If this recent trip had a theme, it would have to be embracing the unexpected.  The trip itself came up on short notice, and it took a wee bit of finagling to make it practical for me to come along.  But we sorted it out.  As a result, we went to the water, obtained lovely yarn, launched a new embroidery obsession, visited dear friends, discovered new drinks, and had two of the best meals ever (seriously, Gracie’s and T. W. Food, go if you have the chance).  That’s an awful lot of delightful things to manage on a short-notice trip.  But as a final sign that it’s sometimes a good idea to just go with it, the universe had one more bit of serendipity to throw our way.

It turned out one of our very favorite bands was playing a mere two and a half hours away.  Now, two and a half hours may not sound like a short distance to go for a concert.  Perhaps if I tell you that we’ve cheerfully driven to Buffalo, Chicago, Hershey, and Ottawa (yes, yes the one in Canada) to see them in the past, it will put the issue in better perspective.  Two and a half hours with more or less zero advance notice seemed totally reasonable.

The band is the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies.  Yes they really are that fantastic.  Yes, I’ll wait quietly while you go listen to a few of their new songs (those are youtube links, which means sounds, don’t be surprised).  We had, as always, an amazing time (and somehow managed obscenely good seats).  There was lots of this.

And this.

And this.

And this.

All together, a lovely way to wrap up the week.