Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/07/2016:  20:56:51

Dave,

Thanks!!!

VERMILLION SD

The National Music Museum

Tom Berghan suggested that we make a stop here... THANK YOU TOM!!!! It was an wonderful suggestion. We only had a short time before it closed and so we kind of hurried through. Strad violins, mandolin & a guitar, fiddles by Amatti & Maggini and mandolins by Orville Gibson! Harpsichords, pianos, many guitars & banjos. What a place. I bet we plan our return trip around this and the Steamboat Arabia museums....

The Strad guitar...

  

Another guitar with beautiful trim...

You know who!

Orville Gibson mando's...

Banjo time!

A shot overlooking Interstate 90...

More Soon!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/07/2016:  22:29:21

If you keep stopping for fun places it will take a very long time before you get "there".  Have some fun!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/08/2016:  05:36:20

Dave,

True, but if we keep getting there 40 minutes before they close there will be no worries! It's onward to Bozeman today!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/09/2016:  20:28:15

TWO DAYS

FROM THE ROAD

We finally made it into Washington State today. In fact we are even now relaxing in a motel room in Spokane Valley. What an amazing trip this has been for us.

We've been mostly riding I-90 since Sioux Falls. Yesterday we went from Mitchell, South Dakota to  Billings, Montana. In the process we hung a left and went south on highway 16 to Mount Rushmore.  It is very different than my imaginings... I can't quite explain it.  Photos never quite capture what the eye sees....

Yesterday, two days after my birthday we entered the state of my birth... shock... No, no, no it was Montana...

It is so different than I remember. Of course I was only three weeks old the last time thwt I was here...

Distances out here are much greater than they seam. The country is so varied and dramatic. Flatlands, to the Rocky Mountains, lush greenery to harsh desolation, buttes to the most open sky that I've ever seen. 

We spent the night in Billings, Montana last night, got up early this AM and headed west. Throur the Rocky's and on up into Idaho then into Washington...

These mountains to a low lander are beyond belief. The camera can't capture it.  Here we are driving through the rain and fog.

See Y'all Again Soon!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/10/2016:  06:34:41

More than two thousand miles, what an adventure!  Have fun, be safe. 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/12/2016:  17:56:17

Dave,
Thanks, we are having a great time!
I

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/12/2016:  18:04:41

I'm trying to do this post on my cell phone. It's not really easy. In a couple days we should be back near a computer where I can post, along with some photos of our sailing trip. See you then!

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/13/2016:  05:11:13

More fun!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/15/2016:  22:33:20

IN

EVERETT, WASHINGTON

Oh boy have we had a few wonderful days out on the water sailing (mostly) in the San Juan islands here in Washington State.

We caught the ferry from Anchorites out to Orcas Island where we met my mom, brother & sister-in-law and boarded my brothers 46' Braisail for a few days of sailing. 

First though we spent the night in Spokane and then headed across west crossing the Colombia river gourg off interstate 90, here Debbie is checking it out...

We got on the ferry in Anchorites and headed across to Orcas island. Wonderfully it was cold and windy onboard...

Sailing on the Salish Sea...

Debbie & me relaxing on the Braesail enjoying an "umbrella" drink!

First day out we saw this one, the Adventurous a 133 foot schooner built in 1913...

Look close there's a girl playing banjo on deck. I think she's playing clawhammer style!

I can't help it... here's another shot....

Desolation Row... nope Desperation Pass... ok it really was Deception Pass. This one we had to go through at a very specific time in order to pass through saftly & and we went through... 

I've been doing some painting influenced by this trip. Here's one of them...

And another...

Mount Baker watched over us throughout most of the voyage....

Sunset in Hunter bay looking toward Canoe Island...

Braesail the 46 foot Moody anchored at Freeland...

Sombody posted this one to me....

Debbie, Lorelette & my mom on the shady side....

Our Stateroom in the boats bow. check out all the cheery wood paneling...

The Galley

The saloon... how can you have a saloon with no hooch?!?

The captain's cabin....

The bridge....

My brother Walter & I acting the sailor...

