bottle of excellent sauvignon blanc, the runny noses cleared up enough to play music for about an hour, with newcomers Dan and Lorraine Olsen providing the backbeat on some metal spoons and wooden clackers.


Admiral Fox tunes up

The group practiced a number of fancy tunes, most more suited to the guitar, violin and hammer dulcimer than the ukelele. But a number of others snuck in that were excellent uke songs, including the cowboy classic, Back in the Saddle, The Mermaid, and also a new favorite, Union Maid.