More real soon!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 08/15/2016 22:35:00

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/16/2016:  05:57:09

Looks like a great good time.

Next you know you will be building banjo boats, Dan.  

guitarman8491 - Posted - 08/16/2016:  07:22:58

Dan..looks like you are having an amazing sail vacation..."Fair Winds and Following Seas" !

kvdkieft - Posted - 08/16/2016:  07:32:35

It is fun to see what Walter and Lorelette look like now after all of these years! Thanks for posting pictures of family and the ship!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/16/2016:  09:30:44

Dave,

I might judt...

Doug,

Thank you! This has been an amazing trip. Debbie and I just keep pinching ourselves wondering if this is really real!

Kenny,

You are so welcome. I'm going to try and call you in just a bit. I need to hear a bit of that California drawl!

Steven M - Posted - 08/16/2016:  13:09:49

WOW

Pine Cone - Posted - 08/16/2016:  20:38:49

Dan Knowles sighting in Kingston, WA ferry terminal parking lot, briefly re-united with the fabulous Shine banjo.  Dan was nice enough to come over to Kitsap County for a brief visit and lunch accompanied by his wife and mother.  After countless emails and many phone calls I finally got to meet Dan in person.  A very nice visit and a great meal of fish and chips.  Still my favorite banjo, and I own a few and have played many more over the last 52 years.

Thanks Dan!

Dan Knowles & Shine

 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/16/2016:  21:45:20

Scott,

Thank you for meeting me in Kingston today. It was great seeing you and your lovely wife & hearing you play today! Seeing my baby Shine was a real treat too...

Here are some of today's photos,

Debbie, my mom & me...

Sunset...

See y'all soon!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/17/2016:  05:38:19

Only three photos must mean that you are having waaaaayyyyy to much fun!!!

kvdkieft - Posted - 08/17/2016:  07:43:18

I saw 4 messages on my phone this morning. You are having 2 much FUN! sorry I missed them!!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/20/2016:  05:48:44

Dave,

Yep!

Kenny,

Well shucks was what I say... it's Saturday and I'm traveling in flat country so I may try again today.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/20/2016:  06:22:54

Well, we woke up this morning in Chamberlain, South Dakota at a Days Inn. The sun is shining outside and the temperature is mild, a great day for traveling!

I guess this begins day three since I last checked in and we have had some more great times! 

Wednesday we visited with Tom and Susan Bergan (BHO pro) where we were treated llike royalty and got a chance to record both of the d'Amore instruments (Banjo d'Amore & Mandora d'Amore) singing together. Hopefully we'll post some recordings of the two soon.

Another big treat was seeing and being able to play a Marvin Walker mini-banjo called Decotone. Marvin if you read this I want you to know that it is one amazing instrument! Your craftsmanship is exquisite!

Too soon it was off to traveling. Here is the gorge of the Colombia river this time from the east bound side....

Yesterday we visited the Little Bighorn Battlefield. There were several hundred visitors and yet it was quiet and very subdude. I've been to may Civil War battlefields and  have never seen responses quite like this....

Yesterday evening, this amazing treat....

Today it's off again to Vermillion, South Dakota and the National Music Museum (again)....

See Y'all Soon!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/20/2016:  13:30:45

You are having such a great good time on your road trip that I am just a bit envious.    However that envy is fading as I contemplate my own trip to Tuolumne Meadows, CA.

I am interested to hear your recordings that you and Tom did.

Cheers

Dave

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 08/20/2016:  18:18:13

Glad that you liked the DECOTONE Dan. It was one of my favorite builds. The grain in the curly maple and the veneers really made this one come out some kinda purty.

Thanks for the kind comments!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/20/2016:  18:55:18

Dave,

Are you headed to a festival or just camping? That is such a beautiful aria..... now I'm jelous!

Marvin,

You ain't a kidding! That is such a fine, fine instrument and your workmanship is absolutely first rate! I'm so glad I got to see and play it.

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/20/2016:  19:17:04

Dan

I will be camping and rock climbing.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/20/2016:  19:25:10

Ok I guess the cat is out of the bag....

I'm carrying Tom Bergan's Banjo d'Amore Orpheus back to Tennessee for a few upgrades.

I can't help it but every evening (sometimes in the morning too) after Debbie and I get in our motel room I pull Orpheus out of it's case and thoroughly enjoy its voice!  This has to be one of the most amazing instruments I've ever played.

Today while visiting  (the most amazing museum I've ever been to for the second time), I pulled out Orpheus and in to the museum's concert hall we went for an impromptu concert with my new friend Chris Paulhus. Chris just recently returned to Vermillion from Paris (my little town) where he taught a Henry County High School band camp.

Tom, for your information,

I did fight mightily to keep Chris from sticking Orpheus in a glass case near the Strad's, Amati's and D'Angelico's...

And I won. And I'll prove it by playing a tune or two tonight!

Check out this pearl guitar rosette. The rest of this instrument was amazing too!

A late 1845's English zither banjo...

  

I love these carved pegheads!

Eddie Peabody's instruments.

from l to r:

Vegavox plectrum banjo, acoustic banjoline, (top) Rickenbaucher  Electric Banjoline, Gibson (I think) Electric Banjoline and a Fender Electric Banjoline...

Another carved peghead...

Lute...

Tomorrow we'll head over to Kansas City and visit the Arabia Steamboat Museum, the home...

See Y'all Again Soon!!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/22/2016:  10:56:31

Last Trip Post

Council Bluff, Iowa was our resting place on Saturday evening. Early Sunday we got up, had breakfast and added one more great highlight to our trip.... a stop at the ARABIA STEAMBOAT MUSEUM in Kansas City. This is such an amazing place. 

The ARABIA was a 3 year old steamboat plying the Missouri river she was loaded with passengers and a couple of tons of items for stores up the river.On September 5 of 1856 she struck a snag and went down and sunk in 12 feet of water near Parkville. Amazingly the only life lost was that of a mule that was left tied to some sawmill machinery. The story was that she had 200 barrels of whisky onboard and so over the years there were several attempts to salvage her. All failed until 1988 when several families who owned a heating and air company and another who owned a restaurant  dug her up from a Missouri cornfield.

Here is just a small taste of the stuff...

Woodworking tools, new back in 1856, never used...

Various medicines...

Both rubber and Leather footware...

Apparently even in 1856 these brown knobs were high dollar....

A Goodyears (note the s) rubber shoe...

Assorted glassware...

Oh yes I can't pass up the steamboat machinery. The shaft and bases for one of the paddlewheels...

Bacchus on the boiler...

We got home late last night (or early this morning... very early). It's great to be home!

See Y'all Again Soon!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/22/2016:  11:27:55

Dan

Should I ever get to Kansas City I certainly stop at the Arabia Steam Boat museum.  It looks like the kind of place that a person could spend a long time in.

My steam boat.

My Steam Boat

 

cbcarlisle - Posted - 08/22/2016:  12:08:29

I thought you were going somewhere else with this:
"The story was that she had 200 barrels of whisky on board and so over the years there were several attempts to salvage her...Here is just a small taste of the stuff...Bacchus on the boiler..."

Tom Berghan - Posted - 08/22/2016:  12:15:22

Where's the whiskey!?!?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/22/2016:  13:06:41

Dave,

How cool! I can see you playing banjo down on the deck!!!

Sorry boys, I forgot to finish that one. They never found any whisky on board. After 130+ years it would have been ruined anyway. There was some wine and apparently after all these years was still good!

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/22/2016:  14:00:53

Dan

My steam boat is only 42 inches long!!  I would need some shrinking pills!! 

Tom Berghan - Posted - 08/22/2016:  15:50:29

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dan Knowles

Sorry boys, I forgot to finish that one. They never found any whisky on board. After 130+ years it would have been ruined anyway. There was some wine and apparently after all these years was still good!

---

Dan , , , you live in Tennessee, which is famous for whiskey . . . and Kentucky is just north of you with is even more famous for whiskey.  I recommend that you learn how to spell whiskey . . . w-h-i-s-k-e-y  . . . you know, regional pride and all that sort o thing!  

Now in Scotland they make whisky . . . (It is true)  . . but in North America we make whiskey    

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/22/2016:  20:05:10

Dave,

 Hummmm...

Tom,

Hummmmmmm...................

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/27/2016:  13:56:17

Home for a day and a half....

Then of to Vicksburg for another Vicksburg - Memphis Vicksburg trip...

I was there just long enough to unpack, wash, repack, find the A.C. out at the shop and teach banjo (at home) just a bit. 

I tried to contact all my students to warn them of the heat and I thought that everyone of them had been informed of the cancelations (due to no air. odd thing to say, "No air.") When just as I was getting ready to vacate the shop the Shepherd family (of which 2 are students) showed up. So I invited them to move the lesson over to my home where it turned out that we had a group banjo class as nearly everybody had one...

Then it was back out on the Queen of the Mississippi for another great BANJO 102 CLASS...

And lively shows for wonderfully responsive folks!

Sunrise & Sunset on the Mississippi. Some of the prettiest I've ever seen...

See Y'all Again Real Soon!!!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 08/27/2016 14:01:38

Bufo Bill - Posted - 08/28/2016:  13:48:53

Those landscape photos should be included in a holiday brochure for the Mississippi . . . they call to you, those waters . . . 

All the best from Bill. :D

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/29/2016:  07:33:59

HOME AGAIN

 I'm home a day early... well at least a part of a day early. We completed our shows and were able to head home after lunch.

I would have enjoyed spending a whole lot more time with this group of folks though. I would have liked to do another banjo class with this bunch. They all got the old Frailing lick down in a BIG way!!!!

Our new friend Marc Neilsen. We had dinner with Marc and his folks, great times and wonderful folks!!!

You know how much I love these river sunsets... Here is one from Saturday evening...

See Y'all Soon!!!

Nels - Posted - 08/30/2016:  03:41:30

Timeless photo of sunset! I love your photos!

Dave1climber - Posted - 09/06/2016:  12:03:21

Dan

Your sunrise and sunset photos make one want to be right there with you.

casinojack - Posted - 10/01/2016:  18:33:32

What has happened to Dan?
Did I miss something?
I hope he and his family are safe and sound.

Jack

Alec Cramsie - Posted - 10/02/2016:  06:40:10

Ditto, This is my favourite pastime, I love hearing about Dans escapades and seeing his amazing work. We miss you Dan, come back soon!

Dave1climber - Posted - 10/02/2016:  07:31:03

Dan

Where have you been?

Kaelri - Posted - 10/02/2016:  12:10:34

I have been out of the loop here all summer/fall due to a busy show season and then in the beginning stages of fighting the C thing.  So finally, forced to slow down, I came here to see what fun Dan is having...and there is no Dan! I do sincerely hope you and yours are OK and that all is fine. 

steveh_2o - Posted - 10/02/2016:  13:11:27

Looks like he was spotted out and about recently.

Bufo Bill - Posted - 10/02/2016:  13:33:10

So sorry to hear you are ill Ellen. Give it all you got, girl. Will be thinking of you. 

Dave1climber - Posted - 10/02/2016:  14:13:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by steveh_2o

 

Looks like he was spotted out and about recently.

 

---

Well, It would seem that Dan is staying busy as always.  

Kaelri - Posted - 10/03/2016:  05:01:29

Let's look closer at the newspaper article link in which Dan was spotted....did anyone see the article list off to the lower right hand side?  Since I can't get this picture to become clickable so that you can make it big enough to read the small print, you might have to try that on my home page. :-) Meanwhile, I'll see if I can fix it........

Edited by - Kaelri on 10/03/2016 05:05:05

Dave1climber - Posted - 10/10/2016:  23:03:39

?

Blackjaxe47 - Posted - 10/11/2016:  10:21:35

NOT FUNNY...:(

casinojack - Posted - 10/11/2016:  11:21:35

? ? ?